JBA Headers... What a nightmare!!!

[Havabier]

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!

[Tundraholic08]

Originally Posted by Havabier

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!

dang!!I feel you bro..that really sucks big time!!! I just got the JBA Titanium Ceramic headers installed last weekend and everything worked fine except it took me a lil more than 10 hrs to install... started Saturday lunch and finished Sunday at lunch..had problems with some tools breaking 14" ratchet and my regulator knob on my air pressure tank broke it was bout 8ish store closed that evening Saturday so had to wait till next day..other than that everything was fine and no gaps like yours..I'd be f****n mad if I installed it and theres a gap that can't be sealed..thats a real poor job done from JBA Co, but they will help you with that problem..

[jhip]

Damn, sorry to hear bout your nightmare experience! I too have been considering putting headers in my 5.7 as I've heard nothing but awesome reviews. Reading this thread will definetely make wait awhile before I do this mod.

[brad@JBAHEADERS]

sorry for the frustration, we will make this right.

I think Alex gave you a call back this morning and left you a message. If you have not heard from anyone by mid day give us a call back and ask for Alex he handles all of our warranty issues and we will make sure you are squared away.

Here is the number to reach him at 800-830-3377 x119

- Brad

[Kensaku]

Sorry to hear about that. I haven't had any issues. It looks like Brad and Co at JBA will take care of you though.

[Havabier]

Originally Posted by brad@JBAHEADERS

sorry for the frustration, we will make this right.

I think Alex gave you a call back this morning and left you a message. If you have not heard from anyone by mid day give us a call back and ask for Alex he handles all of our warranty issues and we will make sure you are squared away.

Here is the number to reach him at 800-830-3377 x119

- Brad

Brad, Alex called me this morning and left me a message. I just got of the phone with him and he was very helpful and understanding. He gave me several choices from replacement, to sending a new header to a full refund.

I REALLY wanted to put headers on the Tundra but now I am not too sure. Looking at other opinions and choices now.

Will let him know what I decide. Thanks a lot...

[rmjdrift]

Hava, just wondering who your neigbor is, only imports i have seen on PINKS were from SpeedMachine and you mentioned an RX, so that points me to Matt or Dave from SpeedMAchine?

[brad@JBAHEADERS]

Originally Posted by Havabier

Brad, Alex called me this morning and left me a message. I just got of the phone with him and he was very helpful and understanding. He gave me several choices from replacement, to sending a new header to a full refund.

I REALLY wanted to put headers on the Tundra but now I am not too sure. Looking at other opinions and choices now.

Will let him know what I decide. Thanks a lot...

No prob JJ gald to assist in any customer service issues like that - again sorry for those being so off on the clearence, that is certianly not the norm on those headers - could have been one of those 1 in 1000 that somehow got through QC.

[Havabier]

Alex and the whole JBA crew were top notch... I decided to stick with the factory headers due to several reasons. Among them, driving pattern, heat issues, specially here in AZ (and spec in the summer), and other factors... But do NOT be discouraged!

Needless to say that I was given a full refund, including shipping charges. The headers did not fit my needs at this time, but might consider them in the future. Thanks Alex and Brad for your assistance.

JJ

[XS Speed]

Originally Posted by Havabier

Alex and the whole JBA crew were top notch... I decided to stick with the factory headers due to several reasons. Among them, driving pattern, heat issues, specially here in AZ (and spec in the summer), and other factors... But do NOT be discouraged!

Needless to say that I was given a full refund, including shipping charges. The headers did not fit my needs at this time, but might consider them in the future. Thanks Alex and Brad for your assistance.

JJ

Glad you got a refund, I have had a couple sets of JBAs and Not Impressed with there quality at all. When I get My New Tundra in April, there will not be a set of JBAs going on

[johnnyquad17]

I was about to buy some JBA headers for my Tundra untill I came across this post. I appreciate you posting your experience. I give JBA mad props for refunding your money but I don't want to risk it. Maybe TRD will come out with headers. Thanks again for sharing.

[Tundraholic08]

Originally Posted by johnnyquad17

I was about to buy some JBA headers for my Tundra untill I came across this post. I appreciate you posting your experience. I give JBA mad props for refunding your money but I don't want to risk it. Maybe TRD will come out with headers. Thanks again for sharing.

just to let u guys know theres also..doug thorley headers for R Tundra >>>

DougThorleyHeaders.com

[SybErkRimInAL]

Originally Posted by Tundraholic08

just to let u guys know theres also..doug thorley headers for R Tundra >>>

DougThorleyHeaders.com

Man, those are f'n beautiful.

[XS Speed]

Originally Posted by Tundraholic08

just to let u guys know theres also..doug thorley headers for R Tundra >>>

DougThorleyHeaders.com

If you're looking for peak Horsepower forget about these, they only make 1 or 2 over stock but midrange they they are very strong.......

[TampaTundra]

Originally Posted by johnnyquad17

Maybe TRD will come out with headers. Thanks again for sharing.

Yea prob, but they will cost $750 + your first born child + a kidney= TRD headers (+$45 for shipping in the continental U.S.)