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ATTN: Owners of TPIS Headers

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Old Jul 13, 2001 | 10:34 AM
  #1  
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I'm really unhappy with the way I had to smash my number 7 pipe to clear the plug boot. I'd like to hear if this is common to other owners or just me because I have AFR heads. The AFR's have are the L98 plug angles. Before I bash the product, I wanted to see if its just my heads or if this is a problem on all cars (87-91). It's a shame that I had to smash a set of $750.00 headers to keep from cooking my boots.

Thanks,
Jason
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Old Jul 13, 2001 | 11:41 AM
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89, i do not have the TPIS headers, but a friend with the same heads does...AND he is having the same problem. #7 will hit the plug wire!!!!

i never heard of anybody else complain about this though. i told him to try the Accel shorty header plugs...they might work. don't know the outcome of that experiment yet.

I have the LPE headers. doing the plugs is a bit of a chore, but i've got them figured out. Also, the coating is shxt. the coating is flaking off and the headers are rusting down by the collector. they are about 4 years old, but don't have much mileage and rarely see rain (unless i'm at the track, but that's another story).

good luck

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Old Jul 13, 2001 | 11:46 AM
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89vette,

I checked my car last night.. on the #7 I have about an inch of space between the plug boot and the header pipe.. I am using Super Comp Hookers though.

Ralph,

I would not recommend Accel Shorty plugs to anyone.. My friend had a set on the his Z28 and when it was in the shop for a new trans the Trans guy said the car ran like crap.. so we swapped to A/C delco and the car ran like a champ.. no other changes made and the Accels were only 2 weeks old with maybe 100 miles

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Old Jul 13, 2001 | 11:49 AM
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I have TPIS headers on my 86. They fit fine on the factory heads, no problems. They also fit fine on the ZZ4 heads (basically L98 heads).

Tom Melton
82 CE
86 Z51 Coupe
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Old Jul 13, 2001 | 02:34 PM
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Originally Posted by ralph:
[B
I have the LPE headers. doing the plugs is a bit of a chore, but i've got them figured out. Also, the coating is shxt. the coating is flaking off and the headers are rusting down by the collector. they are about 4 years old, but don't have much mileage and rarely see rain[/B][/color]
Ralph,
You can return the header to LPE to be recoated. It cost me $110 in shipping to have this done though [img]http]//www.corvetteforum.cc/ubb/frown.gif[/img] (I ended up paying $55 to ship them to LPE and back, plus $55 in charges to shiping from LPE to HPC in AZ). I received my LPE header in Sept 97, I think they had a bad batch of them. My were chipping after 6 months (1 month of fair weather driving and 5 months of storage). I know of few other Vette owners at the time who had the same problems.

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Old Jul 13, 2001 | 04:08 PM
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Jason, I to had to custom fit my TPIS headers but in My 35 years of racing I can remember one set that I didn't have to CUSTOM FIT.

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Old Jul 14, 2001 | 04:58 AM
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I tried to dent mine with the old plug and socket. Messed up at least a couple spark plug threads. Only a couple I hope. There is some gap around the insulators I have on the wires. Still I expected better these D@mn things cost too much for this. I need to regap my plugs and now I'm afraid to pull the #7 plug.

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Old Jul 14, 2001 | 08:24 AM
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i think your problem is you probally have straght plug heads if you had angle plug heads i think you would have more room everywhere
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Old Jul 14, 2001 | 09:04 AM
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Corky, the post says that I have angle plug heads. The problem is that TPIS did not address the fact that the number 7 tube should be modified for more plug clearance. They are advertised as very well fitting and I agree except for the plug on number 7.
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Old Jul 15, 2001 | 03:49 AM
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#7 huh? What about #6 on the other side?


Same deal? My #6 has a "straight boot" on it right now, while all the other ones are angled.
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Old Jul 15, 2001 | 09:13 AM
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Only number 7 is a problem. Number 6 has a straight boot because that's the way it comes from the factory. You can run a 90 on that side with headers.
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Old Jul 15, 2001 | 10:47 AM
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Originally Posted by 89vette
Only number 7 is a problem. Number 6 has a straight boot because that's the way it comes from the factory. You can run a 90 on that side with headers. [/color]
Yeah, although when I did I noticed more problems with arching to the dip stick tube with #6, With my hooker headers I have no problems with arching with the stock style set-up all 90deg except #6

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Old Jul 23, 2001 | 10:38 PM
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I had TPIS Headers on my CrossFire (Streight Plug Heads) Was told they would fit perfect,but had to beat the living crap out of them to avoid the plugs.Over time:
Item 1.Burned two sets of Accel wires before adding Ceramic Boot Guards(Worked Good)
Item 2.Found Accel Shorties are Crap.Bosch Platinums are almost as short!(Worked Great)
Item 3.Replaced CrossFire with LT4,installed SLP Headers.Will keep you posted when it's running!
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