Post by barkle on Sept 6, 2009 12:14:02 GMT -5
4 years ago I bought a stainless steel banks header for my 6 cyl '98 tj. 2 yrs ago it developed cracks at the seams and welds, so I had them send me a new one to replace it (lifetime warrantee). Last month I noticed the same cracking at the seams and (mostly) welds, so had them replace it again (they pay shipping both ways). Don't want to make a habit of this. 
My question - does anyone have any advise on "performance" header mfrs that sell a good, lasting product for my tj?? It'd be nice to get one that lasts as long as the orig did (my stock exhaust manifold lasted 8 or so yrs before a crack turned into a break.) Next time the Banks cracks up, I want to put in a different brand. any heady header feedback guys?
Also, (this may be related), someone suggested putting a flex piece in the front of the head pipe, which in the tj wraps around the front of the oil pan before heading back to the cat and exhaust. This presumably would relieve some stress on the header itself, and reduce or eliminate the cracking. In the future, I plan to put in a "belly-up" transfer case skid, flat across the bottom of the frame, if possible, (with other stuff, of course, like a sye, etc), and will need to raise the pipes to clear the higher tc skid - would a flex pipe hinder exhaust flow? Will I have to look for a new head pipe anyway to lift the cat and exhaust above the raised tc skid?
Any advise would be welcome - thanks,
- Mark
My question - does anyone have any advise on "performance" header mfrs that sell a good, lasting product for my tj?? It'd be nice to get one that lasts as long as the orig did (my stock exhaust manifold lasted 8 or so yrs before a crack turned into a break.) Next time the Banks cracks up, I want to put in a different brand. any heady header feedback guys?
Also, (this may be related), someone suggested putting a flex piece in the front of the head pipe, which in the tj wraps around the front of the oil pan before heading back to the cat and exhaust. This presumably would relieve some stress on the header itself, and reduce or eliminate the cracking. In the future, I plan to put in a "belly-up" transfer case skid, flat across the bottom of the frame, if possible, (with other stuff, of course, like a sye, etc), and will need to raise the pipes to clear the higher tc skid - would a flex pipe hinder exhaust flow? Will I have to look for a new head pipe anyway to lift the cat and exhaust above the raised tc skid?
Any advise would be welcome - thanks,
- Mark
