Disappointed with OBX header

[Donald]

I purchased an OBX header for my 7A-FE swap, from an online store, and was very disappointed that it did not fit.

Some of the mount holes didn't align with the cylinder head studs, so I reamed the discrepant ones out, and got it to go on, part way.

It then wouldn't pass the mount bracket for the alternator, so I then ground some metal off the header flange, and some off the alternator mount. It then fit.

The first time I started the engine, I realised I had a serious exhaust leak at #4 port. When I pulled the header back off, I realised that the holes in the pipe didn't match the holes in the manifold.

I mailed my warranty registration to the address on the registration form, twice, and had it returned to me twice. The note from the post office said that it could not be delivered to that address. No further explanatioin. I verified the address with their contact-us address on their website. It was the same.

I e-mailed OBX about 3 weeks ago, and told tham my story, and have not had a reply yet.

I have use 2 OBX headers on Corollas before, and was quite pleased with the quality of the material and workmanship of both of those. This last one has not been a good experience.

Let the buyer beware.

See photos in link below.

4A-GE pistons in a 7A-FE engine

[REN69]

You sure they didn't give you the wrong one? like a 4AFE or 4AGE one?

[89yotarollagts]

^ Thats what im wondering if its not matching up to the cyl holes then its not the right flange/mani kinda sucks you messed with it, i wonder if they will take it back now...

[Flashmn]

Well... they probably wont take it back and they'll justify it with the fact that the customer modified it to fit. Sounds wrong, but legalwise thats probably how they'll see it.

[Donald]

I finally spoke to a guy at OBX on the phone yesterday. It took me several tries to convince him that the 7A-FE engine is a 1.8L. He kept insisting that it was a 1.6L.

He said that they had just moved, so that is why my warranty registration got sent back to me. Apparently they never had their mail forwarded.

I described my problem to him and he kept telling me that I must have ordered the wrong header. The long and short of the story is that they won't take it back because I messed with it.

It clears the bottom of the 7A oil pan, so I didn't have any doubt that it was for the 7A. Maybe manifold section is wrong and the lower pipe is the correct one.

I never thought of matching it up to the 4A-FE head that I have. I'll do that and see.
If it matches the 4A-FE, I will probably put it up for sale, if anybody is interested. If doesn't fit the 4A, I will have a new flange made so it fits the 7A.

[PhatRoyale]

And that is the reason why I will never buy anything from OBX or any other little known aftermarket company from ebay!

[Donald]

Originally Posted by PhatRoyale

And that is the reason why I will never buy anything from OBX or any other little known aftermarket company from ebay!

So! Tell me now, which well-known-aftermarket-company sells headers AE92 and AE101 Corollas????

[PhatRoyale]

Originally Posted by Donald

So! Tell me now, which well-known-aftermarket-company sells headers AE92 and AE101 Corollas????

I think both you and I know the answer to that rhetorical question.

I'm surprised that you still bought one after all the existing negative online reviews surrounding OBX and their level of customer service and poor attention to detail.

[Rookie_One]

in the worst case, you can do one yourself anyways

[Frozentide]

Originally Posted by PhatRoyale

I think both you and I know the answer to that rhetorical question.

I'm surprised that you still bought one after all the existing negative online reviews surrounding OBX and their level of customer service and poor attention to detail.

Ya I'm pretty sure from my own research nobody makes one. (besides OBX)

Just get the factory header ported, polished and ceramic coated. That will give you the BEST performance increases PERIOD.

Edit: I used to know a guy that did it for any Celica header for like $200-300 plus the shipping costs. Most people had gains of atleast 8-10 hp, but I can't seem to find were I put his info.

[Donald]

Originally Posted by PhatRoyale

I think both you and I know the answer to that rhetorical question.

I'm surprised that you still bought one after all the existing negative online reviews surrounding OBX and their level of customer service and poor attention to detail.

No that is not a rhetorical question. I was quite serious when I made that post. Does anybody else make one?

Honestly, I never did any research on their customer service, and I didn't think I could find someone to custom fabricating a header for less than $200.
Finding none others out there I thought it was worth taking the chance.

I bought the first one for my 4dr Corolla about two years ago, and was quite pleased with the welds, the finish and the fact that it fit perfectly.
The second one I bought last year for my GT-S, and again I was very pleased.

The factory Corolla exhaust manifolds are notorious for cracking, so it never entrerd my mind to have one ported. I doubt that would have the effect of a 4-2-1 header, of increasing bottom end torque, which is what I want.

The intent of this thread, is to help others not make the same mistake as I did. If I hadn't tried to make it fit, there would probably be no discussion about it now. I would have been able to send it back, and if I got no satisfaction, I could have contacted the better business bureau and reported them, or maybe even sued.

In my haste to get the car running, I screwed up. So now I either make it work, or chalk it up to more experience. That's it.

[Duy-]

that sucks but shyt happens, now you have an interesting story to tell. but back to the subject, everytime i buy an obx part i just expect something to be wrong. most the time its the egr but for the most of it, they've been pretty decent for me though i have heard its hit or miss with them. its one of those buyer beware things.

[PhatRoyale]

Thanks for sharing your experience with OBX. This will be stickied for the future reference of other members here.

And to address your question Donald, unfortunately, the reality is that no other well-known established companies make aftermarket headers for the 7A-FE. I found this out myself when I was doing my research since my 7th gen Corolla uses the same powerplant as well.

Aftermarket support is really lacking compared to the 4A-GE series of motors.

[Frozentide]

Well I will do what I can to try and find the info for the guy that does Celica headers!

If there are enough of us that want a really good ported and ceramic coated header for a corolla I am sure he would be up for it!!

[SCT]

Don't TRD make headers and downpipes? I dunno...