OBX Headers Options

[ChrisFoley]

Its the only stainless system out there afaik as Chris doesn't do stainless and boy have I asked him more then once to pls do so ;-)

I now have my own NC tubing bender Wally.
Once I have more die sets I'll probably start doing some exhaust systems in stainless. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Walter]

Actually Chris - and sorry to anyone else for going OT a bit - at the moment, I think your 4-2-1 header would make an awesome twin-scroll turbo header if you left the last 2-1 part of and made it in stainless!
Turbo would then be at the rear and a downpipe would actually fit under the rear apron!
Since its for turbo, this time it would just be 1 5/8" primaries from the heads and not the silly size this one was ;-)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.keversite.nl-2499-1295387984.1.jpg)

[ChrisFoley]

Since its for turbo, this time it would just be 1 5/8" primaries from the heads and not the silly size this one was ;-)

We're about to start a 6 cyl. project with 2" primaries using T321 stainless. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
I think we could fabricate what you have in mind. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[charliew]

The obx headers I cut up were at least as thick as all the other headers I have used in the past and they were a good stainless as they were on my son's car a year or more and didn't get any worse than any other ss headers I have. Turbo headers get more heat and stress than na headers. He ran 26 psi and that means more than 26 psi up to the turbo with red hot tubes at the head ports.

[Piledriver]

Failure to do QC is not strictly a Chinese issue.

Also, the thought of dropping $1500 on a Tangerine header and then cutting it up to make a turbo header is abhorrent, no one in their right mind would go there.

At a $500+ price point, I would expect/demand a perfect fit, certainly at $1K++.
At $250 for 304SS... I'd expect to have to fight with it.

I have personally seen (repeatedly) the same clocking issue on the "made in the USA" EMW 411 HX replacement pipes, as an example.

Having said that, one user on the STF reported recently that his EMW HX replacements bolted on and sealed... Somebody should buy Jorge a beer.

Not everyone is willing or able to drop 1/1.5K into a mild steel exhaust system, no matter how good it is.

A1 makes an excellent system that compares well for considerably less, and will do it in SS for about 40% more, still about the same $ as a mild steel "economy" CFR.

I'm looking for a turbo header, the 304 SS is fine, OBX turbo headers on Subys have a reasonable good reputation, and the tubing is usually one piece CNC bent, no welds every 6 inches issues with cracking.

It's unfortunate the 914 market is so small, the issue will almost certainly not be fixed. I't's probably safe to assume Stubs will need to be added at least, fortunately they are easy to make from 1 5/8" material.

Chris will have no issues keeping busy selling his top end systems, there are plenty of folks who have plenty of money for quality.
Hopefully he won't have to resort to making only the few dozen 934 custom header systems sold in a decade.

[sean_v8_914]

summary refresher for 2012:
OBX AKA Racing Parts Depot in Oakland CA are dishonorable crooks. the header is crap. it will NEVER fit. OBX will not honor any returns, refunds or exchanges.
Happy New Year!

[Walter]

^^ +1 The header does not even go over the T4 headstuds! LOL!
The tubing is very nice, as are the welds, but the ears for mounting it are in the wrong position in more then one way. The 4-1 piece is also not really flow friendly.
It is pretty pathetic as an exhaust system as such indeed.
Still that was almost to be expected and for a bunch of nice stainless tubing in the size I wanted and in sort-off the position bend I was looking for, it'll do just fine :-)

[Jake Raby]

For the price you are getting exactly what you pay for. I never understand why people are disappointed with the quality of cheap junk; it is to be expected.

[Sawfish]

summary refresher for 2012:
OBX AKA Racing Parts Depot in Oakland CA are dishonorable crooks. the header is crap. it will NEVER fit. OBX will not honor any returns, refunds or exchanges.
Happy New Year!

Its almost a new year lest we forget!

[rhodyguy]

have you ever looked into the Triad headers for a 4?

[Maltese Falcon]

Any manufacturer here that has had any of their parts counterfeited by obx, PM me for a top notch IPR counsel.

