Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Help! Any experience w. Sanderson/Garagistic headers for LS1 swap

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    Help! Any experience w. Sanderson/Garagistic headers for LS1 swap

    Hey there everyone! New guy here. Registered so I can purchase some switches, but figured I would ask this as well since it's been a long time coming.

    So I've been wondering the endless labyrinths of e30 customization and modification all over the internet for a long time now, and recently decided on an LS1 swap for my 1990 is. I went with Garrets' kit and I also purchased an oil pan and headers from Garagistic.

    Has anyone ever purchased the headers from Garagistic for ls1? The reason why I'm asking is because the product that I received seemed to be of very questionable quality. Specifically the welds and the mating surface. There are holes and bubbles and the mating surface is uneven because of the coarse grooves. It generally looks as if someone was practicing welding. Hell, there's even a chicken scratch on one of them that says "GAGA" lol. I'm not sure if it's expected considering the price or I got screwed...

    PS: can post pics to clarify if need be.

    #2
    There is a v8 swap section. You should check it out.

    I would call the company directly with your concerns. I find they are pretty good at taking care of their customers. With that said, my biggest complaint with them is the more than occasional lack of quality professionalism in their fabrication skillz.
    sigpic
    Gigitty Gigitty!!!!

    88 cabrio becoming alpina b6 3.5s transplanted s62
    92 Mtech 2 cabrio alpinweiss 770 code
    88 325ix coupe manual lachsilber/cardinal
    88 325ix coupe manual diamondschwartz/natur
    87 e30 m3 for parts lachsilber/cardinal(serial number 7)
    12 135i M sport cabrio grey/black

    Comment


      #3
      Post some pictures.
      First e30 - 1991 318i 4 door

      Comment


        #4
        Got moved, Wasn't entirely sure if the thread fits into general or v8 category since it's not the swap that I'm concerned with rather the product/seller.

        But anyways here's some pictures...
        Attached Files

        Comment


          #5
          Garagistic welds the vband's and sanderson is who to talk to about the mating surface.....good luck those look pretty rough
          1989 325i LS Swap (Money Pit):https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/sho...d.php?t=244933
          COTM Feb 2019: https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/sho...d.php?t=428404

          Comment


            #6
            That definitely does not look good. I'd ask for a replacement from Garagistic if I were you.
            Alpine White 1989 E30 Coupe - LS1/T56

            Comment


              #7
              Wow, that looks like garbage. I hope you get a refund.
              sigpic
              1991 318is x 2 .

              Comment


                #8
                I wrote an email to them, not an angry one (although now I think it should've been) being respectful of coarse, pointing to all the deficiencies but all they had to say was that they will make sure it doesn't happen again. So I emailed them back asking what I'm supposed to do with what I received, but they never replied. What should I do?

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by Pootis View Post
                  Garagistic welds the vband's and sanderson is who to talk to about the mating surface.....good luck those look pretty rough
                  My understanding is that it's only the Garagistic guys I should be talking to. I dealt with them and I payed them. I think it's non of my business as to what happens between them and Sanderson...agree?

                  Comment


                    #10
                    They are usually pretty responsive I would try to call them. They have called me back in the past. And yes I think Garagistic are the only people you need to be communicating with. Good luck man let us know how it goes
                    1989 325i LS Swap (Money Pit):https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/sho...d.php?t=244933
                    COTM Feb 2019: https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/sho...d.php?t=428404

                    Comment


                      #11
                      I can't speak to the quality of the welds but the flange which bolts to the head is suppose to look like that. Garagistic recommends using a bead of high temp Permatex but otherwise the headers are suppose to be "gasket less"
                      Current: '91 DS M3, '03 TS M3 (6MT)
                      '06 Chevy 2500 Duramax - Race car hauler, '90 Corvette - Weekend toy
                      Past: '88 AW M3, '87 RB M6, '98 CS M3, '88 DS M3, '88 Zinno M3, '88 AW SETA (facelift),
                      1988 Super E (Bronzit - grey wrap)- RIP, 1986 353, 1986 VW Jetta (vr6) - Racecar

                      IG: RDE_Fabrications
                      Check us out
                      Or YouTube --> HERE;

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Originally posted by sgtskid View Post
                        I can't speak to the quality of the welds but the flange which bolts to the head is suppose to look like that. Garagistic recommends using a bead of high temp Permatex but otherwise the headers are suppose to be "gasket less"
                        I don't know much about "mating surfaces", but that surface looks pretty rough and I doubt it will seal anything...

                        Anyways, I called them today as was suggested. Explained the situation, the person on the other line said that they will make an exception and refund me the money, as long as I ship the headers back at my own expense!
                        I patiently explained to him that I'm incurring all the costs. It will be the second time I will be paying for shipping. Not to mention I had to pay a customs tax and the shittiest exchange rate (I'm in Canada), that point is really not his concern, but at this point I see no reason for me to go through the trouble of returning that POS.

                        So absolutely zero compromise on the shitty product that they sent me, coupled with the fact that I had to wait for 3 months on my order, after which I had to call them only to find out that it wasn't even shipped yet!, provides for a really bad customer service. Merry Christmass everyone! (Attempt at sarcasm)

                        Anyways, now that I finished my angry rant...The only option I see is to fix/reweld them or use it as a blueprint to fab new ones.

                        Is it possibleto salvage them, or should I just make new ones?

                        Comment


                          #13
                          The welds aren't pretty but I don't see any reason they won't hold. If you are not going to return them, I'd try them as is. What do you have to lose? Identify the leaks, if any, and re-weld. A good coat of header paint and the welds will hardly be noticeable down in the bay. A little flap wheel work and the welds would all but disappear.
                          Current: '91 DS M3, '03 TS M3 (6MT)
                          '06 Chevy 2500 Duramax - Race car hauler, '90 Corvette - Weekend toy
                          Past: '88 AW M3, '87 RB M6, '98 CS M3, '88 DS M3, '88 Zinno M3, '88 AW SETA (facelift),
                          1988 Super E (Bronzit - grey wrap)- RIP, 1986 353, 1986 VW Jetta (vr6) - Racecar

                          IG: RDE_Fabrications
                          Check us out
                          Or YouTube --> HERE;

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Originally posted by Mustachio View Post
                            I don't know much about "mating surfaces", but that surface looks pretty rough and I doubt it will seal anything...
                            That's where the Permatex comes in. (although to me that's not "gasket less")
                            Current: '91 DS M3, '03 TS M3 (6MT)
                            '06 Chevy 2500 Duramax - Race car hauler, '90 Corvette - Weekend toy
                            Past: '88 AW M3, '87 RB M6, '98 CS M3, '88 DS M3, '88 Zinno M3, '88 AW SETA (facelift),
                            1988 Super E (Bronzit - grey wrap)- RIP, 1986 353, 1986 VW Jetta (vr6) - Racecar

                            IG: RDE_Fabrications
                            Check us out
                            Or YouTube --> HERE;

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Originally posted by sgtskid View Post
                              The welds aren't pretty but I don't see any reason they won't hold. If you are not going to return them, I'd try them as is. What do you have to lose? Identify the leaks, if any, and re-weld. A good coat of header paint and the welds will hardly be noticeable down in the bay. A little flap wheel work and the welds would all but disappear.
                              I agree with this. If the welds really bother you someone could cut that flange off and weld it back on pretty easily. Sorry you didn't get a better response. Hey look at the bright side you are one step closer to having that american powerplant in your car and running
                              1989 325i LS Swap (Money Pit):https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/sho...d.php?t=244933
                              COTM Feb 2019: https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/sho...d.php?t=428404

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X