Need advice for XPS Header install C5
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 935
Likes: 103
Ya guys, I want to say up front the Vendor Jon is doing the right thing here. Good vendor relations so far.
Car went on the lift yesterday... I got a call mid afternoon that things weren't fitting right. Headers are touching everything, pressed hard against the oil pan, steering shaft, A/C line, and that the drivers side Collector in mis-aligned and clocked in a way that the O2 sensor would have to be relocated. They said it was really bad fitment and would need a lot of reworking. I wanted to add the shop I chose in my city is probably the best around, with an installer and tuner who is known for his experience on Corvettes and Camaros (LS engines etc).
I also have been talking with another member who's install is about the same ...
I'll echo what brownrd says below, in that something has changed with these headers, either production environment, quality control, materials, etc. I'm pretty hooped right now and my car is being put back to stock as there are no other headers from the big name brands readily available and my car cant just sit on this shops lift.
Car went on the lift yesterday... I got a call mid afternoon that things weren't fitting right. Headers are touching everything, pressed hard against the oil pan, steering shaft, A/C line, and that the drivers side Collector in mis-aligned and clocked in a way that the O2 sensor would have to be relocated. They said it was really bad fitment and would need a lot of reworking. I wanted to add the shop I chose in my city is probably the best around, with an installer and tuner who is known for his experience on Corvettes and Camaros (LS engines etc).
I also have been talking with another member who's install is about the same ...
I'll echo what brownrd says below, in that something has changed with these headers, either production environment, quality control, materials, etc. I'm pretty hooped right now and my car is being put back to stock as there are no other headers from the big name brands readily available and my car cant just sit on this shops lift.
Last edited by Roddy13; Jun 16, 2017 at 12:42 PM.
Instructor
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 114
Likes: 19
From: Ontario
I am that "other member" that Roddy has been talking to. Agree that Jon is good to deal with in what amounts to a bad situation.
Short story:
- professional installer took 10 hours to install the headers. He has done many Corvette header installs so knows how to get it done. The shop is well known in this neck of the woods for doing this type of work and is a supporting sponsor of the local Corvette Club.
- drivers side required removal of the regular stuff and then significant jacking of the motor to get them in.
- passenger side went in OK.
- all bolted up the drivers side is in direct contact with both the steering shaft and oil pan. Plan is to heat these areas with a torch and dimple the tubing for clearance.
- to me such poor fitment amounts to a defective product.
- with so much time (and $) invested in the install I am not willing to abandon it and pull them back off, unless the dimpling is unsuccessful, in which re-assess.
- Jon has offered to compile a claim back to XSPower for compensation for the product defects. Will let you all know how that goes.
What I find puzzling is the positive experience reported by several CF members from about 1 year ago with this product. It seems clear things were ok then and something changed to make it go sideways. Different supplier? Different welder(s)? Different base tubing material? Either way XSP needs to get this resolved pronto, and stop selling in the meantime since it is now a known issue - and you really should not be selling product that has known issues.
Short story:
- professional installer took 10 hours to install the headers. He has done many Corvette header installs so knows how to get it done. The shop is well known in this neck of the woods for doing this type of work and is a supporting sponsor of the local Corvette Club.
- drivers side required removal of the regular stuff and then significant jacking of the motor to get them in.
- passenger side went in OK.
- all bolted up the drivers side is in direct contact with both the steering shaft and oil pan. Plan is to heat these areas with a torch and dimple the tubing for clearance.
- to me such poor fitment amounts to a defective product.
- with so much time (and $) invested in the install I am not willing to abandon it and pull them back off, unless the dimpling is unsuccessful, in which re-assess.
- Jon has offered to compile a claim back to XSPower for compensation for the product defects. Will let you all know how that goes.
What I find puzzling is the positive experience reported by several CF members from about 1 year ago with this product. It seems clear things were ok then and something changed to make it go sideways. Different supplier? Different welder(s)? Different base tubing material? Either way XSP needs to get this resolved pronto, and stop selling in the meantime since it is now a known issue - and you really should not be selling product that has known issues.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 859
Likes: 28
From: St. Cloud MN
I also purchased these headers a few months back, and have just got to installing them.
They've been on par with what everyone else has said. On the Drivers side I've had to grind a bit on the oil pan and make a flat spot on one of the primaries because it wouldn't go up any further in the engine bay. Once I did that, I slipped up and in. Pass said, as others, I removed the started, and also another dimple on the primary to get it to slide in from the bottom. Looks like I'll have to adjust the AC line, as it's a 1/4" of clearance. I'd say I have a little over 1/4" on the steering shaft.
I've only gotten to the point of getting all the bolts in position, and have the headers loosely in place. I got both O2 sensors in and mocked up the X Pipe, of course I had to hardware, so I just bought some bolts today.
