Aftermarket headers or repair the stockers? Wife recommends the 86 to be a drag car.

turbo nasty · 11-05-2004, 05:37 AM

My 86 is coming along and the headers needed welded/repaired and I am debating to get some aftermarket headers/crossover and since the wife actually said, "I think we should just make the 86 a dragcar." Yeaaaahhhh what a lucky man I am!

So, with that bit of encouragement from the boss...uh uh... I mean the wife

.

Which set of aftermarket headers is the best fit and will not crack again?
Postons and ATR seem the crack the same as the stockers from the searches and reading I have done.

What about Mease, Kenne Belle or any others (think Hooker is the only other anyway) ?

Better yet who repairs the stockers the RIGHT way ?

Grumpy · 11-05-2004, 07:15 AM

how fast is this "race" car goin to be ????

turbo nasty · 11-05-2004, 11:03 AM

Yeah the ET goal would help huh.

Goal ET's would be mid to low elevens for starters, then eventually the the high 10's.

Come on guys I know somefolks have aftermarket headers...gimme some pros and cons.

Thanx

salvageV6 · 11-05-2004, 12:26 PM

Just had my cracked drivers side Postons welded along with the cracked stocker it replaced.

Stock ports are bigger than Postons with the weld slag they give you free. I finally ported the drivers side out, took about 2 hours with a dremel tool and metal burr bit.

Something you shouldn't have to do to get stock openings back, makes me want to take the pass. side off to fix those openings.

Had it done at Cottons and everyone said to put the welded stocker back on the car, now I know why. ;)

I also cleaned up the stockers with the dremel, basically smoothing any high spots and grinding some carbon off.

For your goals everyone says stockers are fine, maybe tweak them a bit on your own.

ULYCYC · 11-05-2004, 12:37 PM

I seen Hooker, ATR, KenneBell and Postons all crack and crack again down the road. They all suck including stockers. Best bet is stay with the stockers. Buy a spare set and weld them up. this way you can just swapout and always have a core ready. No down time.

turbo nasty · 11-05-2004, 01:13 PM

Cool guys, thanx for the responses.

Anyone else????

CPAK · 11-05-2004, 01:49 PM

turbo nasty,

Stock headers good to at least 10.50(s). Spend your money elsewhere. If you just got to have aftermarket, I would go with ATR. Have a frined with a used set, let me know if your interested.

Grumpy · 11-05-2004, 01:56 PM

dammmmm ...glad to see everyone likes the stockers !!!!! Postons suck as far as I am concerned ... just put a set on for a friend who HAD to have them ... I've had ATRs stock replacement and as thier headers also cracked . gotta remember these things take a beating !!! STOCKERS rule

Slow T · 11-05-2004, 06:28 PM

I myself have decided to stay with the stockers,I've been chasing exhaust leaks on this car since I bought it and I think I've finally found the last one pre turbo.

Turbo1dr · 11-06-2004, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ULYCYC
I seen Hooker, ATR, KenneBell and Postons all crack and crack again down the road. They all suck including stockers. Best bet is stay with the stockers. Buy a spare set and weld them up. this way you can just swapout and always have a core ready. No down time.

THAT is the BEST advice I've seen in a long time seeing I have a aftermarket set that crack.

dentmasters01 · 11-06-2004, 08:50 PM

Ok, this may be a dumb question and some may find that hard to believe coming from me

but..

Why do these things crack? How and can it be remedied?

Seems the tie down strap would cure the twist and binding?

GNVAIR · 11-06-2004, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dentmasters01
Ok, this may be a dumb question and some may find that hard to believe coming from me but..

Why do these things crack? How and can it be remedied?

Seems the tie down strap would cure the twist and binding?

