Jose Headers Modified to straightback by DanR

[DanR]

Here are a few PIC's of a set of the Jose headers I had hanging in the shop for a while. Finally figured a way to modify them to run straight back and not out the side behind the front wheels.


They will be for sale when I finish the welding. $375.00 (+shipping). See POST #6 and the three pictures I added that show the ball&socket wuth nuts&boltys and the exhaust piece for adopting your exhaust piping on toward the rear.

 

[MikeH]

Did this require new material or just the modifying of existing tubing? My headers have the ball flange at the end. Could the flange be incorporated? Could my headers be modified? Does the straight header cause any temperature issues on the oil filter or starter?

 

[DanR]

Mike,

Did this require new material or just the modifying of existing tubing? My headers have the ball flange at the end. Could the flange be incorporated? Could my headers be modified? Does the straight header cause any temperature issues on the oil filter or starter?

Mike, the pictures are showing what I have done as for making them turn straight back.

I can have the collectors formed with the ball & socket easily.

I do that with all of my Headers. Just haven't done the Jose ones yet.

I must cut some to shorten the tubes in order to turn the collector toward the rear.

Your headers can be modified just like the ones in the pictures.

Running straight back will be just like my designed headers and there have been no reported problems.

Send yours to me and I will get them modified as pictured.

Cost to modify should be no more than $275. You pay shipping,

DanR

 

[Barry]

Compared to a picture of V6 Jose headers,



the three pictures posted by Dan show that the primary tubes of the V6 Jose headers were cut about midway between the header flange and the 3-into-1 collector cones and that new collector cones and curved collectors were then attached to the shortened primary tubes.

Shortening the primary tubes by about 50% will certainly raise the RPM range at which exhaust scavenging is most effective. The optimum primary tube length for exhaust scavenging in the 4-6K RPM range is something like 32-36 inches, so Dan's modification with a primary tube length of about 12 inches would probably best be described as "shorty" headers. The primary tube length for the V6 Jose headers is probably only about 24 inches, so shortening the primary tubes to about 12 inches may not make much difference. Dan's modification also results in a longer collector which should help with mid-range torque / HP.

For a street car, header design is almost always compromised for better "packaging"

JMO, YMMV.

 

[MikeH]

Dan,
I assume you’ve run both types of headers. If you have, have you noticed any appreciable difference in performance? My headers are ceramic coated. Would that be an issue if I decided to modify them. How much are your headers made from scratch (not converted Jose headers)?

 

[DanR]

Dan,
I assume you’ve run both types of headers. If you have, have you noticed any appreciable difference in performance? My headers are ceramic coated. Would that be an issue if I decided to modify them. How much are your headers made from scratch (not converted Jose headers)?

I bought the Jose Kit in which the headers were included back in '09. They stuck out the side of the Alpine behind the front wheels (designed for racing) and they were and still are very difficult to reroute under the Alpine with adequate clearance from speed bumps and sharp angled drives.

As I have spoken about them many times not being to my liking, I spent a good bit of money and time developing headers that run straight back similar to the Tiger system.

That being said, I did not ever run my Alpines with the Jose style headers installed, therefore I can't speak of the performance differences.

I do believe Barry has defined some potential differences in what the "Shorty's" are capable of producing.

The ceramic coating can not be completely saved. Because of the "new" metal required for the modification they will need to be either recoated or some other coating applied.

In the PIC below even though it is not a very good depiction, the routing of the exhaust from Jose style header had to be turned back in and under the Undercarriage. I have more and better PIC's of the routing needed, just haven't been able to find them yet....

I just added three (3) PICS of the "Shorty's" to show how yours should turn out. They will have the ball & socket and a piece to mate the ball necked down to 2" where you can weld/adapt your exhaust piping the reminder of the way to the rear.

Hopes this helps answer your questions, if not, please let me know.

 

[MikeH]

My concern about the ceramic coating wasn’t for saving it, but if it would impact welding. What do you get for you headers that aren’t modified Jose headers?

 

[DanR]

Mike, while I have not had the opportunity to modify or weld metal that was chrome Plated, I will ask my Welder.

 

[MikeH]

Sorry, they are not chromed. They are ceramic coated in a titanium color finish.

 

[Barry]

Neither chrome plating nor ceramic coatings can be welded. However, both chrome plating and ceramic coatings can be locally removed (i.e.; ground off) so that typical welding techniques can be used.

 

[DanR]

both chrome plating and ceramic coatings can be locally removed (i.e.; ground off)

Mike, There is your answer!