Discussion
My 355 has a blowing manifold. They've been repaired in the past and now failed - the car's a keeper so I'm looking for a permanent solution. I like the look of the Tubis and the price of the Fabspeeds 
Does anyone know of any other options (Ferrari replacements are out of the question), or can someone recommend a specialist who can fab suitable replacements?
Does anyone know of any other options (Ferrari replacements are out of the question), or can someone recommend a specialist who can fab suitable replacements?
Thanks all for the swift replies. I've had a chance to do a bit more research and email ping pong today, and think I'll be going with Nouvolari, who can rebuild my original headers in 304 (all pipes replaced) and rewrap in the original heatshields for a reasonable cost. I think I'll slap a pair of their sports cats on while I'm at it.
The car is in JCT600 Ferrari in Leeds at the moment for its annual service (I know, but the price was barely higher than an indie and they are close to the car's winter resting place), I'm still waiting for them to get back to me with details of the rumoured "upgraded" Ferrari headers so I'm yet to discuss the options with them, wonder if they'll be happy to send the headers off for refurb or if I'll have to have the car trailered elsewhere...
The car is in JCT600 Ferrari in Leeds at the moment for its annual service (I know, but the price was barely higher than an indie and they are close to the car's winter resting place), I'm still waiting for them to get back to me with details of the rumoured "upgraded" Ferrari headers so I'm yet to discuss the options with them, wonder if they'll be happy to send the headers off for refurb or if I'll have to have the car trailered elsewhere...
I did good bit of research when upgrading headers on 355, info
Is all out there if dig deep enough, i read that fabspeed ones are made in Taiwan by a company I contacted direct who quoted me about 1/3 the price,, next look at the design before jumping in, some headers may produce a claimed more hp up top but at a slight loss down low rpm and midrange.. This is no use in my opinion, down lower rpms and midrange is where you need more power in the 355.
Removing cats should help headers longevity due to decrease in temps.
Best place for header rebuild who I have had sets done are JP exhausts in Cheshire, again if you do some research you will find that most companies and individuals from USA included usually send them to these guys. turnaround was fast, good communication with the guys and perfect fitment once they were returned and fitted by myself
Is all out there if dig deep enough, i read that fabspeed ones are made in Taiwan by a company I contacted direct who quoted me about 1/3 the price,, next look at the design before jumping in, some headers may produce a claimed more hp up top but at a slight loss down low rpm and midrange.. This is no use in my opinion, down lower rpms and midrange is where you need more power in the 355.
Removing cats should help headers longevity due to decrease in temps.
Best place for header rebuild who I have had sets done are JP exhausts in Cheshire, again if you do some research you will find that most companies and individuals from USA included usually send them to these guys. turnaround was fast, good communication with the guys and perfect fitment once they were returned and fitted by myself
If memory serves me correctly this costs around 450-500 a side. It should be fit and forget after this.
If you were to purchase a new set from the dealer you would be a 3-4 times this and I would reckon after a few years they would be distorting and melting again then blowing soon after this.
Basically what happens to the standard primary pipes is that they expand and contract too much due to the poor quality thin wall steel, then eventually they expand that much that each primary pipe then starts to contact the one beside it and then wears through creating a hole in the pipe.
Below is pic of one of the offending primary pipes
If you were to purchase a new set from the dealer you would be a 3-4 times this and I would reckon after a few years they would be distorting and melting again then blowing soon after this.
Basically what happens to the standard primary pipes is that they expand and contract too much due to the poor quality thin wall steel, then eventually they expand that much that each primary pipe then starts to contact the one beside it and then wears through creating a hole in the pipe.
Below is pic of one of the offending primary pipes
Because I know you're all on the edge of your seats and waiting for me to update this thread... after much research, I ended up going with JP Exhausts' refurb option, i.e. new pipes, bosses, flanges and air rails in 304, with the old heatshields welded back on. The price is listed on their website - it's quite a bit more than you remember stup!
