Any Difference in Headers
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 13,298
Likes: 14
From: Somers NY
Any Difference in Headers
I just ordered a KOOKS exhaust system ...Headers, X pipe etc... from the engine back to the mufflers.. I got the 1& 3/4" size because I'm not going to a "BIG" cam etc...
I know its kind of late to post this (I might be able to change it) but anyone know if there is much of a performance & quality difference between... KOOKS, LG. American, or any other brand of headers..
My reason for ordering KOOKS is the shop (Cartek) is a distributer and I got a very good price, but if one of the other brands is much better in "Performance" or "Quality" please let me know...
I have until Tues if I want to change brands...
BTW I had them order the set WITH CATS...Cartek says in their opinion KOOKS is the best they have worked with, & I have confidence in them... but was just wondering.. I'm sure those of you who have bought another brand are probably happy with what you bought..
But seeing as I have the chance to pick any brand I want should I change from KOOKS to any other brand... I was told KOOKS is absolutely the best in quality...
I'm going to keep my stock mufflers on for a few weeks to see how it sounds, but I hate drone, & am after "Performance NOT sound...
I know its kind of late to post this (I might be able to change it) but anyone know if there is much of a performance & quality difference between... KOOKS, LG. American, or any other brand of headers..
My reason for ordering KOOKS is the shop (Cartek) is a distributer and I got a very good price, but if one of the other brands is much better in "Performance" or "Quality" please let me know...
I have until Tues if I want to change brands...
BTW I had them order the set WITH CATS...Cartek says in their opinion KOOKS is the best they have worked with, & I have confidence in them... but was just wondering.. I'm sure those of you who have bought another brand are probably happy with what you bought..
But seeing as I have the chance to pick any brand I want should I change from KOOKS to any other brand... I was told KOOKS is absolutely the best in quality...
I'm going to keep my stock mufflers on for a few weeks to see how it sounds, but I hate drone, & am after "Performance NOT sound...
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 13,298
Likes: 14
From: Somers NY
Thanks for bringing that up (coating) I never discussed that with the shop, but "WILL" talk to them tomorrow morning...I think its a VERY GOOD idea 
to get them coated, & also I want to look into heaver spark plug wires... I know there is a lot of heat in that area...
to get them coated, & also I want to look into heaver spark plug wires... I know there is a lot of heat in that area...
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Livonia MI
If you're gonna get them coated, nows the time. Your shop will probably send them to Jet Hot, with Jet Hot sending them to you. If you take delivery of them first uncoated, then means you'll have to do all the packing/shipping yourself. The coatings far from cheap, and if everythings already SS, you may want to think a bit on this one.
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All of the major brands will basically make the same power. Each car responds a little differently to the different headers.
Kooks have a good reputation and have been around here for a while, as have the others.
In terms of coating them, I did that on my C5 and really liked the way they looked, and I know for a fact it did help keep the under the hood temp down.
If you like it or prefer it, then I don't view it as a waste. To each their own is what I say. Everyone has their opinions on different mods.
Kooks have a good reputation and have been around here for a while, as have the others.
In terms of coating them, I did that on my C5 and really liked the way they looked, and I know for a fact it did help keep the under the hood temp down.
If you like it or prefer it, then I don't view it as a waste. To each their own is what I say. Everyone has their opinions on different mods.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
My take on coating headers ...
If you have headers made from mild steel or 409 stainless, you are better off getting them coated just for the fact that ceramic coating will protect the headers from corrosion (ugly).
Headers made from 304 stainless such as Kooks, American Racing and LG really don't need to be coated since 304 stainless is impervious to corrosion in most cases. In fact, uncoated 304 stainless headers will turn nice looking shades of gold / blue when heated.
However, coating might reduce underhood temps a little ... but is it enough to warrant the price of the coating your 304 stainless headers? ... that's your call.
