msa header

[madkaw]

anyone else had this issue with their MSA header? No# 2 exhaust pipe is hitting the bottom of the intake. To match up the gasket ,I need another 1/4 inch too. I sent them pics to see what they say.

[Bubbleguinea]

yup...i had that problem too...

took a grinder to my new custom intake manifold on the bottoms and grinded a groove on each one...what a pain!

but still...they are fine now!

[madkaw]

That's not acceptable for a 300$ header if you ask me. I asked them if they had any other related issues and they said no -of course. I just had my intakes powder coated clear so I am not eager to grind on them yet.

[Arne]

Marty Rogan had this problem too.

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21180

And his solution:

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21533

[madkaw]

Arne,
I guess my brain is fried,because i actually posted on that thread. I remember that it was the aft intake hitting on his engine where mine the forward intake is hitting. I guess i am having a hard time convincing myself to grind a freshly powder coated intakes because the header was not made correctly. Either way, I'm waiting to hear what MSA has to say after they see the pics

[Arne]

Is your head still the E88 square port?

[madkaw]

Yes, it's the original head

[madkaw]

I figured I should put a conclusion to this header story. As you can tell from the date this has dragged on a bit. At first I complained about the fitment issue to a rep. at MSA and I sent along the pictures. Although I recieved friendly service it was not good service for the fact that I had to continually follow up with different reps to get any resolve to my complaint.No one seem to have a good handle on what was going on and things seemed disorganized at MSA.
I was told that I was the only one that had this issue:surprised . Well the header got sent back to MSA after some more confusion. It was concluded that yes, the header hit the manifold like I said:rolleyes: I was sent a new header that was made differently with a new flange design. The new header flange actually has drilled holes for the studs instead of slots. It looks better and lines up better with the ports but still hits the intake in the same spot. It isn't as bad as the previous header but I still had to grind off a 1/4" or better to get clearance .
At this point I have been dealing with Sal directly on this issue since I have sent some e-mails expressing my disappointment on the way this whole matter has been handled. I have told him that the new header still hits but he says that he tried it on a block with su intakes and it does not hit. So I guess i have a unique set up or something-though it is stock as far as I know.
I am not writing this to flame MSA because i have been happy with many of their products ,but I am sharing my experience with the MSA header for the Z community to know. This kind of stuff goes on with all aftermarket parts ! I think MSA tries hard for customer satisfaction but I have a hard time believing that it should be acceptable to grind intakes for a header to fit properly.

[Nutz]

Steve,

Thanks for the follow up on the MSA headers. I am going to purchase a different brand due to your info. By the way that is an awesome looking engine! Did you polish the valve cover and carbs yourself?

Matt.

[madkaw]

Thanks,Yes I did then had parts clear powder coated.
I only started this thread in order educate we members to what the vendors are offering us. I am not picking on MSA , and i waited to post anything till I had exhausted all my customer options with the company. The header is nice and the new flange works well, and if you can deal with grinding on the intake or the fact it isn't a bolt on as advertised then buy it. If you have the early intakes that don't have the coolant bowls on the bottom then you might not have to grind at all.

[John Coffey]

Every header I've installed on a L6 (about a dozen for myslef and my customers) except for one required some work to fit and flow correctly. That includes MSA 6 into 1 and 6 into 2, Nissan Motorsports 6 into 2 (both 1 5/8" and 1 3/4" primaries) and an old JDM BRE style header. The only one that did not require any fitment or port matching was a Stahl header.

Remember, anytime any vendor tells you that a part is "bolt on", know that you'll need a $10,000 mill and a $5,000 lather to make it "bolt on."

[jmark]

I know the Stahl is supposed to be the top of the line. Anybody here using one?

[madkaw]

When i searched the sites for headers i found very little info on bad fitting issues . Considering the amount of guys buying headers ,especially MSA headers, you would think there would be more postings of fitment issues if there were so many problems. Thus ,when i put my 300$ header on I'm expecting it to fit without grinding . Plus the fact that the port alignment was not that good. Now I believe the first header was especially bad and had a specific defect but the replacement still hit the intake. Why not sell with a disclaimer that some applications might need trimming. Sounds like the issue is with folks who are running the intakes that have the coolant passages.
I would recommend that whatever header one buys that you check gasket port alignment , don't just bolt on and say it's a good fit.