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$2850 for headers is just "nuts". Aston Martin's V8 is very similar to Jaguars, yet headers for AM are less than $2000.
A friend owned TPIS, a mfg of headers for GM products. They were selling headers for about $1200; and their cost was about $800. They subcontracted to American Racing Headers at $600 ea.
$2850 for headers is just "nuts". Aston Martin's V8 is very similar to Jaguars, yet headers for AM are less than $2000.
A friend owned TPIS, a mfg of headers for GM products. They were selling headers for about $1200; and their cost was about $800. They subcontracted to American Racing Headers at $600 ea.
The market for headers is very small to the point where there is virtually no potential economy of scale. For instance, in '04 & '05 production of Cadillac CTS-Vs was about 4000 units per year. My friend at TPIS was developing the first headers. His prototype cost about $2500 in time and material. He sold them for about $1200. His production was just 25 sets, and it took him several years to sell out.
My point is this: the header set shown above does not look particularly exotic in construction detail. I think one could have a custom set made for about $2000 or less.
................ My point is this: the header set shown above does not look particularly exotic in construction detail. I think one could have a custom set made for about $2000 or less.
I've made a couple sets of custom headers, and it it NOT a fun thing to do. It takes a lot of time, trial fitting, changing and a ton of bending and welding. I'd not do that job again (if it wasn't for one of my projects) for less than $2000 no matter what. Of course that's a one-of-a-kind job with no existing anything with no set ending point and merely a flange to work from. A more mainstream deal may be a bit faster/easier, such as using existing parts/starting/ending points.
I know Velocity AP tried developing headers for the F-Type, but couldn't get the HP-to-$ ratio where they wanted it. Can't remember if they were for the V6 or the V8 though. I thought FrickenJag was making headers too at some point, but not sure how far that went either.
Last edited by Panthro; 07-23-2019 at 12:51 PM.
Reason: Forgot to add