Gents,
I am in the market to buy tri-y headers and an h-pipe for my 66 fastback k-code. I was looking at Scott Fuller Reproductions. Scott Fuller sells a gt-350 h-pipe reproduction but there is a disclaimer: "Note: This H-pipe will fit original Tri-Y headers. It may not fit aftermarket headers." So that leaves me with this question: Does anyone sell an exact reproduction of Tri-y headers?
Have you looked at Shelby Parts & Restoration Tri-Y headers?
https://shelbypartsstore.com/?product=product-3 (https://shelbypartsstore.com/?product=product-3)
Quote from: silverton_ford on September 15, 2020, 07:42:30 PM
Have you looked at Shelby Parts & Restoration Tri-Y headers?
https://shelbypartsstore.com/?product=product-3 (https://shelbypartsstore.com/?product=product-3)
I can say that I bought a set of Jim's headers last year and they are excellent and an exact match for my original H pipe.
I got a email from Scott Fuller on Saturday stating that the new headers (Tri y's ) are finally done .He has been working on them for a couple years. I do not know any other particulars. You will have to contact him for that.
I used Jim Cowels headers and Scott Fullers H Pipe and exhaust system on my 66 and all fit perfectly. Scott has told me he is making headers for 65/66, I have not seen them.
+1 on Jim's headers..they mounted flawlessly with no clearance issues with the zbar..
Jim's headers and Scott's H pipe fit perfectly when installed 2 yrs ago.
Quote from: Bob Gaines on September 15, 2020, 08:34:44 PM
I got a email from Scott Fuller on Saturday stating that the new headers (Tri y's ) are finally done .He has been working on them for a couple years. I do not know any other particulars. You will have to contact him for that.
I'd heard that too!
Fellow members- I know Jim Cowels headers & Scott Fuller exhaust are absolutely incredible & amazing. But not all Shelby owners can afford 4 thousand (include Jim's headers) dollars for a complete exhaust system. Are there other more affordable headers and h pipes worthy of our cars? Are there more affordable header units which are an exact match of the original? I'm curious to read about others Shelby owners experiences with lower cost header systems. ( not cheap china systems) My car will be a driver not a show car so I would prefer to purchase a quality moderately priced header & H pipe which closely simulates our factory system.
Please do not take my post as negative. As GT350 owners we should promote the best of the best for our cars, but at times would like to see more practical suggestions too, to best fit all GT350 owners and their budgets. It could be I'm the only GT350 owner which thinks like this? I dont know?
The insight and knowledge that James Cowels, Bob Gaines, Dan Case and many many others forum experts are priceless. Additionally all three of these listed experts have given me outstanding advise. It is one of the highlights of my week when I get to read these amazing post in the SAAC Forum. Thank you for this forum!!!! I appreciate your time, Fred
I cant answer your question, but just a quick read tells me you are paying for the quality, knowledge, tooling and manufacturing costs.
You are unlikely to find an "exact match to the original" at a "reasonable" price.
How much is time worth? I tried four GT350 H- pipes at $90 a part, shipping them back and forth, installing and uninstalling them, (each time wasting four days) before I bought a Fuller pipe. That install took ten minutes...
Its good to have choices and I appreciate the fact someone has stepped up to make things correctly. I have bought plenty of off shore crappy parts. Probably more than most people. I have made some parts from time to time as well. You cant do it inexpensively. Almost certainly Mr Fuller has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on his products. Dont worry we wont tell Mrs. Fuller 😉
How many times have we read, "why doesn't someone make these correctly?"
How many people actually accepted that challenge?
Just my observations. I am willing to pay a premium for that effort and the quality.
+1
Quote from: rraceme on September 18, 2020, 07:12:11 PM
Fellow members- I know Jim Cowels headers & Scott Fuller exhaust are absolutely incredible & amazing. But not all Shelby owners can afford 4 thousand (include Jim's headers) dollars for a complete exhaust system. Are there other more affordable headers and h pipes worthy of our cars? Are there more affordable header units which are an exact match of the original? I'm curious to read about others Shelby owners experiences with lower cost header systems. ( not cheap china systems) My car will be a driver not a show car so I would prefer to purchase a quality moderately priced header & H pipe which closely simulates our factory system.
Meant as a reflective thought - I'm sure there are plenty of people who wish Shelby's were "affordable" also.
