eBay Headers and Downpipes

[jpmiceli]

Contemplating putting headers or downpipes on the car when I do the timing chain service and ran across these on eBay the other day. Has anyone used these?

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F122781440423

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F122819790098

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F122781446903


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[BCsniper]

they are direct copies from other companies. that's exactly what XSPower does, take somebody else's product and copy it with cheaper materials

the steel used is a grade down from what's in JHM's headers and the collectors they use are garbage. Also, the fitment is hit or miss. sometimes only 1 of the 2 trans mount holes will line up.

that bring said, they are cheap. honestly I wouldn't worry too much about the standard downpipes.....theyre just pipes, so not too much to really screw up

[VinnysS4]

they are direct copies from other companies. that's exactly what XSPower does, take somebody else's product and copy it with cheaper materials

the steel used is a grade down from what's in JHM's headers and the collectors they use are garbage. Also, the fitment is hit or miss. sometimes only 1 of the 2 trans mount holes will line up.

that bring said, they are cheap. honestly I wouldn't worry too much about the standard downpipes.....theyre just pipes, so not too much to really screw up

What kind of downgrade metal are they using? Both are made from T304 stainless steel... Not saying they are good as they have shit collectors, but for almost 2 grand cheeper, in my opinion, they are worth it. Mainly because a set of catless Downpipes cost more than these do and these are essentially that and a little bit more. IMO

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[jpmiceli]

What’s wrong with the collectors?


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[S4orgy]

The flange is 321 and the pipes are 304. F**k spendin 2k.idc call me broke. im getting a set soon lol maybe ill coat it wrap it and be good. Spend the difference on coils or wheels. Jmo

[Spaceme1117]

I haven't used these but they look pretty nice. If I were to get a set of these, I would get the ceramic coated set. Definitely worth it to cut down on the underhood heat.

[BCsniper]

what the ad says and what is really true may be 2 different things......but hey if you don't care then no big deal


like I said, with the price difference I know why people will buy them. the collectors are shit tho. you could always do like what zimbumonkeyman did and cut them off and weld in proper collectors

[PigDiesel54]

I put the xspower catless downpipes in my avant last weekend.tapatalk_1509930462896.jpeg

It took about 5 hours on jackstands with 1 other person. I got them from another member, never installed for $250 I think. None of the brackets lined up and the driver side pipe wasn't the greatest fit. It came with spacers which have been doing well and keeping the CEL off. It's sounds alright paired up with the stock catback.

[S4orgy]

I put the xspower catless downpipes in my avant last weekend.tapatalk_1509930462896.jpeg

It took about 5 hours on jackstands with 1 other person. I got them from another member, never installed for $250 I think. None of the brackets lined up and the driver side pipe wasn't the greatest fit. It came with spacers which have been doing well and keeping the CEL off. It's sounds alright paired up with the stock catback.

Prob didnt line up the greatest but i bet you still got a bump in power

[PigDiesel54]

Yeah it wasn't the best but it worked and it was a nice bump in power. A lot more pull in the low end. For a 1/4 of the price of other downpipes on the market, it is fine for me.

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[Mr. Corey]

dammmmm...... that's either an amazing deal or those are garbage.

[alcatranz518]

FWIW I have an XSPower set on my car I installed a few years ago. To be fair I bought them open box and couldn't pass the offer, but was also willing to accept any consequences I anticipated from buying a "knock off" and prepared to make them work as needed. I did wrap them as well on install.

Since then, I've put 45,xxx miles on the car with no issue other than a pass side motor mount bracket trim for flange fitment on install and using a couple bolts instead of studs. The mileage was also put on in AZ heat for 20,xxx miles then the rest was from driving cross country to move to NC, and then back and forth to NE Ohio during winter (Christmas to visit family) since moving here. In short, they've seen the elements and held up well for the money.

Honestly, I can say the only advise I have is to make sure you do not use ceramic substrate converters and make sure you spend the money to use the metal mesh (200 cell if possible) or you'll be replacing them at about 10,000 miles. The ceramic's bonding to the shell cannot hold up to the heat cycles and flow rate of the exhaust..so you end up with the "carol of the bells" under your car as they disintegrate...

[jpmiceli]

Looks like the ceramic coated ones are cheaper on the website.
http://www.xs-power.com/audi-headers-2.htm


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[mtwallace85]

I wrote this review paying close attention to being completely objective, so all that I ask is that you please read it that way too.

This is a pretty touchy and highly debated topic in the B6/7 Audi S4 world. In the end though, I think any answer you receive is going to be somewhat, if not completely, subjective.

I am personally running the version 1 JHM long tube headers. The reasoning behind my decision was mainly quality. I wanted peace of mind that they would fit perfectly, and also, once they were installed, there would be no reason to take them off.

