BBK Headers

1991GT · 11-22-2002, 02:14 AM

I bought BBK 1 5/8in jet-hot coated shortie headers from Summit last week. I am worried about the ports on the passenger side header. Where the primaries are welded to the flange, the actual weld is very sloppy and I'm worried that this might effect something. The drivers side welds are perfect. I took some pics so you guys could see. This is the passenger side with the crappy welds:

This is the drivers side with the good welds:

Please let me know if it's worth the hassle to return these and try to get ones with better welds. I'm not going to try and grind it out because its only spot welded on the other side and I don't want to risk breaking through, then having a leak and I also don't want to mess with the ceramic coating. I have only mild mods so I think it probably won't matter now but I am worried for down the road whenever I decide to rebuild the motor and put higher flowing heads and a cam in. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks.

sn95gt19 · 11-22-2002, 04:04 AM

there is quite a difference there, i would call them and let them know about your situation. tell them that you are totally unhappy with the product that you got and that you are not paying for the return shipping, then make them send you another header. THEY SAY YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR! I KNOW THESE HEADERS ARENT EXACTLY THE CHEAPEST, SO YOU SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN A BETTER PRODUCT THAN THAT. good luck

302 LX Eric · 11-22-2002, 09:23 AM

If it were me, I would be sending those puppy's back quicker than flies on poop.

Seriously, you will most likely end-up with a nasty, never ending exhaust leak which isn't good. I've welded twice in my life and I think I could do a better job than that!

Good luck,
E

PS - I have BBK equal-lenght headers and the welds are very nice - kind of like the driver's side of yours.

91Saleen · 11-22-2002, 09:30 AM

Yeah I agree, have em send you a new one. That one where the weld burned into the bolt hole definitely won't seal, if it does it won't be for long. Most bigger companies are pretty good about helping you out with stuff like that, I'm sure you won't have a problem. I'm just surprised you got one like that from them. I wouldn't try grinding on it or anything, that way it covers your backside. Maybe I helped, Jim

chris91LX · 11-22-2002, 10:08 AM

BBK pretty much sucks. I had a problem with the weld not going all the way around the flange when I bought my BBK LT's, there was actually a gap. Needless to say I was pissed off, brand new headers that came from the factory leaking. This was the second set of BBK headers I'd bought from Summit that had a problem. The first set I bought, shorty unequals, came from the factory tweaked, 2 of the flanges were bent slightly, so they never sealed correctly. Anyway I called Summit and adamantly made my case. I have to say that Summit was very good about it, I was ready to buy a set of Bassani's or anybody elses headers. The guy at Summit ended up sending me a set of Ceramic Coated BBK LT's for the price of the chrome, which was nice.

I've never seen any of the welds on the BBK headers I've had that didn't need to be ground down.

After I thoroughly checked the new LT's I received, I ground the welds down inside the flanges, just enough to even them out and open them up a little. Haven't had any problems.

FWIW, I ended up writing a letter to BBK about the problems that I'd had with their headers and told them the only reason I am still using their product is because Summit is so good about their customer service. I never recieved any response from BBK, and because of that those headers are the last piece of BBK equipment I'll ever buy.

Dark_5.0 · 11-22-2002, 12:21 PM

My BBK 1 5/8 equal length headers were flawless.

I would send those back though,

1991GT · 11-23-2002, 02:09 AM

As of today the headers are on there way back to Summit. Hopefully the new ones they send me won't have the same problem.

90GT Vert · 11-23-2002, 10:25 PM

send em back

check into the FRPP Headers, they make a good header.

bottlebaby91 · 11-24-2002, 12:13 AM

sent them back and get full length headers, if you plan on doing further mods such as cam and heads there is an 11 h.p. increase between full length over shortys on a stock 5.0

avbcon12 · 11-24-2002, 05:33 PM

all BBK flange welds are pretty bad, all you had to do was cut out the imperfections with a carbide bit... takes 2 seconds so i dont think it was worth sending them back because chances are you will get back the same quality....

i also opened the collector flange on my BBK longtubes because they were only 2 1/4" and i opened them up to about 2 3/4".

i think for the money BBK's are pretty hard to beat. MAC is terrible, dont go that route.

take care,
adam

11-22-2002, 02:14 AM	#1
1991GT Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Flemington, NJ Posts: 13	BBK Headers I bought BBK 1 5/8in jet-hot coated shortie headers from Summit last week. I am worried about the ports on the passenger side header. Where the primaries are welded to the flange, the actual weld is very sloppy and I'm worried that this might effect something. The drivers side welds are perfect. I took some pics so you guys could see. This is the passenger side with the crappy welds: This is the drivers side with the good welds: Please let me know if it's worth the hassle to return these and try to get ones with better welds. I'm not going to try and grind it out because its only spot welded on the other side and I don't want to risk breaking through, then having a leak and I also don't want to mess with the ceramic coating. I have only mild mods so I think it probably won't matter now but I am worried for down the road whenever I decide to rebuild the motor and put higher flowing heads and a cam in. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks. __________________ '91 GT - 135K miles T-5, stock 2.73's uugh, MAC cold air, Pro-M Bullet 75mm, BBK 1 5/8 jet-hot unequal shorties, BBK h-pipe w/ cats, Flowmaster 2 chambers, Pro 5.0 short throw, KYB shocks and struts In the garage waiting to be put on: Screamin Demon coil, Dyna Mod TFI module, underdrive pulleys

