ZZP sucks SD headers?????

[Tonkin2000GT]

Okay so I'm going through a dilemma here with zzp I've bought several parts and I have all always stuck up for them I've seriously lost all respect for zzp now.... One of my first mods like 4 years ago was the front plog never had any issues. My setup was front plog, ceramic cross over, ceramic coated rear manifold and a 3" downpipe all from zzp. A little while ago I noticed they came out with there rear power log.... I wanted to get that to kinda finish it and make it a little better. I've been arguing with "Turbo Tim" and Henry Cheng its literally going on a month that I haven't had my car now. So when I got the first rear power log everything seemed okay, but I never put a straight edge on the flanges because who would a thought it's brand new right? Well I put it on the car and it leaked from both the head and the downpipe flange bad. I wasted like 3 sets of gaskets doing all this and trying not to lose my sh*t on zzp because it's like your talking to retards... Well the flanges were warped so bad I sent it back and I had to pay return shipping to boot. I kinda wanted a new one with straight flanges and Tim literally must of put the thing in a vice there's marks all over and hit the flanges with a belt sander.... It was such a hack job they weren't even straight I told them I'm not bolting this to my head. The whole motor has 5,000 miles on it, it's one thing for a flange to flange being off but the head flange isn't an option to be off any. I mean like almost a 1/8" off on the ends while putting a straight edge on it... So I argued and argued probably over 100 emails talking in circles... and I get a "brand new" power log today I'm just irritated the flanges are bad just like the other one but worse. The downpipe flange is a 2 bolt flange it probably won't seal like before and the head flange looks like they ground the thing with a dremal it's literally in spots a 1/4" thick instead of 3/8's I can't believe after all this they send me something that's basically junk. Sooo I sold my ported rear manifold because I thought I was upgrading so that sucks. My question to you guys I've always bought good expensive parts because you get what you pay for, well I though, but I've noticed alot of people have SD headers and I've never thought I'd consider them because the whole header set costs about as much as this pos rear plog. I'm running out of opinions though any opinions? What about OBX headers?

[BoostedPontiac]

Im running SD Headers because in cheap lol. But in reality, they are pretty good headers for the price. You'll need a 3" double wall flex, (2) 2.25" band clamps, (2) 3" band clamps to really get a good seal on the SD's.

So, conclusion: Go with the SD headers and do the prep work and there should be no issues.

Note: they dont stay chrome long at all.

[Tonkin2000GT]

How do you guys change the flex pipe without a welder? I can weld I just don't have a welder is the problem. I've also noticed how the downpipe on the SD's stick down so low under the car I didn't really like that anyone fix this?

[BoostedPontiac]

An exhaust shop should be able to change it for you for a bit. I left my single wall flex on and it has a ticking noise at idle when cold, also the pipe trap isnt too low to the ground so it shouldnt really be an issue. (well mine hasnt been anyway). I also forgot to mention that the firewall needs to be dented in to accommodate the o2 sensor. If you dont dent it in, the sensor WILL hit and WILL cause false KR (Ask me how i know lol).

[Tonkin2000GT]

Okay you really think this is the best route? What about pacesetter headers?

[BoostedPontiac]

Pacesetters tend to have the welds not want to be welds after a bit of time. Id rather have the SD's

[Tonkin2000GT]

Okay so change the flex pipe before I even install them is the thing to do? Can you buy them with a better flex? What else is needed to make them seal just a couple band clamps? Someven people talk so much crap about SD headers and some people love them just don't want to end up with anothere pos that's all.

[BoostedPontiac]

If im honest, i used the clamps that came with the kit and have the single wall flex on. Its not bad by any means but it could be better. I would have gone the better route if i was getting more hours at my job (at the time). You cant buy them with the better flex but you could try to get a used set. I bought mine used for $100 and couldnt be happier with them. Youd have a better chance of an upgraded flex if you went used.

[Tonkin2000GT]

Okay how hard is the install in general? I've heard headers suck to put on. Will they bolt right up to my slp catback? it's a 2 bolt 2.5" flange.

[BoostedPontiac]

Yes they will bolt up to the 2.5" flange. And install i would rate as a 6 out of 10. Some parts of are a PITA like putting in the rear header. I had to drop the subframe a bit by pulling the bolts out half way in the back. The cross over and front header are way easier.

[Tonkin2000GT]

Oh jeeze I've never messed with the sub frame bolts on the car is that optional or you have to do that?