My car is a bit on the low side and the flanges hang down lower than anything. This poses a bit of an issue when going over tall speed bumps and/or hard angled driveway entrances because they tend to scrape. There have been several times where the car has exerted quite a bit of force on them but I’ve never had to worry because they just flex. To me, that is a testament to how well they’re built.

One thing I noticed with my FI downpipes was the drone. It was definitely a little much at certain RPMs and while cruising. The JHM headers have completely eliminated any drone in addition to having a beautifully exotic tone that is music to my ears. A lot of the time I drive with the windows open and just enjoy the exhaust note. Finally, the headers are a big difference in performance over the downpipes. The torque down low is crazy. Just ask everybody about how hard my giant head bobs when I hit the gas, I’m sure they’ll be happy to tell you and continue making fun of me.

The downside to the JHM headers is pretty obvious; they are very expensive, especially when compared to these XS Power headers you’re considering, or headers that you can get for American cars. Any company that wants to stay in business needs to make some sort of a bottom line profit. JHM spent a ton of time building revision after revision to come up with a set that perform as good as you can expect. When you consider the tiny market for headers on our cars, they have to charge a bunch for the product to recuperate the time and effort that went into developing them. HP per dollar, yes, you’re looking at a pretty shitty return. You’re also paying for the name just like you do when you go out and buy a Patek Philippe watch. Does one really need to spend $50k in a watch to be satisfied, does one really need to spend $3k for headers to be satisfied, no way. But if you’re the kind of buyer that is looking for the best of the best, then JHM is the only way to go because they’re the only ones designing and making them, unless of course you want to spend even more on a custom set.

As far as the XS Power headers go, I have absolutely no first hand experience with them, just what I’ve heard people say. There are figment issues, the quality of materials has come into question, and there’s also the question of how do they stack up against the competition. I think everybody has said they don’t fit as is and need a little massaging and some are questioning the steel quality. As far as performance, the consensus is, the XS Power headers net you about the same gain as a set of 2.5” downpipes. What I do like to see is people who own them, like alcatranz, are giving good feedback after putting them though the test of time and elements. When they’re only $500 on top of that, it’s pretty hard to ignore, even if you have to spend a few extra bucks and a little extra time getting them installed correctly.

What I don’t like about XS Power headers is, you’re essentially buying a fake Rolex. An untrained eye will tell you they the look and perform about the same. The reason a Rolex is so expensive though, is because they pay attention to the details and don’t take shortcuts. Would I buy a fake Rolex, no, but I also wouldn’t look down on someone that does because they really just want a quality product at a reasonable price.

But what XS Power, and any counterfeiting company, has done here, is bought a proven product from a top company, copied the design, and then manufactured it as closely as they can while cutting costs even further, because they didn’t have to do any R+D. Any person who has had something they sell counterfeited and sold for less than they can sell it for because they have R+D costs to pay will tell you that’s a really shady move on their part. People that buy these products from XS Power are essentially rewarding them for shady business practices, which I personally would not tolerate, even if it means more money out of my pocket. But again, I get it, and I’m not going to look at somebody differently because they made that choice, and please don’t think I’m insulting you or anybody for considering them.

[jpmiceli]

What kind of gains can be expected with JHM headers?


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[pwest15]

What kind of gains can be expected with JHM headers?


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Eargasmic sounds


And all the other stuff they have listed on their site. I think they have a few 1/4 mile times and stuff. I think most people agree it's more about the torque gains than hp gains. I won't quote numbers though because I don't know

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[PigDiesel54]

IMO I wouldn't buy the xspower headers, for an install job that requires the engine to be pulled it's just not worth the headache for cheap headers. Catless downpipes on the other hand I can't justify paying over a grand for them and they don't require an engine pull and is easily reversible. So XSpower will do or better yet get them custom made.

[S4orgy]

I know someone local to me whos willing to let them go $300 brand new in box cause he sold his s4. Thor skid plate wont protect the headers?

[jpmiceli]

I know someone local to me whos willing to let them go $300 brand new in box cause he sold his s4. Thor skid plate wont protect the headers?

Headers or downpipes?


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[Terry.Reese]

Cheaper on the website

http://www.xs-power.com/audi-downpipes-dumppipes-11.htm

http://www.xs-power.com/audi-headers.htm

[S4orgy]

Headers or downpipes?


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Headers

[VinnysS4]

Headers

Great deal as long as they show up

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[S4orgy]

Great deal as long as they show up

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As long as they show up?guy lives 20 min from me and i have purchased parts from this person before. Last of my worries

[Canyon]

I know someone local to me whos willing to let them go $300 brand new in box cause he sold his s4. Thor skid plate wont protect the headers?

PM me. I'm interested