Disappointed with PPE..
Thread Starter
Driver
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 189
Likes: 1
From: Broomfield, CO / Qatar
Disappointed with PPE..
I have posted a thread or two about installing PPE Headers on my SC.. Power gain was certainly awesome and fit and finish seemed great until i got a leak first on the driver side manifold and then onto the passenger side. I thought the issue was initially gasket/installation related so i ignored it for a bit until it got really bad that every time someone rode with me they would either comment on the valve ticking or try and diagnose an engine issue.
Decided to strip em off and swap out the gaskets. To my surprise, turned out the headers were warped at the port.. PPE did a terrible job straightening out the port which fits on the block that i had 7 leaks on the driver side and 4 on the passenger. I had to take them to a machine shop to shave off imperfections and straighten the port costing me almost $1000 till now with the initial installation charge, removal for checking, porting, and reinstallation.
I took some pics although they don't show much..
Just wanted to inform anyone who has or who's considering these shorties for their 3UZ.
Moe
Decided to strip em off and swap out the gaskets. To my surprise, turned out the headers were warped at the port.. PPE did a terrible job straightening out the port which fits on the block that i had 7 leaks on the driver side and 4 on the passenger. I had to take them to a machine shop to shave off imperfections and straighten the port costing me almost $1000 till now with the initial installation charge, removal for checking, porting, and reinstallation.
I took some pics although they don't show much..
Just wanted to inform anyone who has or who's considering these shorties for their 3UZ.
Moe
Pole Position
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 10
From: NM
I've been thinking about ordering a set of these. But have been holding off partly because of this. If the headers do have issues, do you cover the cost of uninstalling, shipping and reinstalling them?
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Pole Position
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: i
I couldn't have said it better myself. I want te extra power, but the noise would drive me insane.
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Thread Starter
Driver
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 189
Likes: 1
From: Broomfield, CO / Qatar
I'm still satisfied with the gains and i love the quality look of the headers but i am disappointed with the lack of quality control. How hard is it to blue print a port before delivery ensuring it is straight.
Its just an inconvenience and a loss of $1000 not to mention time. Other than that no complaints and i STILL would recommend those headers on any 3UZ-FE motor.. Certainly livens up that V8.
Moe
Thread Starter
Driver
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 189
Likes: 1
From: Broomfield, CO / Qatar
I payed around 1500-1600 installed then another 500 to rectify those issues.
No they do not through a CEL if you do not mess around with the cats which can still be rectified with a manual 02 Sim
Worth the performance gain just make sure they're straight before installing
No they do not through a CEL if you do not mess around with the cats which can still be rectified with a manual 02 Sim
Worth the performance gain just make sure they're straight before installing
Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: VA
To PPE Headers
There are lots of peeps wanting PPE headers but we don't want the issues IFORCE or Swoosh had.
That said, what is PPE willing to do to guarantee this same issue does happen to the other consumers?
Stainless Steel headers?
There are lots of peeps wanting PPE headers but we don't want the issues IFORCE or Swoosh had.
That said, what is PPE willing to do to guarantee this same issue does happen to the other consumers?
Stainless Steel headers?