I barely have clearance with the bell housing and the O2 on the driver side, pass side seemed ok.
This all said, if everything fits once it's all bolted down, then I'll be happy. If not, then I'll wish I went with something else. I got these headers with Cats for around $825 I believe.
They've been on par with what everyone else has said. On the Drivers side I've had to grind a bit on the oil pan and make a flat spot on one of the primaries because it wouldn't go up any further in the engine bay. Once I did that, I slipped up and in. Pass said, as others, I removed the started, and also another dimple on the primary to get it to slide in from the bottom. Looks like I'll have to adjust the AC line, as it's a 1/4" of clearance. I'd say I have a little over 1/4" on the steering shaft.
I've only gotten to the point of getting all the bolts in position, and have the headers loosely in place. I got both O2 sensors in and mocked up the X Pipe, of course I had to hardware, so I just bought some bolts today.
I barely have clearance with the bell housing and the O2 on the driver side, pass side seemed ok.
This all said, if everything fits once it's all bolted down, then I'll be happy. If not, then I'll wish I went with something else. I got these headers with Cats for around $825 I believe.
Last edited by Black_Z28; Jun 16, 2017 at 03:55 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 184
Likes: 17
I also purchased these headers a few months back, and have just got to installing them.
They've been on par with what everyone else has said. On the Drivers side I've had to grind a bit on the oil pan and make a flat spot on one of the primaries because it wouldn't go up any further in the engine bay. Once I did that, I slipped up and in. Pass said, as others, I removed the started, and also another dimple on the primary to get it to slide in from the bottom. Looks like I'll have to adjust the AC line, as it's a 1/4" of clearance. I'd say I have a little over 1/4" on the steering shaft.
I've only gotten to the point of getting all the bolts in position, and have the headers loosely in place. I got both O2 sensors in and mocked up the X Pipe, of course I had to hardware, so I just bought some bolts today.
I barely have clearance with the bell housing and the O2 on the driver side, pass side seemed ok.
This all said, if everything fits once it's all bolted down, then I'll be happy. If not, then I'll wish I went with something else. I got these headers with Cats for around $825 I believe.
They've been on par with what everyone else has said. On the Drivers side I've had to grind a bit on the oil pan and make a flat spot on one of the primaries because it wouldn't go up any further in the engine bay. Once I did that, I slipped up and in. Pass said, as others, I removed the started, and also another dimple on the primary to get it to slide in from the bottom. Looks like I'll have to adjust the AC line, as it's a 1/4" of clearance. I'd say I have a little over 1/4" on the steering shaft.
I've only gotten to the point of getting all the bolts in position, and have the headers loosely in place. I got both O2 sensors in and mocked up the X Pipe, of course I had to hardware, so I just bought some bolts today.
I barely have clearance with the bell housing and the O2 on the driver side, pass side seemed ok.
This all said, if everything fits once it's all bolted down, then I'll be happy. If not, then I'll wish I went with something else. I got these headers with Cats for around $825 I believe.
Definitely a big quality problem with this version. We would all like to see Jon stop selling these until the issues are fixed.
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1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,442
Likes: 2,189
From: Buffalo Texas
I installed mine two years ago (version 3) less than four hours (on my ramps) taking my time cleaning and such !!!! I would NOT spend the big bucks on name brands !!! Many tell me the car sounds amazing, and inside the car also !!!! Really good power !!! No issues !!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 935
Likes: 103
There has been a change in the product with the more recent version Pounder. Lots of us have had major headaches. I'm waiting for mine to be picked up for return.
Last edited by Roddy13; Jun 20, 2017 at 12:01 AM.
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,442
Likes: 2,189
From: Buffalo Texas
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 239
From: Missi'ppi... no mo' MO for me!!
Pounder, I think you got lucky. I purchased v.3 from Jon and ended up raising the engine and cutting the batwing completely off in order to slide the driver's side in. I had more than 15 hours in the job and out of desperation I cut the batwing. I had to... I couldn't get the driver's side out once I "muscled" it partway in, and there's no speed shop within 250 miles who'd touch a "bargain-brand" set of headers--I'd checked beforehand. And this was prolly my 4th header install.
Pass side went in like butter w/o starter removal, but both sides hang low by ~ 1/2". I actually decided to fabricate my own skid plates for each side and that's the only way I keep a contented mind on the install. I know the naked pipes bottomed once before I installed the plates. I think the skid plates have bottomed twice or maybe three times. No shopping malls or speed bumps for me anymore.