The main problem is the quality of materials used.
The original headers are 409 stainless which is not the greatest quality stuff. It is not very forgiving of high EGT's. Its heat resistances is better than mild steel, but not by much.
The Postons are mild steel IIRC which has no business being used in a turbo charged application.
The ATR's are also 409 stainless and you can see the description above.
If you are going to build a set that never crack, they should be atleast 304 or 321. The materials are pricier, but its the same addage; "you get what you pay for".

The Radius Kid · 11-06-2004, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GNVAIR

The ATR's are also 409 stainless and you can see the description above.
If you are going to build a set that never crack, they should be atleast 304 or 321. The materials are pricier, but its the same addage; "you get what you pay for".

Nope.
ATR's are 304 stainless W/ mild steel flanges.

GNVAIR · 11-06-2004, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Radius Kid
Nope.
ATR's are 304 stainless W/ mild steel flanges.

That could have fooled me. Most of the ones I have seen were definitely 409. I have a car here with their replacement driver side and it most definitely is 409.
304 doesnt crack like 409 does........
well maybe if you get it up at 2500+ °

The Radius Kid · 11-06-2004, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GNVAIR
That could have fooled me. Most of the ones I have seen were definitely 409. I have a car here with their replacement driver side and it most definitely is 409.
304 doesnt crack like 409 does........
well maybe if you get it up at 2500+ °

The catalogue states 304.
I have a set and love them[except for DP issues].
Any turbo header is going to be prone to cracking/leakage due to heat/pressure in the piping before the turbo[under boost].

11-05-2004, 05:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
turbo nasty Boost Sux my Wallet Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Mississippi Gulf Coast area Posts: 1,209	Aftermarket headers or repair the stockers? Wife recommends the 86 to be a drag car. My 86 is coming along and the headers needed welded/repaired and I am debating to get some aftermarket headers/crossover and since the wife actually said, "I think we should just make the 86 a dragcar." Yeaaaahhhh what a lucky man I am! So, with that bit of encouragement from the boss...uh uh... I mean the wife . Which set of aftermarket headers is the best fit and will not crack again? Postons and ATR seem the crack the same as the stockers from the searches and reading I have done. What about Mease, Kenne Belle or any others (think Hooker is the only other anyway) ? Better yet who repairs the stockers the RIGHT way ? __________________ 87 GN (3480lbs w/me & 1/2 tank) GT3255E, ESP FMIC, Razors Alky, Turbosaver, TA Headers, THDP w/test, ATR crossflow, Gen2, Ext G, LT1 MAF 38's, Extrem Auto Stg2 trans, Pats 10" 2.6k l/u, QA1 front and rear, UMI Ups (adj) and lows, HR bar, moser axles, Eaton, MT DR's. 2003 G35 Coupe Blk on BLk, JDM Clears, 18's, Prem PKG, Lthr, Bose....wifes car 2005 Harleys : Wide Glide & Duece ...Mucho Bling

11-05-2004, 07:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
Grumpy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Andover, Ma Posts: 12,061	how fast is this "race" car goin to be ???? __________________ Dan welcome to the Internet....where accurate information is scarce and in-accurate information is plentiful. 86/87 GN and 89 TTA .. tons of parts !! Stuff has to go !!! email ttastage2@yahoo.com

11-05-2004, 11:03 AM	#3 (permalink)
turbo nasty Boost Sux my Wallet Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Mississippi Gulf Coast area Posts: 1,209	Yeah the ET goal would help huh. Goal ET's would be mid to low elevens for starters, then eventually the the high 10's. Come on guys I know somefolks have aftermarket headers...gimme some pros and cons. Thanx __________________ 87 GN (3480lbs w/me & 1/2 tank) GT3255E, ESP FMIC, Razors Alky, Turbosaver, TA Headers, THDP w/test, ATR crossflow, Gen2, Ext G, LT1 MAF 38's, Extrem Auto Stg2 trans, Pats 10" 2.6k l/u, QA1 front and rear, UMI Ups (adj) and lows, HR bar, moser axles, Eaton, MT DR's. 2003 G35 Coupe Blk on BLk, JDM Clears, 18's, Prem PKG, Lthr, Bose....wifes car 2005 Harleys : Wide Glide & Duece ...Mucho Bling

