Which Headers?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 288
Likes: 2
From: Chicago IL ------
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Which Headers?
Tpis, Kooks, Lg, etc.
I think I want stainless steel, but then I would have to get them coated not sure how much that costs. Is it worth the money for the hi flow cats?
Tpis and flp are a great deal and there coated but there not stainless steel.
Any info would be great.
Thanks, Jimmy O :confused: :smash:
I think I want stainless steel, but then I would have to get them coated not sure how much that costs. Is it worth the money for the hi flow cats?
Tpis and flp are a great deal and there coated but there not stainless steel.
Any info would be great.
Thanks, Jimmy O :confused: :smash:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,096
Likes: 153
From: "Atlanta" Ga.
Re: Which Headers? (Jimmy O)
:lurk:
This topic is becoming like Gun control and abortion, people have very strong opionions and they are not gona change.
Seems to me though that LG , Kooks and Tipis seem to get alot of nods. I don't have any of them so no biasis here. Do a search and you will find many threads.
:cheers:
This topic is becoming like Gun control and abortion, people have very strong opionions and they are not gona change.
Seems to me though that LG , Kooks and Tipis seem to get alot of nods. I don't have any of them so no biasis here. Do a search and you will find many threads.
:cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,120
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From: Ypsilanti MI
Re: Which Headers? (Jimmy O)
Just go with the ones you think are better. Thats what I'm doing. I've watched post after post on this topic and its between the LG's or Kooks. Every post has been split almost 50/50. But I've talked to someone who has installed both and hes not a tuner and he recommended the LG's. But do more research or read the posts and you'll figure this out by yourself.
[Modified by MikeJamesC5, 5:18 PM 5/17/2004]
[Modified by MikeJamesC5, 5:18 PM 5/17/2004]
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Re: Which Headers? (MikeJamesC5)
Here is a few other things to consider. Installation, seems the Stainless Works are easiest followed by Dynatech and LG. Kooks, from what I have read, are a nightmare but they are tweaking the design to make them more installation freindly. Cost, some require O2 sims that will add another $90 or so and some use the same setup as stock. I have been following the great header wars of 2004 with great interest, unfortunately I can't pull the trigger for several months. Probably good for me, at least by that time I should have enough information to be completely confused :crazy:
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
Re: Which Headers? (vettenuts)
Here is a few other things to consider. Installation, seems the Stainless Works are easiest followed by Dynatech and LG. Kooks, from what I have read, are a nightmare but they are tweaking the design to make them more installation freindly. Cost, some require O2 sims that will add another $90 or so and some use the same setup as stock. I have been following the great header wars of 2004 with great interest, unfortunately I can't pull the trigger for several months. Probably good for me, at least by that time I should have enough information to be completely confused :crazy:
Performance wise, there is probably not a dimes worth of difference between the Kooks. Stainless Works, TPIS, and LGs. It looks as though you probably can't go wrong with either if you are looking at power gains only. But what it really comes down to is materials and workmanship, heat production, ease of installation, product support, clearance, diagnostic trouble code free operation, cost.
Based on this I am leaning toward the Stainless Works. But I am taking a second look at the LGs as they seem to be pretty strong in many of the above departments except for cost. Hard to bring myself to pay 2 grand for headers, cats and x pipe.
BTW None will lead in all of those categories.
[Modified by EB20003, 6:33 PM 5/17/2004]
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Charlotte NC
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Re: Which Headers? (MikeJamesC5)
I'm going to be going with LG LT headers & high flow cats based on the threads that I've read here in C5 tech. Good luck with your decision. :cheers:
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
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From: At the beach in little Rhody
Re: Which Headers? (EB20003)
A local tuner recommended the Stainless Works system to me, but with the additional expense of Jet Hot coating. Which put them right up there with the LGs.
Just wondering why you are Jet Hot coating the Stainless Works? Are you considering this for any header, or just SW?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
Re: Which Headers? (vettenuts)
A local tuner recommended the Stainless Works system to me, but with the additional expense of Jet Hot coating. Which put them right up there with the LGs.
Just wondering why you are Jet Hot coating the Stainless Works? Are you considering this for any header, or just SW?
Just wondering why you are Jet Hot coating the Stainless Works? Are you considering this for any header, or just SW?
From what I have been able to garner the 304 stainless is the way to go due to its resistance to corrosion and is also used in Kooks. Those are the two 300 series stainless steel headers I had looked at. Now that you bring it up, I have not seen many headers with this grade of SS with any type of coating. I had not looked into having Kooks coated. But one member here recently did.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=818431
[Modified by EB20003, 7:51 AM 5/18/2004]
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
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From: At the beach in little Rhody
Re: Which Headers? (EB20003)
One other thing to consider is the new tunnel cover that L.A.P.D. has out. When I do my headers, I may go this route for heat and stiffness. Would have been interesting if L.A.P.D. had provided some knockouts for running the O2 wires above the cover.
You may also want to contact Kooks, they are modifying their design slightly to ease installation. That, to me, has been the biggest drawback of their system. If I see that the new ones install easier, I will put them back on my list for consideration.
You may also want to contact Kooks, they are modifying their design slightly to ease installation. That, to me, has been the biggest drawback of their system. If I see that the new ones install easier, I will put them back on my list for consideration.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,855
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Re: Which Headers? (Jimmy O)
It looks like from your post you are running a blower which opens up a whole new train of thought--if you are going to run higher boost you may want a 1 7/8" header and KooK's is about the only game in town for that one--NA and 346 (math wise) the LGM is the perfect length primary (32") for a 346ci motor that runs in the 6800rpm range--its virtually impossible to fit a bigger primary header that's proper length in the tunnel--
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,090
Likes: 8
From: Indianapolis Indiana
Re: Which Headers? (Jimmy O)
I went with LG's with the free flow cats. That was chosen before the header wars on this forum. I figured from the feedback that they were best or one of. I'm happy and the header wars seems to have LG's leading. They are not cheap though. A friend went with some cheaper ones last fall from Summit and the SS rusted over the winter months. Now his car is sitting in a shop waiting for a swap and he can't drive it. He is also last on the totem pole because the shop already made their money and are busy making more. Bargains aren't always bargains. Last but not least, Lou and his wife Karen have been very pleasant to deal with over the phone and I think will stand behind their product. I plan to get a second set for my other car and will probably go with LG's again.