Ebay header nightmare .......
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,873
Likes: 5
From: Michigan
Ebay header nightmare .......
Well after reading about how these ebay headers seem to be a decent deal and people on the forum werent haveing to many issues i bought a set. I did the drivers side first. It went right in and bolted up perfect. Then i did the passenger side.........
The Bottem of the passenger collector is much to high for some reason. I had NO clearance against the flywheel cover. I figured it was just off a bit so i got out the torches and heated her up and banged on it with the sledge. I mangaged to get it close enough to bolt the thing onto the head. However it's still a good Half inch higher than the drivers side thats in the correct position. I have email the guy on ebay and im hopeing he will help me out somehow. As it is now I see no way how the passenger side header will work at all. It's pretty depressing haveing this happen i must say. So moral of the story. Spend the extra $ I know i would have
The Bottem of the passenger collector is much to high for some reason. I had NO clearance against the flywheel cover. I figured it was just off a bit so i got out the torches and heated her up and banged on it with the sledge. I mangaged to get it close enough to bolt the thing onto the head. However it's still a good Half inch higher than the drivers side thats in the correct position. I have email the guy on ebay and im hopeing he will help me out somehow. As it is now I see no way how the passenger side header will work at all. It's pretty depressing haveing this happen i must say. So moral of the story. Spend the extra $ I know i would have
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,113
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
I have posted in about 2-3 threads this week alone advising other not to buy these ebay headers.These are made by SS autochrome,quite possibly the worst brand ever marketed.My 3 year old cousin could make better quality headers using his Fisher Price plastic tool kit then what those clowns make over there at SS.
For those of you who have read my posts this week and further more those in the future who view this post,this is the reason why you do not buy these headers.Even if you get them to fit right,expect welds to crack and the "stainless steel" to start flaking off.
Think about it this way folks.Is 200 bucks REALLY that much more to pay for some quality headers like kooks?
For those of you who have read my posts this week and further more those in the future who view this post,this is the reason why you do not buy these headers.Even if you get them to fit right,expect welds to crack and the "stainless steel" to start flaking off.
Think about it this way folks.Is 200 bucks REALLY that much more to pay for some quality headers like kooks?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,480
Likes: 62
From: Middletown DE
what happens if you unbolt the hanger, does it drop a little? could look at using spacers or something.
I have the ssac headers on my car, almost coming up on a year - I have had no issues (knock on wood) and happy with what i got for what i paid.
I referred to the install thread, bent the ac line, and have a custom mid pipe to connect my new high flow cat's to the stock Mid pipe. One benefit from this, is the little bit of flexibility i got from the clamps now allows my tail pipes to actuallly line up for once.
None of my welds are cracked, and the finish is not peeling off. I am not easy on my car at all, and i drive it year round and take it down the 1/4 a few times a year. I have 10-12k on these and they still seem fine to me.
I have the ssac headers on my car, almost coming up on a year - I have had no issues (knock on wood) and happy with what i got for what i paid.
I referred to the install thread, bent the ac line, and have a custom mid pipe to connect my new high flow cat's to the stock Mid pipe. One benefit from this, is the little bit of flexibility i got from the clamps now allows my tail pipes to actuallly line up for once.
None of my welds are cracked, and the finish is not peeling off. I am not easy on my car at all, and i drive it year round and take it down the 1/4 a few times a year. I have 10-12k on these and they still seem fine to me.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 328
From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
I have had mine for over a year now with NO problems--The welds on the collectors and tubes were some of the best I've seen and the stainless is a better quality than most people use--The biggest problem with them is of course the fitment issues--I would not reccomend them if you are looking for a perfect looking install or if so aren't set up to do some small fabrication---If you are willing to do some minor work then the trade off is exceptional-- No Corvette tax here !! You can pay $1500 and have them fit and look perfect or pay $300 plus a little elbow grease and save a ton of $$$---I had mine dynoed before and after and they made in excess of 25 RWHP after tuning --same as all the others-- With the extra $1200 i bought a 3.42 diff & stall converter---
PS----- Maybe the left collector is too low ??????
PS----- Maybe the left collector is too low ??????
Last edited by tblu92; Sep 28, 2007 at 12:37 AM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,331
Likes: 4
From: Jacksonville Florida
Ive had those headers for about 6 months now, love em, i see absolutely NO reason to spend 1k+ on headers when these fit well, and make really good power.
i see in that picture how the one side is sitting higher, but i dont understand why that wont work? You have to have a custom midpipe made regardless so id think a muffler shop can fix that up no problem?
i see in that picture how the one side is sitting higher, but i dont understand why that wont work? You have to have a custom midpipe made regardless so id think a muffler shop can fix that up no problem?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Ive had those headers for about 6 months now, love em, i see absolutely NO reason to spend 1k+ on headers when these fit well, and make really good power.
i see in that picture how the one side is sitting higher, but i dont understand why that wont work? You have to have a custom midpipe made regardless so id think a muffler shop can fix that up no problem?
i see in that picture how the one side is sitting higher, but i dont understand why that wont work? You have to have a custom midpipe made regardless so id think a muffler shop can fix that up no problem?
