Help! Which Headers?
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Laramie WY
Help! Which Headers?
I am ready to buy long tubes for my 05 z-51 m6. I will have head cam done next month and im rounding up my parts. Local tuner told me i should be around 550hp.This leads me to think i should go for 17/8", but im not sure. I have spoken to some of the bigger name shops who deal with the different brands regularly, and each one of them recommended a different brand and primary tube size. 
I think i've narrowed it down to Kooks,LG, possibly Dynatech. I read a few bad threads on ARH that steered me away. Care to tell me why you like one or the other? I cant make up my mind 
Thanks, for your time 
I think i've narrowed it down to Kooks,LG, possibly Dynatech. I read a few bad threads on ARH that steered me away. Care to tell me why you like one or the other? I cant make up my mind Thanks, for your time
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 56
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From: Laramie WY
Thanks for chiming in! Im sure any of those would be fine. I think the threads I read on ARH had something to do with rubbing and fit issues. But easy install! gotta love that. I think they're a bit cheaper too, maybe ill put em back on my already confusing list. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,020
Likes: 855
From: Tampa Florida
Here was my Headers list in order:
1. LG
2. Dynatech
3. Kooks
4. American Racing
5. Melrose
Now it is:
1. American Racing
2. Melrose
3. Dynatech
4. Kooks
5. LG
I like the American Racing as my number one because of the price, fit and most of all positive testimonies. LG are just too pricey. $200 to $300 over the others. I could do some other mod for $300. Just my own opinion. Melrose comes with the Random Tech Cats and I could get those for a very reasonable price. Horsepower is about the same on each brand. They are claiming that LG makes more torque in the midrange over the others. I like peak horsepower. So the torque won't make a difference to me. Sometimes it's a flip of the coin.
1. LG
2. Dynatech
3. Kooks
4. American Racing
5. Melrose
Now it is:
1. American Racing
2. Melrose
3. Dynatech
4. Kooks
5. LG
I like the American Racing as my number one because of the price, fit and most of all positive testimonies. LG are just too pricey. $200 to $300 over the others. I could do some other mod for $300. Just my own opinion. Melrose comes with the Random Tech Cats and I could get those for a very reasonable price. Horsepower is about the same on each brand. They are claiming that LG makes more torque in the midrange over the others. I like peak horsepower. So the torque won't make a difference to me. Sometimes it's a flip of the coin.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,762
Likes: 4
From: Chandler Arizona
I wanted the following;
1. Longest primaries for more torque (more area under the curve)
2. Merge collector
3. 1 3/4" primaries (since I have a stock 364 cubic inch LS2)
4. 300 series Stainless
5. High flow metal matrix cats
LG's were the only ones that fit those requirements. Yes, they do cost $200 more, but I was willing to pay that. In my opinion I would rate them:
1. LG
2. Kooks
3. AMR
4. Dynatech
5. Melrose
I picked up 26 rwhp, 39 rwtq, and this was without a tune. Plus I have not had any CEL's.
1. Longest primaries for more torque (more area under the curve)
2. Merge collector
3. 1 3/4" primaries (since I have a stock 364 cubic inch LS2)
4. 300 series Stainless
5. High flow metal matrix cats
LG's were the only ones that fit those requirements. Yes, they do cost $200 more, but I was willing to pay that. In my opinion I would rate them:
1. LG
2. Kooks
3. AMR
4. Dynatech
5. Melrose
I picked up 26 rwhp, 39 rwtq, and this was without a tune. Plus I have not had any CEL's.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 56
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From: Laramie WY
I think any of these would probably work for me. Maybe you guys could recommend a good place to buy? It also seems the Corsa x pipe is cheaper than some of the others. Keeping in mind I dont need cats, do you think its better to stick with an x pipe from the header manf.?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,020
Likes: 855
From: Tampa Florida
I think any of these would probably work for me. Maybe you guys could recommend a good place to buy? It also seems the Corsa x pipe is cheaper than some of the others. Keeping in mind I dont need cats, do you think its better to stick with an x pipe from the header manf.?
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The easier install the better! I dont want to have to break out the 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,515
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From: Goleta California
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,020
Likes: 855
From: Tampa Florida
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 449
Likes: 68
I am ready to buy long tubes for my 05 z-51 m6. I will have head cam done next month and im rounding up my parts. Local tuner told me i should be around 550hp.This leads me to think i should go for 17/8", but im not sure. I have spoken to some of the bigger name shops who deal with the different brands regularly, and each one of them recommended a different brand and primary tube size. I think i've narrowed it down to Kooks,LG, possibly Dynatech. I read a few bad threads on ARH that steered me away. Care to tell me why you like one or the other? I cant make up my mind Thanks, for your time
I think i've narrowed it down to Kooks,LG, possibly Dynatech. I read a few bad threads on ARH that steered me away. Care to tell me why you like one or the other? I cant make up my mind Thanks, for your time Given your Head&Cam I would go with 1 7/8" for maximum flow. There is tiny loss of torque below 1800 rpm. I have Dynatech and have had no issues in 6 mo. You could do the install with jackstands and a floor jack in 4 hours or so.
One point you may want to consider is the noise factor. Headers with 3" pipes are a bit louder that 2 1/2" pipes.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,477
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From: Boca Raton, FL
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
I have the Dynatech 1 7/8 headers and love them. A word of caution, make sure you buy with your next upgrade mod in mind. If you are going to add heads/cam or a SC, you may want to compare the 1 3/4 v 1 7/8 headers for power gains, etc.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