11-05-2004, 12:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
ULYCYC Fuhgeddaboudit Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Brooklyn & Long Beach, NY Posts: 18,369	I seen Hooker, ATR, KenneBell and Postons all crack and crack again down the road. They all suck including stockers. Best bet is stay with the stockers. Buy a spare set and weld them up. this way you can just swapout and always have a core ready. No down time. __________________ ED BAKER 87-T, Maplight equipped rear view mirror.. 93 PARK AVE"SUPERCHARGED" BPG#1458 My Photo Page buickperformancegroup.com "As democracy is perfected, the office of President represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."---H.L. Mencken 1927

11-05-2004, 01:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
turbo nasty Boost Sux my Wallet Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Mississippi Gulf Coast area Posts: 1,209	Cool guys, thanx for the responses. Anyone else???? __________________ 87 GN (3480lbs w/me & 1/2 tank) GT3255E, ESP FMIC, Razors Alky, Turbosaver, TA Headers, THDP w/test, ATR crossflow, Gen2, Ext G, LT1 MAF 38's, Extrem Auto Stg2 trans, Pats 10" 2.6k l/u, QA1 front and rear, UMI Ups (adj) and lows, HR bar, moser axles, Eaton, MT DR's. 2003 G35 Coupe Blk on BLk, JDM Clears, 18's, Prem PKG, Lthr, Bose....wifes car 2005 Harleys : Wide Glide & Duece ...Mucho Bling

11-05-2004, 12:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
salvageV6 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 6,859	Just had my cracked drivers side Postons welded along with the cracked stocker it replaced. Stock ports are bigger than Postons with the weld slag they give you free. I finally ported the drivers side out, took about 2 hours with a dremel tool and metal burr bit. Something you shouldn't have to do to get stock openings back, makes me want to take the pass. side off to fix those openings. Had it done at Cottons and everyone said to put the welded stocker back on the car, now I know why. ;) I also cleaned up the stockers with the dremel, basically smoothing any high spots and grinding some carbon off. For your goals everyone says stockers are fine, maybe tweak them a bit on your own.

11-05-2004, 01:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
CPAK Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 30	turbo nasty, Stock headers good to at least 10.50(s). Spend your money elsewhere. If you just got to have aftermarket, I would go with ATR. Have a frined with a used set, let me know if your interested. __________________ James K

11-05-2004, 01:56 PM	#8 (permalink)
Grumpy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Andover, Ma Posts: 12,061	dammmmm ...glad to see everyone likes the stockers !!!!! Postons suck as far as I am concerned ... just put a set on for a friend who HAD to have them ... I've had ATRs stock replacement and as thier headers also cracked . gotta remember these things take a beating !!! STOCKERS rule __________________ Dan welcome to the Internet....where accurate information is scarce and in-accurate information is plentiful. 86/87 GN and 89 TTA .. tons of parts !! Stuff has to go !!! email ttastage2@yahoo.com

11-05-2004, 06:28 PM	#9 (permalink)
Slow T 1 of 1547 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ridgefield WA, U.S.A Posts: 606	I myself have decided to stay with the stockers,I've been chasing exhaust leaks on this car since I bought it and I think I've finally found the last one pre turbo.

11-06-2004, 08:50 PM	#11 (permalink)
dentmasters01 I'm good with a bowstaff Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: murfreesboro tn Posts: 144	Ok, this may be a dumb question and some may find that hard to believe coming from me but.. Why do these things crack? How and can it be remedied? Seems the tie down strap would cure the twist and binding? __________________ #1699 sy (tt under construction)for sale. #0027 sy ( found a new home) 03 hummer (soon to get a magnacharger) 86 t-type 86 limited t S2 8 sec. monster

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