Header opinion
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,350
Likes: 4,581
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
I have Kooks long tubes with hi flow green cats, no leaks no clearance or fitment issues. Kooks are easiest to install and they install from underneath. No jacking up the motor or removing the starter or steering shaft. Just move the ground wire out of the way and they slide right up.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,685
Likes: 1,330
From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
XS for value. I have them.
Anything not ceramic coated will turn nasty colors over time. Being my avatar is my engine I pulled the headers off and had them ceramic coated.
Ceramic turns a dull gray/silver color at their worst but better than bronze/brown.
Anything not ceramic coated will turn nasty colors over time. Being my avatar is my engine I pulled the headers off and had them ceramic coated.
Ceramic turns a dull gray/silver color at their worst but better than bronze/brown.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,350
Likes: 4,581
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
I ordered my Kooks headers ceramic coated. It is necessary IMO and will keep the under hood temps down. The extra heat from the SS long tube headers will prematurely destroy electronic, rubber and plastic components and adversely affect performance. Absolutely worth the extra 150 bucks I think it cost.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 391
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '18
There have been several "vs." threads on headers lately. You will find them in the first couple pages or with a search.
I'll recite my standard line here on headers:
I gave my mechanic carte blanche to recommend & spec THE BEST parts. He has installed ALL of them on C5s at ALL budget levels. I did NOT source from him; he told me to go source my own parts at my own best pricing.
I just wanted what was BEST. He told me that the Kooks fit the best, install the easiest, least interference, perform the best, least quality problems, and overall best product on the market.
I'll recite my standard line here on headers:
I gave my mechanic carte blanche to recommend & spec THE BEST parts. He has installed ALL of them on C5s at ALL budget levels. I did NOT source from him; he told me to go source my own parts at my own best pricing.
I just wanted what was BEST. He told me that the Kooks fit the best, install the easiest, least interference, perform the best, least quality problems, and overall best product on the market.
Former Vendor
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,559
Likes: 162
From: Cumming Georgia
We've had the best luck with ARH or Kooks header systems on any Corvettes that we've built here. Not the cheapest but you get what you pay for in quality, fitment, and power. PM me if you're looking for a set and I'll give you the best deal possible on what you need!
- David @ Vengeance
- David @ Vengeance
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
We've had the best luck with ARH or Kooks header systems on any Corvettes that we've built here. Not the cheapest but you get what you pay for in quality, fitment, and power. PM me if you're looking for a set and I'll give you the best deal possible on what you need!
- David @ Vengeance
- David @ Vengeance
Looks like Kooks is a good choice.....but one last question ....is there no one running stainless works headers and why.....reason I ask is our local vette tuner dies with stainless works