The rumoured improvements to Ferrari's OEM headers are just that - a rumour - they're still made by Cadbury's and the current price for parts alone is six grand per pair.
Italia Autosport are doing the work and I have to say they have been first class so far, excellent communication, had the car on a transporter within hours of calling them and gave the car a thorough going over, picking up several small issues overlooked by a previous garage.
The rumoured improvements to Ferrari's OEM headers are just that - a rumour - they're still made by Cadbury's and the current price for parts alone is six grand per pair.
Italia Autosport are doing the work and I have to say they have been first class so far, excellent communication, had the car on a transporter within hours of calling them and gave the car a thorough going over, picking up several small issues overlooked by a previous garage.
Edited by redwedge on Tuesday 8th July 21:14
I am a garage owner (in the trade as they say) and that is the price I paid as I quoted so my memory was correct for a change ;-)
Whatever more it cost I am glad you took advise and my words weren't wasted. You will be happy with their work and if you opted some other way you may have been back on here looking for another new set.
Just a thought,,,,Maybe worth looking at replacing engine mounts if your in there as these are prone to perishing with all the header heat next to them and for a change are not that expensive. I fitted new ones and wrapped them in heat shielding.
Either way you will be looking forward to getting your car back on the road soon I bet. Enjoy!
Whatever more it cost I am glad you took advise and my words weren't wasted. You will be happy with their work and if you opted some other way you may have been back on here looking for another new set.
Just a thought,,,,Maybe worth looking at replacing engine mounts if your in there as these are prone to perishing with all the header heat next to them and for a change are not that expensive. I fitted new ones and wrapped them in heat shielding.
Either way you will be looking forward to getting your car back on the road soon I bet. Enjoy!
Edited by stup on Wednesday 9th July 01:23
Thanks for the advice stup, but engine mounts were done last year when the engine was out... wish the headers had gone at the same time, would have saved quite a bit on labour!
It has been a fairly expensive couple of years where the car is concerned, mind you I've never looked to take short cuts and I don't feel particularly bad about it given the small appreciation in value since I bought it.
It's going to be a long 2 weeks!
It has been a fairly expensive couple of years where the car is concerned, mind you I've never looked to take short cuts and I don't feel particularly bad about it given the small appreciation in value since I bought it.
It's going to be a long 2 weeks!
Got my done here:
http://jpexhausts.co.uk/index.asp
fantastic, no nonsense service and turned around in a week, all metal was upgraded 304 s/steel so fingers crossed it shouldn't happen again.
http://jpexhausts.co.uk/index.asp
fantastic, no nonsense service and turned around in a week, all metal was upgraded 304 s/steel so fingers crossed it shouldn't happen again.
Edited by Birkin1932 on Wednesday 9th July 22:58
Just thought I would put a quick update on here as I picked the car up yesterday, having had the original melted headers sent to JP Exhausts to be rebuilt in 304. I can't recommend Autosport Italia highly enough - they understand what customer service is and Peter and John were a pleasure to deal with.
I've had the car out yesterday and today - it feels great and still sounds the same, so I'm happy. Also had new front drop links fitted which has cured low-speed rattling over bumps, and they have sorted out the previously weedy handbrake so that it actually holds the car on a hill now. More tellingly, they found (with no prompting from me) an aircon problem that two highly-regarded specialists previously had a go at fixing unsuccessfully, which turned out to be a missing seal.
Time to book a Eurotunnel ticket...
I've had the car out yesterday and today - it feels great and still sounds the same, so I'm happy. Also had new front drop links fitted which has cured low-speed rattling over bumps, and they have sorted out the previously weedy handbrake so that it actually holds the car on a hill now. More tellingly, they found (with no prompting from me) an aircon problem that two highly-regarded specialists previously had a go at fixing unsuccessfully, which turned out to be a missing seal.
Time to book a Eurotunnel ticket...
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