Brand New $600 SS Header/Side Pipes
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Brand New $600 SS Header/Side Pipes
I just installed OBX stainless steel headers and side pipes on my 1972. I'll post some pics tomorrow if it stops raining.
These were purchased from an EBAY seller who had a "buy it now" price of $699 but he took my $600 offer. The shipping is $125 to anywhere in the USA but luckily he is in San Leandro, CA and I'm in San Jose so I could pick up for free.
The headers and side pipes are absolutely gorgeous. The welds were slightly tarnished but polished out nice and shiny. Took about one hour to polish (do it before installing).
The side pipes come with a reasonator already installed. Gaskets for the header were included but no side pipe hardware. Luckily these are almost identical to Hooker Headers. All the hooker muffler inserts and hardware fit. I ordered Hooker side pipe hardware from Summit Racing and received it two days later. I also ordered the Hooker A/C bracket from Summit.
I have a 4-speed. The clutch Z-Bar had to be R & R. Also installed the new A/C bracket. That was it!! Everything fit real well. I had to slightly trim the only one fender.
By far, the hardest part was reinstalling those trim panels. I had to saw off the end of the T-Bolt on each side. I also removed the rear tires so I could slide the panels in. The headers and side pipes took me 5 hours to install (took it slow, no scratches). The trim panel (just finished today) took another 5 hours (a real PITA).
I heard a bunch of comments about OBX and Chinese "junk" from many posters. Made me reluctant at first. Many, based their comments on what they heard or "what other people said." None of these people ever actually bought these OBX headers and side pipes. But to me stainless steel is stainless steel. These OBX headers look as good or better than any Hookers I've seen. $600 versus $1,600? I made the right choice.
These were purchased from an EBAY seller who had a "buy it now" price of $699 but he took my $600 offer. The shipping is $125 to anywhere in the USA but luckily he is in San Leandro, CA and I'm in San Jose so I could pick up for free.
The headers and side pipes are absolutely gorgeous. The welds were slightly tarnished but polished out nice and shiny. Took about one hour to polish (do it before installing).
The side pipes come with a reasonator already installed. Gaskets for the header were included but no side pipe hardware. Luckily these are almost identical to Hooker Headers. All the hooker muffler inserts and hardware fit. I ordered Hooker side pipe hardware from Summit Racing and received it two days later. I also ordered the Hooker A/C bracket from Summit.
I have a 4-speed. The clutch Z-Bar had to be R & R. Also installed the new A/C bracket. That was it!! Everything fit real well. I had to slightly trim the only one fender.
By far, the hardest part was reinstalling those trim panels. I had to saw off the end of the T-Bolt on each side. I also removed the rear tires so I could slide the panels in. The headers and side pipes took me 5 hours to install (took it slow, no scratches). The trim panel (just finished today) took another 5 hours (a real PITA).
I heard a bunch of comments about OBX and Chinese "junk" from many posters. Made me reluctant at first. Many, based their comments on what they heard or "what other people said." None of these people ever actually bought these OBX headers and side pipes. But to me stainless steel is stainless steel. These OBX headers look as good or better than any Hookers I've seen. $600 versus $1,600? I made the right choice.
#5
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Like all stainless steel, the headers near the engine turned a golden color with some blue. That was after one run. I removed the discoloration with a little buffing but it will come back the next time I run the car so I won't do that again. I actually like how the headers look. More important, the side pipes remained shiny and did not discolor.
#6
Can you get a closeup of the welds you polished, I have the Hooker stainless tubes but I am thinking about just the headers. I have seen the OBX but I did not like the welds.
Thanks
Thanks
#7
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Aug 2008
Location: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
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Yes, fitting those rocker trim panels and the molding is a cut & fit proposition. My '69 panels are of fibreglas. A word of caution...don't try for too close of a fit as the header pipes get very hot and will bubble the paint. Not to mention the side-to-side rocking of the engine.
#8
looks really good
I would like to check back this summer and see if noise and fumes have been a nuisance or not in your topless car....as I'm kinda trying to avoid side pipes on my convertible because of those fears
I would like to check back this summer and see if noise and fumes have been a nuisance or not in your topless car....as I'm kinda trying to avoid side pipes on my convertible because of those fears
#11
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
The OBX welds were slightly discolored when I opened the box. Not too bad and easily fixed. Just buff the weld and the weld becomes as shiny and the same color as the rest of the stainless steel. I just used a buffing compound on a drill. Also 1000 grit sand paper on two small "blue" areas. Then buff over the 1000 grit. Or you could use a Dremel tool. About one hour of careful work. The discoloration on the welds did not return after running the car. In the end the welds look better than the Hooker welds.
Be very careful not to scratch the pipes or the headers. If you do, unlike chrome, it is not the end of the world. Just sand with 400 grit then slowly move to 2000. Then buff. I had to fix a minor boo boo I made. It disappeared.
Be very careful not to scratch the pipes or the headers. If you do, unlike chrome, it is not the end of the world. Just sand with 400 grit then slowly move to 2000. Then buff. I had to fix a minor boo boo I made. It disappeared.
#14
Pro
Member Since: Oct 2007
Location: Overland Park Kansas
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Yeah I couldn't find these when I looked either
Edit: looks like Clubby ordered from eBay member dailod (http://myworld.ebay.com/ebaymotors/dailod).
I don't see anymore listed in his store, but I'll email him and ask about it.
Edit: looks like Clubby ordered from eBay member dailod (http://myworld.ebay.com/ebaymotors/dailod).
I don't see anymore listed in his store, but I'll email him and ask about it.
Last edited by neuroclast; 03-28-2011 at 10:12 PM.
#15
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
(510) 614-2270
Phone number.
Polish the welds. Easy to do. Then looks identical and works as well as Hookers. Comes with resonators in the pipes too.
Recommend Cobrastuff shields too. Stainless steel headers & side pipes $600 + Cobrastuff shields $290=great deal
Phone number.
Polish the welds. Easy to do. Then looks identical and works as well as Hookers. Comes with resonators in the pipes too.
Recommend Cobrastuff shields too. Stainless steel headers & side pipes $600 + Cobrastuff shields $290=great deal
Last edited by Clubby99; 03-28-2011 at 11:21 PM.