Used Headers?
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 30
From: Shenandoah Valley Virginia
If you can physically examine the headers, sure. I would buy them especially at a 50% discount. The recurring problem seems to be the AIR tube flange. Check the weld there closely along with the other welds for cracking.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,127
Likes: 33
From: Easley/Anderson South Carolina
Funny you post this. I have a set for sale. They are dented on the driver's collector slip fit area. The only cracking is where the flanges are welded on at. The tension that gets put on to that flange when bolted down to the bell housing caused the cracking. I welded twice, the first time it cracked again with the bolts installed. second time I left the bolts out.
Retail on these are 1100-1200 correct?
Retail on these are 1100-1200 correct?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 328
From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
Most imporatnt would be the correct choice of exhaust gaskets -- i wouldn't use anything but the STOCK GM tri-metal ones--They are the BEST--They are a one time use layered gasket and don't leak---
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,127
Likes: 33
From: Easley/Anderson South Carolina
And I had about 3 coats of copper spray to each side of them. Never had a head flange leak on me.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Lake Worth FL
OK thanks all, definately a little better understanding of what happens to headers as they age. I cant get to see them first and he's about 2 hrs away so I'm a little hesitant. Maybe I'll just wait til I win the lottery...
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,447
Likes: 409
From: Portland OR
I bought used XSPower headers and offroad X. Nice stuff. But they sure don't stay nice and shiny. I just cut off and welded up the AIR fittings and will have them coated.
I will say that the material is thick and tough! Those AIR fittings were tough to sawsall off!
BTW....the XS headers don't bolt to the trans under the car, so that eliminates the thermal expansion cracking problem mentioned above. The ones I bought were well used and still in excellent condition.
Ron
I will say that the material is thick and tough! Those AIR fittings were tough to sawsall off!
BTW....the XS headers don't bolt to the trans under the car, so that eliminates the thermal expansion cracking problem mentioned above. The ones I bought were well used and still in excellent condition.
Ron
Last edited by RonSSNova; Apr 3, 2012 at 12:03 PM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 377
Likes: 3
From: Cudahy WI
I bought a used set of Kooks with an X pipe off Craigslist for $500. Aside from the difficult install and having to source a few bolts, it was like they were new. As long as they are straight and nice I would highly suggest used headers.
