Uh-Oh.......Exhaust leak in header area
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,124
Likes: 32
From: Texas
This is not good news..........
I placed my order for the "new and improved" version on Thursday last week and I am concerned that it may not be "improved" enough after seeing yours.
Loren did say that the down pipe is a thicker gauge of steel now, so hopefully this problem will not happen again on the new headers.
I placed my order for the "new and improved" version on Thursday last week and I am concerned that it may not be "improved" enough after seeing yours.
Loren did say that the down pipe is a thicker gauge of steel now, so hopefully this problem will not happen again on the new headers.
I am encouraged by the use of a heavier gauge of pipe being used in the problem area. That should fix cracking at this location.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,124
Likes: 32
From: Texas
sorry to here the bad news bro...
looks like I'll be in the same boat at some point in the future as my new weld stops at the exact same spot your new crack is.
It is definitely time for S&S to publicly address this issue and in the meantime stop selling headers for our cars.
looks like I'll be in the same boat at some point in the future as my new weld stops at the exact same spot your new crack is.
It is definitely time for S&S to publicly address this issue and in the meantime stop selling headers for our cars.
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 8,702
Likes: 5
From: California
I'll look into this when I have my x-pipe install / resonator removal done in a few weeks. They will be replacing the whole piping from cat to muffler, so this would be the right time to do it.
I have the original headers, so I don't have any reinforced welds at this point, so this would be a true test to see if I get any cracking down the road.
EV ftw!!!
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,066
Likes: 622
From: Lake Ontario
Glen, are you referring to this section (see piping on the left hand side - the Y-section.
You are getting braver and braver 
. I remember when you talked about this last year you were not planning to remove the resonators so that you could maintain some "stealth" to your ride. 
I'll look into this when I have my x-pipe install / resonator removal done in a few weeks. They will be replacing the whole piping from cat to muffler, so this would be the right time to do it.
. I remember when you talked about this last year you were not planning to remove the resonators so that you could maintain some "stealth" to your ride.
Lead Lap
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 505
Likes: 0
From: hell
i recently did the x pipe w/ 2in. piping without resonators running to the blitz nur spec exhausts. HOLY $H1T!!! it was freaking loud and raspy. my sis said my car sounded like a rocket. i immediately went back and added two resonators.
Lead Lap
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 505
Likes: 0
From: hell
I am contemplating to run flex pipe after the cats.
I'll look into this when I have my x-pipe install / resonator removal done in a few weeks. They will be replacing the whole piping from cat to muffler, so this would be the right time to do it.
I have the original headers, so I don't have any reinforced welds at this point, so this would be a true test to see if I get any cracking down the road.
I'll look into this when I have my x-pipe install / resonator removal done in a few weeks. They will be replacing the whole piping from cat to muffler, so this would be the right time to do it.
I have the original headers, so I don't have any reinforced welds at this point, so this would be a true test to see if I get any cracking down the road.
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 8,702
Likes: 5
From: California
Yup that's a good shot, but now that I see the brace on the tranny, I'm not sure if it makes sense or if there is enough room to add a flex pipe between the brace and the cat. I'm just thinking out loud here. I could move the brace point a few inches towards the rear to make more room for the flex pipe. Until I spend some time under the car, I won't know what's feasible.
Well I have been going back and forth on the resonator part, but with the RMM mufflers being very conservative I am hoping it will stay mellow and only open up at WOT, which would be acceptable to me. Then there's always the option to install hi performance resonators, if there is such a thing.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: va
Sup fellas. Just browsing through the posts and saw this. I got my headers a while ago from s&s, just waiting on a break from work to throw them in. I know that s&s has had this on going problem with the cracked headers. i got mine about 2 months ago so, im not sure if i even got the thicker gauge piping. Either way i think im going to go ahead and weld them to reinforce them. My question is, what type of "beading", if thats what its even called. The wire you use to actually weld the "bead", does it have to be high temp or anything out of the ordinary or would i be able to use the same wire i used to solder wires? Thanx in advance and i defitnitely need to stop lurking and post up some pics of the recent work ive had done, thanx to all the knowledgable members of clublexus!
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Lexus NX 350h: A Fuel-Sipping Secret Hot Hatch???
Michael S. Palmer
5 Best & 5 Worst Lexus Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
Top 5 Hottest Lexus & Toyotas in 2026 (Hardest To Buy)
Brett Foote
2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
EV ftw!!!
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,066
Likes: 622
From: Lake Ontario
Sup fellas. Just browsing through the posts and saw this. I got my headers a while ago from s&s, just waiting on a break from work to throw them in. I know that s&s has had this on going problem with the cracked headers. i got mine about 2 months ago so, im not sure if i even got the thicker gauge piping.
Hey KevBleek, as I remember from my welder, he did have a choice of two different kinds of "rod".
When he realized it was a stainless steel header, I *think* he said he went ahead and used a stainless welding rod.
I was thinking about welding a short metal plate from one pipe to the other. (where the crack is at to an adjacent pipe)
When he realized it was a stainless steel header, I *think* he said he went ahead and used a stainless welding rod.
I was thinking about welding a short metal plate from one pipe to the other. (where the crack is at to an adjacent pipe)
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,124
Likes: 32
From: Texas
Hey KevBleek, as I remember from my welder, he did have a choice of two different kinds of "rod".
When he realized it was a stainless steel header, I *think* he said he went ahead and used a stainless welding rod.
I was thinking about welding a short metal plate from one pipe to the other. (where the crack is at to an adjacent pipe)
When he realized it was a stainless steel header, I *think* he said he went ahead and used a stainless welding rod.
I was thinking about welding a short metal plate from one pipe to the other. (where the crack is at to an adjacent pipe)
KevBleek, you should contact S&S and asked what version you have and any welding recommendations. Also consider if you modify the headers before you run them you risk voiding your warranty.
BA, you have been VERY helpful on this issue and I suggest a call to Loren as he may just send you an updated passenger side.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
altezzaguy
IS - 1st Gen (2001-2005)
3
Feb 18, 2012 05:20 PM
