2nd Gen SS headers crack
04-25-11, 06:10 AM
#6
This "header cracking" business is REALLY pissing me off. I am not sure but I think my headers may have a crack in it as well. Can't see it though, perhaps I will look at it when it's on the lift at the next oil change.
My headers are noticebly louder than they ever were and sound almost "hotroddish", like a fast popping sound under WOT; not sure if this is a sign of a cracked header or not. SOMETIMES the car doesn't pull good either under WOT.
My headers are noticebly louder than they ever were and sound almost "hotroddish", like a fast popping sound under WOT; not sure if this is a sign of a cracked header or not. SOMETIMES the car doesn't pull good either under WOT.
04-25-11, 07:31 AM
#7
Lexus Champion
Headers cracking is certainly a concern. Unfortunately it is VERY difficult to predict whether or not a header/manifold will crack after long term use. This applies to ANY exhaust header/manifold... even factory ones. I have heard that the Tundra V8 2UZ-FE engine had cracking issues with the stock manifolds. Many other OEM manifolds crack. OEM spends millions of dollars on research and developement and utilize computer modelling and STILL can have problems. The exhaust manifold must undergo extreme temperature ranges, vibrations, shocks and also usually help support the weight of other exhaust system components.
It is nice that PPE is building headers now that S&S is gone but there is no guarantee that these will be problem free. Hopefully they will but only time and miles will tell.
Welding CHANGES the metals hardness usually creating harder but more brittle metal around the welds. Shorty style manifolds have LESS material and tube length to accomodate the growing and shrinking of the metal as they heat cycle. Ceramic coating reduces under hood heat, protects from rusting and looks good but can also increase the heat held by the metal itself. Seems like someone here has a 1st gen set of S&S that were not coated and never cracked!!!
Not sure what the answer is here other than when you mod a vehicle you almost ALWAYS reduce the vehicles reliability. It is just incredibly hard to build a part as reliable as factory let alone more reliable.
Seems like $600 for a couple three years of enjoyment is not a massive price to pay... everyone will have to decide for themselves. It is possible that rewelding AND some carefully chosen reinforcement could COULD reduce the problem or even eliminate it.
It is nice that PPE is building headers now that S&S is gone but there is no guarantee that these will be problem free. Hopefully they will but only time and miles will tell.
Welding CHANGES the metals hardness usually creating harder but more brittle metal around the welds. Shorty style manifolds have LESS material and tube length to accomodate the growing and shrinking of the metal as they heat cycle. Ceramic coating reduces under hood heat, protects from rusting and looks good but can also increase the heat held by the metal itself. Seems like someone here has a 1st gen set of S&S that were not coated and never cracked!!!
Not sure what the answer is here other than when you mod a vehicle you almost ALWAYS reduce the vehicles reliability. It is just incredibly hard to build a part as reliable as factory let alone more reliable.
Seems like $600 for a couple three years of enjoyment is not a massive price to pay... everyone will have to decide for themselves. It is possible that rewelding AND some carefully chosen reinforcement could COULD reduce the problem or even eliminate it.
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05-23-11, 07:15 PM
#10
I'm really interested to see how these PPE headers sound. Especially if I get that crazy popping sound at WOT like I did with S&S. What I don't understand is why there are so many sets of PPE for sale. Why do people buy them and not do the install? Anyway, other than the PI TC and 4.27 gears, headers have defintely been one the best mods to date even with the cracking issues. Lets hope the PPE headers last longer than 1 year like my 2nd Gen S&S did.
Last edited by slowdiver; 05-23-11 at 07:21 PM.
05-24-11, 05:41 AM
#11
My PPEs go on this week. I picked up 2 new OEM engine mounts and a new OEM tranny mount. I'm hoping this will help to alleviate the cracking issue. eBay has some good deals on the OEM mounts. There are also some really good deals on the parts that are not Toyota but I didn't want to risk it.
I'm really interested to see how these PPE headers sound. Especially if I get that crazy popping sound at WOT like I did with S&S. What I don't understand is why there are so many sets of PPE for sale. Why do people buy them and not do the install? Anyway, other than the PI TC and 4.27 gears, headers have defintely been one the best mods to date even with the cracking issues. Lets hope the PPE headers last longer than 1 year like my 2nd Gen S&S did.
I'm really interested to see how these PPE headers sound. Especially if I get that crazy popping sound at WOT like I did with S&S. What I don't understand is why there are so many sets of PPE for sale. Why do people buy them and not do the install? Anyway, other than the PI TC and 4.27 gears, headers have defintely been one the best mods to date even with the cracking issues. Lets hope the PPE headers last longer than 1 year like my 2nd Gen S&S did.
As for people not installing the headers after they buy them - the only thing I could think of is that perhaps they have a GS400 and realize that the labor (time) to install is rated at over 8 hours! Which could be an install cost of anywhere from $500-$800 depending on where you live. So, purchase price plus install costs can EASILY exceed $1200 bucks and even be over $1500 all just for headers; it's a damn shame.
FYI, I think the GS430's are rated at 4 hours labor time for the header install.
05-24-11, 11:12 AM
#14
I dont have a GS430 and as the OP stated; his headers cracked. If I could get some pictures or general idea of the location and areas of flexing of the manifolds I could possibly get someone to help on this matter of cracking and relay this info to a local who braced my gsr setup.
Obviously there is some sort of design issue causing the GS430 manifolds to crack. I searched through all of the threads for a 430 install and out of 15-20 threads, the first 10 albeit a few all report 'cracking'.
The two threads that were informative -- GS300 install and SC400 install. I dont see many issues with those cracking.
I've had this "cracking" happen to me on cheap manifolds that are 'polished' but I've only upgraded my manifolds on my turbo setups; nothing in the lexus. So this is why I am asking for pictures and what not because maybe I can help to alleviate this issue.
05-24-11, 11:52 AM
#15
part of the cracking problem btw could be blamed on blown engine/tranny mounts.....PPE also has a flex coupler they sell if needed which will further help reduce this issue
Last edited by sakataj; 05-24-11 at 11:56 AM.