LS3 exhaust issues

[MonstaS4]

I've noted a couple of issues with the FFR supplied LS installation kit.

1. RHS down tube hits the chassis. A quick search suggests this is a common issue. I've been in touch with FFR and their solution is to use the supplied spacer between the Hooker header and down tube. My response to them was that this is a pretty poor solution. It just creates another potential leakage point. Not to mention it looks ordinary.

121979

2. The down tube diameter is 2.25" while the header outlet is 2.5" thus creating a large inner lip. The pic below shows the supplied flange against the down tube and I've confirmed the flange has the same ID as the header. I'd suggest this is going to cause a massive disruption to flow and IMO is completely unacceptable. FFR's response was that no other LS owners have complained and they don't see an issue with it. In short I was told to suck it up and move on. I was also told that if I didn't like it, then have something fabricated at my own cost.

121980

Has anyone else come across these differences and what did you do about it?

IMO, i've paid for an FFR supplied kit that should fit - and it doesn't. Am I being unreasonable in expecting FFR to rectify these issues at their cost?

[wallace18]

In the 2 LS builds I have done I was able to slightly bend the pipes for good clearance. The slight loss of flow will never be noticed behind the wheel. The LS powered cars are super fast as is. I have done custom exhaust on other builds when I was not happy with what came in the kit. All part of building a car from scratch, IMO. Best of luck on your build. I am confident you will be happy with the end result.

[FF33rod]

While I understand your point, for future sanity I would suggest you adjust your expectations a bit or perhaps you won't enjoy the build process as much as you could. We all have different expectations but in the end I think we all want the same thing - to enjoy the process, have something we're proud to say that we built, and to have something we enjoy driving and showing.

You don't see this stuff advertised by FFR but in reading these forums you begin to understand the level of maturity and completeness of the various kits and the options within those kits. The roadster is the most mature with the fewest problems, the GTM is real tough. The 33, somewhere in between. The SBF is the easiest on the '33 with little to no issues whatsoever, SBC requires a few tweaks, and the LS requires more. Even on the SBF, if you have a higher HP version, the heads will have larger exhaust ports than the headers that fit within the engine compartment so they're a choke point. If you're a perfectionist, that might really bug you but a few hp less on a 2200 lb car doesn't really matter to most of us. Given you're serial number, you have a gen 1 kit with all the "funnies" that the gen 1 fiberglass is known for. Gen 2 is much better apparently. Have a quick look at the recent posts on my build thread that shows what you might likely have to do with the fiberglass piece under the grill.

That said, if there are major issues with what you get or mistakes made in what's provided, FFR seems to quickly step up. I've had hard brake lines bent in transit, wrong driveshaft adaptor, striker mount plates that didn't fit - all taken care of. Recently found out there was no way to get the doors to fit due to misalignment during bonding of the inner and outer shell - new doors are on the way.

It is a lot of money, but what we get is fairly complete and I appreciate that. Just don't expect it to be perfect. You can make it perfect, and/or perfect for you, if you want and that becomes part of the process.

[Kamp]

Its been a year since I did the exhaust on my LS, fitment of the first down pipe is a common problem. What I did was cut the pipes and add a section and reweld. Seems like I was able to use a carbide burr to chamfer out the flange connection at the cast headers to make a smoother transition.

[sethmark]

Easy fix. Call and ask for a handful of spacers. Tig them together. Problem solved. (That particular picture was taken during mock up. They were cents fully welded and blended)

[rapidray]

I also had a little problem with the right side only. I think the spacer idea is the best I have seen. I made sure I was satisfied with my trans mount and pinion angle before I made the final adjustments. The height of the transmission mount will directly affect your clearance. Cheers Ray

[MonstaS4]

While I understand both problems are an easy fix, it's more about the principle.....it's advertised as an LS kit specifically designed for the 33 Rod and it doesn't fit. It's a shame really as the rest of the kit is very well engineered.

I'll suck it up and move on. Cheers guys.