Don't believe there are cheaper headers that are an exact match - the reason Jim and now Scott made the efforts. Nor can I think of a set of "affordable" set that is not made in China or outside of the US
Pretty sure there might be reasonably priced, good fitting tri y's out there. I bought some in the late 80's from Mustangs of Fort Lauderdale that fit perfect, were very nice quality and are still in great shape today. I'm quite sure they were made in the US. Not sure what the brand was, or if they still exist - but I would be surprised if something similar was not out there now.
Having worked with Scott on the tri ys and the comp headers for over 2 years now I will tell you nothing about the details to make them accurate is reasonable. Their just aren't supply's and skilled craftsmen falling out of trees anymore and to go the extra mile isn't easy or necessarily affordable. Comp headers I'm probably going to have 20k to do 10 sets and I may never sell them all. Do the math
Members- I don't want the spirit of my original email to be misunderstood.
I greatly value all the Shelby part providers - Like Jim & Scott and many others. By creating impeccable parts it only elevates the top examples of our cars. All im saying, some Shelby owners need other options.
J-speegle- I've been reading your amazing post for about 1.5 years now. I truly hope one day I meet you at a SAAC event. I appreciate your insight and greatly value you.
This forum should be for all shelby owners - some owners like me, a DIY guy, (with an affordable GT350 which i will restore 100% by myself) want to do good by our cars without spending 4K on an exhaust. That statement is not a knock on scott fuller or Jim on what they have done for shelby owners! The hobby needs the Jim's & fuller's and those vendors like them - the hobby also needs people like me. There should be room in this hobby for all of us with varying budgets. What bonds us together is the love of these cars.
I'm not perfect with words and it seems like my original statement\question could been written better.... so let me try to ask again. Has any other 1966 GT350 or mustang owner purchased an affordable tri y and H pipe exhaust system which closely simulates the factory set up? if yes, tell us about your experience and what system was purchased.
thank you all- I appreciate this forum! Fred
BTW i know the word affordable is subjective
I did Tony Branda tri ys on my 65 and was happy with them after coating.
rraceme I believe I understand what you are saying in that you aren't looking for a perfect, concours exhaust just a good set. You can take a picture and go to a local muffler shop and they will fabricate an H pipe at a reasonable price and in fact do the entire exhaust less the headers. Purchase the headers from Jim and you can also call Cobra Automotive and see what they have. In my opinion, the Scott Fuller exhaust is for folks that are shooting for a vehicle to be judged.
That kind of quality at an affordable price (compared to mass aftermarket) doesn't go hand in hand. I own a machine and fabrication shop and craftsmanship is expensive.
I understand completely. If having the best parts available is not a priority, then you are left with....well....what's left
Maybe you have identified an opportunity?
Quote from: Rickmustang on September 18, 2020, 11:51:26 PM
I did Tony Branda tri ys on my 65 and was happy with them after coating.
Rickmustang. Did you use Jet-coating for your protection? what color did you select? guessing black. lastly how long ago did you do your Branda headers and how has the finish held up? Thanks Fred
i recently cut the dual exhaust off my 66 gt350 to install a 65 style side exit exhaust.
I love the sound now and would have given you my old exhaust it was very recently replaced.
I live in central va and you can have it if you want. need a little welding to put back together.
Quote from: pjg01 on September 19, 2020, 08:15:42 PM
i recently cut the dual exhaust off my 66 gt350 to install a 65 style side exit exhaust.
I love the sound now and would have given you my old exhaust it was very recently replaced.
I live in central va and you can have it if you want. need a little welding to put back together.
PJG01 - Thank you for your generous offer. I plan to put a new exhaust system on my car when i start reassembly. Im still 18 months from that point. But I do like to plan out every detail of my restorations. Im finishing one of my Clone 66 GT350 now and though I'm pleased with the 1000.00 system i purchased. I want better for my real GT350 when i start it. Right now I'm hoping to hear feedback from other owners on header & H pipes & systems they used in their builds. Ive found all members on this forum have a lot of wisdom and a desire to share their experiences - which i plan to utilize in designing my exhaust system.
thank you for your offer! BTW- i bet the 65 exhaust set on your car sounds great!
Quote from: rraceme on September 20, 2020, 09:20:48 AM
Quote from: pjg01 on September 19, 2020, 08:15:42 PM
i recently cut the dual exhaust off my 66 gt350 to install a 65 style side exit exhaust.
