Hey, just a question for you experienced folks:

What is the worst that could happen if I buy a cheap header, (<200) and paint it myself? obviously, the finish is gonna suck, but I can put a more durable one on there and it won't rust.

will a cheaper header really perform worse than an expensive one? I thought I was just paying for finishes.

 

Does this cheap header you speak of already exist? As in you found one to buy, or you just can't spend over $200?

You know that MSA sells several headers for $250 - $350 right?

 

no, I haven't found them yet. I'm just weighing my options here. My current header is leaking to the point where the fumes are burning my eyes.

I would really LIKE to get that MSA one, but I'd have to save up another paycheck... and I just want to fix this NOW.

plus, I might be blind/ dead by then.

 

Where is the header leaking? Steel or aluminumized? I imagine it's steel... so if it's cracked, you could just weld it up.

 

it appears to have been welded again and again. The leak is hidden under weld after weld.

 

oh, sorry.

Steel. it's leaking right up under where all the down tubes first begin to converge.

 

Free advice - chuck it. I just "rebuilt" my header and my buddy spent about four hours welding it and around 20 rods. We did some filling so I could port it but yea - buy a new one.

I think unless you've done extreme mods most headers will be fairly compareable. If you are going to paint your header use POR 20. Surface prep is very important

 

thanks fricfrac. yeh i decided to just save up for a new MSA header. i dont think the CO will kill me before then.