JBA Headers

[97snakedriver]

Well the after-market for mod motors seems to be growing, at least some.
http://www.jbaheaders.com/

JBA now makes a set of shorty headers for Cobras. Anybody have them?

I can't get the dyno they posted on their website to open correctly (xls, but excel doesn't like it?), but from what I've heard it might be eronious anyway.

But 1.5" tubes seems a bit small for a Cobra. I wouldn't think anyless then 1 5/8 (1.625") would probably hurt the top end, the Cobra's strong suite.

Comparing them to the FRPP (which I have), the only other shorty (direct replacement) header currently available: The FRPP has larger tubes, 1 5/8s, but uses a modified tri-Y design. Also called a 4-2-1 by some people. The JBA headers' tubes all end at the collector (4-1). To make them a direct fit for the factory manifolds is probably why the tubes are smaller.

I'd be curious to see dyno results, but my guess is that compared to the FRPP, that the JBA will give better low end due to the better scavanging from the longer tubes(more vacuum) and smaller diameter(higher velocity) tubes, but will lose on the top end because of the more restricted flow due to the smaller tubes.

The other thing I'm curious about is the quality. The JBA parts cost ($560) quite a bit more then the FRPP($280 stainless, $335 Ceramic coated). My FRPPs had some sloppy welding, which I spent quite a bit of time and quite a few bits grinding down and polishing with a dremil. Its extremely hard steel.

I'm glad the market seems to be growing somewhat. There are some cams due out fairly soon, and Ford seems to be serious about releasing an intake manifold and heads based on the FR500. But then again, Ford likes to tease.

Anyway, I just curious if anyone has the JBA headers and/or any impressions on them.