windowtint
08-19-2004, 03:56 AM
OK, the header back system is on. As far as Gabe's portion of it, I'd have to give it a 99%. Very nice system, all the peices were the right lengths etc. All around good deal.
Now... the 1% - and even that wont count for the vast majority. The system is bolt-on - which makes it easy for you DIY'ers out there. Me, I don't like bolt on. As said before, the last time I went halfway on anything was in the 10th grade and she got dumped for it. :shock: The system required some modifications to convert to a weld-on. If you don't have or have access to a muffle shop, there aint no way in hell you'll do the mods.
Gabe's got all the tubes so well size matched that they slip together TIGHTLY, so tight in fact you have to shave a metal burr if it gets in the way as it will interfere (this is GOOD.. for clamping). TIGHT = no exhaust leaks, which would be very annoying sounding. BUT, for the sake of WELDING, we had to flare all the expanded ends MORE on the pipe maching so there would be an air gap that we could run a good MIG bead inside of, that way we would have full weld penetration on both tubes and an air tight joint. We cut most of the inlet tube off the muffler and made for a short mounting point that would take a weld nice and not cause a lot of airflow distubance going into the muffler chamber.
The extended header spring bolts Gabe will send you... - REQUIRED. You must use them , do not lose them before you install them.
All his tubes were mandrel bent, so the corners had a nice smooth radius and weren't bunched up on the inside radius's. The crimp-bent tubes are the factory style with the accordian looking fat rolls on the inside edges of the corners. Those ripples cause A LOT of turbulance and exhaust interference. Gabe's exhaust has none of those in it.
Also - Gabe - you lost part of the 1% becuase when my pipes arrived they did not have the yellow racing strip spray painted on them - I PAID FOR THAT YOU BASTARD! :lol: I'll have to paint my own.
Problems that had nothing to do with Stylis' exhuast. The front O2 sensor did not have anti-seize compound on it and the threads completely stripped off once we managed to get that bastard out (with a freaking OA torch turning the O2 bung cherry hot). New O2 sensor, $125. We may be welding on a different mounting braket at the exhaust tip to 1. keep the exhaust system from bouncing (if that seems to happen at some time) and 2. to keep the tip for centered. The system weighs more than the stocker it replaced and therefore seems to shift a little - but that's to be expected, the stock system was feather lite and looked like Kate Moss on a diet - way to skinny.
Other 'problem' (that has nothing to do with header back part) is that the system sounds a little "buzzy" from around 2k-3k RPM, which I'd prefer it didn't, but kind of expected. Gabe even warned about it even though I expected it also. The buzzing really has a lot to do with that the system is attached to a DC Sports header and it has an open intake - the entire system pretty much breathes TOO WELL.
All in all A++. I'd buy it again - and will if we get rid of one of the other driveway toys and buy another.
Now... the 1% - and even that wont count for the vast majority. The system is bolt-on - which makes it easy for you DIY'ers out there. Me, I don't like bolt on. As said before, the last time I went halfway on anything was in the 10th grade and she got dumped for it. :shock: The system required some modifications to convert to a weld-on. If you don't have or have access to a muffle shop, there aint no way in hell you'll do the mods.
Gabe's got all the tubes so well size matched that they slip together TIGHTLY, so tight in fact you have to shave a metal burr if it gets in the way as it will interfere (this is GOOD.. for clamping). TIGHT = no exhaust leaks, which would be very annoying sounding. BUT, for the sake of WELDING, we had to flare all the expanded ends MORE on the pipe maching so there would be an air gap that we could run a good MIG bead inside of, that way we would have full weld penetration on both tubes and an air tight joint. We cut most of the inlet tube off the muffler and made for a short mounting point that would take a weld nice and not cause a lot of airflow distubance going into the muffler chamber.
The extended header spring bolts Gabe will send you... - REQUIRED. You must use them , do not lose them before you install them.
All his tubes were mandrel bent, so the corners had a nice smooth radius and weren't bunched up on the inside radius's. The crimp-bent tubes are the factory style with the accordian looking fat rolls on the inside edges of the corners. Those ripples cause A LOT of turbulance and exhaust interference. Gabe's exhaust has none of those in it.
Also - Gabe - you lost part of the 1% becuase when my pipes arrived they did not have the yellow racing strip spray painted on them - I PAID FOR THAT YOU BASTARD! :lol: I'll have to paint my own.
Problems that had nothing to do with Stylis' exhuast. The front O2 sensor did not have anti-seize compound on it and the threads completely stripped off once we managed to get that bastard out (with a freaking OA torch turning the O2 bung cherry hot). New O2 sensor, $125. We may be welding on a different mounting braket at the exhaust tip to 1. keep the exhaust system from bouncing (if that seems to happen at some time) and 2. to keep the tip for centered. The system weighs more than the stocker it replaced and therefore seems to shift a little - but that's to be expected, the stock system was feather lite and looked like Kate Moss on a diet - way to skinny.
Other 'problem' (that has nothing to do with header back part) is that the system sounds a little "buzzy" from around 2k-3k RPM, which I'd prefer it didn't, but kind of expected. Gabe even warned about it even though I expected it also. The buzzing really has a lot to do with that the system is attached to a DC Sports header and it has an open intake - the entire system pretty much breathes TOO WELL.
All in all A++. I'd buy it again - and will if we get rid of one of the other driveway toys and buy another.