Thread: XS Power Headers Vs. SSAC Headers

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  1. #1 XS Power Headers Vs. SSAC Headers 
    GT Level Member 04CompG's Avatar
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    I know I know some of you may be rolling your eyes already. But I was just looking at both Autochromes and XS Power headers on ebay, in their descriptions the Autochromes are listed as T304 Steel while the XS Power headers are listed at 321 Steel. I found this interesting piece of information on a nissan forums through a google search of "321 steel vs. 304 steel":

    "Within the 300 series of stainless steels, there are four types that are suitable, available and cost effective for the racer. These are 304, 316L, 321, and 347.

    321 and 347 are known as stabilized grades of stainless. These are alloyed with either titanium (321) or columbium (347), both of which have a much stronger affinity for carbon than does chromium at elevated temperatures. This eliminates carbide precipitation leaving the chromium where it belongs for corrosion protection...remember our discussion of intergranular corrosion? Both 321 and 347 are top choices for exhaust headers, especially turbocharger systems and rotary engines. Since 321 is much more available than 347, that leaves 321 as the first choice, with no sacrifice in needed qualities.

    316L is an extra low carbon (ELC) grade of stainless that has only .03% carbon, making less carbon available to precipitate with the chromium. It is used extensively in marine exhausts where salt water corrosion mixed with diesel exhaust particulates and electrolysis create such a horrible environment that even other grades of stainless cower and run away!

    304 is the most inexpensive and available stainless in the 300 series. It is suitable for normally-aspirated header applications, and has been successfully used by many racing teams. It does not have the high temperature fatigue resistance that 321 does, but is considerably less costly and much more available. Most 304 tubing these days has the dual designation of 304/304L.
    Practically speaking, there are overlapping applications of 304 and 321 stainless in header construction, but knowing you've got the insurance of the aircraft-grade 321 for the job is definitely worth consideration of the extra cost... if your application requires it."
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  2. #2 Re: XS Power Headers Vs. SSAC Headers 
    GT Level Member 04CompG's Avatar
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    wow interestingly the ZZP headers are "100% 304 steel" according to their website. Am I out of line here??
    2004 GTP CompG. SPO Package.
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  3. #3 Re: XS Power Headers Vs. SSAC Headers 
    I live here. SyntheticShield's Avatar
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    Thats some really good information. Thanks for posting that up.
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  4. #4 Re: XS Power Headers Vs. SSAC Headers 
    GrandPrix Junkie Sabrewings's Avatar
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    The front and rear Plogs are available in 304 stainless. They have been subjected to the extreme heat of high performance turbo builds, which is way hotter than exhaust components will see on a supercharged car. They hold up fine.

    Sounds like someone is trying to make a sale.
    2004 Impala LS - got some mods sold!!!
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  5. #5 Re: XS Power Headers Vs. SSAC Headers 
    GT Level Member 04CompG's Avatar
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    pretty much every site i go to says 321 is better than 304. this site is the best:

    Stainless Steel - Grade 321

    im sure 304 is good enough though, just saying.
    2004 GTP CompG. SPO Package.
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  6. #6 Re: XS Power Headers Vs. SSAC Headers 
    GrandPrix Junkie Sabrewings's Avatar
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    I'm not saying it isn't better. A titanium piece would be better. Is it necessary? No. Is it more expensive? Yes. Isn't hard to do the math.
    2004 Impala LS - got some mods sold!!!
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  7. #7 Re: XS Power Headers Vs. SSAC Headers 
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    XS and SSAC are identical & from the same company (kinda like ZZP/Stattama/EasyPerformance). You can actually click on the bottom of the SSAutoChrome.com website & go to XSPower, which seems to be their label on a couple turbo exhaust manifolds.

    Since day one from buying the 1st set of these headers 3+yrs ago, they've been said to be 321. Personally, as long as they were a 300 grade, I was happy.

    I've even made comments to the SSAC site, asking them to fix their descriptions, since some lazy marketing person copy-pasted PaceSetter info, leading onlookers to think SSAC's are made with inferior material than stainless. So it doesn't surprise me that eBay listing descriptions are goobered up as well.

    - Dave
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  8. #8 Re: XS Power Headers Vs. SSAC Headers 
    GTX Level Member kyle99gtp's Avatar
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    ssac and xs power are one in the same

    2005 WRX STi , 2002 WRX, 2007 Impreza 2.5i, 1997 Impreza L coupe - All stock
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