Re: RE : Spider headers/ AR Ricambi

[James Montebello <jamesm@domain.elided>]

Aftermarket exhaust systems don't fit.

After fitting countless systems to both cars and motorcycles (most
recently a Stebro system to a GTV6), it's been my experience that
every one of them has required some sort of massaging to fit properly.
Everything from rebending tubes to grinding flanges to just putting up
with a poor fit.  The Stebro hangs much lower than the stock system,
which is a significant problem on my lowered car.  Speed bumps are
something to be avoided.  I also needed to relocate the O2 sensor bung,
as the Stebro position hopelessly fouled the rear engine mount.

It's not a simple problem to solve, and doing so economically is very
difficult indeed.  I will put up with fitment hassles for the much lower
price (than stock).  I simply consider them to be a starting point, from
which my exhaust guy and I will fabricate a working system.  It pays to
make friends with a local custom exhaust shop (not Midas class, but a
hot-rod shop).  They can fix nearly anything, and can make the system
fit your particular car perfectly.  You might even try pricing out
a complete end-to-end custom system from them.

james montebello

On Thu, 1 Aug 2002, dion fields wrote:

> Patrick,
>
> i have found it typical with AR Ricambi to wait for
> parts availability.  days turns into weeks. weeks turn
> into months.  but this usually was with stock parts.
> i never had to wait for shankle parts.
>
> i have mixed feelings about the shankle headers.
> they appear to be a good basic design with the
> primary diameter and length.  but on my  1 inch
> lowered 73 2L gtv, they stuck out below the chassis
> pretty far and hit the ground often.  the flange faces
> where the headers bolt to the head were not flat and
> true, so they leaked at the gasket.  the chrome finish
> deteriorated rapidly.  and when i removed them to
> go back to the original cast iron manifolds, i noticed
> from the carbon deposits that they did not line up
> with the ports exactly, causing some restrictions.
> i did not notice any seat of the pants performance
> improvements from them.  finally, the engine
> compartment noise and heat were increased, but
> that is typical of any tubular header.
>
> i have heard worse complaints about some other
> brands of headers.
>
> i do not mean to bash AR Ricambi or Shankle.
> just my personal experience. i am sure there are
> others out there with more positive feedback ?
>
> --dion fields
> --EDGE disegno industriale
> --73 gtv
>
>
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