[BoostedPontiac]

Its not too bad. I had to but that doesnt mean you have to. I installed them on a regal.

[Tonkin2000GT]

Okay I just don't want to buy them and regret it I've had enough problems with zzpile if you know what I mean. Would you go with SD or something else better? There's not very many opinions whats the difference in the obx headers?

[BoostedPontiac]

There is a guy on here selling a set of SLP headers for a good price.

[hockeybawler]

I have had SD headers in my car for about 3 years now and just now this past monday got the flex changed. Really loud and bad ticking noise will happen if you dont have a shop change it out. They are awesome though, cant beat them for the price.

[CrazyGuy03]

Why not buy the zzp headers used ? Money goes towards a member. They can you how well they fit or not. Save some $$.
If you're from the Jamestown NY I am thinking of, and you drive in the winters here , you need something solid that won't rot out. And if it does rot out, something easy to swap.

My togs use a zzp downpipe and when the flex went , I was able to exchange it for free minus shipping. 4
bolts 2 gaskets. No welding. Done in an hour.

[blueguy]

Pffft, flex pipe.

Get the SD's.

Run poly uppers and solid lower mounts.

Remove the flex, done and done.

I had two piece headers with no flex along with poly mount everything...never had an issue with anything. And I had a cam that shook everything.

[Spawne32]

I know exactly what your going through, my ZZP headers for my cobalt ss when I had it were absolute JUNK. Uneven header flange, the pipes werent welded on the inside and there was a massive gap between the flange and the primary that was causing a flow restriction, i had to port the inside of the primary where it met the flange to open it back up. Wound up selling the set for a 200 dollar ebay set of long tubes that actually make more power and fit better then the ZZP setup. The only reason ZZP is able to stay in business is because they have a niche market for the 3800 and ecotec markets, two engine platforms that other aftermarket companies either refuse to get into, or have abandoned all-together. Had there actually been some competition ZZP would have went under years ago. And it's funny because everytime something goes wrong with one of their products, this is exactly the same story I hear. 9 times out of 10 their response is something to the effect of if you want perfect fitment buy OEM parts. Which is absolute bull**** because headers are literally probably one of the easiest things to design, which is why the chinese rip them off so easily. I never understood the hype with the powerlog either on the 3800, as its a total marketing gimmick anyway. It's a glorified exhaust manifold that serves no purpose other then to target the cheap ass market and let them think they are getting a quality product. Stick with the speed daddy headers, ive seen them in person, they are a fantastic product and they make alot more power then the plog's. Not to mention the fact that you wont feel bad cutting them up if you have an issue with a flange or something.

[Tonkin2000GT]

I know exactly what your going through, my ZZP headers for my cobalt ss when I had it were absolute JUNK. Uneven header flange, the pipes werent welded on the inside and there was a massive gap between the flange and the primary that was causing a flow restriction, i had to port the inside of the primary where it met the flange to open it back up. Wound up selling the set for a 200 dollar ebay set of long tubes that actually make more power and fit better then the ZZP setup. The only reason ZZP is able to stay in business is because they have a niche market for the 3800 and ecotec markets, two engine platforms that other aftermarket companies either refuse to get into, or have abandoned all-together. Had there actually been some competition ZZP would have went under years ago. And it's funny because everytime something goes wrong with one of their products, this is exactly the same story I hear. 9 times out of 10 their response is something to the effect of if you want perfect fitment buy OEM parts. Which is absolute bull**** because headers are literally probably one of the easiest things to design, which is why the chinese rip them off so easily. I never understood the hype with the powerlog either on the 3800, as its a total marketing gimmick anyway. It's a glorified exhaust manifold that serves no purpose other then to target the cheap ass market and let them think they are getting a quality product. Stick with the speed daddy headers, ive seen them in person, they are a fantastic product and they make alot more power then the plog's. Not to mention the fact that you wont feel bad cutting them up if you have an issue with a flange or something.

Yea there customer service just blows too... The thing that gets me is they talk to you like your stupid you just want to tweak on them. Thanks for the advice. I think I'm going to go with a good set of used SLP headers I found. I have a slp intake and catback they are really good quality parts but I'd never spend the 800 they are new.

[bonerjamz03]

Not to turn this into a bash ZZP thread, but I bought a modular pulley system (3.4" pulley with hub) and the holes didn't line up correctly. I emailed and never heard back from them, so I just bored out the holes in the pulley. Based on customer service alone I won't be ordering from them again.