Stillen header defect need help!!

R

rmf26

Member
Location
Beirut Lebanon
Hello everyone its my first time here
I order a set of stillen ceramic headers over a month ago, but once i had them installed there was a leak from the left header... i was told by my mechanic that it MIGHt be the gasket so i replaced it with a new OEM one

It is still leaking! it turns out the the header is not flat at the area which it connects to the engine (like 4mm) ... well now my car sounds like some messed up lawn mower :(

stillen says that it is "within the limits" .... CAN SOMONE PLZZZZZ HELP ME !?:embarrassed:
 
This is interesting, about the 4mm protrusion. I've been doing a lot of reading on modding the Lexus ISF (have a '11 on order :wink (2):). There has been a lot of discussion on the aftermarket header that was recently released. According to Sikky (the header manufacturer) the protrusion is there for a reason. You can read more about it on here http://www.lexusfforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3101&page=8

Basically, the claim is the raised section is to help with the sealing of gasket. Now, I'm no expect in header production, but some claim this to be true. However, based on logic, I would have to agree with the others who claim this is just poor quality. It makes sense that the mating sections need to be flat to ensure a perfect seal. The weird thing is, there are guys who have installed the header as is without any leaks. This leads me to think you might want to have your installer try to re-align the headers and gasket. There might be an extremely low tolerance in movement of the gasket. Meaning the gasket has to be aligned perfectly. If necessary, unbolt the exhaust. Make sure the headers are installed first, then align the exhaust after it, if you know what I mean. If that doesn't work, then you might have to find a machine shop to file down the 4mm. Be careful on the latter, because you can potential destroy the headers. The machine shop will need to use a belt sander to ensure a perfectly flat surface. Don't do it by hand. Hopefully this helps.
 
yeah, was gonna say just run it on a big belt sander to square it off... stillen uses pretty thick & beefy 304ss for there flanges & there usually not problematic, but being really thick flanges could also mean that they will not flatten out as easily as there tightened down too.
 
You may be right, it may be better to sand it down but im not sure if the header will be comprimised, i have never heard of somone trying to sand down teir headers , did this ever happen to you guys?

Btw i have one more Qeustion, stillen told me that if i use Exhaust wrap on my headers it will cause them to crack, is that true? the only reason that i had used them is to reduce engine bay temp's ..... i am also running on a stock exhaust, is it bad for the engine if i choose to install the headers alone? will i gain anypower at all?
 
rmf26 said:
You may be right, it may be better to sand it down but im not sure if the header will be comprimised, i have never heard of somone trying to sand down teir headers , did this ever happen to you guys?

Btw i have one more Qeustion, stillen told me that if i use Exhaust wrap on my headers it will cause them to crack, is that true? the only reason that i had used them is to reduce engine bay temp's ..... i am also running on a stock exhaust, is it bad for the engine if i choose to install the headers alone? will i gain anypower at all?
Click to expand...

I have heard about resurfacing the mating flanges before, but not on an FX.

You said you have ceramic headers? If so, then no wrap should be used on them. IMO, wraps are a bit old-school. But of course still used widely in the tuner communities because they are cheap. The new-tech are coatings that do the same thing as the wrap - they reduce temperatures just as effectively. If you are already ceramic, I don't think a wrap will give you much benefit.

The downside to wrapping is usually that the wrap can absorb moisture or other engine bay fluids. Ceramic coatings don't have this problem. If Stillen tells you not to wrap their product, I wouldn't.

Most aftermarket parts really should bolt right up but it is not uncommon to need to modify one or two little things to make them fit properly. Not sure about different types of gaskets you could try - maybe a composite that can be compressed more than the OEM gasket? Not sure about what is available. Sounds like resurfacing should take care of your problems though.
 
ahh ok it seems the best solution is to resurface the headers , thnks guys i really appreciate it :DDDDD !!!!!!!

---------- Post added at 04:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:59 PM ----------

OHHHH one more thing, since their is not heatshield provided with the header, is their any precautions that i should take? will the engine bay temp increase dramtically?:eek:
 
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