posted
Well a lot has happened since I last asked you all for input on header choices - Hooker came out with the long tubes, and now Tom B has stopped offering the FLPs because of quality issues.
I had my mind made up on the FLPs (to avoid clearance problems with SLPs)but now I find that the manufacturer of the Grotyohanns is here in NJ and I can probably get a set in few weeks.
So still wondering what you guys think of the various headers and any experience with the Grots?
-------------------- 2000 SS Convertible, M6, Onyx Ebony leather, Hurst, Monsoon, 12 CD SLP Options: Syntech, Mats, Fobs, Plaque, Cover. SLP add ons:SS Grille, SLP Lid & K&N, smooth bellows, SLP CAI.... Other Add Ons: TTS LT headers Y Pipe and Cats, TR 220, LS6 Intake, GMMG, ASP underdrive pulley, Hypertech 180 stat, Granatelli MAF, Rapid Motor Sports custom tuning, BMR STB, LCAs, Relocation brackets, Adj. Panhard, Don Goetz bolt on SFCs, Hotchkis springs, Hurst Billet Plus shifter Appearance: FRCs with afterthoughts SS overlays, Mark's Caliper decals on black painted calipers, AR TTIIs (Gunmetal Spokes) with BFG Gforce T/A KDWs...
96 Impala SS Black Flowmasters SSOA, WCA, NAISSO
Posts: 3403 | From: Woodcliff Lake, NJ, USA | Registered: Dec 2000
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quote:Originally posted by Rickerbucks: My FLP's have been fine. I had not heard that people were having trouble with them.
what trouble to people have?
I don't really know. I was doing the "final" selection, had settled on the FLPs, then found out I could get the grots. I was concerned the Grot package wasn't as complete as the FLPs, went to TByrnes site to check the FLPs again and he no longer has them. Asked Tom why and he says he stopped carrying them because of quality problems.
Posts: 3403 | From: Woodcliff Lake, NJ, USA | Registered: Dec 2000
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posted
I dont have clearence problems with my SLP LT's. I can go over speed bumps and everything.
Posts: 248 | From: Montgomery Village,MD | Registered: Aug 2000
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posted
A friend of mine, Goose, has the Grots. Says if he had to do it over again, he'd go with Hooker long tubes. I don't remember all his issues, but plug access was one of them... If you want to talk to him direct, page him (Wicked LT1) at:
posted
got hookers on mine this week and they are great tons of SOTP!!! also i would get them again since they are a helluva lot cheaper than others for not much difference
Posts: 10 | From: Doon IA USA | Registered: Mar 2002
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quote:Originally posted by dvandentop: got hookers on mine this week and they are great tons of SOTP!!! also i would get them again since they are a helluva lot cheaper than others for not much difference
How did you resolve the cats issue with the hookers, or did you?
Posts: 3403 | From: Woodcliff Lake, NJ, USA | Registered: Dec 2000
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quote:Originally posted by Rickerbucks: My FLP's have been fine. I had not heard that people were having trouble with them.
what trouble to people have?
I think the major issue was backorder. I heard several issues early last spring regarding people waiting as much as 4 months to get the FLP's. I know TByrne was getting the brunt of the problems, as FLP would tell him "3 weeks" and the to be told "another 3 weeks" then "another 4-6 weeks" etc etc. A lot of Tom's customers were pissed off at him, when it was out of his hands.
I think it got bad enough to where Tom decided not to do business with them anymore, since doing business with FInish Line was damaging his reputation. Tom always delivers when promised, and that whole problem last spring really sacrificed his integrity.
I'd really like the FLP's too, but I'd be pissed if I ended up waiting 3 months for them. Although, Feb/March is the worst time to order performance parts (race season approaching!)
posted
Yeah I heard the "quality" comments, but strange how not a single picture or testimony EVER showed a quality issue with the FLPs. Those headers are nearly works of art from what I've seen and heard from customers.