I love the sound now and would have given you my old exhaust it was very recently replaced.
I live in central va and you can have it if you want. need a little welding to put back together.
PJG01 - Thank you for your generous offer. I plan to put a new exhaust system on my car when i start reassembly. Im still 18 months from that point. But I do like to plan out every detail of my restorations. Im finishing one of my Clone 66 GT350 now and though I'm pleased with the 1000.00 system i purchased. I want better for my real GT350 when i start it. Right now I'm hoping to hear feedback from other owners on header & H pipes & systems they used in their builds. Ive found all members on this forum have a lot of wisdom and a desire to share their experiences - which i plan to utilize in designing my exhaust system.
thank you for your offer! BTW- i bet the 65 exhaust set on your car sounds great!
I sent you a PM. Can you give me a call?
Quote from: Greg on September 19, 2020, 06:34:55 AM
rraceme I believe I understand what you are saying in that you aren't looking for a perfect, concours exhaust just a good set. You can take a picture and go to a local muffler shop and they will fabricate an H pipe at a reasonable price and in fact do the entire exhaust less the headers. Purchase the headers from Jim and you can also call Cobra Automotive and see what they have. In my opinion, the Scott Fuller exhaust is for folks that are shooting for a vehicle to be judged.
That kind of quality at an affordable price (compared to mass aftermarket) doesn't go hand in hand. I own a machine and fabrication shop and craftsmanship is expensive.
This is your best bet. I crunched a collector on 843 getting it off the trailer at Willow in the early 80s. I ended up sticking some 4 tube on it. Local shop did a crossover just behind the rear trans mount. Couple of glass packs and side exit and I was done. I'm saddened to see that these fun to drive cars now require $4,000 exhaust and $20,000 paint jobs. I don't enjoy going to shows anymore where the only difference in the cars is the date codes on the sheet metal and glass. Give me day 2 cars that tell a story.
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on January 01, 2021, 06:43:58 PM
Quote from: Greg on September 19, 2020, 06:34:55 AM
rraceme I believe I understand what you are saying in that you aren't looking for a perfect, concours exhaust just a good set. You can take a picture and go to a local muffler shop and they will fabricate an H pipe at a reasonable price and in fact do the entire exhaust less the headers. Purchase the headers from Jim and you can also call Cobra Automotive and see what they have. In my opinion, the Scott Fuller exhaust is for folks that are shooting for a vehicle to be judged.
That kind of quality at an affordable price (compared to mass aftermarket) doesn't go hand in hand. I own a machine and fabrication shop and craftsmanship is expensive.
This is your best bet. I crunched a collector on 843 getting it off the trailer at Willow in the early 80s. I ended up sticking some 4 tube on it. Local shop did a crossover just behind the rear trans mount. Couple of glass packs and side exit and I was done. I'm saddened to see that these fun to drive cars now require $4,000 exhaust and $20,000 paint jobs. I don't enjoy going to shows anymore where the only difference in the cars is the date codes on the sheet metal and glass. Give me day 2 cars that tell a story.
great perspective. You've just helped me make my decision. I am not trying to win trophies at car shows. I want to run the heck out of my 66 kar and not worry about it.
I've been running the Tony Branda tri-y's for twenty years now. I had them coated after fitting and they still look OK with over 16,000 miles. A local shop made the h-pipe and I used 28" long 2 1/2" Thrush glass packs and side exhaust. The mufflers only last about 6-7 years, as I'm getting ready to install my third set of mufflers. This makes a good exhaust system for someone that intends to drive their car. If running a Lakewood blow-proof bellhousing, must trim the the block plate and bellhousing flanges for header clearance as well as for the lower clutch rod. Make a HD lower adjustable clutch rod out of 1/2" diameter steel and temper the tip, as the clutch pivot location is slightly different than stock and will exert more force on the lower rod. Stock rod will bend especially if using a HD clutch and pressure plate. There is no interference with the tri-y's to the quick steer idler or Pitman arm.
Don
gt350bp
Don- 20 years and headers still good - that is great- got to be a record! Who did your header coating? Ive used Jet-hot in the past and been happy with their product. Fred
i bought jim cowles headers. then i bought scott fullers H pipe. it bolted up perfectly.
get jims headers but have them powder coated locally.
I had my Branda headers coated by a company in Orlando, FL called Hyperkote. They are still in business under the name Performance Kote. They are a silver ceramic coating.
Don
gt350bp