Longtubes (Kooks vs LG)
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,728
Likes: 142
From: Iowa
Longtubes (Kooks vs LG)
I'm looking for some dyno results and power gains from people who have actually installed either of these longtube setups. I'm not really looking for ease of install or what people "think" they may or may not have felt...but actual dyno results. Please list whatever modifications you also had during the time of the install/dyno.
LG has a great variety of LG Street/Pro dyno results on their own website. I have browsed through those quite a bit, but am still looking for results from owners with Kooks Longtubes.
Also interested in where the power is being made and what it would mean to me in a car that is driven on the street or at the dragstrip.
Thanks!
LG has a great variety of LG Street/Pro dyno results on their own website. I have browsed through those quite a bit, but am still looking for results from owners with Kooks Longtubes.
Also interested in where the power is being made and what it would mean to me in a car that is driven on the street or at the dragstrip.
Thanks!
Last edited by Quickshift_C5; Feb 25, 2008 at 01:54 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,799
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
St. Jude Donor '08
Go to the LG site. They have dyno comparisons between AR and LG pro headers. There have also been a number of posts on this subject.
You can run a search on my name and headers and come up with a number of posts that you might find useful in making your decision.
Hope that helps.
You can run a search on my name and headers and come up with a number of posts that you might find useful in making your decision.
Hope that helps.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,728
Likes: 142
From: Iowa
I saw last night after making this post that LG did indeed have a dyno chart for each of their competitors longtube setups. It seems that the LG Longtubes make their power right away, and keep that power throughout the majority of the RPM range. In contrast, the Kooks and AR headers would build up through the rev range until they made peak power at a high rpm.
Does this sound fairly accurate?
I would still like to see what various users have been able to dyno with these different longtube setups and what mods they had at the time.
It seems, to me...that the LG headers would be the way to go for all applications. I don't see any downside by just viewing the dyno charts posted on LG's website.
Does this sound fairly accurate?
I would still like to see what various users have been able to dyno with these different longtube setups and what mods they had at the time.
It seems, to me...that the LG headers would be the way to go for all applications. I don't see any downside by just viewing the dyno charts posted on LG's website.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,329
Likes: 0
Not to doubt LG -they deliver power - not sure about the power only in the high end range -I have Kooks and the power curve, as I remember, is good through out the range = I will try and find the dyno sheet - its been a while!! I'm not a big fan of Kooks or a lot of other pipes. LG, if you have the bucks, for their performance set, even with highflow cats they do very well - I'll try and find that dyno sheet!!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,728
Likes: 142
From: Iowa
Not to doubt LG -they deliver power - not sure about the power only in the high end range -I have Kooks and the power curve, as I remember, is good through out the range = I will try and find the dyno sheet - its been a while!! I'm not a big fan of Kooks or a lot of other pipes. LG, if you have the bucks, for their performance set, even with highflow cats they do very well - I'll try and find that dyno sheet!!
Here are the links to both the Kooks and AR longtube setups compared to LG's own Pro Longtube series.
LG Pro vs Kooks
http://lgmotorsports.com/gallery/dis...album=3&pos=12
LG Pro vs AR
http://lgmotorsports.com/gallery/dis...?album=3&pos=5
I could very well have the results mixed up, but in both cases the LG Pro's had power through the entire rev-range where the AR/Kooks would build power till they hit a peak near max rpm.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 21
From: Marlton. Increasing performance one speeding ticket at a time! NJ
Another thing to consider is that LG may have tuned specifically for thier header, then placed the other brands on there without optimizing. So even if the results are truthful, they may not be truely accurate.
Doug at ECS actually took the time to install LG, Kooks, and AR on a C6Z on the same day, back to back with no tuning. AR had the best gains. Haven't seen a completely unbiased test for the C5.
So let's just stick with the facts. Every header will give you pretty close results. If one was signifigantly better, you'd see everyone using that brand.
Dynamax and LG have longer primaries, and make more power down low. Kooks and AR have shorter ones, and make more power at higher RPM, still differences are minimal.
I don't think you can go wrong with either of the above choices.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
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
Original Founding Member!
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,037
Likes: 88
From: Granby, MA
Cruise-In 1, 3, 9. 10 & 11 Veteran
Can you say biased? No offence, but I wouldn't trust any manufacturer's test results. They always have some spin to make their results look better. Go to any cat-back vendors website, and they have plenty of results showing 30-40hp gains, which we all know is bs.
Another thing to consider is that LG may have tuned specifically for thier header, then placed the other brands on there without optimizing. So even if the results are truthful, they may not be truely accurate.
Doug at ECS actually took the time to install LG, Kooks, and AR on a C6Z on the same day, back to back with no tuning. AR had the best gains. Haven't seen a completely unbiased test for the C5.
So let's just stick with the facts. Every header will give you pretty close results. If one was signifigantly better, you'd see everyone using that brand.
Dynamax and LG have longer primaries, and make more power down low. Kooks and AR have shorter ones, and make more power at higher RPM, still differences are minimal.
I don't think you can go wrong with either of the above choices.
Another thing to consider is that LG may have tuned specifically for thier header, then placed the other brands on there without optimizing. So even if the results are truthful, they may not be truely accurate.
Doug at ECS actually took the time to install LG, Kooks, and AR on a C6Z on the same day, back to back with no tuning. AR had the best gains. Haven't seen a completely unbiased test for the C5.
So let's just stick with the facts. Every header will give you pretty close results. If one was signifigantly better, you'd see everyone using that brand.