I think the demand/supply issue was really more likely...
I don't particularly agree with trash-talking a product without proof, this whole FLP/Tbyrne thing was way too suspicious for my taste. I think its easy to see TByrne's motive for attacking the FLP's image if he had supply problems and wanted people to buy a different brand he could supply and sell more readily. Knowing his unusual comments about "FLP quality" were suspect, I thought Tom would have posted pics to contradict popular opinion by now. Unfortunatly he hasn't posted them, so I'm inclined to belive no such pics or proof exists.
Just a really strange situation in general. Until it's shown otherwise, I've got to believe the FLP's pics I've seen. They are, from a marksmanship standpoint, the best-made header construction I've ever seen. Although yes, their supply volume is someone limited.
Posts: 84 | From: Seattle | Registered: Feb 2000
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posted
Any thoughts for someone who is ready to buy headers for an 02 35th SS? Between SLP and FLP. Should I wait before buying?--sounds like SLPs are a little low and FLP doesnt deliver (or has quality problems??)... HELP
Posts: 10 | From: McAllen, Texas | Registered: Aug 2002
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posted
Got a friend who has the FLPs with all the trimmings back to a GMMG closed chambered with dual duals. The fit is right and the sound is great. It was going to be my choice, but I just can't bring myself to take off what I paid xtra for when I bought the car.
Posts: 339 | From: Philadelphia | Registered: Jul 2002
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quote:Originally posted by sleeperZragtop: I ordered my FLP's from Stealth Peformance, they were in within a week and besides if they were trash Mike wouldn't of sold them to me.
Mitch from FLP also stands behind his product and is willing to help me in any way when it comes to the install and maintance.
Regards;
Mike
Yes, I'm beginning to understand the quality issues were with service, not the product and related to the banging which has supposedly been resolved. But as usual, it's not as simple as that. Now I am seriously considering the TTS - they look like a real high quality - unit and the new Grots offered by either Qicktime or Proven Performance....
[ 28. November 2002, 12:38 AM: Message edited by: DaddySS ]
Posts: 3403 | From: Woodcliff Lake, NJ, USA | Registered: Dec 2000
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posted
The problem with FLP's was due to quality and maybe service as well. I can tell you that the finish on the FLP's was not quite up to standard. People had rust developing where the primaries meet the collector. I have small areas where it's beginning to show and my car is not a daily driver. EDIT: I would guess the headers have about 6,000 miles on them.
When I was purchasing mine about a year ago I was informed by FLP that they were hiring a different company to coat their headers because of all of the complaints on the coatings. Whether that was true and they hired a new company or not I don't know. My headers were suppose to have the new coating on them but I still have slight signs of rust beginning.
[ 03. December 2002, 04:26 PM: Message edited by: Gary 97 WS6 T/A Conv ]
Posts: 27 | From: Portsmouth, Virginia | Registered: Apr 2002
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yeah, a buddy of mine has had a bad rust problem on his FLP's. He called them and they said they would recoat them but he had to pay for shipping. They were about 18 months old.
I was one of the first to buy them. I DO have rust under the band clamps and a little on the leading edge of the collectors but not bad. My buddies were really bad. the coatimng was peeling off big time.
Posts: 117 | From: Surrey. BC | Registered: Oct 2001
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posted
I have SLP longtubes waiting for installation in the spring. Before I bought, I communicated with Doug S. at SLP about clearance issues and he informed me that I can expect 4" to 4.5" ground clearance with their system. I have an LE vert with Bilstein.
-------------------- 2002 LE convertible with all GM options LE #3079, SLP Build #C410
All SLP options except Auburn & G-Force D. Goetz Fabrications STB and bolt-on SFCs, SLP LT headers and cats, Gentex mirror, power antenna with control switch, engine plaque, Mobile 1 applique and oil filler cap Posts: 137 | From: Fergus, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Feb 2003
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