LG headers or Kooks
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Dubai
LG headers or Kooks
Hey Guys ,
I know this question was asked before but I need your view now , I need to install headers but I am not sure what to get !
My car is stock and nothing added to it & the 1st step is the Headers + Borla Exhaust System .
Also which headers I should get ? 1 3/4" or 1 7/8" ???
Thanks
I know this question was asked before but I need your view now , I need to install headers but I am not sure what to get !
My car is stock and nothing added to it & the 1st step is the Headers + Borla Exhaust System .
Also which headers I should get ? 1 3/4" or 1 7/8" ???
Thanks
Last edited by mrsaud; Feb 17, 2006 at 03:25 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,864
Likes: 107
From: God's Country, ID
I bought LG's. Superior fit and finish. They go on very easy. The customer service is excellent. The guys at LG motorsport are always willing to take calls, answer questions and are very knowlegable.
They are more costly than others (kooks) but you get what you pay for IMHO. They come with the X-pipe as well. I think they are longer (as in long tube) by approximately 3 inches which has some additional benefits.
They are more costly than others (kooks) but you get what you pay for IMHO. They come with the X-pipe as well. I think they are longer (as in long tube) by approximately 3 inches which has some additional benefits.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 615
Likes: 0
From: Boston MA
Come on man in this world for many things you pay for what you get. LM performance has the LGs with cats for 1700 shipped. That is the same price as Kooks and you are getting a better header. LGs is the way to go.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,372
Likes: 0
From: Springfield VA,
Why do you all say that LG is a "better" header with "superior fit and finish"? How is it better? For example, I have never heard of anyone with Kooks headers complain about how they fit on the vette. However, I do know that LG headers have caused the check engine light to come on on some members cars. I have not heard the same problem occuring with Kooks headers. I have not seen LG headers in person, but I wonder why folks jump on the bandwagon and say they are "better" without specifying why or how. LG headers may well be better (I don't know), but please tell us why you feel that way instead of stating a conclusion without also stating facts that support it.
Last edited by Jagcvette; Feb 14, 2006 at 09:16 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
Kooks have performed for me.
I have Kooks and they have been great. I think the LGs and Dynatech are better looking. I fixed that by powder coating my Kooks. At the track it appears Kooks has an advantage.
At the drgastrip Kooks are on most of the record setters.
At the road race tracks here in Texas the Kooks are on the fastest street Z06s and C6s.
LG race headers have defintely performed in professional road racing.
From the dyno charts:
LG have the torque advantage especially in the mid-range but horsepower "noses" over at high rpm compared to Kooks. For driving around the LGs feel more powerful but at the strip the high RPM HP gives Kooks the advantage.
Jut my opinion and observations.
From my sig.You can see they produce
At the drgastrip Kooks are on most of the record setters.
At the road race tracks here in Texas the Kooks are on the fastest street Z06s and C6s.
LG race headers have defintely performed in professional road racing.
From the dyno charts:
LG have the torque advantage especially in the mid-range but horsepower "noses" over at high rpm compared to Kooks. For driving around the LGs feel more powerful but at the strip the high RPM HP gives Kooks the advantage.
Jut my opinion and observations.
From my sig.You can see they produce
Last edited by midnite902; Feb 14, 2006 at 06:39 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,372
Likes: 0
From: Springfield VA,
I agree that the LG headers do have a much more polished look to them then the Kooks headers. But as you can see from the pics below, you can barely see the headers once they are installed. Here are the Kooks
Now here is a picture of the LG headers. Notice how relatively far back the cats are compared to the Kooks. This could be one reason why some folks are getting the check engine light. Theory being is that the exhaust gases cool off too much by the time they reach the cats.
Here are some pics of the headers on my car with the fuel covers removed so you can see part of the headers. As you can see from the photo, you can barely see the headers; so the "finish" on the headers is not exactly a high priority with me!!!
