Headers, better is possible

[wmc_sr20 at bellsouth.net]

At 10:58 PM 1/26/2004, you wrote:
>Headers crack!  It's a known fact.  NASCRAp guys replace their whole
>header assembly after ever race.

Nonsense!  Many (not all) aftermarket retail consumer grade headers do have
problems.  And any comparison of pro racing equipment to a daily driver is
pretty much irrelevant.

Lots of cars are coming from the factory with tubular headers these days,
like those nice JDM SR20 pieces.

My father is a manufacturing engineer with Faurecia.  They're a huge global
tier one & two automotive supplier, and one of their major products is
exhaust systems.  His plant specializes in integrated exhaust
systems:  pre-assembled from header to tailpipe, laser welded stainless,
ready to slap on on the assembly line.  With auto manufacturers offering
longer warranties, and the feds mandating emissions warranties even
further, these systems are made to last 10 years and more.  And tubular
headers are pretty much the NORM with them.

He's working on tooling for some neat parts:  2 to 1 couplings for header
tubes stamped from a flat piece of stainless [good trick!]  This is really
what Hotshot needs.  The butt welds on HS are DOOMED TO FAILURE.  Try
gluing two pieces of cardboard together edge to edge.  Think that's going
to hold up?!

    -Wayne    '93 SE-R / '93 NK2k / '91 NX2k / '92 SE-R (in boxes & bags)