Cheap headers on e-bay
 

A number of sellers seem to offer the same cheap headers for 911, an example of which can be found here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Exhaust-Header-Black-1-5-8-Porsche-911_W0QQitemZ140105834336QQihZ004QQcategoryZ33631Q QrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

The price is very low and I was wondering if I could get some feedback in terms of quality from this board. Thanks

I changed the wrong link...

They are not equal length and are mild steel. The collectors, primary length, etc, may not be optimally designed. Also, they lack heat, which many other systems do or can provide. I think with the availability of much higher quality products, like SSIs, George's European race headers, and even 993 exchangers w/ flipped flanges, these headers don't seem like a very good choice. Undoubtedly, they would be an upgrade for some cars, i.e. midyears w/ thermal reactors, but many 911s are not being restricted by their exhausts (possibly after replacing the cat w/ a test pipe).

Mostly, you get what you pay for. I think the more expensive other options are worth it.

why do you say they are not equal length? they look similar to Bursch design which is supposed to be good. You can get them in stainless for less than 400$

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Exhaust-Header-Stainless-Steel-1-5-8-Porsche-911_W0QQitemZ140105834358QQihZ004QQcategoryZ33631Q QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Keep in mind, you also compromise your ability to drive in the cold or the wet. No heat exchangers means no defogging the windows.

I drove my 911 without heat for over 4 years and I'll tell you, I really like having heat!! Even though I don't drive the car year-'round, it sure is nice having heat and defrost that work!!

These headers are made in China and are almost exact copies of the Bursch. The stainless units offer great value and performance- so we started to sell them.
True, you can get heat with SSi. GHL, B+B, and of course the oem units (993); but not everyone needs heat or the added expense the other fine products offer

I have a set of the stainless - they are actually nicely built

I am running a set of the stainless on my SC motor, and I'm very pleased. Quality seems good.

Craig H

69 911E RS Style 3.0 litre
93 968CS

look exactly like Bursch

on my 2.4S , they ran like crap
sure, loud, sure, good WOT
but anything below 5500 RPM it ran terrible

and yeah, no heat

and the nice black paint, burns off the first 5 minutes
2 weeks later, they start to turn rust colored

Do you have to get a new hard oil line on an SC with the headers, like you do with SSI's?

?? my SSI's didn't come with no hard oil line

Stijn - yours must not have been an SC - some years don't need another oil line, but with an SC you must get another oil line for SSI's.

i misread, i thought it said, "came with" not "have to get"

"and the nice black paint, burns off the first 5 minutes
2 weeks later, they start to turn rust colored"

Just like any other brand of mild steel headers- they all do this.

And you should size the headers for the application intended. Too many people put oversized headers on and wonder where the power went. Besides the installation of the headers, you must reset the fuel mixture and timing to match the increased flow that the engine now has

I'd recommned that before ever using them, get them Jet-Hot or equivalent Hi Temp coated. I did that to my Bursch headers and they have help up great over the years.

even after a year of use you could send them out to get ceramic coated.... then they have great heat pull as well.

i've had SSI's (great heat), B&B's (they had heater boxes....)... and georges (no heat). Georges are my favorite by far, though not as pretty as the B&B's.

before the summer is out i will also have i dyno comparision between B&B's (1 3/4") and Georges (1 5/8"), everything else the same.

if someone wants to see how these flow i'd be happy to test for you :P

I would suggest that you get what you pay for. Cheap always has a price, just not at that moment. Especially with these cars.

You also need to look at usage. If you don't race and don't live in a northern area, or like me your 911 is not a daily driver and you don't typically drive it in the rain, I'm sure the cheaper headers would work fine and last a long time. Does anyone know if you need a new oil line on an SC with these, or will the stock oil lines work?

And unfortunately expensive doesn't mean anything either. The B & B headers (expensive) while made well - had a nice drone to them. The B &B muffler (expensive) was a total piece of crapola.

The magnaflow (Cheap cheap) muffler I had on was much better built - but way too loud. The M & K (moderate) had probably the best welds of the whole bunch. SSI's are expensive AND well made.

These headers were cheap - and they are well made - so guess that goes against conventional porsche wisdom.