I am going to buy a set of 1 7/8 headers but it's really killing me with all the deals and manufacturers saying ours is the best, no ours are 10 times better. Is there a post out there that proves that a certain manufacturer has the best product. A few hundred dollars is not going to sway me one way or another. I want the best set of headers with the catted x pipes to go along. Right after the first of the year I will be going supercharged so I want the 1 7/8. Is there a post that shows apples to apples comparisons with dyno sheets to prove it. I you know of them please let me in on it. You have LG's, Kooks, American racing OSB, borla, hedman and the list goes on and on. What is the best performing header out there with proof.
Thanks
Dave

 

I had ARH headers recommended to me over the others by two different very reputable shops but I ended up going with a used set of LG's because I got a great deal on them. IMO as long as you go with one of the well known brands any difference in performance gain will be minuscule.

 

I've heard great things about ARH as well. Mainly that they are easer to install than the other ones.

However, since most of the headers are basically the same in terms of cost and perormance, I began digging to find if there are any small differences between some of the ones out there.

What I found is that LG Motorsporst is very vague about the warranty on their headers. If you look around on the forums, they advertise a life time warranty but their website makes no such claim. Additionally, their Terms and Conditions clearly state that no products are provided with a warranty(this seems unrealistic though). I'm really not sure what to make of it. This one would be worth clarifying with LG and making sure it's in writing.

ARH offers a lifetime warranty that appears to cover the entire system. It appears this includes the cats but I would check on this.

Kooks offers a lifetime warranty that covers tubes but not the cats. The cats only come with a 2 year warranty.

Stainless Works offers a lifetime warranty with an exception for products not designed by SW. I'm guessing this warranty includes the cats as they appears to be Stainless Works' own product. They also offer thermal coating which is interesting because I assume this would be covered under warranty while an aftermarket thermal coating would most likely void the warranty of the other brands. What's funny is in their FAQ they have a section basically stating thermal coating is pointless.

I guess based on that I would rule the Kooks out if the other brands truly do offer lifetime warranties on the cats. Race cats typically do not have a very long lifespan and the cost of replacing them will add up over the years.

 

The aftermarket cats I bought for my GTO were less than $100 for the pair. I don't remember the brand name - maybe Thunderbolt?

Anyway they're not outrageously expensive. The muffler shop charged me $40 to fit them on the midpipes.

 

You're right, they aren't the most expensive thing out there. 100 is a great price though. Typically it's around 250-400. Just out of curiosity, how long did you run those? Did they ever fail?

 

Like you I plan to do headers then a supercharger. My research has convenced me to get coated headers. Most of what I've read is that uncoated headers are OK with a stock engine but you get more heat with a modded or supercharged engine so you are better off with coated.

 

When I had my Procharger installed I also had the LG stainless Super Pro long tube headers added. I am very satisfied wirh my choice.

 

For me it was budget related, I went with XSPower headers and xpipe w/ cats brand new for less than used sets of some others.....

 

Some really good information - especially the comparison of warranties on the products. One day I hope to add headers to my car and I'll keep this in mind.

 

great post

 

Thanks to all that have posted so far. Great info. Did not see any dyno results yet. Did anyone out there get their car dyno'd before and after they put the headers on. The tune is a given. I will need that done after the Super charger is installed. I'm thinking about Extreme Motorsports doing all the work for me. Has anyone out in Corvette land had any dealings with them or can you recommend someone else here in the Phoenix area, and why.
Thanks again guys
Dave P.

 

I put the headers on in the winter of '07 and traded the car in the summer of '10. I bought Pacesetter headers, and Pacesetter didn't make catted mids for the '04 GTO.

I don't think they ever failed but the rear O2s were tuned out.

 

If you want 1 7/8 primaries then lgs are out of the question which would leave you with kooks and arh. Kooks always seem to be a pain to install where arh have good fitment so between those two I would choose arh but if Im not mistaken kooks does have a 2 in primary available if you wanted to go that far. When I went shopping for my headers I ended up going with lg's as they offered the longest primary which should help with the power below the curve while it may not give the same peak power numbers as a larger primary, I wanted the power to be kept in the lower rpm range.

 

LPM all the way, they are hugely recommended by a vast majority of Corvette owners in AZ-they may be able to give you some brand insight as well...

 

100k miles on my Stock '02 LS1, NGK iridium plugs, GM HP plug wires, Vararam CAI, XSPower Headers (1-3/4") Hi-flo Cats and x-pipe, Z06 Ti's, A4, Xtreme Motorsports-Tempe, AZ, dyno tune. 324rwhp/324rwtq. Still get 29-31mpg.
Very satisfied, had a great customer experience...

Good luck with your choice(s)

 

Do you want made in the USA or does it matter?

Peace
Chip

 

I bought a set of SW 1 7/8. They came with headers 3inch xpipe and test pipes for 1100 or 1200 shipped new cheapeast of any that size out there. Look up my name for a review I love them and tuck under like no other great if slammed like me. I gained almost 40hp from them with tune. Yup 40...

 

The book "Dyno-Proven GM LS1 thru LS7" give dyno results on several big name headers, LG, Hooker and Kooks. The LG performed the best even on a stock engine with the 1 7/8" primary and 3" x pipe. The X-power header I was told are a less expensive copy of the ARH. depending on your goals if you can get the something comparable for less money you can always do another mod.

 

The Lg's with 1 7/8" primary's wernt for the ls1 were they?

 

Billy Boat All Day!