Thankfully, there's no damage done; this was ~2yr and at least 15,000 miles ago-- the A/C piping has prolly 3/8" gap to the header--I wrapped the piping with header tape. Fortunately, the steering linkage doesn't touch; from lock-to-lock there's about 1/4" of space--but I sure had to tweak the header bolts to get the perfect alignment for the linkage.
I got the XPSs at a great discount--prolly $1100 coated and shipped, but truthfully, had I known what to expect out of the shoddy fitment, I'd have paid twice the amount to keep the oil pan OEM and better gaps for the A/C and steering. I just don't like to "shadetree" my vehicles.
Once I was all done, I guess I had 3 immediate impressions, in this order-- 1) gDAYUUMM those headers were a rite of passage; 2) they sure sound good; 3) as cheeep as I am, I guess they were worth the money so long as I don't see the alterations I had to make from "stock"... wish I was 'rich' I'da sprung for one of the BIG BOX brands and paid for an install.
Pass side went in like butter w/o starter removal, but both sides hang low by ~ 1/2". I actually decided to fabricate my own skid plates for each side and that's the only way I keep a contented mind on the install. I know the naked pipes bottomed once before I installed the plates. I think the skid plates have bottomed twice or maybe three times. No shopping malls or speed bumps for me anymore.
Thankfully, there's no damage done; this was ~2yr and at least 15,000 miles ago-- the A/C piping has prolly 3/8" gap to the header--I wrapped the piping with header tape. Fortunately, the steering linkage doesn't touch; from lock-to-lock there's about 1/4" of space--but I sure had to tweak the header bolts to get the perfect alignment for the linkage.
I got the XPSs at a great discount--prolly $1100 coated and shipped, but truthfully, had I known what to expect out of the shoddy fitment, I'd have paid twice the amount to keep the oil pan OEM and better gaps for the A/C and steering. I just don't like to "shadetree" my vehicles.
Once I was all done, I guess I had 3 immediate impressions, in this order-- 1) gDAYUUMM those headers were a rite of passage; 2) they sure sound good; 3) as cheeep as I am, I guess they were worth the money so long as I don't see the alterations I had to make from "stock"... wish I was 'rich' I'da sprung for one of the BIG BOX brands and paid for an install.
Last edited by dork; Jun 20, 2017 at 01:28 AM.
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,442
Likes: 2,189
From: Buffalo Texas
Pounder, I think you got lucky. I purchased v.3 from Jon and ended up raising the engine and cutting the batwing completely off in order to slide the driver's side in. I had more than 15 hours in the job and out of desperation I cut the batwing. I had to... I couldn't get the driver's side out once I "muscled" it partway in, and there's no speed shop within 250 miles who'd touch a "bargain-brand" set of headers--I'd checked beforehand. And this was prolly my 4th header install.
Pass side went in like butter w/o starter removal, but both sides hang low by ~ 1/2". I actually decided to fabricate my own skid plates for each side and that's the only way I keep a contented mind on the install. I know the naked pipes bottomed once before I installed the plates. I think the skid plates have bottomed twice or maybe three times. No shopping malls or speed bumps for me anymore.
Thankfully, there's no damage done; this was ~2yr and at least 15,000 miles ago-- the A/C piping has prolly 3/8" gap to the header--I wrapped the piping with header tape. Fortunately, the steering linkage doesn't touch; from lock-to-lock there's about 1/4" of space--but I sure had to tweak the header bolts to get the perfect alignment for the linkage.
I got the XPSs at a great discount--prolly $1100 coated and shipped, but truthfully, had I known what to expect out of the shoddy fitment, I'd have paid twice the amount to keep the oil pan OEM and better gaps for the A/C and steering. I just don't like to "shadetree" my vehicles.
Once I was all done, I guess I had 3 immediate impressions, in this order-- 1) gDAYUUMM those headers were a rite of passage; 2) they sure sound good; 3) as cheeep as I am, I guess they were worth the money so long as I don't see the alterations I had to make from "stock"... wish I was 'rich' I'da sprung for one of the BIG BOX brands and paid for an install.
Pass side went in like butter w/o starter removal, but both sides hang low by ~ 1/2". I actually decided to fabricate my own skid plates for each side and that's the only way I keep a contented mind on the install. I know the naked pipes bottomed once before I installed the plates. I think the skid plates have bottomed twice or maybe three times. No shopping malls or speed bumps for me anymore.
Thankfully, there's no damage done; this was ~2yr and at least 15,000 miles ago-- the A/C piping has prolly 3/8" gap to the header--I wrapped the piping with header tape. Fortunately, the steering linkage doesn't touch; from lock-to-lock there's about 1/4" of space--but I sure had to tweak the header bolts to get the perfect alignment for the linkage.
