TA Headers Installed!

[Clark6]

They might. Nick mentioned that they use copper gaskets on aluminum heads. I happened to have that FelPro laying around so that's what I'm going to use for now.



They probably don't need them but I don't want to put it back together without a gasket, find it leaks, and then have to take it apart again. I know those FelPros work so I'm going to pop it in.

Jim

GOOD POINT.. ALTHOUGH I TIGHTENED MINE PRETTY GOOD THE HARDEST FOR ME WAS THE BACK 2 HEADER BOLTS (KEPT HEARING A PINHOLE LEAK BACK THERE) BEHIND THE AC PANEL HAD TO DO THAT ONE TWICE, ONCE TOGHETHER BUT I DECIDED NOT TO PUT ANY GASKETS ON & NO LEAKS SO FAR... MY BROTHER HAS ALUMINUM CHAMPION HEADS DONT KNOW WHAT BRAND HEADER COULD BE ATR BUT I LIKE HIS GASKETS THEY'RE COPPER LOOKING AND SEPERATED SQUARES WITH 2 HOOKS ON THEM FOR THE BOLT TO GO THROUGH THEY'RE NOT A ONE PIECE DESIGN LIKE THE ABOVE FELPRO'S. I ACTUALLY CUT MY FELPROS ONCE & SEPERATED THEM LIKE THAT ONCE THE DRIVER SIDE HELD UP OK BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE START BLOWING OUT THE SECOND TIME I WENT TO THE TRACK.

 

[Lee Thompson]

gaskets

I have a set of their first batch of headers. Came to me in a round about way. They had no gaskets with them once I got them. I used the Felpro 1400 and they held fine. As a side note--I DID NOT use the supplied bolts. I used the stock bolts with the lock washer made on them. IMO these stock ones will stay tight better. I also put a set on a friend car this fall with the supplied bolt and I has a constant problem keeping the bolts tight. All you guys that are throwing stock header bolts away--send them to me. Buick knew something when they designed these cars.

 

[turbojimmy]

All you guys that are throwing stock header bolts away--send them to me. Buick knew something when they designed these cars.

I'm keeping my bolts but one fell into the hood latch hole, down onto the rad support and rolled under the radiator. I was going to leave it there but maybe I'll fish it out so I have a complete set. The problem is that I can't get in there easily because of my front-mount.

Jim

 

[DonnieShort]

The gaskets that come with them are JUNK! Even the cross over gaskets are sorry. Mine burnt out in less than 10 miles I had a copper and a new Felpro 1400 laying around so I replaced the junk ones with them. Haven't had a problem since. I have to say that I was dissapointed that such poor gaskets came with such a killer header set, especially since I dropped a few $ shy of a grand on these headers ( stainless ).

I used the bolts that were supplied and they have never loosened up on me. I check them every so often and they have remained tight, that's been since Nov. '05. Other than the pos gaskets that come with them, the headers are awesome.

 

[turbojimmy]

The gaskets that come with them are JUNK! Even the cross over gaskets are sorry. Mine burnt out in less than 10 miles I had a copper and a new Felpro 1400 laying around so I replaced the junk ones with them. Haven't had a problem since. I have to say that I was dissapointed that such poor gaskets came with such a killer header set, especially since I dropped a few $ shy of a grand on these headers ( stainless ).

I used the bolts that were supplied and they have never loosened up on me. I check them every so often and they have remained tight, that's been since Nov. '05. Other than the pos gaskets that come with them, the headers are awesome.

I only have one FelPro 1400 so hopefully the other side will hold up. I'll have to order up another pair. At least things come apart fairly easily. I think the band clamps will be easier to put back on now that they've been installed once.

I dropped just shy of a $1g on the headers ($935 shipped, I think) with the Jet Hot. I'm not sure why I went Jet Hot rather than stainless because the price is almost a wash. I guess I thought maybe the Jet Hot would provide some insulation since these headers have no shields.

Jim

 

[BEATAV8]

Hey guys the gaskets that come with the TA headers are meant for stage II applications. Check out how huge the ports are! For stock heads or ported stock heads you should get the felpro 1400's or equivalent, and port match the gaskets to your cylinder heads.

For $1000 the headers should come with a set of 1400's!!!!!

Yes I bought a set and I am very happy with the perfect fit and super easy installation, but I haven't run them yet due to the weather.

Here's the problem right here. The new gasket blew out in 3 places on my 5-mile test run with the car. Like I said it was beat up by UPS, but compared to the FelPro there's not a lot of material on the edges. I never noticed this before - I wonder if the FelPros are actually a restriction?

I'm going to pop the FelPro gasket in anyway so I can seal it up.

 

[turbojimmy]

Hey guys the gaskets that come with the TA headers are meant for stage II applications. Check out how huge the ports are! For stock heads or ported stock heads you should get the felpro 1400's or equivalent, and port match the gaskets to your cylinder heads.

Ah HA! So I guess I can expect to pop the passenger side one soon, too. Thanks for the info!

