I know, another exhaust? Pacesetter?

[ChuckD]

I PM'd one guy on the board already about the pacesetter header. I want to know if anyone else has it, and how do they feel about it, does it make you :laugh2: :bawl:

Just kidding, just give me the facts please.

This is my sitiuation and what I'm looking to get out of a new header: OEM torque or better, don't really care for HP, something that will last about 5 years, and easy to install and not as expensive as the Borla or Banks.

This Dec, I have to take the XJ to the smog nazies for inspection, my OEM header and down pipe have cracks in them, I have a 93' with an HO. I really don't want to try to repair the OEM stuff and don't want to search threw junkyards.

From what I read at pacesetter, the header may only work with the 91' and older, if all it requires is the O2 sensor, I can drill a hole and weld in a fitting for the sensor.

 

[tony597fitter]

I had a pacesetter headers on my old 88 300zx, what a piece of sh!t! It was poorly made, the worse part about it was the head flange was to thin so it always warping from the heat of the engine and then the gasket would always leak. I would save the money for the borla or banks. look on ebay I always see stock ones on there. Sorry for the bad news.

 

[Matt S.]

Chuck, in the past pace setter has been junk. But supposedly they have been working on improving there product. The main shop is literally a block away from my school. I have been thinking about stopping in a looking around to see if they are really improving. It may be worth while for me to jump in there and get some info. Don't count them out to soon.

MATT

 

[ChuckD]

XJRUBICON, just PM'd me, he can't see any quality issues with it. He did however mention, if you wanted to use it for the HO, there will be a little bit of triming and of course plugging up the EGR fitting.

As far as quality issues, I have heard the same thing about pacesetter. I don't know if you can directly relate an issue with a 300ZX motor to an XJ 4.0. I know they may be both inline 6's but with too much heat, just about anything will warp.

I still have a couple months to make a decission, but I can definitely say the Borla or Banks is not going to be one, unless it's handed for free, or I get this job I recently applied for that doubles my salary.

Hey Matt, if you go by see if they are making one for the HO motors, and if so when they may be coming out with them. Thanks

 

[ACE]

I installed a Pacesetter header on my '90 back in 1996 or so and it is still holding up just fine. I mainly got it because it was the cheapest header out at the time (139.00). I had trouble lining up the egr tube (won't be a problem for you) and the paper thin header gasket that came with it blew out in about a week but otherwise has performed great. The header comes painted black but that will only last you until you run it up to normal operating temperature the first time. There is a noticeable increase in power when passing at higher rpm's but not a whole lot. This header combined with my K&N air filter and Flowmaster w/ 2.5" pipe from the cat back makes a big difference in power (and noise).
I keep waiting for it to rust out or something but it's been good for the past 180K miles it's been on.

 

[tony597fitter]

I was just telling you my experience with the ones I had. I have come to the conclusion over the years it is easier and cheaper to buy things that are quality the first time. It might be cheaper the first time to buy things that are a little less money, but when you have to buy them again in a few years it pays to do it right the first time. I just seen in one of the jp magazines that hedmann has come out with a header for the 4.0l, might want to check with them on price. Also, Im not sure but gibson makes good quality exhaust items for cheaper than borla and banks. Good Luck!

 

[CRASH]

I know they may be both inline 6's but with too much heat, just about anything will warp.

Incorrect, the 300 is a V-6.

I have a Pacesetter, and if you are good with a welder, you too can be happy with it. The slip fit downpipe to header connection lasts about 1 mile of dirt road before it falls apart and you are left with open headers. The "paint" (and I use that term loosely) lasts about 2 miles of highway driving. The gasket they send you is junk, and the EGR tube took about 2 inches of massaging to get it to fit their bung location.

This is not a job you want to do twice, get a good header to begin with, 'cause it's a PITA to deal with all the problems with the cheap one. The flange is the same thickness as OEM, it has to be, since One set of bolts retains the intake and exhaust, so warping has not been a problem.

Once I got all of the above worked out, the headers been OK. I think it's been on for 65,000 HARD miles. It's staying on for the stroker, unless I find cracks..

CRASH

 

[Ghost]

What about the 2.5L?

Who makes a header for the 2.5L? I know pacesetter makes one but does anyone else?

 

[ChuckD]

Thanks Andy and Ace, and thanks to all for the comments. If I go this route, I'll do all the trimming, weld and painting durring the install. I'll keep you all informed on the final decision, maybe do a write up with all those pretty pictures.

I have a buddy with Zcars, I know the 280's and below have inline 6's. I can't weld, but my buddy with the Z can.