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Trying not to beat a dead horse here but I have searched and found so many different threads with a TON of different opinions of each brand, size, etc...... I have an 08 with NPP and looking to add headers and X-pipe. Any specific brands you guys recommend that fit without any issues? Do you recommend getting them coated? TIA!
You might as well ask what brand tires or oil to use...
To be frank. without better understanding what your goals are (FI or NA, performance or sound, cats or no cats, etc) anyone's opinions are going to be subjective at best.
That being said I would initially respond that as far as quality is concerned, you can't go wrong with ARH or Kooks.
There are lower price options available but for everyone that touts the value you can find another that cites quality/fit issues.
Like you said, there is tons and tons of information supporting both camps.
To answer your second question, I always recommend ceramic coating headers and x-pipes to reduce engine and tunnel temps, appearance and to protect the pipes.
I went with 2011 Z06 headers/cats and NPP's (later model NPP's are louder than previous years but I ended up going with Fusions). The stock headers/cats flow very well, I gained 11+ HP without a tune and kept the NPP functionality. If/when I ever decide to go FI I may decide to switch to Kooks headers.
Looking for better sound really, as the NPP isn't quite loud enough for what I'd like. Ive heard mostly good things about Kooks and for the price it seemed reasonable. Haven't heard much about ARH, but Ill check them out too! My other issue is spending close to 2K on pipes, tune and install. Seems crazy for only a few HP. A nitrous kit and set of drag radials would be cheaper and gain more power haha!
I would suggest to go to YouTube, listen to as many brands and configurations as possible and then decide, price might be an issue as well. Happy hunting!
Looking for better sound really, as the NPP isn't quite loud enough for what I'd like. Ive heard mostly good things about Kooks and for the price it seemed reasonable. Haven't heard much about ARH, but Ill check them out too! My other issue is spending close to 2K on pipes, tune and install. Seems crazy for only a few HP. A nitrous kit and set of drag radials would be cheaper and gain more power haha!
If sound is your goal then you should consider just changing mufflers.
I went from OEM NPP's to Billy Boat Fusions. Do a search for my exhaust upgrade thread which includes actual db measurements before and after.
Recently bought a 2011 GS owner had the American Racing headers and high flow cats installed back to the stock NPP's . It has a tune with CAI.
When the NPPs open around 3200 RPMs it really sounds great with deep sound. Being my first time to have a car with headers and high flows, I have noticed more heat near the tunnel area and a fuel/heat smell when window is open and sitting at light. I did call the tuner and he indicated that with high flow cats you can get this result.
I might take it to another tuner in near future to ensure it is not running too rich.
I was thinking headers at first. Then I went to a local muffler shop and had them cut my oem mufflers off, remove the factory tips, bend new pipe and weld my tips back on. On a cold start, it sounds awesome!! After it warms up, if you don't raise the revs, it's not too loud at all. At idle it sounds great, and when you paddle shift and raise the revs a bit, as my son told me when I blasted past his school bus once, it sounds like a NASCAR car. All for 65$.
My car is an 08 coupe A6. The best 65$ I've spent on that car. At cruise on the interstate doing 80, it's not loud at all. You can carry on a regular conversation or listen to the radio without Blasting the volume
I was thinking headers at first. Then I went to a local muffler shop and had them cut my oem mufflers off, remove the factory tips, bend new pipe and weld my tips back on. On a cold start, it sounds awesome!! After it warms up, if you don't raise the revs, it's not too loud at all. At idle it sounds great, and when you paddle shift and raise the revs a bit, as my son told me when I blasted past his school bus once, it sounds like a NASCAR car. All for 65$.
My car is an 08 coupe A6. The best 65$ I've spent on that car. At cruise on the interstate doing 80, it's not loud at all. You can carry on a regular conversation or listen to the radio without Blasting the volume
Man, you got a lot done for your money! Here, it would cost at least $200 for that work.
Problem with no muffs is that many states require a visual inspection of emissions and exhaust equipment. Instant fail if you have no muffs, or gutted muffs or cats.
Looking for better sound really, as the NPP isn't quite loud enough for what I'd like. Ive heard mostly good things about Kooks and for the price it seemed reasonable. Haven't heard much about ARH, but Ill check them out too! My other issue is spending close to 2K on pipes, tune and install. Seems crazy for only a few HP. A nitrous kit and set of drag radials would be cheaper and gain more power haha!
From what I've read...ARH headers are some of the best for fitment and quality and LG makes the most powerful headers (so it seems). You can score some great deals on used headers if you are patient on this forum! Headers were one of my favorite mods.....REALLY wakes the car up and makes the exhaust note much more aggressive !
Go with LG or Kooks.ARH warranty SUCKS.I had then installed on my 08 5 years ago and they leak at all eight....Bottom line: they have not replaced them and never will. Law suit is in the works!
Man, you got a lot done for your money! Here, it would cost at least $200 for that work.
Problem with no muffs is that many states require a visual inspection of emissions and exhaust equipment. Instant fail if you have no muffs, or gutted muffs or cats.
The place that did my work stays so busy you have to make an appointment two weeks out to be able to get in.
Yes, I got a ton of work done for a super reasonable price. And the guy that did it was amazing.
I live in South Carolina, we haven't had any vehicle inspections here since the late 80's when the governor decided to do away with it. It's good and bad, the inspection process was a joke, if you had a problem with your car that wouldn't allow it to pass, you could always find someone to pass it for a small "tip". But now, you have more marginal cars in the road that really should be in a scrap heap.
After 10 yrs owning my vette, I finally had my 1 3/4" Super Pros and x-pipe installed this weekend, dyno'd/tuned. Already had my Borla "Sports" with their x-pipe for nearly as long, as well as my Vararam, and port/polished tb. My guy who is an excellent installer, had to do some modifications to the mid pipes to fit (???). Other than that, they look very good. He liked them and the numbers he got on the dyno and tune. Now I hope to see what everyone else sees, since headers are pretty much the 1st thing a lot do for power. I wanted to Edlebrock s/c it but alas, other priorities, so this was cheaper.
After 10 yrs owning my vette, I finally had my 1 3/4" Super Pros and x-pipe installed this weekend, dyno'd/tuned. Already had my Borla "Sports" with their x-pipe for nearly as long, as well as my Vararam, and port/polished tb. My guy who is an excellent installer, had to do some modifications to the mid pipes to fit (???). Other than that, they look very good. He liked them and the numbers he got on the dyno and tune. Now I hope to see what everyone else sees, since headers are pretty much the 1st thing a lot do for power. I wanted to Edlebrock s/c it but alas, other priorities, so this was cheaper.
Vett...why tease us, man? What were the numbers?????
no contest. texas speed. half the price of all others and the same polished stainless and long great reputation.
i have them on my car. fit finish is amazing. and there actually polished. they turn beautiful colors of blue and gold over time and dont tarnish.
also do not make changing plugs or oil filter harder like some headers can. came with really nice band clamps too. included o2 extensions as well, not sold seperatly like most.
Headers, Headers and more Headers!
but I have searched and found so many different threads with a TON of different opinions of each brand, size, etc...... I have an 08 with NPP and looking to add headers and X-pipe. Any specific brands you guys recommend that fit without any issues? Do you recommend getting them coated? TIA!
