APEX VECTOR HEADER V2.1

$1800.00 +shipping

Features:

  • 304 16ga Stainless

  • 1.375in Primary Tubes, equal length

  • 2in Collector, Spring Mounted

  • Back Purges & Professionally TIG Welded

  • Individual Cylinder Tubes

  • Ball Swivel

  • EGT Bungs, 1/8in NPT

  • O2 bung

  • 8.5lbs

The Design: This header has been a long time in the making. We continued to refine and adjust it based on 400+ flight test hours and what we learned from failures that occurred. Individual Exhaust Flanges are CRITICAL!!! Myself and others have seen flanges crack even being individual. Therefore we added a Spring Loaded Collector to completely isolate each tube and allow it to flex and expand/contract with heat cycles. Additionally, to handle any misalignments with the remainder of the exhaust system we added a Ball Swivel. The O2 bung is located on the exit of the Ball Swivel allowing the customer to align the bolts and/or the O2 bung in any orientation for possible clearance issues. The main tubes are all equal length. We have found that the Apex likes the smaller 1.375in tube over the more common 1.50in tubes and be in the 22-24in overall length. This tube size gives some limitations as 321 stainless in this size is almost impossible to source not to mention the price, therefore the use of 304 had to be utilized.

Fitment: Much attention has been given to make this design fit as many airframes as possible. The tubes were pushed forward, but not too far, keeping equal length and up near Skytrax gearbox. This allowed the collector to be pushed up as well. This “may” allow some airframes to incorporate a muffler under the cowling. This header should also fit some small / tighter / sleeker / faster cowled airframes as its about as small and tight of a design as possible. Off course we have 3D CAD test fit it as well actually test fit it on the common Kitfox-4, Kitfox-5-7, Rans S6, Rans S7/S7s, Zenith 701, Highlander, etc.

Note: Header pictured was first production unit from the 3D Print and we used a 3/8in solid flange that we had and then cut. Subsequent headers will have 1/4in individual laser cut flanges with slightly smaller holes but have the 1.5mm slot to fit both generation Apex’s, 2006-2010 & 2011-2018.

CLICK ON LARGE PICTURE BELOW TO SCROLL THROUGH.

304L Stainless 1.375" Tubes, Professionally TIG welded w/ Back Purging, EGT Bungs, O2 Bung, Spring Slip Collector, & Swivel Ball.

We have been working on this for quite awhile and are ready to make the first one. Has been challenging to design a header that will fit as many airframes as possible and give builders some flexibility with cowlings AND the potential to get a muffler INSIDE the cowl, maybe!

With over 300 flight hours and lessons learned from my original 1-Off header AND the Vector V1.0 header, we have incorporated several improvements into the V2.1 header. ALL exhaust port flanges are separated for thermal expansion. The collector has a spring mounted Slip Collector (standard collector shown on 3D Print), again for thermal expansion . Additionally, there will be a Swivel Ball past the Collector (not shown on 3D Print) for additional thermal expansion and to ease installation of exhaust tubing angle to fit various airframes. Included will be 1/8" NPT Bungs on each cylinder and an O2 Sensor bung at the collector.

Vector 2.1 Apex Header: Cylinders 1 & 2 tubes were moved outward to give approximately 2" of clearance to factory coolant hose. Collector and Cylinders 3 & 4 tubes stayed in same location.

HISTORY / Vector 2.0 Apex Header: Only 3D modeled and test fitted. Clearance issues with factory coolant hose on engine was not acceptable.

HISTORY / Vector 1.0 Apex Header: Modeled somewhat off of my original 1-Off design that I still run today on my Kitfox-4. Rigid design with a solid exhaust flange and a welded collector. Did include a Ball Swivel past collector. No EGT bungs. No O2 bung.