Dynamax and LG have longer primaries, and make more power down low. Kooks and AR have shorter ones, and make more power at higher RPM, still differences are minimal.
I don't think you can go wrong with either of the above choices.
Iam unbias, I found this to be interesting even though Iam going to be purchasing the LG streets....just because cost to me is an issue.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 908
Likes: 4
From: TROY MI
That's because they were not making them back then.
I have the Kooks on my Vert. No dyno numbers but I picked up 2/2.5 MPH in trap speed. That should be about 20/25 HP.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 17,708
Likes: 1,218
From: Phila PA, Bonita Springs FL
My ET gain with KOOKS over tmy LG's was about .06-.08
On the dyno it was minimal RWHP & TQ gains from 3500 up to 7000 rpms, but a distinct difference at the track..
The KOOKS definitely out pull from 3500 rpms on up..
KOOKS in RED
LG in Blue
On the dyno it was minimal RWHP & TQ gains from 3500 up to 7000 rpms, but a distinct difference at the track..
The KOOKS definitely out pull from 3500 rpms on up..
KOOKS in RED
LG in Blue
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 21
From: Marlton. Increasing performance one speeding ticket at a time! NJ
I totally agree....only thing I don't understand on LG's site is why are they comparing 1 3/4 Pros with 1 7/8 AR? Just wouldn't seem fair to that. I would think the size should of been kept the same.
Iam unbias, I found this to be interesting even though Iam going to be purchasing the LG streets....just because cost to me is an issue.
Iam unbias, I found this to be interesting even though Iam going to be purchasing the LG streets....just because cost to me is an issue.
And just for a disclaimer, I wouln't believe any results that American Racing posted, even though I have thier headers and think they are one of the best.
I think the streets are a great bargain. I got my AR's at a price lower than the streets, so who am I to complain.
They all have their strength's and weaknesses, just decide which is better for you.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,799
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
St. Jude Donor '08
Can you say biased? No offence, but I wouldn't trust any manufacturer's test results. They always have some spin to make their results look better. Go to any cat-back vendors website, and they have plenty of results showing 30-40hp gains, which we all know is bs.
Another thing to consider is that LG may have tuned specifically for thier header, then placed the other brands on there without optimizing. So even if the results are truthful, they may not be truely accurate.
Doug at ECS actually took the time to install LG, Kooks, and AR on a C6Z on the same day, back to back with no tuning. AR had the best gains. Haven't seen a completely unbiased test for the C5.
So let's just stick with the facts. Every header will give you pretty close results. If one was signifigantly better, you'd see everyone using that brand.
Dynamax and LG have longer primaries, and make more power down low. Kooks and AR have shorter ones, and make more power at higher RPM, still differences are minimal.
I don't think you can go wrong with either of the above choices.
Another thing to consider is that LG may have tuned specifically for thier header, then placed the other brands on there without optimizing. So even if the results are truthful, they may not be truely accurate.
Doug at ECS actually took the time to install LG, Kooks, and AR on a C6Z on the same day, back to back with no tuning. AR had the best gains. Haven't seen a completely unbiased test for the C5.
So let's just stick with the facts. Every header will give you pretty close results. If one was signifigantly better, you'd see everyone using that brand.
Dynamax and LG have longer primaries, and make more power down low. Kooks and AR have shorter ones, and make more power at higher RPM, still differences are minimal.
I don't think you can go wrong with either of the above choices.
I did not say they were proof positive or anything else along those lines.
If you have been keeping on the the header debate then you probably are aware that Tony Mamo, who is pretty well-known and respected and does not have an axe to grind, provided a pretty insightful post on the comparison between AR and LG headers. You might want to read it if you have not seen it.
All the headers that are being discussed are very good, though they are not equal. The key is to pick the best one for your intended application.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,728
Likes: 142
From: Iowa
Anyone have an opinion or dno results from the Texas Speed headers?
Theirs seem to be MUCH cheaper than any of the other choices on the market. I'm curious how their stack up against Kooks/LG.
Theirs seem to be MUCH cheaper than any of the other choices on the market. I'm curious how their stack up against Kooks/LG.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,329
Likes: 0
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 21
From: Marlton. Increasing performance one speeding ticket at a time! NJ
Now, why didn't they compare apples-to-apples (so to speak)? There's facts, and then there's marketing. I disagree with any manufacturer's comparisons being fact, so let's just leave it at that.If you have been keeping on the the header debate then you probably are aware that Tony Mamo, who is pretty well-known and respected and does not have an axe to grind, provided a pretty insightful post on the comparison between AR and LG headers. You might want to read it if you have not seen it.
Tony did have a great write up.
Last edited by nj02vette; Feb 27, 2008 at 01:15 PM.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 483
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
A lot of that comes down to materials, the Texas Speed aren't stainless so that'll make them a good deal less expensive. I am personally okay with that since I don't put thousands of miles on my car. I haven't heard of any dramatic differences between the "tier 2" headers in terms of HP.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 32,266
Likes: 35
From: Somewhere between mild insanity and complete psychosis
YO-EL's results are typical and what you should pay attention to.
LG will obviously be biased.
Stop light to stop light, low-end torque, and road racing, LGs would be my choice for long tubes.
Higher RPMs, Freeway street racing, drag strip, American Racing/Kooks would be my choice for long tubes.
LG will obviously be biased.
Stop light to stop light, low-end torque, and road racing, LGs would be my choice for long tubes.
Higher RPMs, Freeway street racing, drag strip, American Racing/Kooks would be my choice for long tubes.