As some of you know I just got done with a head and cam setup with a rebuild. As I got to the exhaust side of things I was looking for an affordable solution with nice quality. I started searching and found the Texas-Speed headers to be the best priced and they appeared to be nice quality. I went ahead and pulled the trigger. I received them quickly and inspected them as I was waiting for my engine to arrive. Here is a basic breakdown of how they came out:

-Out of box appearance-
Excellent, when I received them one of the output flanges was bent. I had a swell tool and simply put that in there to re-round the end. Other than that everything on them was perfect and the coatings were very sharp.

-How complete was the system?-
Outside of gaskets and header bolts everything was there for the install.

-Quality of Hardware-
I believe this is sort of a weak point on this system. The slip joints are impossible to get to stop leaking. I have tightened the clamps as far as they can possibly go. I would rather see a 3 bolt flange on the end of the headers going into the x-pipe, and the x-pipe going all the way to the mufflers in one piece.

-Fit-
This was when I ran into problems... I got the headers bolted up and went under the car to connect the X-pipe and the fitment was off. The passenger side header was hitting the oil pan and I had to sort of flex the headers together at the bottom to connect the X-Pipe. I had to pull the system off and re-install many times before I finally got a little clearance between the oil pan and header. Once everything was tight I went to install the 02 sensors, no go.... I had to pull down on the exhaust to get the 02's in and then they were pressing very hard against the tunnel cover. I removed the tunnel cover and cut a square out of it. The placement of the 02 bungs could be better. Also the way they are installed is criss cross like the rear 02s on our factory H-pipe. You can very easily criss cross the 02 wires on these headers.

-Leaks-
So far I have only had issues out of the rear slip joints. I had to tack weld them to keep them from turning. They were spinning and allowing the over axle pipes to bang on the tranny. The rear joints do leak, I cannot get them to stop for anything. I am planning on welding the rear section onto the X-pipe so I will have no leaks.

-Overall-
I would recommend the Texas Speed Headers for anyone looking for an affordable exhaust system. With the information I have provided you could easily install this system. If I would have known then what I do now the install would have been a piece of cake.

 

Nice writeup. These headers look like quality pieces. Sounds like they need to iron out a few details, but still they are a heck of a deal.

 

Not sure what clamps you have, but the Torco clamps work very well for sealing slip joints that leak. They are about $7 each.

 

Where do you get these?

 

^^ www.texas-speed.com ^^ I have them installed myself and they went in ok, no clearance issues, you have to install the O2's and cut the tunnel plate BEFORE bolting the headers in, I used tin-foil around the band clamps and header collectors, no leaks now, I got mine for $450 SHIPPED during the group purchase a while back, GREAT QUALITY for the $$.

 

Got mine from Verocious Motorsports in Delaware. They have O2 bungs and other exhaust specific hardware. I would get them from a forum vendor first though and since TSP sold the headers they would be a logical choice.

 

95BlueBomber do you have the street style or race style header?

 

Street style I guess, they have the AIR provisions.

 

For $450.did they come with the x pipe and cat's?
Thanks

 

No leaks here. They look great and make good power. My only complaint was there was no instructions so I didnt know I had to cut the tunnel plate and that they drag on speed humps sometimes. My car is lowered on coilovers though so I can't blame them too much. I would buy them again.

Ryan

 

Nope, headers only with air fittings

 

I've been waiting 3 months for the race style.

 

Thanks for the review

Chuck

 

Thanks Don
Anything going on in the next couple of weeks vette wise in Okla.City?(Car shows or cruises)
I my be in Edmond and Crescent.
My oldest son lives in Edmond and my parents live in Crescent.

 

There are a couple meets coming up, check this thread to keep up http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...685563&page=50

 

How are the o2 sensors installed? Do you just disconnect the rears and use them for the front collectors on the new headers? Do you simply leave the original front o2 sensors disconnected?