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I purchased some Fabspeed Headers with cats for my 991.1. I am dropping the car off tomorrow to have these installed and some various services while I am on a trip. I noticed that on the center pipe, where the three pipes meet to go into the cat, the center pipe weld does not go around the pipe all the way. There is a small area with no weld. Both headers are the same, so it appears this is the design and not a workmanship issue, but I would welcome comments on this from people more learned than myself on this. Hopefully the concensus is this is the design and this does not present any problem, but hearing it would be nice.
The arrows point to where the weld is not completely around the center pipe. Any comments are appreciated.
That looks sketchy to me. I’d call and ask them what’s up. Maybe it’s a design function to allow some expansion as it heats up or maybe bad welds. Others have had issues with Fabspeed in the past. I’d go with FVD for headers, they work with Porsche race teams directly.
Thanks for the replies thus far. I double checked this check off sheet that came with the headers. If this was followed, the header welds were checked and they were leak tested. I took them into a closet and shined a flashlight into the flange that connects to the block. I could not see any light coming out of them. Perhaps these are bronzed on the inside at that point where the weld is absent?
I will be calling Fabspeed in the morning, hopefully to confirm this is by design.
It might have passed a leak test or whatever, but over time it might get weak where the weld seems to end. Headers take a huge amount of vibration and heat obviously
18852189[/url]]It might have passed a leak test or whatever, but over time it might get weak where the weld seems to end. Headers take a huge amount of vibration and heat obviously
I will definitely be calling Fabspeed in the morning.
Honestly, they designed it in a way that the welder can't really get a bead all the way around one runner. Install one runner, weld all the way around. Install second runner, a littler harder, but can still get a weld all the way around. Put in that last runner.... not so much. The issue is with the merge and all three runners coming in parallel to each other. Now, if they came in angled, there would be space for the welder to get in there. Examples: Kline, iPE, Soul. Here's the Kline for reference.
Now... it's possible Fabspeed welds it on the inside. Well, it's a potential exhaust leak. They say they leak test it. How robust that joint is..... who knows.
Last edited by spdracerut; 06-11-2023 at 07:49 PM.
They’re fine, mine are same way. They don’t leak at all. Been on my car for over 2 years, on the prior owners car for a few years, I bet they are all like that. Welded on the inside.
Have never heard of anyone having any issues with these headers which they have been making for 10 years now.
Last edited by AdamSanta85; 06-12-2023 at 08:18 AM.
They’re fine, mine are same way. They don’t leak at all. Been on my car for over 2 years, on the prior owners car for a few years, I bet they are all like that. Welded on the inside.
Have never heard of anyone having any issues with these headers which they have been making for 10 years now.
It certainly looks like the design, and likely just fine. I figured they were welded on the inside at that area. I do plan to call them this morning just to ask about it. Thanks for the personal experience, that helps.
Very sorry for any confusion or concern with the Sport headers. Those merges are fully welded in from the inside. the outer section is not structurally compromised in any way. All of the sets we build on the production line are identical, and historically speaking I do not recall any failures stemming from that area as the seal is quite formidable.
Here is a photo of a set on the bench just after the merge spike and collector is welded in from the inside! Hope this alleviates some of the anxiety, but do feel free to give me a call or shoot a PM if you have any other concerns!
Very sorry for any confusion or concern with the Sport headers. Those merges are fully welded in from the inside. the outer section is not structurally compromised in any way. All of the sets we build on the production line are identical, and historically speaking I do not recall any failures stemming from that area as the seal is quite formidable.
Here is a photo of a set on the bench just after the merge spike and collector is welded in from the inside! Hope this alleviates some of the anxiety, but do feel free to give me a call or shoot a PM if you have any other concerns!
Great info. Thanks so much for that. The car has been dropped off, and when I get back from a trip I will get to hear that engine sing!
06-11-2023, 03:11 PM
Fabspeed header question
