Best Headers
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 11,048
Likes: 3,390
They cost more.
And they can go bad (if you constantly run high levels of zinc in your oil?)
People think you're gonna reek of a gas station without cats. I think that's hilarious. Maybe they're trying to justify not getting them for some reason.
I've been catless since last may. You barely notice it except like i said cold start ups or if you're idling, then all of a sudden you just wanna adjust your rear license plate for a couple of minutes for some odd reason.
I don't use the AC in the summer so i have my windows open all the time while driving, no smell.
When i'm backing into my 100 foot driveway which takes about a minute, no smell.
At lights, no smell.
When i'm done driving, my clothes???? Yeah no smell.
Last edited by Z0HS1CK; Jan 3, 2016 at 09:19 PM. Reason: spelling
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 6,798
Likes: 25
From: Pine Bluff Arkansas
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20-'21
Another brand of headers that I always mention (and have) is Melrose. They are not stainless, but aluminized steel. They come with ceramic coating(inside and out). Will not last as long as stainless, but they will out live me. Aluminized steel is not as brittle as SS and a little lighter.
They're not cheap, tho.
Good luck with whatever brand you choose. If you stick to USA, the quality will probably be good.
They're not cheap, tho.
Good luck with whatever brand you choose. If you stick to USA, the quality will probably be good.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 936
Likes: 36
From: SWFL 🇺🇸
That's terribly disappointing! There's just no excuse! Two grand for some bent pipes and you would think they could spends a couple more minutes welding.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 8,434
Likes: 411
From: Texas
Honestly, the best value in quality and price is Vararam, but after coating I would have saved like $200 so I went with American made Kooks.
As far as no cats, I like doing my little part for the environment. I'll keep the cats.
Last edited by Suns_PSD; Jan 3, 2016 at 09:52 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 8,434
Likes: 411
From: Texas
I ruled them out based on your photos. That said, it seems pretty isolated as ARH is known for building quality product.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 7,001
Likes: 988
From: lake havasu city arizona
So I looked at this and I'm not knocking the Hinsons or TX Speed headers. Just understand that price doesn't include OEM gaskets, new header bolts, extenders (no cats so no extenders even needed), cats, coating (i track my car, it's 100% needed and also looks nice, cost $350 locally to gave done and not as good because not inside and out and not polished), no ball seat connections, and not sure about all the SS clamps and ports for tuning. Once you add that stuff in, I swear it's pretty much a wash in price. Kooks includes all of that in the base price! And your getting a premium product. If you plan to resale someday you'll get it all back anyways on resale and it's tough taking those other systems apart due to no ball/ seat connections.
Honestly, the best value in quality and price is Vararam, but after coating I would have saved like $200 so I went with American made Kooks.
As far as no cats, I like doing my little part for the environment. I'll keep the cats.
Honestly, the best value in quality and price is Vararam, but after coating I would have saved like $200 so I went with American made Kooks.
As far as no cats, I like doing my little part for the environment. I'll keep the cats.
Not trying to start an argument as I like the Kooks but money is money which I don't have a bunch of, just an ole retired operator
We'll see when they have the proper system available because rite now they do not have the 3"X 21/2" done yet (or cats) so its all moot point for me. Good luck, I'm sure your Kooks will be great
Let us know how it goesNSF
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,457
Likes: 297
From: corpus christi Texas
ARH is not the best header out there, they have a good name, but if you get a bad set like I did you are screwed. The shop ordered them and installed them. I would go with Borla's because they would of sent a new set out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,457
Likes: 297
From: corpus christi Texas
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,457
Likes: 297
From: corpus christi Texas
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 8,434
Likes: 411
From: Texas
I imagine you saw MSRP on the website and that was correct.
Speak to Maryland Speed. I paid in the $1600s for what I told you I got. The bummer is that my car already has ceramic coated LS7 manifolds and a Dr. Gas X pipe. That means I'm probably looking at only about a 10 rwhp gain adding in the headers. But for me to do anything more, I needed the headers as the base. And I want to do more.
PS. Would you like to purchase my LS7 manifolds and Dr. Gas X pipe? Previous owner dynoed 14 rwhp gains with just the manifolds before he even added the Dr. Gas X pipe so you would get about 75% of the header gains, for a few $100 bucks and still look stock. due to the Dr. Gas X pipe however it definitely doesn't sound stock.
Speak to Maryland Speed. I paid in the $1600s for what I told you I got. The bummer is that my car already has ceramic coated LS7 manifolds and a Dr. Gas X pipe. That means I'm probably looking at only about a 10 rwhp gain adding in the headers. But for me to do anything more, I needed the headers as the base. And I want to do more.
PS. Would you like to purchase my LS7 manifolds and Dr. Gas X pipe? Previous owner dynoed 14 rwhp gains with just the manifolds before he even added the Dr. Gas X pipe so you would get about 75% of the header gains, for a few $100 bucks and still look stock. due to the Dr. Gas X pipe however it definitely doesn't sound stock.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,056
Likes: 211
From: Central Ohio
For those questioning header coatings.
Done correctly with a good ceramic coating inside and out they are far more than decorative.
The ceramic coatings cool down the engine bay, flow better inside the header, and will also keep the interior temps down. I would be tempted to coat even the extensions and or the x pipe to help keep cabin heat down.
I would also recommend quality header bolts that lock in place
http://shop.totallystainless.com/pro...eaderbolts.php
Done correctly with a good ceramic coating inside and out they are far more than decorative.
The ceramic coatings cool down the engine bay, flow better inside the header, and will also keep the interior temps down. I would be tempted to coat even the extensions and or the x pipe to help keep cabin heat down.
I would also recommend quality header bolts that lock in place
http://shop.totallystainless.com/pro...eaderbolts.php
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 13,262
Likes: 3,151
From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
If you want to keep cabin heat down after a header install .... Install one of these while you still have the exhaust system removed:
Insulated 1/4" Aluminum Tunnel Plate, Elite Engineering
P/N: ALTA-250
Insulated 1/4" Aluminum Tunnel Plate, Elite Engineering
P/N: ALTA-250
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 8,434
Likes: 411
From: Texas
For those questioning header coatings.
Done correctly with a good ceramic coating inside and out they are far more than decorative.
The ceramic coatings cool down the engine bay, flow better inside the header, and will also keep the interior temps down. I would be tempted to coat even the extensions and or the x pipe to help keep cabin heat down.
I would also recommend quality header bolts that lock in place
http://shop.totallystainless.com/pro...eaderbolts.php
Done correctly with a good ceramic coating inside and out they are far more than decorative.
The ceramic coatings cool down the engine bay, flow better inside the header, and will also keep the interior temps down. I would be tempted to coat even the extensions and or the x pipe to help keep cabin heat down.
I would also recommend quality header bolts that lock in place
http://shop.totallystainless.com/pro...eaderbolts.php
I just wouldn't install headers w/o doing the coating at the same time. But a good coating, not one that flakes during install which I have also seen around here.