Last edited by Jagcvette; Feb 14, 2006 at 09:17 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,398
Likes: 2
From: Allentown PA
Originally Posted by DSOMC6
I bought LG's. Superior fit and finish. They go on very easy. The customer service is excellent. The guys at LG motorsport are always willing to take calls, answer questions and are very knowlegable.
I guess I was ripped off.
Kooks are the best for the money, for 2 extra HP, 4 pounds of torque, and about $200 extra you can get the LG's. Either way, you can't go wrong.
ALL of them install easy, it's not like the C5.
Most people tell you to get the smaller primaries, I say larger...
Make a decision and don't look back.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,285
Likes: 0
From: Denver PA
St. Jude Donor '07
I also have the Kooks 1 3/4". I installed them myself in my garage and only took 4 hours. Can't do much better than that for a first time installation. The finish doesn't matter, because all stainless steel turns purplish anyway.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 615
Likes: 0
From: Boston MA
We are talking about two parts that are pretty much similiar execept LG as the advantage of increase length. I am not concerned with which is better etc.. If you want to see which is better I will bring my car and line it up against yours with similair mods any day and lets do it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,372
Likes: 0
From: Springfield VA,
Don't think you want to go there with some of the cars on this forum. Of course "similar mods" is a hell of a caveat. In my world, you bring what ya got.
that was my point to begin with until you mentioned "you get what you pay for" and that LGs are better headers"! 
Originally Posted by fredgpowell
We are talking about two parts that are pretty much similiar...
that was my point to begin with until you mentioned "you get what you pay for" and that LGs are better headers"!
Last edited by Jagcvette; Feb 14, 2006 at 11:41 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,253
Likes: 134
From: Short Hills, NJ
Originally Posted by DSOMC6
I think they are longer (as in long tube) by approximately 3 inches which has some additional benefits.
Originally Posted by fredgpowell
We are talking about two parts that are pretty much similiar execept LG as the advantage of increase length.
I vote Kooks as well.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,372
Likes: 0
From: Springfield VA,
Bunk22, how loud is yours? I have the same set up as you, Kooks with Corsa sports. I listened to my car for the first time today over the phone when it was at the shop and it sounded LOUD. The shop owner even commented on it. I want a nice rumble, but not so loud that everyone turns and looks at me like I'm some teenager.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 615
Likes: 0
From: Boston MA
Listen I am from Durham North Carolina and we have a toyota corolla here that will hand it to just about anyone here on this forum. Also have a old camero that runs low 9s. Run what you got will only leave you broke. I am from the home of street racing do what you want to do.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 38,772
Likes: 621
From: Boston MA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08,'12-'13
This pic is all Wrong for the lgs
The cats go up the front not at the back
Someone put this together wrong on the floor
Look at this
See the off road pipes in the front( this is where the cats would go )
this is the correct way
The cats go up the front not at the back
Someone put this together wrong on the floor
Look at this
See the off road pipes in the front( this is where the cats would go )
this is the correct way
Last edited by burtonbl103; Feb 14, 2006 at 01:42 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,372
Likes: 0
From: Springfield VA,
Thats too funny. Forgot what dealership web site I got the pic from. So much for easy installation. 
Actually, I just found it. The pic is from LM performance web site.
http://www.lmperformance.com/4928/74.html
Actually, I just found it. The pic is from LM performance web site.
http://www.lmperformance.com/4928/74.html
Last edited by Jagcvette; Feb 14, 2006 at 01:57 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,651
Likes: 125
From: laguna niguel ca
Bigger isn't always better
Stick with 1 3/4 inch primaries on the street. 1 7/8 inch primaries have a place basicly on race motors that stay in the upper rpm ranges during a race. There for the largest of displacemnts, 427-441 inch LS type motors, and also the wildest of cam timming. Otherwise, you might even lose some low and mid range performance with 1 7/8 inch primaries. I'm not saying there bad, they just have very limited usefulness on the street. My .02 cents