View Full Version : banks header


nikos
05-07-09, 08:42 PM
Ok so for the 4th time the banks header has cracked. New desing and all. I've put new injectors bla bla bla so to make sure its not running lean. Didnt help, why are these headers and 1 borla cracking?

Materdaddy
05-07-09, 09:39 PM
They all crack. Thank goodness I haven't done four, but I have done three... Not banks, but 3 no-name headers. I read too many reports of banks/borla/etc. cracking too, so I just buy the $99 ebay special. So far the one I have is doing better, it has the accordion expansion joints, and seemed to not stress the rest of the exhaust when bolting up.

Jerry Bransford
05-08-09, 07:56 AM
Agreed, Banks and Borla headers are both a real overpriced crack-prone POS. Get a decent header with expansion/flex joints on both sides from eBay or Quadratec and be done with cracked headers. :)

Jeeperator
05-08-09, 11:27 AM
I put 4 borla cat back systems on my 91 chevy truck and they all cracked. My theory is the stainless steel that they use is just too brittle.Ceramic or aluminum coated Mild steel imho is better material for any exaust components.

ECHO
05-08-09, 03:43 PM
Ive gone through two banks headers already and have to replace it again after only 6 months

nikos
05-08-09, 09:54 PM
Ive gone through two banks headers already and have to replace it again after only 6 months

The issue your having is exactly my problem! I cant believe this! Banks will inspect their piece of ..... on Tuesday. What header should I buy? Any ideas. Thanks.

ECHO
05-08-09, 11:12 PM
Seems like everybody likes the flex joint ebay special. Im going to stick with banks. Maybe someday they will get it right. In the mean time, i will just keep relacing them under warranty. The only good thing about this mess is that im really fast at doing it now.

Materdaddy
05-09-09, 06:43 AM
Seems like everybody likes the flex joint ebay special. Im going to stick with banks. Maybe someday they will get it right. In the mean time, i will just keep relacing them under warranty. The only good thing about this mess is that im really fast at doing it now.

How fast is fast? :D Last time I had it done in just over 3 hours at a buddy's house. That meant frequent breaks and frequent beers. I thought 3 hours was pretty good considering what is needed, (ps pump off, intake and exhaust manifold off, etc.)

I also didn't like the idea of "sticking with banks for free replacement warranty" because of the every 6 months to a year, you need a few hours of labor for replacing the darn thing.

alittleoff
05-09-09, 09:53 AM
Does anybody have any comments (good or bad) about products like Jethot or the header wraps?

nikos
05-09-09, 09:40 PM
Banks and Borla! I've had bad experiences with these headers. What header should I replace it with so this does not happen again! I'll replace it with that and send in the banks for a refund. I think thats the best option.

Materdaddy
05-10-09, 09:57 AM
Here's a good write-up and comparison between borla and the "ebay special".

http://www.dailydriventj.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=847

I'm happy with my ebay special:
http://ebayitem.com/230341196614

ECHO
05-10-09, 10:20 AM
how fast is fast? :d last time i had it done in just over 3 hours at a buddy's house. That meant frequent breaks and frequent beers. I thought 3 hours was pretty good considering what is needed, (ps pump off, intake and exhaust manifold off, etc.)

i also didn't like the idea of "sticking with banks for free replacement warranty" because of the every 6 months to a year, you need a few hours of labor for replacing the darn thing.

well, no beer,no breaks, so my wife and i had it done in about two and a half hrs. I know having to replace it every year or so doesnt sound that fun, but i place it in the catagory of quality time with the two things i love most, wife and jeep.

nikos
05-12-09, 08:26 PM
So today I took my jeep to banks head quarters in Azusa and waited only 30 min when I was told that they would rent me a car on them because it would not be done in one day and that they have a new design and are waiting on it. Anyway, I think that was cool of them to rent me the car and not have me just sitting around like a bump on a log.

I hope this will solve my issues but I guess I need to be optimistic. It may just be a 6 month header service at banks. LOL.

womb raider 940
05-12-09, 08:42 PM
what car did you get to rent?

Lets take it to azusa.

Materdaddy
05-12-09, 10:43 PM
Nikos, please update us! I'm very interested to see what they're going to give you. If it is really different, please take pictures and let us all know. Good luck!

ECHO
05-13-09, 11:30 AM
New design? I have to tear mine out and slap a new one on in a couple weeks. Ive gone through two different designs, the one from a couple yers ago lasting the longest. Maybe they will get it right this time. Keep us posted nikos. Thanks

nikos
05-13-09, 11:38 PM
Uh finally, nice and quiet! Lets see how long that will last. At least they were cool with renting me a car and taking care of the issue. They claim its a new design and so lets see what happens.

nikos
05-13-09, 11:40 PM
Nikos, please update us! I'm very interested to see what they're going to give you. If it is really different, please take pictures and let us all know. Good luck!

I wasnt there for the install, so I wasnt able to take any pictures of the "new design". Hopefully bro its a really "new design" and gives me a break for once.

nikos
05-13-09, 11:41 PM
what car did you get to rent?

Lets take it to azusa.

A ford focus, "new design". You should see how "newly designed" I returned it! LOL