1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

12A Header alternatives

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-04-15, 12:36 PM
  #1  
Waffles - hmmm good

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
t_g_farrell's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Lake Wylie, N.C.
Posts: 8,783
Received 284 Likes on 234 Posts
12A Header alternatives

I have a burnedout RB SP header I want to replace. Its not repairable or I would have
it welded up.

I know that pacesetters exist and are crap. I know some vendors have headers but
not for 12As. I did find these guys on egay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/180899614820?item=180899614820&viewitem=&vxp=mtr
(if the forum eats this url because its egay I can PM it to anyone interested)

Anyone tried these? Are they dimensionally equal to the RB SP header?
Old 08-04-15, 12:43 PM
  #2  
Lapping = Fapping

iTrader: (13)
 
Jeff20B's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Near Seattle
Posts: 15,725
Received 81 Likes on 74 Posts
I'd spend the $74 more and get a header I know will fit. Or I'd see about repairing yours. I've done it before. The header had a dime size chunk missing in the same area. Caused by bad timing. The tune also wasn't very good from a dellorto.
Old 08-04-15, 03:45 PM
  #3  
Full Member
 
Tylerx7fb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've heard good things about cxracing from the 240 world. Some people say their products looks like any other ebay part but people who have ordered from them mostly had good words. I don't know if I would go for it though. $200 is steep for something you don't know for sure how it is.
Old 08-05-15, 03:12 AM
  #4  
#turbodavebuilt

iTrader: (50)
 
turbo_dave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: EL SERENO
Posts: 2,115
Received 7 Likes on 6 Posts
Cxracing and rotary-works same company..never tried the headers but have bought a lot of other parts from them.local to me about 15 min drive.
Old 08-05-15, 10:56 AM
  #5  
Censored

iTrader: (14)
 
ray green's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Georgia
Posts: 11,369
Received 178 Likes on 139 Posts
Stainless steel for the CX, might sound tinny and look shitty.

Heavy duty soft iron coated with a pretty chrome finish for the RB, sweet sound, sweet look.

No contest for me, RB all the way.
Old 08-05-15, 11:58 AM
  #6  
life's a drag*)

iTrader: (5)
 
project7s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: greenville,sc
Posts: 813
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've seen and thought about those headers as well but I'd rather just spend a little more and go racing beat
Old 08-06-15, 09:40 PM
  #7  
Senior Member

iTrader: (2)
 
88SE_HI's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Hawaii
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
For $150 you could get the racing beat disassembled road racing header for a 12a
Old 08-07-15, 07:31 AM
  #8  
Waffles - hmmm good

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
t_g_farrell's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Lake Wylie, N.C.
Posts: 8,783
Received 284 Likes on 234 Posts
I could but I don't have a welder or skillz for welding, so I think I'll pass.

Like Ray said there is something to said for getting new shiny bits in the post from RB. I may just do
that. I did some research on CXRacing and I'm not sure if that header would work plus as Ray
pointed out it is SS, which may make a racket.
Old 08-07-15, 10:10 AM
  #9  
Lapping = Fapping

iTrader: (13)
 
Jeff20B's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Near Seattle
Posts: 15,725
Received 81 Likes on 74 Posts
I agree. RB's tubing is thickwall mild steel (it's not iron, Ray!) and can handle the supersonic pulses as they exit the ports better than most other materials. Plus you know it will all bolt up together correctly. I think the peace of mind is worth the extra bit over the questionable cxracing header.
Old 08-07-15, 10:40 AM
  #10  
RX for fun

iTrader: (13)
 
Siraniko's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Socal
Posts: 15,926
Likes: 0
Received 22 Likes on 19 Posts
If you cant find a used Rb 12-a header, get a 13-b header and cut the engine flange. Otherwise, lmk and i will ask my friends
Old 08-07-15, 10:48 AM
  #11  
Censored

iTrader: (14)
 
ray green's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Georgia
Posts: 11,369
Received 178 Likes on 139 Posts
"thickwall mild steel"

Thanks Jeff, I knew it was something like that.

"Heavy duty soft iron coated with a pretty chrome finish" is the impression I got when I unpacked mine from the shipping box.