Jim

 

[RYAN GRAVES]

Broke V Band Clamp

I INSTALLED MY TA HEADERS. GREAT FIT, NICE PRODUCT. I ONLY HAD ONE PROBLEM V BAND CLAMP BROKE. I HAD TO SLIGHTLY BEND CLAMP BOLT ALSO TO INSTALL SUCCESSFULLY. ONE CLAMP WENT ON NO PROBLEM BUT THE SECOND ONE BROKE ON THE THREADED BOLT WHEN INSTALLING I DID NOT OVER TORQUE NUT. CALLED T/A THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM ONE OTHER TIME AND TO SEND THEM THE BROKEN CLAMP. AND THEY WOULD SEND ME ANOTHER ONE. 5 WEEKS NO CLAMP OR PHONE CALL, SO I CALLED THEM. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT WARRANTY THE CLAMP AND THEY WERE SORRY. SAFE TO SAY I AM A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED. 1,000 FOR SS HEADERS. PAID TO SHIP CLAMP TO T/A AND THEN THEY TELL ME THEY CANNOT HELP ME.

 

[TrboHead]

2 things to add:

1. I would NOT use header gaskets. Almost everyone that uses Header gaskets end up warping the header flange and then they have to use the copper gasket to seal which if it gets hot enough will blow. I prefer to slap them on with a little High Temp RTV if anytning. If everything is flat to begin with then you will not have leaks. Once you use gaskets you will always need to use gaskets. Ask around...

2. Use the stock header bolts where you can. They work and will not back out like a normal bolt since it does have the built in washer.

 

[tom h]

Bolts & Washers

A "Belleville" washer can often improve the "locking" of conventional bolts, much more so than any split-ring lockwasher. They are available from industrial suppliers such as McMaster-Carr.

A good explanation of Belleville washers can be found here:
http://www.bellevillesprings.com/disc-springs.html
and here : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belleville_washer

"Serrated safety washer" looks interesting but I haven't tried them yet:
http://www.bellevillesprings.com/serrated-safety-washers.html

 

[DonnieShort]

Hey guys the gaskets that come with the TA headers are meant for stage II applications. Check out how huge the ports are! For stock heads or ported stock heads you should get the felpro 1400's or equivalent, and port match the gaskets to your cylinder heads.

For $1000 the headers should come with a set of 1400's!!!!!

Yes I bought a set and I am very happy with the perfect fit and super easy installation, but I haven't run them yet due to the weather.

They aren't meant for a Stage 2. There just isn't enough gasket around the gasket's ports, making the port of the gasket look bigger, which is why they burn out so easily. My copper and Felpro 1400 ports were the exact same size as the header's ports and my heads ports ( which has had extensive porting done ). Bottom line is they just used a cheap gasket.

 

[turbojimmy]

I don't need no steenking gasket

I put the LH header back on without the gasket and it sealed up fine. If I wasn't so damn lazy I'd take the gasket out of the passenger side, too, but it's not leaking. As they say, if it ain't broke......

It DEFINITELY sounds different and DEFINITELY has more snap in the throttle. Could be the turbo, could be the headers but it's a vast improvement either way.

Jim

 

[stickybones]

Jim

What are you doing? You're already at 11.3! Start shopping for a cage now.

 

[turbojimmy]

Jim

What are you doing? You're already at 11.3! Start shopping for a cage now.

Bah. The 11.3 is just traction. I haven't hit a satisfactory MPH yet. I hope to get into the 120s this year. I can't wait for the weather to clear up - I'll let you know if/when we head out to Island. I've vowed not to ever go on a Sunday again.

Jim

 

[stickybones]

And just a couple months ago you were contemplating the sale of your GN. Now you're giving her a new set of lungs.

 

[turbojimmy]

And just a couple months ago you were contemplating the sale of your GN. Now you're giving her a new set of lungs.

True. I couldn't bring myself to do it. The GN is just too much fun to own and tweak.

Jim

 

[Super6]

no gaskets

i bought some cat high temp manifold sealer part# 2p-2333 and that is all i use for the headers and turbo. it is a paste that comes in a 1 lb can..it will probably last me along time but it is pricey. i have no exhaust leaks but i still have stock headers i do want some ta headers when i feel the stock headers are a restriction...............Bob

 

[BEATAV8]

They aren't meant for a Stage 2.

Huh? Look at the picture. The gasket ports are gi-normous and D shaped, no optical illusion there. When I lined them up on my 8445 stockers the gasket ports hung off the edge of the casting - same thing happened to Jimmy from the looks of the imprints in his gasket.

 

[turbojimmy]

Huh? Look at the picture. The gasket ports are gi-normous and D shaped, no optical illusion there. When I lined them up on my 8445 stockers the gasket ports hung off the edge of the casting - same thing happened to Jimmy from the looks of the imprints in his gasket.

With all due respect to Donnie, I believe you are correct:

 

[DonnieShort]

Funny, mine was the same size in the ports, the Felpro, the ones that come with the TA's and my copper gasket. Maybe you got a mis-cut gasket? Or maybe I did? Either way, mine's not had any more problems since pulling those junk gaskets, hopfully your's don't either