If you have headers made from mild steel or 409 stainless, you are better off getting them coated just for the fact that ceramic coating will protect the headers from corrosion (ugly).
Headers made from 304 stainless such as Kooks, American Racing and LG really don't need to be coated since 304 stainless is impervious to corrosion in most cases. In fact, uncoated 304 stainless headers will turn nice looking shades of gold / blue when heated.
However, coating might reduce underhood temps a little ... but is it enough to warrant the price of the coating your 304 stainless headers? ... that's your call.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Tucson Arizona
Obviously, vendors and manufacturer's promote what they sell or make. LG Motosports, Kooks and American Racing are all well regarded headers. The LG Pro headers are cut by Borla to LGM specifications. I don't think you could go-wrong with any of the three but FWIW the consensus of opinion I got (from experienced Corvette racers and several performance shops) was that the LG Pro long tube headers are the best. Cost was not one of the considerations. I suggest you call LG Motorsports and ask Anthony why the LG Pro long tube headers are better than the others...see what he says. Perhaps contact each manufacturer and ask what makes their product superior then decide.
Not exactly an unbiased explanation but here's what Jet Hott says:
"The coating promotes denser, more potent fuel/air charges by insulating the engine bay from exhaust heat. Also, it accelerates the pulsed-vacuum effect on “tuned” headers, resulting in more effective scavenging of cylinders. The increased velocity of exhaust gases produced by higher exit inertia not only clears each cylinder more quickly; it also draws in the next fuel/air charge more efficiently."
An automotive engineer I know believes there are performance benefits to coating headers. Whether or not the benefits are worth the cost is a matter of individual opinion. Most guys don't want to spend the money on coating....they don't feel the benefits are worth the cost.
The end result of coated headers is not exactly "goo."
Not exactly an unbiased explanation but here's what Jet Hott says:
"The coating promotes denser, more potent fuel/air charges by insulating the engine bay from exhaust heat. Also, it accelerates the pulsed-vacuum effect on “tuned” headers, resulting in more effective scavenging of cylinders. The increased velocity of exhaust gases produced by higher exit inertia not only clears each cylinder more quickly; it also draws in the next fuel/air charge more efficiently."
An automotive engineer I know believes there are performance benefits to coating headers. Whether or not the benefits are worth the cost is a matter of individual opinion. Most guys don't want to spend the money on coating....they don't feel the benefits are worth the cost.
The end result of coated headers is not exactly "goo."
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 13,298
Likes: 14
From: Somers NY
Good question, I have never looked into the price of having them coated.... you have any WAG "Wild Azz Guess" as to about how much coating costs...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 967
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i remember talking with one of the mechanics from hendrick racing and from someone at Shafiroff
plus some other web reading, and they said you shouldn't coat stainless steel
the peoperties of the SS make the exhaust flow better
now they all said you wont loose hp (its sorta minimal), you're talking at best 5hp difference and i think that meant the whole exhaust system
as far as header brands, seems like they are all good
i have the streets on my wifes 05
only thing i personally didn't like was the slip fit coupling/pipes
if there is a draw back, i would say that
now.... $$ per $$ they are WELL, and i mean WELL worth it
not to mention awesome people to deal with
Kooks makes AWESOME headers too
I used to drool with evny of their work when i saw their custom creations at the cruise ins on Long Island
true works of art
plus some other web reading, and they said you shouldn't coat stainless steel
the peoperties of the SS make the exhaust flow better
now they all said you wont loose hp (its sorta minimal), you're talking at best 5hp difference and i think that meant the whole exhaust system
as far as header brands, seems like they are all good
i have the streets on my wifes 05
only thing i personally didn't like was the slip fit coupling/pipes
if there is a draw back, i would say that
now.... $$ per $$ they are WELL, and i mean WELL worth it
not to mention awesome people to deal with
Kooks makes AWESOME headers too
I used to drool with evny of their work when i saw their custom creations at the cruise ins on Long Island
true works of art
