Another (different) header question
Thread Starter
AMP Racing
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,757
Likes: 589
From: Washington TWP NJ
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2017 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
Another (different) header question
For those of you with long tube headers.
Which do you like and why...
1) The type with the collector flange that bolts to the x-pipe
American Racing, Dynotech, Kooks
2) the type with no collector flange but uses clamps to connect to the x-pipe
LG, Stainless Works, SLP
Which do you like and why...
1) The type with the collector flange that bolts to the x-pipe
American Racing, Dynotech, Kooks
2) the type with no collector flange but uses clamps to connect to the x-pipe
LG, Stainless Works, SLP
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,987
Likes: 18
From: DuBois PA
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I've installed several different Headers and the one thing I've learned is that every car is different so a system that has built in adjustment capability can really be a blessing.
The slip fit type provides some lee way with length adjustments and with a good quality bandclamp there are no leak issues.
A Ball and Socket Flange Connector, like on the ARs is great for helping to line up the collectors to the X Pipe if things aren't perfect.
HTH
The slip fit type provides some lee way with length adjustments and with a good quality bandclamp there are no leak issues.
A Ball and Socket Flange Connector, like on the ARs is great for helping to line up the collectors to the X Pipe if things aren't perfect.
HTH
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Thread Starter
AMP Racing
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,757
Likes: 589
From: Washington TWP NJ
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2017 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
LG certainly have a good rep - as do AR and Kooks.
I was concerned about the slip fit as opposed to the bolt-up flange.
Perhaps my concern was unfounded.
And the sale price LG has for the streets is pretty good right now.
I was concerned about the slip fit as opposed to the bolt-up flange.
Perhaps my concern was unfounded.
And the sale price LG has for the streets is pretty good right now.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
I have QTP's which slip fit into Random Tech converter/X-Pipe. There was some minor leakage on one side but a good clamp takes care of it. System has been apart several times without issues as well. From a slip fit standpoint, they seem to work well. Can't comment on the AR type of joint.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,149
Likes: 11
From: Greater Detroit Metro MI, when I'm not travelling.
I run kooks 1 3/4" headers with a 3" catted x-pipe... As use2vtec said; between Kooks, LG and AR you really can't go wrong.
I installed the kooks myself in 3 hours using hand tools and jackstands and they have been great ever since... Whichever headers you get, I recommend you get them ceramic coated
I installed the kooks myself in 3 hours using hand tools and jackstands and they have been great ever since... Whichever headers you get, I recommend you get them ceramic coated
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,149
Likes: 11
From: Greater Detroit Metro MI, when I'm not travelling.
And it stays that way for years 
But that's not the reason to get them coated... The factory cast manifolds have very thick walls withheat shields on them and don't radiate too much heat; aftermarket headers give off a LOT more heat, which eventually deteriorates everything around them; wires, rubber hoses, spark plug boots, all tend to embrittle over time when exposed to excessive heat. Also, all that heat under the hood ends up heating your intake tract, causing loss of power. Finally coated headers keep the exhaust hot on its way out of the car, maintaining high exhaust gas velocities and thus helping scavenging. One of my main resons for going with kooks was because I could get them from the vendor coated
But that's not the reason to get them coated... The factory cast manifolds have very thick walls withheat shields on them and don't radiate too much heat; aftermarket headers give off a LOT more heat, which eventually deteriorates everything around them; wires, rubber hoses, spark plug boots, all tend to embrittle over time when exposed to excessive heat. Also, all that heat under the hood ends up heating your intake tract, causing loss of power. Finally coated headers keep the exhaust hot on its way out of the car, maintaining high exhaust gas velocities and thus helping scavenging. One of my main resons for going with kooks was because I could get them from the vendor coated
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
From: Richmond Hill Ontario
I went with Bassani. They use a tri-y design that goes from 4 pipes into two pipes into one. This design maintains low speed torque and exhaust flow. They are more expensive than the long tube designs and the quality is top notch. They also are ceramic coated and are a slip fit design with ball and socket collectors which eliminate exhaust leaks. They also provide you with collector flanges for attaching your exhaust to the headers. Easy to install because of the slip fit design. Did it in my garage using jack stands. Nothing wrong with any of the other headers mentioned, just was my personal choice.
Thread Starter
AMP Racing
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,757
Likes: 589
From: Washington TWP NJ
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2017 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
a lot of good info here.
I was leaning towards the collector flange type because I assumed there would be a real possibility of leaks with the slip-on/clamp type.
It seems, when properly installed, that leaking is not an issue.
Then there is the coating process...
thanks for all your thoughts.
I was leaning towards the collector flange type because I assumed there would be a real possibility of leaks with the slip-on/clamp type.
It seems, when properly installed, that leaking is not an issue.
Then there is the coating process...
thanks for all your thoughts.
Wait for a nice set in the parts section... 
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 371
Likes: 38
From: Madison Alabama