XS Power header install review *LONG*
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
Wow. Although I had to mill my Texas Speed header flanges, my install was a breeze compared to yours.
Seems yours have a quality problem still... insufficient consistency in their product. More go-no-go jigs needed.
Seems yours have a quality problem still... insufficient consistency in their product. More go-no-go jigs needed.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 239
From: Missi'ppi... no mo' MO for me!!
... They DO need better/more go-no-go jigs, but their "out of spec" barely rivals having to mill the flanges. I dunno who I coulda got around here to mill the flanges."Mine fit good; I just had to mill the flanges for a good fit"
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
And in all honesty, the ONLY reasons I didn't return them for a new pair:1 - I'm in Canada. Returning items to the US, getting another set back and somehow not paying taxes and import duties on both pairs = almost impossible.
2 - I was very concerned, considering #1, that I would get a 2nd pair that was good.
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
Bill, that's unfortunate to hear about the issues being reported. But it seems like each case is unique. There's no consistency. Some people have it good, others have it not so good.
I agree 100% about the tune. Though I might hold off just a little while longer. I might start my heads/cam project soon. I would rather go get it dyno tuned with everything all done rather than go there with the headers done, then go back 2 months later when the heads/cam are done.
I agree 100% about the tune. Though I might hold off just a little while longer. I might start my heads/cam project soon. I would rather go get it dyno tuned with everything all done rather than go there with the headers done, then go back 2 months later when the heads/cam are done.
Your car will run just fine without a tune. It wont hurt anything except fuel mileage and a little less HP/Tq than is with a good tune. 
That's exactly what I would do also!
Good plan.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 51
Likes: 2
Great write up! I am glad that you chose to share your journey. I had a little problem on the passenger side, but no other fitment issues. I have had to tighten the rear flange nuts and I had an issue where the collector pipe slips into the rear pipe. I think that I may still have a leak because I have a slight 'chirp' when I start up cold. Anybody else have this issue? Anyway, I would do it again in a heartbeat! I am pleased with the headers, the customer service, and the product. And it sounds and looks good too!
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2015
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Ive found with plug boots that the boot will burn if it's against the pipe even with a heat shield type sleeve between it and the pipe. It just seems the pipes are hot enough the heat eventually gets through.
I forgot, but I also tig welded the center 3 parts all together to get rid of the clamps in the middle. It made it all bolt together and no chance of a clamp slipping.
I forgot, but I also tig welded the center 3 parts all together to get rid of the clamps in the middle. It made it all bolt together and no chance of a clamp slipping.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 51
Likes: 2
Good point! I'm the engineering manager at a steel shop, was a tad easier for me than most perhaps. And in all honesty, the ONLY reasons I didn't return them for a new pair:
1 - I'm in Canada. Returning items to the US, getting another set back and somehow not paying taxes and import duties on both pairs = almost impossible.
2 - I was very concerned, considering #1, that I would get a 2nd pair that was good.
And in all honesty, the ONLY reasons I didn't return them for a new pair:1 - I'm in Canada. Returning items to the US, getting another set back and somehow not paying taxes and import duties on both pairs = almost impossible.
2 - I was very concerned, considering #1, that I would get a 2nd pair that was good.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
So the actual install was no problem. I had to bend one floor flange a bit (down below, about a foot forward of the collectors, drivers side) which was easy with a large crescent wrench. Otherwise a pretty "standard" header install, no complaints for a big V8 in a smallish car.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2015
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So last weekend I threw the car back up on the lift to give everything a once over. I gave everything another quarter turn and double nutted the collector flanges. I happened to notice that my passenger side band clamp was actually caught in the little relief cut notch they cut in the pipe to help it slip over the x-pipe. So I loosened the clamp and adjusted it, now everything looks good.
Now I notice I have a vibration throughout the whole car at about 1200 rpm. It feels like a strong resonance, right at about 1200 rpm, then it goes away right after that. Is this normal with XS Power or any other long tubes? I made sure that my headers weren't making contact with anything when I installed them, so I don't think they're touching anything. I just find it funny that I didn't have this issue at first, and now I do after tightening up. I can't imagine that I sealed up any leaks. I didn't have an suit marks, tick noises, etc. The bolts weren't loose, just took an extra quarter turn. Any thoughts?
Now I notice I have a vibration throughout the whole car at about 1200 rpm. It feels like a strong resonance, right at about 1200 rpm, then it goes away right after that. Is this normal with XS Power or any other long tubes? I made sure that my headers weren't making contact with anything when I installed them, so I don't think they're touching anything. I just find it funny that I didn't have this issue at first, and now I do after tightening up. I can't imagine that I sealed up any leaks. I didn't have an suit marks, tick noises, etc. The bolts weren't loose, just took an extra quarter turn. Any thoughts?
Racer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 272
Likes: 1
From: Franklin County PA
I have to imagine the lack of consistency for fitment is due to not stress relieving the welded assembly while still bolted to the jig. I bet the headers that don't fit well wouldn't bolt back onto the same jig they came off of.