[TUNNEL PORT]

JC455,
I tried to login on TAC a few times last night but couldn't. They made the forums so that you must be logged in to see or read the threads. It used to not be that way, you could browse without logging in now I guess not.

Anyway I cant log in either I have the wrong past word or acct is gone. It says theres no such user name.

[TUNNEL PORT]

The sets on the fist run had great ground clearance over ANY 4 tube header & more than the even the HO's did. These now have even more ground clearance & the F-body headers can be ordered with an optional 3" Oval collector that has even more ground clearance than the 2 1/2" collector did.

Also the D-ports have a redesigned flange that have way more hand room around bolts.

[Formula8]

Ron, it is hard to imagine much better ground clearance but I like the oval 3" collector. Here is a pic of my first run headers both when I got them back from Jet Hot and on the car. My oil pan is actually lower than the primaries. The collectors are a bit lower than they should be as I had to drop the TKO down 3/8" to clear the tunnel. :

[Thomasmoto]

Originally Posted by TUNNEL PORT

The sets on the fist run had great ground clearance over ANY 4 tube header & more than the even the HO's did. These now have even more ground clearance & the F-body headers can be ordered with an optional 3" Oval collector that has even more ground clearance than the 2 1/2" collector did.

Also the D-ports have a redesigned flange that have way more hand room around bolts.

Yes, TAC had a major crash awhile back and we all had to reload our info. It is much better now.

[TUNNEL PORT]

Originally Posted by Formula8

Ron, it is hard to imagine much better ground clearance but I like the oval 3" collector. Here is a pic of my first run headers both when I got them back from Jet Hot and on the car. My oil pan is actually lower than the primaries. The collectors are a bit lower than they should be as I had to drop the TKO down 3/8" to clear the tunnel. :

Nice headers Steve but they only closely resemble mine now. There are so many mods in key areas that make a world of differece in fit. The most obvious on the D-ports are those flanges. They have been redesigned & a lot easier to install the header & better port alinement. Those flanges on your set & are also the same ones Doug's still use today & are a poorly thought out design. They can be installed two different ways & clearly they didn't have any clue which way was best. You can see that from pics of there different headers over the years. Some had then one way some had them the other. If your a Pontiac guys you can see why but to a place that builds mainly Chevy, ford & other brands of headers it was probably the best thing they could come up with.

Im sure that it would have cost me another $1000 for a one time 5min of work on there end to mark it on the jig so that all 4spd headers wouldn't be screwed like the autos were. Not to mention another 1-6 months for them to do it. I compromised way more than I should have had to on that run but they were holing ALL the cards & I still didn't have a pair.

[soupman]

Ron sent me some pictures of my headers. I stepped up and ordered a set even knowing the past history. Ron documented every step along the way, and I even made him put a current newspaper with the date in a current picture, LOL.

I was the "sponser" for FritzCat headers, hopefully some others can step up so Ron can continue selling the newer design and fill the older orders.

Here is a picture of older Dougs flange compared to Rons new one. You can see the much better alignment on the head. I have seen posts before of people have to grind on thier header flanges to line up better with the head exhaust ports.
Not so with the tri-y.
Still the best fitting headers you can get, tucks up tight and cna be used on 4 speed cars. With the new flange, much easier to get to the #5 bolt which was always a b**ch.

[TUNNEL PORT]

Thanks soupman I should have just posted that pic.

As you can see there's a good offset on the end ports on the old style flanges & one was basically at the gasket.

Anyone need any D-port flanges cheap? I have around 8-10 sets that I wont be using for obvious reasons. If some one had some time on there hands they could just grind away at them.

I hope this illustrates the amount of R&R I put into each piece of each header. Some things have been redesigned many times to get these the way I wanted them in the first place. Rather than just excepting the easiest & quickest way that the header Co could try to pass off as best anyone can do.

soupman,
your evac tubes are installed. The UPS guy did not pick them up on Fri like they were supposed to. They will be shipped Mon even if I have to drive to the UPS dock to send them like I sent all the others.

[Formula8]

Ron you are really tweaking your design. The flanges were not a problem. Mine have been off a few times now and I am still using my original gaskets! I believe those are from Dougs though. To be honest, these were the easiest headers I have installed in awhile. I'm used to pulling the headers on my buddies 69 Cyclone CJ with a 428 in it. Now those are a pain. I had absolutely no problems with the install of my Tri-y headers from Ron.

[TUNNEL PORT]

I know how easy they are to install. Believe me after all the problems that the header Co had with steering rods, Z-bar & all the other BS goof ups that dragged the 1st run on for a year. I made sure that I test fitted each of the 63 sets ( not counting the ones I made & shipped) that the header Co built on my car, on my back, in my driveway alone before I packed each of them for shipping & sent out to happy customers. I wasn't taking any chances after the H#LL they put me through just to get something that was close to what I paid them for.

