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My header comparison w/pics...

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RobG

New Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2006
Messages
311
For what it's worth, I have two sets of headers to try out on my hooptie build up. The two sets are;
GN1Performance (the shiny set in the pics).
Burhead (the brownish pair).

The Burhead set I bought off a memeber here used and quality wise they are very beefy, 14 gauge 304 stainless I believe. They did need some tweaking due to interference with my mini-starter and the drivers side flange was not flat. A torch and some elbow grease and both problems were fixed. You can see in the two pics of where the drivers side header was previously "massaged" to clear the starter and how it looks now. My only issue with them now is that the crossover pipe will need to be sectioned and lengthened for everything to line up perfectly.

I bring these up because of their similarity to the high dollar & high quality T/A headers.

The second set is the polished GN1 Performance set. Everything with these was spot on with one exception, if you look closely the drivers side header just touches on the motor mount bracket. Out of the car it's an easy fix for me but might be a bit of a paint to trim in the car, or maybe your car won't even need the work. Otherwise things fit like they should. They were also ported out of the box.

The major difference between the two sets is that these were most likely made off shore. They are a thinner stainless like 16 gauge probably. The clamps and hardware is a bit cheap in my opinion but at least they fit like they're supposed to.

Hopefully in the next few days I can get the engine back in the chassis and see how the exhaust fits with a turbo and downpipe. Then the parts will be hi-temp coated.

Here's the pics...
headers - NLOC Gallery
 
I don't see any pictures of the stuff installed in a car. (I know you mentioned that will be done) Pictures on an engine stand don't do much really. Put the stuff in a car, with the turbo mounted on the (probably mis aligned turbo flange) and let us know how the down pipe fits down through the chassis. :wink:
 
I bring these up because of their similarity to the high dollar & high quality T/A headers.


I don't know the whole story. But from what I here that "similarity" is there because they were involved in the development of the TA headers. I'm not sure if they worked together, or if one came before the other.
 
On the engine stand I found two problems with them (both sets) and it's a lot easier to fix this way than once the car ( and motor ) is painted and all pretty.

TurboDave,
I'm working on it. Time is getting hard to find these days for me.
 
On the engine stand I found two problems with them (both sets) and it's a lot easier to fix this way than once the car ( and motor ) is painted and all pretty.

TurboDave,
I'm working on it. Time is getting hard to find these days for me.

RobG ....not giving you a hard time about putting the headers on while they are still on the stand. I think thats a smart move to check things out before you go in with it if you have the opportunity. I was just laughing at Grumpys comment... I have looked at many engines on the stands over the years and heard about the power and 1/4 mile times before they even put them in a car.:eek: Its all academic until the rubber hits the road.
 
RobG.... off topic...but I saw your user ID and thought about a guy off the Lightning Forums...then I followed the link to the pics and realized that it is you. I used to be KB ZILLA on NLOC, but later changed it to EZ SPEED.

I sold my 2003 Lightning about 7 months, but I still have the 1993 L...and just bought a 87 GN about 3 weeks ago....small world seeing you on here huh? :biggrin:
 
RobG ....not giving you a hard time about putting the headers on while they are still on the stand. I think thats a smart move to check things out before you go in with it if you have the opportunity. I was just laughing at Grumpys comment... I have looked at many engines on the stands over the years and heard about the power and 1/4 mile times before they even put them in a car.:eek: Its all academic until the rubber hits the road.

wellll...here is a pic of the Melissa/Mazda motor that ran 9.94 @ 138..next to it with a 76 Turbo is a Stage 2 that ran high 9s at 138 years ago... kinda deceiving don't ya think :eek: :p
 

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wellll...here is a pic of the Melissa/Mazda motor that ran 9.94 @ 138..next to it with a 76 Turbo is a Stage 2 that ran high 9s at 138 years ago... kinda deceiving don't ya think :eek: :p

Cmon Grump...ya know I wasnt talking about you. Your engines are proven.

I was refering to some of my local yokel backyard racers here in cajun country who build motors and predict what they run before they even stick'em in the car. It is funny to hear someone talk smack and see them turn a mid 13 second run on a "low 11 second motor".:eek: I am rebuidling my engine as we speak...I hope it just starts.:eek: :D
 
RobG.... off topic...but I saw your user ID and thought about a guy off the Lightning Forums...then I followed the link to the pics and realized that it is you. I used to be KB ZILLA on NLOC, but later changed it to EZ SPEED.

I sold my 2003 Lightning about 7 months, but I still have the 1993 L...and just bought a 87 GN about 3 weeks ago....small world seeing you on here huh? :biggrin:

It's me :smile:

I bought a '87 turbo-T last fall for a resto-mod project that I've wanted to do for years and I always figured I'd have my Gen 2 to tow it with but that didn't work out so well. So I've been lurking here a lot more. Great wealth of info on this board.
 
Not the Burheads, I screwed them up while gasket match porting :mad:
I made things look very smooth and pretty but took out way too much material :mad: Cut twice measure once is my motto !!!

The GN1's might end up in the classifieds though.
 
I tried having them welded with no success because the material around the flanges is toilet paper thin. They'd make very nice display models though :rolleyes:

Live and learn.
 
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