[sixty8ragtop]

I am considering the purchase of a set of Ram Air Restorations D-Port headers for my 65 2+2. I would appreciate any feedback on this company and comments on quality and fit prior to investing in these longbranch reproductions. Thanks, Fred

[77TA-SE]

I bought a set of the RM-2-OS Ram Air style factory headers for my 1977 TA. Quality and fitment of the product was great. I had a few questions, and Paul @ RARE was quick to respond. Processing and shipping of my order was also done quickly.

I am completely satisfied with the product and service I received, and would absolutely contact them again in the future.

[sixty8ragtop]

Thanks for the rapid response to my inquiry. I welcome any other comments regarding RARE's longbranch headers and their optional gray ceramic coating.

[1969GTO]

Hello in Daytona.....lived there 1979-1989. [South Daytona]
I am 2 years now with my RAR D-Ports on my 69 GTO.
If you can......get the ceramic coating on them

[b-man]

Mixed reviews on the RARE ceramic coating, I've read about a few bad coating jobs on these manifolds: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...hlight=ceramic

Manifolds are top notch, skip the ceramic coating and use POR-15 manifold coating/paint for a fraction of the ceramic coating cost.

Here's how well the POR-15 held up after 5 years and 30,000 miles on my RARE '67 GTO HO manifolds:

[77TA-SE]

I have the gray ceramic coating on mine, and they still look great, even after > 1000 miles.

[Beebe]

Hey B-Man , Can you tell me how well they have kept sealed up , Especially the Passenger side that is lacking 2 Bolts to fasten them to the head.

That has been a concern of mine wanting to use them in a turbo application.

Thanks

Beebe

Originally Posted by b-man

Mixed reviews on the RARE ceramic coating, I've read about a few bad coating jobs on these manifolds: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...hlight=ceramic

Manifolds are top notch, skip the ceramic coating and use POR-15 manifold coating/paint for a fraction of the ceramic coating cost.

Here's how well the POR-15 held up after 5 years and 30,000 miles on my RARE '67 GTO HO manifolds:

[b-man]

Originally Posted by Beebe

Hey B-Man , Can you tell me how well they have kept sealed up , Especially the Passenger side that is lacking 2 Bolts to fasten them to the head.

That has been a concern of mine wanting to use them in a turbo application.

Thanks

Beebe

No issues, they never leaked on my car using the factory steel shim gaskets.

[1969GTO]

I used the gasket that comes with the maniflods and Copper hi-temp silicon

[Dick Boneske]

I use the factory steel shim gaskets on my original '67 HO manifolds and have now leaks. Same on my wife's '64.

[1968bird428]

I installed a set about a year about a year ago on a 68 Firebird with a 428. I thought the finish was of good quality. They bolted right up with out any any problems. At the same time I bought Ram Air Restorations 2.5" manifold back exhaust. Both were fairly easy to install. I'm not sure, but you might need the oil filter adapter plate. The adapter on my car started leaking after about a thousand miles. I replaced the gaskets and have gone another thousand miles with no problems. All said I'm happy with the quality and service from Ram Air Restoration.

[tripwr1964]

i've been running a set of 2.5" for about 5-6 yrs now. no issues. been using the thicker gaskets that paul sells, never had a leaker.
got almost a yr on the ceramic (that paul did for me after the fact) and all is looking good so far.
paul is one of those great guys to work with too, never an issue and very helpful.

[fatindian]

i had a set for the 64-67 a-body w/ceramic coating and everything about them was grrrrrrrreat!!!!! very satisfied. i'm very impressed though with the por 15 coating looked after all that runnining time.if i do these again i may go that routeand the money i save will go towards the install kit. you wont be disapointed.

[sixty8ragtop]

Thanks to all for their valuable feedback and links. Thinking gray ceramic for stock look. Will speak with "Paul" at RARE regarding ceramic coating warranty prior to purchase. Fred

[JVM225]

I put a set on my car about two weeks ago, along with a 2.5" mandrel bent exhaust system I got from RARE.
He was very easy to deal with. I would definitely buy from him again!
It took a little time to get the stuff. They were ordered in the beginning of the summer, and he didn't have one of the castings on hand. That was a minor pain in that I had it set up to do when I ordered them, but then had to put it off until two weeks ago because of time/space constraints.
But Paul did let me know that he didn't have the castings in stock when I placed the order. The delay was a little longer because he sent them out for ceramic coating, and the 4th of July got in the way.
Everything sat in boxes all summer long.
It was worth the wait though. The fit and quality of the manifolds and flanges is excellent. The ceramic coating looks great too, I just hope it lasts a while.
I bought all of the hardware, and the complete exhaust from him. The stainless bolts for the manifolds were perfect, but I wound up getting stainless hardware locally for the flanges because the ones that came in the kit were a bit short
I pulled the motor out to make the job of getting my stock manifolds off a bit easier.
That was the best way to go for me.
The mandrel bent exhaust and mufflers are really nice, but if I were to do it over again I think I would install the manifolds, and then get the car to a local shop and have them custom bend an exhaust for the car.
The RARE exhaust system is really nice quality, but I wasn't too crazy about the fitment of the tailpipes in the car. They came out great, but it took some fooling around with to get it right.

[rtanner]

at one time they were cast in a small foundry here in texas near to me, i had a set hand delivered to me by the owners father 20 years ago for my judge, i can tell you they are best quality out there, from a company of pontiac enthusiasts, fixin to get a set of long branches for my 69 bird

[rexs73gto]

I have a set that I got from Year One that are similar but they have the extra hole in the right side manifold. I like the extra bolt to hold the ones I bought on the heads. The only thing is you have to use a header type bolt as the exhaust manifold is big in that area not giving a lot of room to put a full size bolt in there but it works great. I have had no problems with mine ever leaking & I use the copper gasket from SCI, & I've had them on & off several time still with no leaks at all.

[Transporter]

I think the manifolds are great, I am less enthused about the fitment of the exhaust system and have started a thread on it to see if this is typical, or just my bad luck.

[grivera]

I have the Rare LB manifolds (ceramic coated). They've been in service about 3.5 years and 1,800 miles. They looked great the first year but are now covered in rust. Paul at RARE said he will recoat them for $110 plus shipping.

[1969GTO]

I have to agree with [grivera].
I have a set on my 69 GTO, about 2 years old from RARE.
My car is a fair weather car, and this spring I find my ceramic coated manifolds with a coating of rust.
Not real nasty looking, but I expected no rust at all,never got that on headers.
I have not checked on a re-coat [$110.00] and for that price I won't.
It was about that price the first time.