So if anyone knows how easy they are to install I do. I also know that if you fitted a header with each of these flanges you would definitely pick these new ones. Especially when the steering rod is near it & it so nice to get your hand in there anyway you want it rather the having to come from under the flange to reach the bolt.

Im juss sayin thats all..........

[T.D.Vick]

Any thoughts on adding 78-87 Pontiac powered G-body headers to the offerings, Lemans, Grand Am and G/P? There's quite a few people looking for them and no one is making them.

Thanks,
Troy

[TUNNEL PORT]

Troy,
I'm only focused on the things that need to be done now. "IF" there is a future then who knows. I'm not worried about any new body styles right now or I would break out the 1st gen F-body patterns & jigs I have & make those.

That would just slow things down switching back & forth so one thing at a time until I get more help at least. The guy I have helping me takes to long to build one header & I still have to help or check things. So it is faster than being alone but not much. At least I don't have to do all the mundane things like clean up, maintenance or forming collectors.

If I had a guy that could weld & help build a header in a reasonable time then I'd be way happy. Until then I'll be doing most of it myself & no time to think of the other stuff right now.

Anyone need a job?

[TUNNEL PORT]

I still haven't heard back from Jim Moshier to my PM or emails. So if I don't hear from him by Tue night I'll send the set I have done now to the next one on the list. I'm sure there is some reason I wasn't emailed back. Maybe vacation or life in general. So when I do hear from him he will be the next sent & wont lose his place in line.

I cant take a chance of sending them to the wrong address. I don't have the money to ship twice & in that time they could be at the next guys door.

[mrbandit]

Hey Ron, it's great to see what you're doing and I really respect your approach to the situation. I hope everything works out. I see you have an account on TAC, so please feel free to chime in if needed. We have an info post about this and have it linked to this post to help keep your efforts centralized. Again, good luck and let me know if you need anything.

Mike
TAC Webmaster

[Formula8]

Ron, what is the best way to contact you if someone is interested in placing a new order who is not a member of PY?

[TUNNEL PORT]

Thanks Mike,
I have had so many pot shots over the years from jerks that are notorious Doug's cheerleaders that were just there to stop sales. Also the kindergarten remarks from others that were never going to buy. So I'm still hesitant on any posts. As you can see before David Holmberg posted the law there were already a few really immature posts that wouldn't hurt any one but the guys that were still waiting. I stated that very thing years ago & it still happened & when all sales dried up so did the progress & its obvious what happened after that.

I am getting headers out on a regular basis now only because of the sponsors. Thank God theres enough good hearted guys that want to help & just happen to need a set.

[TUNNEL PORT]

Formula8, the best way right now is my email [email protected]

[Craig Hendrickson]

Ron,

Best of luck to you on your restart. If I needed a set of Tri-Ys, I'd be a sponsor too, but I'm between projects right now.

I'm glad to read that you have incorporated some significant improvements. Even good products can get better!

Craig Hendrickson

[73ta]

Originally Posted by 73ta

Too long of a wait, 16 months. You might see some eventually but the whole problem was caused by poor business planning. When you set up a new business you need a ton of cash up front and must anticipate no income for at least the first year. Now he is caught up in a SNAFU. Has a few sets built but has no credit, working capitol and must rely on new orders to pay for materials, coatings, rent ect., to finish the old orders. This in my opinion is just chasing the dragon, unless he can come up with some major working capitol, in which case it's just a matter of time till the house of cards come falling down.

From my 2006 post. I hope you can get it right this time but your business model seems to be the same as last time. Taking money from a new order to finish an old order!

[vtxman]

Originally Posted by 73ta

From my 2006 post. I hope you can get it right this time but your business model seems to be the same as last time. Taking money from a new order to finish an old order!

I think the big difference this time is Ron is building the Headers first and then taking the money after they are built. This is why I decided to become one of the "sponsors".

But mostly I want a quality set of Tri Y's for my Fbody, and I believe Ron offers a great product.

I understand why there are a lot of hard feelings, but you have to appreciate someone that will do his best to make it right, instead of filing "bankruptcy" and having a fresh start at the expense of many.

[aronhk_md]

Originally Posted by 73ta

From my 2006 post. I hope you can get it right this time but your business model seems to be the same as last time. Taking money from a new order to finish an old order!

Business models are nothing but a guideline. They do not ensure your success, and lack of one/one outside the norm is not by itself a recipe for failure. History shows plenty of success stories that started with nothing but a few dollars in someone's pocket......or leveraging other people's money to make it happen.

Bottom line is the product he is creating is a good one AND there is a market for them. There are a ton of variables that will determine his success. One thing is for sure...it would help if he had a good relaible welder.

He might also want to list a pair on ebay and see what happens. Use a creative title like...Original Pontiac Tri-Y headers are BACK...with improvements. Then in the description he can list the features that make THESE headers so much better than the competition....like ground clearance, etc. State that your headers will be built when the order is placed.

It costs a bit to sell on ebay, but you pay after.