Fabspeed Header Repair Sloppy...return Of Keep?

I purchased the Fabspeed headers with the cats last year. This year, the cats came loose inside the canister. Joe at Fabspeed gladly agreed to repair or replace the items. He repaired. I looks like he took the canisters apart and re-attatched the catalytic material inside of each one. It really looks terrible compared to the beautiful and symetrical ones that I originally payed for. Basically, cut open and re-cobbled together... What do you all think I should do... send back and demand replacements or keep and be happy they were repaired?

Do they work? I mean are you really going to crawl under the car and look to see what the weld marks look like on your headers? Remember how shiny they were when new and see how discolored they are now... well headers don't have to be "pretty" they just have to work right. So I'd ask what the warranty is on the repair job so that if you have problems again you know how long you are covered for vs. how long the warranty is on say a brand new set. I don't think the looks of a header really means anything...

right...i get that part. but lets say I want to re-sell later...I know I wouldnt buy a gimped out set even if they worked.

That pretty answers the question in my view. You certainly don't have what you paid for. If it were me, I would seek replacement parts, not repairs. I am sorry to hear about your issue with the headers. It seems that we are starting to read more frequently about people having various problems with the after-market exhaust products. The earliest have only been in service approximately two years. Interesting. Good luck and I hope you get the resolution you want. You are right. That repair is going to knock down the already discounted resale value. IMHO.

I wasnt thinking about resale, just using them...

Bahhh, if they work, don't worry about it. When you go to sell them, then you can be concerned....but I bet if they work well, you won't sell them!

Well, if we were in the Middle East or in Southeast Asia, I would be happy with the repair being done. Here, however, I am sure the good folks at Fabspeed had all of the components necessary to send you a new one or build then send a new one. It seems like these after market-exhausts are having problems with hanging onto their CATs. Do OEM headers and exhausts have similar issues? Given the air time/net time that these issues have been getting here, you would think it would be in their best interest to replace the unit and be a hero. It leaves one to wonder if the reason they don't is because all of their units have the same propensity to fail and they don't want to set a precident . This is the only forum I visit with any regularity, and I don't own another "enthusiast" car. Does this happen with aftermarket exhausts on BMWs and Ferraris etc.? I am sure it must, but as a general car consumer, I have never come across this issue before. What makes Cayman -- or any-- after-market set up susceptible to this?

Easy fix: no cats In all seriousness, ask for replacements. Like others have stated, you payed for something and do not have it. You even stated it yourself. Ask for replacements.

I'd definitely get a complete replacement. I'm sure it's warranty for poor workmanship.

He probably didn't have another set to give you at the time and for the sake of expedience repaired the old one. Good intentions gone bad maybe, but I would expect a new set for the trouble you already went through not to mention this second inconvenience and obviously shoddy workmanship on a very expensive piece. If you would have been disappointed if they showed up this way when new, you should be equally disappointed now. Good luck.

CrocOnyx, FWIW, last year I purchased Fabspeed headers and had them installedlate last year (through Mantis) and during my first track day this year, the cats melted creating a CEL/limp mode situation. I contacted Mantis, who in turn contacted Fabspeed, and within 48 hours they had shipped a new set of headers which are now installed and working fine - no issues after 6 track days. My experience (albeit indirect) with Fabspeed re customer service was excellent, so I am a little surprised to hear that a full replacement wasn't offered. I don't think it would be out of line to push for a full replacement given my experience.

I agree wit K-MAN S.... If they work, then keep them. Are you planning on reselling them/ They will be discounted anyway. I dont think that it will be a problem later.

thanks for the feedback... i think im going to send them back after reading your comments. i dont like to be a difficult customer, but as one respondent said, if I got them new in this condition I would have been very dissapointed. they werent a few hundred dollars after all...they were quite pricey. I also had to pay labor (although the second time i did it myself) to replace and ship. my initial feeling is confirmed. i will update my response from fabspeed in the next phase. ps. i must make note that joe at fabspeed has so far acted in good faith and has not given me any grief. no bad on them so far, just wanted a great product at the price i paid.