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Wedge TR8 Headers: Rimmers versus Woody/TSI

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racer_x

racer_x

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Forgive me if this topic has been discussed- I couldn't find it: Any opinions on the Rimmer's Stainless headers versus the Wedgeshop's and TSI steel coated headers?
I would like to buy from Woody but not sure if I want to pay roughly the same for steel headers when I can get stainless. Any performance differences? Any fitments issues with the Rimmer product?
The car is stock but I plan on upgrading to a 4bbl and mild cam eventually.
Thank you in advance for your reply!
 
I,ve heard that the Rimmers are a fitment problem. Ted's and Woody's are straight forward fit.
Unless for some reason the mid pipes don't work.
Here is the long tubes fro the US suppliers, minus the color and the O2 bungs.
DSCF4734.jpg
 
The Woody/TSI headers seem to be the same "Y" pipe, 2 into 1, design. But they don't seem to have as nice of a transition going from the primary tubes into the first "Y".
headers__99936_zoom.jpg

Woody's pipes above

RB7030SS.jpg

Rimmers pipe above

Thanks for the reply Don- Fitment is the most important, then performance, then durability.....

Any other opinions, which is the best pipe given the criteria?
 
The TSI/Woody headers perfrom the same as Rimmer since the are a 4-2-1 arrangement. I know the headers coated $575.00 total and non caoted $325.00. Rimmer does have some LHD fitment issues and I am sure will cost more with shipping. Right now they are $542.61 with the exchange rate at 1.61. Im sure the shipping coast will be about another $100.00 to $200.00. For $575.00 plus shipping stateside you can have pretty coated headers or for at the most $675.00 and then from the UK for stainless steel $642.00 to $742.00. At this point its all about preference not perfromance since the are pretty equal. I have a set of Huffaker NOS headers that have better transistions between the tube intersections like on the Rimmer. No matter what you do your power ban dies at 6,200 rpms in anycase with the heads and the 4-2-1 headers. By the way the TSI & Woddy headers are from Kirk Racing. Woody gets a better deal than if you call them direct and well you get put on a waiting list too!
 
I purchased the Rimmers "loud" performance ss complete header/exhaust system about ten years ago. At that time it was cheaper to buy and ship during a Rimmers special than to buy available coated headers only in the states. The shipping container was ready to disintegrate but the system was in perfect condition. The only fitment issue was some rubbing on the steering U joint which was remedied by cutting and welding a small dimple for clearance. Wonderful sound. Still looks like new when cleaned up.
 
Kirk offers discounts if you buy three or more sets at a time. In the end the vendor price ends up being about the same as if you buy directly from Kirk because they can do enough volume to buy in bulk. One of these days someone should organize a group buy and see how low the price would go if we bought a whole bunch of these. This strategy is commonplace on the BMW forums, but I have never seen it done on any of the Brit Car sites or clubs. The last one I was a part of was for 15X7 Rota RBs in a custom fitment for the e21 BMW. Not only did we get them to make the proper offset for the car, but we all saved around $100 a set. The group buy was run thru 18racing, the same outfit that sometimes sells the RBs that fit the TR8.
 
Okay- What I am hearing is that the consensus is you can't go wrong with either set. I would be into a group buy and I guess I would need to start a new thread to get the maximum people on board. I'll call Krik to find out a threshold minimum before starting it.
Matter of fact, I would also be interested in a group buy of Rota RBs if anyone is up for that.
 
Racer X--My two cents on the header debate is simple--Woody sells what works for his customers and will stand behind them should something go wrong. I bought a set coated from him and never regretted it about 1 1/2 years ago for my TR8. Woody worked on my car and it was all completely stock before I got the bug and transformed into a real performance car. I have the woody cam (Erson customer grind ) holley 4 barrel set up with mallory igniton. The headers allow the engine to breath as compared to stock manifold and cats. Stainless steel may seem better but are not coated and probably do not fit properly without "adjustment" I prefer to go with a proven set-up that works and someone will stand behind if something goes wrong. Let me know if you need additional advice. Daniel Perkins
 
Curious. If your car is a 1981, it is fuel injected.

What are your plans for the O2 sensors and the EGR valve?

What are you going to to with the attachment point for the A/C compressor?

I ask because I need a new exhaust system and have considered headers for my FI 1980 TR8.

Thanks,

Randy
 
tr8dp said:
Racer X--My two cents on the header debate is simple--Woody sells what works for his customers and will stand behind them should something go wrong. I bought a set coated from him and never regretted it about 1 1/2 years ago for my TR8. Woody worked on my car and it was all completely stock before I got the bug and transformed into a real performance car. I have the woody cam (Erson customer grind ) holley 4 barrel set up with mallory igniton. The headers allow the engine to breath as compared to stock manifold and cats. Stainless steel may seem better but are not coated and probably do not fit properly without "adjustment" I prefer to go with a proven set-up that works and someone will stand behind if something goes wrong. Let me know if you need additional advice. Daniel Perkins
Click to expand...

Thank you Daniel, it sounds like you did what I am planning to do: wake the car up. Mine is dead stock, other than having the exhaust replaced at some point. I plan on fixing this first because it needs it, the pipes from the cast iron manifolds are falling apart.

I threw out a feeler of a group buy direct from Kirk for the headers Woody buys from. But honestly, I just may bag it and buy from Woody for all of the reasons above.
 
GBRandy said:
Curious. If your car is a 1981, it is fuel injected.

What are your plans for the O2 sensors and the EGR valve?

What are you going to to with the attachment point for the A/C compressor?

I ask because I need a new exhaust system and have considered headers for my FI 1980 TR8.

Thanks,

Randy
Click to expand...

Randy, my car came from the factory carbureted. I don't know enough about these cars to answer the A/C issue. But I do know that Woody's headers offer one or more bung fittings for the O2 sensor.
 
Welcome aboard Dan. Nice to see another local TR8 owner. I think you are missing one underlying point on this thread. The headers Woody, and Ted sells are the same things. They come from Kirk Racing Products. Whether you buy from Woody, Ted, or directly from the manufacturer you are getting the same product with the same fitment. I'd even venture to guess the manufacturer is the principle entity standing behind the product and not the retailer. I have no idea what the headers from Rimmers are like, but based on what Mike says about them, it would seem that the US made headers from Kirk are a better less expensive product.
 
You do not need the attachment rod/bracket from the back of the compressor to the stock cast header when you do the tubular headers.
 
Well there you go Randy. Your question answered . Don't know why but I will find out someday
 
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