eBay headers are 1-5/8” primaries
Yes, they're a cost effective option if you don't mind a 2.5" collector and Y pipe. Installation is a breeze.
Only thing I'll say, is I've yet to meet ANYONE who modded and eventually didn't want more power. I'd opt for anything with a 3" collector first, but that's just me.
The BBK's are a great value and fit and function well.
Only thing I'll say, is I've yet to meet ANYONE who modded and eventually didn't want more power. I'd opt for anything with a 3" collector first, but that's just me.
The BBK's are a great value and fit and function well.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 7,128
Likes: 5
From: Pittsburgh, PA
That's the only reason I skipped the BBK. I had good luck with them "back in the day" on my [old school] 5.0, but 2.5" collectors won't cut it.
What is the gauge of the tube wall. Have you measured it? If its presently 16, and they go to thin wall 18ga on there new race version then they will flow very close to 1 3/4 . They can keep the the same OD , but by going to a higher gauge they will be increasing the ID and they will flow close to 1 3/4 But the end result is a cheaper product .
Awesome! Thank you! 
Unfortunately, I measured everything except the wall thickness; however, it was certainly thin compared to anything I've seen with the name-brand headers (as is obvious in the pictures). So, even if Speed Engineering says theirs is also thin-wall and will flow close to a 1-3/4" primary, it's still the same, inexpensive Chinese 1-5/8" stainless that their eBay competitors are selling for a lot less (that they're advertising as a 1-3/4" - which it isn't).
At the end of the day, we need to determine the honest size of the primaries and the gauge of steel they're using. This it the only way to compare the brands at this point since now even a sponsor is advertising 1-3/4" primaries that are actually 1-5/8". I'd love for someone to measure their TSP primaries...
EDIT: I should have thought about this before, but we can determine the gauge because I measured the OD and ID of the collector. At 3.002 OD and 2.862 ID, that leaves us at 0.14/2= 0.07" or 14g.
Unfortunately, I measured everything except the wall thickness; however, it was certainly thin compared to anything I've seen with the name-brand headers (as is obvious in the pictures). So, even if Speed Engineering says theirs is also thin-wall and will flow close to a 1-3/4" primary, it's still the same, inexpensive Chinese 1-5/8" stainless that their eBay competitors are selling for a lot less (that they're advertising as a 1-3/4" - which it isn't).
At the end of the day, we need to determine the honest size of the primaries and the gauge of steel they're using. This it the only way to compare the brands at this point since now even a sponsor is advertising 1-3/4" primaries that are actually 1-5/8". I'd love for someone to measure their TSP primaries...
EDIT: I should have thought about this before, but we can determine the gauge because I measured the OD and ID of the collector. At 3.002 OD and 2.862 ID, that leaves us at 0.14/2= 0.07" or 14g.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 7,128
Likes: 5
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Thanks for updating us with the wall thickness. Im little surprised that they are 14 ga , I was going to guess that they would have been closer to 16 ga. It will be interesting, if the Chinese ebay headers ever come up with a header that is egr delete , with the bungs in the correct position and a true 1 3/4 or 1 3/4 stepped to 1 7/8 at a price point of say $200 or $220 If they could do that they would have my attention.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...ailable-5.html
edit: I've learned some more about metal thickness: http://www.engineersedge.com/gauge.htm
We really need to find out what the name brands measure for an accurate comparison.
Last edited by demonspeed; Jun 12, 2013 at 12:24 PM.
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Brett Foote Thread Starter
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
This is probably your best contribution to this thread. Honestly, I paid $30 for my Kobalt digital calipers. Some may scoff saying that's a lot of money to measure stuff, but it's a precision measuring device -- and a cheap one at that. To buy a dial caliper that's certified is going to run ~$200 for just a mid-range.
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
This thread needs to stay on track. Keep it informative and on topic, and refrain from any personal attacks or useless banter. We don't welcome such behavior, especially in a tech section in regards to a tech topic.
I've already deleted several replies that were inappropriate or just off-topic. If the thread continues to go downhill with personal attacks and such, I'll simply delete/prune all replies that are not on topic starting with the earlier pages of this thread.
Please do not repost any reply that is pruned or deleted. Doing so may result in suspension of posting privileges.
Thanks,
-TECH Staff.
I've already deleted several replies that were inappropriate or just off-topic. If the thread continues to go downhill with personal attacks and such, I'll simply delete/prune all replies that are not on topic starting with the earlier pages of this thread.
Please do not repost any reply that is pruned or deleted. Doing so may result in suspension of posting privileges.
Thanks,
-TECH Staff.
Last edited by RPM WS6; Jun 13, 2013 at 09:03 PM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 7,128
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
I still wish people with other eBay brands would measure with calipers and post their findings. Perhaps they're not because they're finding 1-5/8" primaries 
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 7,128
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
