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TPIS vs Stainless Works LT headers
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
TPIS vs Stainless Works LT headers
First off let me say I have nothing against SW headers. They did an excellent job for me when I had stock heads. Having moved up to AFR 195 st. Eliminators I felt a larger header would suit the AFR's better. So I purchased a set of TPIS 1 3/4" headers to replace the SW with. As far as a comparison rwhp wise that is two weeks away. Dyno guy is on vacation. I expect to lose a slight amount of torque switching but hopefully it will only be a slight amount. The car made 387/338 rwhp (std CF) with the SW. We'll see if that goes up any with the TPIS.
This is mainly a port dia. comparison. You can see the difference in the pictures in the link below. I did a very slight amount of porting to round out the corners to match the FelPro gasket. Which BTW fit the heads perfectly.
Here are the actual differences of the ports measured laterally in inches.
Fel-Pro 1404 gasket port width. 1 1/2"
SW 1 5/8 LT headers port width. 1 3/16" (3/8" difference, smaller)
TPIS 1 3/4 LT headers port width. 1 9/16
http://s274.photobucket.com/albums/j...0LT%20headers/
EDIT: I had the Felpro gasket # wrong. I had 1204 and it's 1404.
This is mainly a port dia. comparison. You can see the difference in the pictures in the link below. I did a very slight amount of porting to round out the corners to match the FelPro gasket. Which BTW fit the heads perfectly.
Here are the actual differences of the ports measured laterally in inches.
Fel-Pro 1404 gasket port width. 1 1/2"
SW 1 5/8 LT headers port width. 1 3/16" (3/8" difference, smaller)
TPIS 1 3/4 LT headers port width. 1 9/16
http://s274.photobucket.com/albums/j...0LT%20headers/
EDIT: I had the Felpro gasket # wrong. I had 1204 and it's 1404.
Last edited by Weav's Vet; Jul 5, 2010 at 05:40 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
Wasn't leaking there but there was some signs of the gasket not sealing between the center ports. I believe TPIS made it better by using the stock setup on the bolts. I'm not reusing the stock bolts though. I'm going stainless. Should be able to tighten them down really good. New gaskets of course.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
I guess when you order headers and they are 1 5/8 they are built for the OEM head which is smaller obviously. Any room to open them up any?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,758
Likes: 49
From: Houston Texas
I don't think there is, the port is tall enough and maybe 1/6" off on the sides. I may go buy the correct gasket and see is there is enough meat to port them.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
I'm at a standstill. I was lazy Fri. & Sat. and didn't get out to get the bolts I need so now today everything is closed. I'll know more about the fit tomorrow. I've read good things in that regard though.
I'll have a thread in a couple of weeks about performance.
I'll have a thread in a couple of weeks about performance.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
The TPIS headers on my 86 rusted through at the top of #5 tube. Even as tiny as it was, it caused idling problems on the 415 I had in the car.
I brazed it shut, but I just wanted you to know about my experience.
Jake
I brazed it shut, but I just wanted you to know about my experience.
Jake
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
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From: Sandhills of North Carolina
Well dang Jake your dog gone motor was to big! It just blew a hole in it.
Seriously, how long ago was that? How long were they on the car before they rusted? Lots running TPIS, I can't say I've heard of any rusting issues lately. Also, were the ones you had coated?
Of course none of this matters now since I already have them they'll be going on the car.
Last edited by Weav's Vet; Jul 6, 2010 at 05:33 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 41
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From: Kokomo In
I used the stage 8 bolts on mine, the ones that have the lock built into them and I love them! I have had my headers on for over a year and not had to retighten the bolts once. I checked them a cpl of times and they have always been tight. If I remember right the set was around $40. They make them in stainless and a polished finish.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
I used the stage 8 bolts on mine, the ones that have the lock built into them and I love them! I have had my headers on for over a year and not had to retighten the bolts once. I checked them a cpl of times and they have always been tight. If I remember right the set was around $40. They make them in stainless and a polished finish.
Thanks for that but to late. I've already got them on. I'll just have to check them after a couple of heat cycles.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
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From: Sandhills of North Carolina
First issue....
These collector tails are really long. It's throwing the cats right next to the transmission. Do you think they were made to be cut off? Also doing this would get the 02 closer to the cat if that matters at all.
These collector tails are really long. It's throwing the cats right next to the transmission. Do you think they were made to be cut off? Also doing this would get the 02 closer to the cat if that matters at all.