[Eric_Shea]

I'm having my OBX headers shipped directly to Motormeister so they can install them there while they're building my race motor. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumb3d.gif)

[r_towle]

I'm having my OBX headers shipped directly to Motormeister so they can install them there while they're building my race motor. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumb3d.gif)

They may need your car to ensure the headers fit properly.
Get on that.

While you are at it, did you send the machine part to stromberg?

[rhodyguy]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/stromberg.gif) ? seriously? i wouldn't be surprised if thats the case.

[Literati914]

Sorry for resurrecting this old thread but:

After reading this horror story of fitment issues with OBX headers on a 914 (along with some good experiences w/ other models actually) ... I have a chance to buy a set of OBX headers in nice looking 304 stainless. I can get them for around 2 bills shipped, which normally would be really cheap for such nice stainless. They've never been installed (wonder why (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) ) and are made of really nice looking 304 stainless. So, if going into it fully expecting issues - do you guys think it's worth it, knowing that I may have to cut them just under the tabs and re-clocked them, have em re-welded (if necessary)?

[SirAndy]

Sorry for resurrecting this old thread but:
After reading this horror story of fitment issues with OBX headers on a 914 (along with some good experiences w/ other models actually) ... I have a chance to buy a set of OBX headers in nice looking 304 stainless. I can get them for around 2 bills shipped, which normally would be really cheap for such nice stainless. They've never been installed (wonder why (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) ) and are made of really nice looking 304 stainless. So, if going into it fully expecting issues - do you guys think it's worth it, knowing that I may have to cut them just under the tabs and re-clocked them, have em re-welded (if necessary)?

You've read all the posts and you are still thinking about buying them?

If that wasn't enough ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[73-914]

Sorry for resurrecting this old thread but:
After reading this horror story of fitment issues with OBX headers on a 914 (along with some good experiences w/ other models actually) ... I have a chance to buy a set of OBX headers in nice looking 304 stainless. I can get them for around 2 bills shipped, which normally would be really cheap for such nice stainless. They've never been installed (wonder why (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) ) and are made of really nice looking 304 stainless. So, if going into it fully expecting issues - do you guys think it's worth it, knowing that I may have to cut them just under the tabs and re-clocked them, have em re-welded (if necessary)?

You've read all the posts and you are still thinking about buying them?

If that wasn't enough ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Some people just can't be helped

[Literati914]

.. knowing that I may have to cut them just under the tabs and re-clocked them, have em re-welded (if necessary)?

You've read all the posts and you are still thinking about buying them?

If that wasn't enough ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Um yea, 'cause I would not be paying retail and also would not be expecting the quality that one should receive if paying retail either. - and 'cause cutting and re-welding 4 small pipes doesn't seem like a big a deal to me! I'm not apposed to some fab work in general.

Where else you gonna find another $200 header - much less a pretty stainless one that'll last forever? It's probably not perfect .. and, so it needs a little work - but does that mean it's complete trash?

..
Some people just can't be helped

We're not all as wise and rich as you, I'm sure (IMG:style_emoticons/default/finger.gif)

[bretth]

I actually have a set that I bought off of another member for similar reasons to you. I wanted to try some of my own fab work on them. But the set I got had the header end cut off and a nice set of stub ends with bolt on flanges fitted already. Unfortunately I actually have not installed them yet but they do look good with the current alterations. The previous owner had used them on a race engine for a time. And like you I have never seen a set of stainless headers for the 914 other than the old SSI exchangers.

[porschetub]

.. knowing that I may have to cut them just under the tabs and re-clocked them, have em re-welded (if necessary)?

You've read all the posts and you are still thinking about buying them?

If that wasn't enough ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Um yea, 'cause I would not be paying retail and also would not be expecting the quality that one should receive if paying retail either. - and 'cause cutting and re-welding 4 small pipes doesn't seem like a big a deal to me! I'm not apposed to some fab work in general.

Where else you gonna find another $200 header - much less a pretty stainless one that'll last forever? It's probably not perfect .. and, so it needs a little work - but does that mean it's complete trash?

..
Some people just can't be helped

We're not all as wise and rich as you, I'm sure (IMG:style_emoticons/default/finger.gif)

No point in getting shitty about it,all replies have come from the best around,if $200 go for it,when you cut it up don't for a minute think it will line up and seal...……….