With the header up that high, that O2 sensor will be hell to get in. I would just try to get another passengers side header.
Waytofastvette2006
Contact SS Auto Chrome and send them the picts and information.
They should work with you. I dont see why they wouldnt.
Please let us know how thing turn out.
Try to contact forum member " tstar " He has a VERY good raport with them!
Bill
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,873
Likes: 5
From: Michigan
eurospec1
With the header up that high, that O2 sensor will be hell to get in. I would just try to get another passengers side header.
Waytofastvette2006
Contact SS Auto Chrome and send them the picts and information.
They should work with you. I dont see why they wouldnt.
Please let us know how thing turn out.
Try to contact forum member " tstar " He has a VERY good raport with them!
Bill
With the header up that high, that O2 sensor will be hell to get in. I would just try to get another passengers side header.
Waytofastvette2006
Contact SS Auto Chrome and send them the picts and information.
They should work with you. I dont see why they wouldnt.
Please let us know how thing turn out.
Try to contact forum member " tstar " He has a VERY good raport with them!
Bill
Yeah this is what i did. I sent them pictures yesterday. All you guys that say they are great thats fine. But im pretty sure you would say the same thing if your car has been ripped down and outa commision for 4 days now on a 4 hour Job
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,873
Likes: 5
From: Michigan
Alright i got it together. It's deffinatly not right but it works. I guess due to the system being so long and it being a half inch off it spreads the difference out along the system so by the time it got to the back tips you dont notice it It sounds like the devil crawled up under my hood
Im running no cats and stock titanium system
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,865
Likes: 27
From: WTB Kook 2" long tube 4 C5 TEXAS
I have the same headers on my car and I had the same problem but I fixed it. Ill never mind buying a performance part thats cheaper compared to the top of the line stuff if it needs a little altering
FYI i spent @ $500 or less for the longtubes, x-pipe, mid-section, and all my clamps, last time I cheeked kooks cost like over a grand~~
FYI i spent @ $500 or less for the longtubes, x-pipe, mid-section, and all my clamps, last time I cheeked kooks cost like over a grand~~
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 5,005
Likes: 38
From: jackson nj
Waytofastvette2006, did you buy these headers from Ebay or SSA direct? I've heard most of the guys say that since SSA (thru tstar) has sold direct they fit much better, but the guys selling on Ebay out of Calif. are not so good. I do not know whether the Calif guys are using SSA or not, but my SSA headers I bought some months ago are fine, and these are not the first headers I've had on my C-5 either.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,873
Likes: 5
From: Michigan
Waytofastvette2006, did you buy these headers from Ebay or SSA direct? I've heard most of the guys say that since SSA (thru tstar) has sold direct they fit much better, but the guys selling on Ebay out of Calif. are not so good. I do not know whether the Calif guys are using SSA or not, but my SSA headers I bought some months ago are fine, and these are not the first headers I've had on my C-5 either.
I got these from the guys in Cali
OH well if my tips dont stay lined up i will just have to buy another header Still no word from the seller either. Guess im SOL
ON a un related note i have not thrown a check engine light yet and i have no rear 02 sensors or cats. I thought the light would come on within the first few seconds of the car running.
Last edited by Waytofastvette2006; Sep 28, 2007 at 04:27 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,561
Likes: 448
From: Atlanta metro Ga.
I got these from the guys in Cali OH well if my tips dont stay lined up i will just have to buy another header
Still no word from the seller either. Guess im SOL
ON a un related note i have not thrown a check engine light yet and i have no rear 02 sensors or cats. I thought the light would come on within the first few seconds of the car running.
OH well if my tips dont stay lined up i will just have to buy another header Still no word from the seller either. Guess im SOL
ON a un related note i have not thrown a check engine light yet and i have no rear 02 sensors or cats. I thought the light would come on within the first few seconds of the car running.
Last edited by Dan_the_C5_Man; Sep 29, 2007 at 02:39 PM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,331
Likes: 4
From: Jacksonville Florida
I got these from the guys in Cali OH well if my tips dont stay lined up i will just have to buy another header
Still no word from the seller either. Guess im SOL
ON a un related note i have not thrown a check engine light yet and i have no rear 02 sensors or cats. I thought the light would come on within the first few seconds of the car running.
OH well if my tips dont stay lined up i will just have to buy another header Still no word from the seller either. Guess im SOL
ON a un related note i have not thrown a check engine light yet and i have no rear 02 sensors or cats. I thought the light would come on within the first few seconds of the car running.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,873
Likes: 5
From: Michigan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 893
Likes: 38
From: ATX
when I was planning on picking up headers, I read the ebay threads and decided to steer clear of them. Way too many posts involving crow bars, bending a/c lines, hanger mounts, etc. Bought LG streets for ~$900 (including x) and they bolted right up with NO clearance issues. My only prob with them was their ****ty clamps, which is easily corrected. After considering the extra time I've seen guys invest in the ebay alternative, the streets were well worth the extra $400.