I got the XPSs at a great discount--prolly $1100 coated and shipped, but truthfully, had I known what to expect out of the shoddy fitment, I'd have paid twice the amount to keep the oil pan OEM and better gaps for the A/C and steering. I just don't like to "shadetree" my vehicles.
Once I was all done, I guess I had 3 immediate impressions, in this order-- 1) gDAYUUMM those headers were a rite of passage; 2) they sure sound good; 3) as cheeep as I am, I guess they were worth the money so long as I don't see the alterations I had to make from "stock"... wish I was 'rich' I'da sprung for one of the BIG BOX brands and paid for an install.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 184
Likes: 17
Pounder, I think you got lucky. I purchased v.3 from Jon and ended up raising the engine and cutting the batwing completely off in order to slide the driver's side in. I had more than 15 hours in the job and out of desperation I cut the batwing. I had to... I couldn't get the driver's side out once I "muscled" it partway in, and there's no speed shop within 250 miles who'd touch a "bargain-brand" set of headers--I'd checked beforehand. And this was prolly my 4th header install.
Pass side went in like butter w/o starter removal, but both sides hang low by ~ 1/2". I actually decided to fabricate my own skid plates for each side and that's the only way I keep a contented mind on the install. I know the naked pipes bottomed once before I installed the plates. I think the skid plates have bottomed twice or maybe three times. No shopping malls or speed bumps for me anymore.
Thankfully, there's no damage done; this was ~2yr and at least 15,000 miles ago-- the A/C piping has prolly 3/8" gap to the header--I wrapped the piping with header tape. Fortunately, the steering linkage doesn't touch; from lock-to-lock there's about 1/4" of space--but I sure had to tweak the header bolts to get the perfect alignment for the linkage.
I got the XPSs at a great discount--prolly $1100 coated and shipped, but truthfully, had I known what to expect out of the shoddy fitment, I'd have paid twice the amount to keep the oil pan OEM and better gaps for the A/C and steering. I just don't like to "shadetree" my vehicles.
Once I was all done, I guess I had 3 immediate impressions, in this order-- 1) gDAYUUMM those headers were a rite of passage; 2) they sure sound good; 3) as cheeep as I am, I guess they were worth the money so long as I don't see the alterations I had to make from "stock"... wish I was 'rich' I'da sprung for one of the BIG BOX brands and paid for an install.
Pass side went in like butter w/o starter removal, but both sides hang low by ~ 1/2". I actually decided to fabricate my own skid plates for each side and that's the only way I keep a contented mind on the install. I know the naked pipes bottomed once before I installed the plates. I think the skid plates have bottomed twice or maybe three times. No shopping malls or speed bumps for me anymore.
Thankfully, there's no damage done; this was ~2yr and at least 15,000 miles ago-- the A/C piping has prolly 3/8" gap to the header--I wrapped the piping with header tape. Fortunately, the steering linkage doesn't touch; from lock-to-lock there's about 1/4" of space--but I sure had to tweak the header bolts to get the perfect alignment for the linkage.
I got the XPSs at a great discount--prolly $1100 coated and shipped, but truthfully, had I known what to expect out of the shoddy fitment, I'd have paid twice the amount to keep the oil pan OEM and better gaps for the A/C and steering. I just don't like to "shadetree" my vehicles.
Once I was all done, I guess I had 3 immediate impressions, in this order-- 1) gDAYUUMM those headers were a rite of passage; 2) they sure sound good; 3) as cheeep as I am, I guess they were worth the money so long as I don't see the alterations I had to make from "stock"... wish I was 'rich' I'da sprung for one of the BIG BOX brands and paid for an install.
Mine hang low as well, can you post a pic of your skid plates?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 184
Likes: 17
Folks, while your installing headers you may want to upgrade your starter if you have a model that has 1 short bolt and 1 long one. From threads below,this is a bad design that can cause the flange on the block to crack or break.
Many members have a had heck of time repairing the block flange.
I bought a model that has 2 long bolts which is a stronger design
Smoken1
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...the-block.html
nsogiba
if you do replace the starter, install one from an LS truck with the symmetrical body that uses the 2 longer bolts.
Once upon a time I ran a short/long bolt LS starter on an iron 6.0 LS and the starter cracked, causing all kinds of noise and lack of starting.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/general-m...l#post13096170
Many members have a had heck of time repairing the block flange.
I bought a model that has 2 long bolts which is a stronger design
Smoken1
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...the-block.html
nsogiba
if you do replace the starter, install one from an LS truck with the symmetrical body that uses the 2 longer bolts.
Once upon a time I ran a short/long bolt LS starter on an iron 6.0 LS and the starter cracked, causing all kinds of noise and lack of starting.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/general-m...l#post13096170
Last edited by HT99; Jun 20, 2017 at 11:32 AM.