11-22-2002, 04:04 AM	#2
sn95gt19 motors done......woohooo Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 799	there is quite a difference there, i would call them and let them know about your situation. tell them that you are totally unhappy with the product that you got and that you are not paying for the return shipping, then make them send you another header. THEY SAY YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR! I KNOW THESE HEADERS ARENT EXACTLY THE CHEAPEST, SO YOU SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN A BETTER PRODUCT THAN THAT. good luck __________________ 95gt lazer red (98 cobra clone) Rice Haters Club Member #116

11-22-2002, 09:23 AM	#3
302 LX Eric or '331 LX Eric' Join Date: Jan 1999 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 2,142	Return them If it were me, I would be sending those puppy's back quicker than flies on poop. Seriously, you will most likely end-up with a nasty, never ending exhaust leak which isn't good. I've welded twice in my life and I think I could do a better job than that! Good luck, E PS - I have BBK equal-lenght headers and the welds are very nice - kind of like the driver's side of yours. __________________ 1991 5.0 LX Coupe - 40,750 miles 331 cu. in. / Tremec 3550 / BFG Drag Radials 12.22 @ 114.31 mph - w/1.89 60'

11-22-2002, 09:30 AM	#4
91Saleen Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Enid, Ok (originally) Posts: 98	Yeah I agree, have em send you a new one. That one where the weld burned into the bolt hole definitely won't seal, if it does it won't be for long. Most bigger companies are pretty good about helping you out with stuff like that, I'm sure you won't have a problem. I'm just surprised you got one like that from them. I wouldn't try grinding on it or anything, that way it covers your backside. Maybe I helped, Jim __________________ If you start to pass me, I WILL spin you out

11-22-2002, 10:08 AM	#5
chris91LX Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Suburban Chicago, Hanover Park Posts: 695	BBK pretty much sucks. I had a problem with the weld not going all the way around the flange when I bought my BBK LT's, there was actually a gap. Needless to say I was pissed off, brand new headers that came from the factory leaking. This was the second set of BBK headers I'd bought from Summit that had a problem. The first set I bought, shorty unequals, came from the factory tweaked, 2 of the flanges were bent slightly, so they never sealed correctly. Anyway I called Summit and adamantly made my case. I have to say that Summit was very good about it, I was ready to buy a set of Bassani's or anybody elses headers. The guy at Summit ended up sending me a set of Ceramic Coated BBK LT's for the price of the chrome, which was nice. I've never seen any of the welds on the BBK headers I've had that didn't need to be ground down. After I thoroughly checked the new LT's I received, I ground the welds down inside the flanges, just enough to even them out and open them up a little. Haven't had any problems. FWIW, I ended up writing a letter to BBK about the problems that I'd had with their headers and told them the only reason I am still using their product is because Summit is so good about their customer service. I never recieved any response from BBK, and because of that those headers are the last piece of BBK equipment I'll ever buy. __________________ My Ford Club http://www.midwestfords.org/ Best time N/A 12.9 @ 107 1.711 60' 125 shot - 12.04 @ 113 1.59 60'

11-22-2002, 12:21 PM	#6
Dark_5.0 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Staging lane Posts: 4,337	My BBK 1 5/8 equal length headers were flawless. I would send those back though, __________________ 92' LX-Big brakes, Lots and lots of suspension, GT40X heads, Ported cobra intake, stock cam, Vortech SC trim. 00' Lightning-Stock 88'CRX-13 second ego killer

11-23-2002, 02:09 AM	#7
1991GT Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Flemington, NJ Posts: 13	As of today the headers are on there way back to Summit. Hopefully the new ones they send me won't have the same problem. __________________ '91 GT - 135K miles T-5, stock 2.73's uugh, MAC cold air, Pro-M Bullet 75mm, BBK 1 5/8 jet-hot unequal shorties, BBK h-pipe w/ cats, Flowmaster 2 chambers, Pro 5.0 short throw, KYB shocks and struts In the garage waiting to be put on: Screamin Demon coil, Dyna Mod TFI module, underdrive pulleys

11-23-2002, 10:25 PM	#8
90GT Vert Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Baytown, Texas Posts: 81	send em back check into the FRPP Headers, they make a good header. __________________ 90 Ford Mustang GT Vert AOD Some Mods..... "its ok!"

11-24-2002, 12:13 AM	#9
bottlebaby91 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 141	sent them back and get full length headers, if you plan on doing further mods such as cam and heads there is an 11 h.p. increase between full length over shortys on a stock 5.0

11-24-2002, 05:33 PM	#10
avbcon12 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: West Bloomfield, MI Posts: 391	all BBK flange welds are pretty bad, all you had to do was cut out the imperfections with a carbide bit... takes 2 seconds so i dont think it was worth sending them back because chances are you will get back the same quality.... i also opened the collector flange on my BBK longtubes because they were only 2 1/4" and i opened them up to about 2 3/4". i think for the money BBK's are pretty hard to beat. MAC is terrible, dont go that route. take care, adam __________________ 90 GT black/ grey leather ported GT-40 heads w/ 1.7RR, Cobra intake w/ ported lower, 24# injectors, 190LPH pump, 75mm Pro-M MAF, 65mm TB, K&N panel, BBK long tubes, Off road H-pipe, 2 ch. Flowmaster, Black magic fan, Kirban FPR, 180 deg. T-stat, 3.73's, Steeda Tri-Ax, 130 amp alt. Accell 8.8 race wires/cap/rotor, motorcraft plugs, Factory Five suspension, etc etc etc.... http://avbcon12.stangnet.com

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