Here is my story:
After reading several post about how good the JBA Headers were, I decided to get me a pair... Even though I knew the stock headers on the Tundra were top notch.
The headers arrived last week and I started the install on Sunday. The looked ok to me, and "STUPID" me I did not show 'em to my buddy/neighbor before I did the install. This guy owns one of the most reputable shops in town and all they do is High Performance Import work. From street legal, rails to drag cars, make their own headers, turbo setups, NOS, etc. They have had cars on "PINKS" (speed channel) and featured on tons of magazines.
Well, finished the install this afternoon and could not wait to run the engine. My buddy arrived at same time and came over to see the setup and the first engine start. He saw them mounted and was not too impressed. The lack of welding the the tubes on the outside flange, a 16 year old kid like weld job on air tubes, etc. BTW he saw the stock headers and laugh, and asked me what the hell I was thinking. Why am I swapping these headers for the stock when the stock are of much superior quality... Shorties but way well built... I said "... aaah people on the forums brag about 'em, great performance mod, etc. After all I love speed and have moded everything I owned.
Sparked the engine and both sides were leaking. The driver side not too bad, but the pax side was nasty. You could feel hot air coming out on the top of the aft cyl. We let it run for a few mins on idle to warm up and re tighten all the nuts. I have follow the tightening patter to the letter. After all I have had installed headers in my Vette, old RX7, etc.
Leaks did not cease!!! So I pulled the pax side header out and wow... My buddy looked at it an laughed, and hey he's a serious guy. It's so warped, wably, low quality he said. When set on a flat surface you can see light thru that last cyl. exhaust, and it even rocks, No NOT "IT ROCKS!!! But it will tilt back and forth when pressure is applied on either side. Needless to say that I had to softly tap both sides to get them BOTH in. Welding quality is a joke, he said, and you can even see seem cracks were it is sanded and no weld on the outside. So a sure leak!!!
Needless to say that, I AM PI$$ED!!! 8-10 hours working on this project and nothing. Sure, I wish I had a lift in my garage. I have access to two different lifts but stubborn me I want to do it the old fashion way, in my own garage.
Well I called JBA and was transfered to a voicemail. Left a lengthy and descriptive message. I'll see if someone calls me tomorrow and what they have to say. At this point all I want is my $$ back. Unless if they are willing to send me a REAL set of headers, and NOT a Wall-Mart made in China quality POS set of headers.
Will post outcome... Enough rant... But take a look at the GAP!
