Headers Worthwhile?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 1
From: Palm Bay FL
Headers Worthwhile?
I have a 2004 6-speed Vert daily driver with Corsa catback, Stinger intake, and 4.10 gear (soon). ECS quoted $1900 to install Kooks headers, cats, and X-pipe. Is this a worthwhile mod for the money? What performance improvements can I expect? What down-side can I expect (heat, leaks, corrsion)? Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,281
Likes: 5
From: Boston
$1900 is a lot of $$$ unless you have plans to keep modding your car I would say spend it somewhere else, heck a nitrous system will take your breath away in terms of power and it will cost about half of that. Thats my .02 though.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
Originally Posted by mdhmi
You will likely pick up around 25 hp with LT headers and x-pipe.. Whether $1,900 is justified is up to you.
Mark
Mark
Long tube headers are definitely a worthwhile modification. The Kooks headers are 304 stainless so you don't have to worry about heat or corrosion. Leaks? Not if they are installed properly.
If you can do the install yourself, you will save some dough. I installed my own Kooks headers and tuned with the Predator. Whole modification, headers, install, tuning, cost me just over $1400.00.
Last edited by '06 Quicksilver Z06; Nov 3, 2004 at 01:16 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,413
Likes: 277
From: NC
Originally Posted by ThissenW
I have a 2004 6-speed Vert daily driver with Corsa catback, Stinger intake, and 4.10 gear (soon). ECS quoted $1900 to install Kooks headers, cats, and X-pipe. Is this a worthwhile mod for the money? What performance improvements can I expect? What down-side can I expect (heat, leaks, corrsion)? Thanks.
Shop around. I could have got you some Kooks w/ the x-pipe for $900, and find someone to help you install 'em. $1,900 is crazy expensive for 30 whp. I got some used LPE's for $600 and paid one of my buddies to help w/ the install for $150. $750 is a lot better than $1,900. Let me know. RPM in Raleigh can do the install for $350. Shop around, especially here on the classifieds....
I know some vendors had the kooks for like $850 or so????
As for heat? the can get a little hotter, but shouldn't cause any problems. Leaks, not if they are hooked up properly. Corrosion, no, they are stainless as are my LPE's.
-Marko
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Get the Stainless Steel complete system and you will NOT be sorry! Hell after the header install the wife and I FIGHT over who gets the car!! 
Most of the times,,, she wins 
The car sounds wicked at WOT and is not too loud any other time!
I am impressed with the HP/TQ improvement!!!!!!!I up-graded to 305's in the rear (you will need it too) to get traction!!
NO leaks,, NO rust,, and they look S H A R P !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Most of the times,,, she wins The car sounds wicked at WOT and is not too loud any other time!I am impressed with the HP/TQ improvement!!!!!!!I up-graded to 305's in the rear (you will need it too) to get traction!!
NO leaks,, NO rust,, and they look S H A R P !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Last edited by Bill Curlee; Nov 3, 2004 at 07:30 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,599
Likes: 1
From: Texas
Originally Posted by ericwf1
I have and 04 w/4.10s when I had LGM LTs installed, as the old saying goes, a pictures says a 1000 words;