Those RB headers sure are well made and pretty to look at.
Old 08-07-15, 11:49 AM
  #12  
Lapping = Fapping

iTrader: (13)
 
Jeff20B's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Near Seattle
Posts: 15,725
Received 81 Likes on 74 Posts
Correct. Think mandrel bent steel tubing. I don't think iron pipe can be bent at all because it will simply break. You also can't weld iron very easily with a basic MIG.
Old 08-07-15, 12:12 PM
  #13  
Waffles - hmmm good

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
t_g_farrell's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Lake Wylie, N.C.
Posts: 8,783
Received 284 Likes on 234 Posts
Ordered header now the waiting starts
Old 08-07-15, 01:05 PM
  #14  
Censored

iTrader: (14)
 
ray green's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Georgia
Posts: 11,369
Received 178 Likes on 139 Posts
To whet your appetite Tim, here's what they look like when they come in the mail, Christmas in August for sure:

Name:  may19004.jpg
Views: 1114
Size:  222.2 KB

Name:  may20005.jpg
Views: 1281
Size:  175.9 KB
Old 08-07-15, 01:57 PM
  #15  
Lapping = Fapping

iTrader: (13)
 
Jeff20B's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Near Seattle
Posts: 15,725
Received 81 Likes on 74 Posts
Shiny parts! t_g will discover he will want to pop his hood a lot more now to show off the shininess!
Old 08-07-15, 06:28 PM
  #16  
Rotary Freak

iTrader: (1)
 
elwood's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: https://t.me/pump_upp
Posts: 1,540
Received 24 Likes on 19 Posts
For those that live in salt-free environments, chromed steel may be a good alternative; for those of us who live in the rust belt, it doesn't last very well. I'm not bashing the RB header -- as a matter of fact I just bought one. But I know it will look like crap in a year, and eventually fail. I previously had a street port system on a 13B, and the muffler was showing signs of structural failure after 4 or 5 years in the salt. The OEMs all went to stainless because the regulations forced them to provide reliable emissions equipment, and mild steel couldn't do it, no matter what they coated it with.

A good stainless header would be a nice thing to have. BTW -- RB's latest shipment of muffler sections is stainless. I'm guessing they get them from overseas now and can get stainless for a reasonable price. All the pieces will probably migrate to stainless over time. The deciding factor for me was noise. I want the car I'm building to be quiet, and I couldn't find a full stainless single pipe system.
Old 08-09-15, 11:43 AM
  #17  
Brap Life

iTrader: (11)
 
Shredduuhh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Rowland heights
Posts: 192
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
we have one of these on my cousins car, best header you can buy! all stainless, purpose built merge collector, and the famous crossover tube
Attached Thumbnails 12A Header alternatives-img_7379.jpg   12A Header alternatives-img_6774.jpg  
Old 08-09-15, 12:08 PM
  #18  
Lapping = Fapping

iTrader: (13)
 
Jeff20B's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Near Seattle
Posts: 15,725
Received 81 Likes on 74 Posts
Those are nice and everything but they lack a cover over the thermal reactor air injection holes found on all SA engines. They're probably all built with a 13B flange only. They also collect early.

I prefer long primary type headers because I like the enhanced power everywhere in the RPM range. Not just enhanced high end like those stainless collected headers can do, regardless of the crossover tube.
Old 08-14-15, 01:07 PM
  #19  
Waffles - hmmm good

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
t_g_farrell's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Lake Wylie, N.C.
Posts: 8,783
Received 284 Likes on 234 Posts
Header is supposed to be here today via UPS but the truck from MS to GA was late into Atlanta, so
Christmas may be delayed. They haven't reposted a delivery date yet when I check the tracking
Old 08-14-15, 04:41 PM
  #20  
Lapping = Fapping

iTrader: (13)
 
Jeff20B's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Near Seattle
Posts: 15,725
Received 81 Likes on 74 Posts
At least UPS is better than ontrack. Try waiting patiently for a package from them.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
heywier427
Naturally Aspirated Performance Forum
2
09-11-15 04:49 PM



Quick Reply: 12A Header alternatives



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:13 PM.