Do headers increase engine noise?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,017
Likes: 2
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,946
Likes: 263
From: Cedar Falls Iowa
On my car, I didn't hear any real increase in sound until I got up into the higher RPM's (above 3500 rpm). At that point, I hear a slightly deeper, more throaty sound --- but only slightly louder.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,762
Likes: 4
From: Chandler Arizona
the exhaust will have a metallic sound, meaning you will hear a tinging noise thru the headers. The sound is deeper with headers and more aggressive, especially over 4k 
I have not noticed any additional heat in the console area. The headers don't hold as much heat as the manifolds and stock cats.
I have not noticed any additional heat in the console area. The headers don't hold as much heat as the manifolds and stock cats.
Same exact experience. I like the tinny noise headers make and I also like the increase exhaust growl at wide open throttle. Last, I've not noticed an increase in center console heat, in fact, the 300 series center pipes should be cooler than the stock aluminized carbon steel.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 667
Likes: 0
From: Marysville WA
Yes, headers definitely add noise!! It's not the metallic tinny sound that I don't like, but it also makes the sewing machine sound much more noticeable. I don't regret installing them, but at about 2000+ rpms I can easily hear the rat-tat-tat-tat...you get the idea. Again, this is not to complain but if you are concerned about noise, you will get some with headers. Cheers.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
Thanks for all of the reply's. I have had the Kooks on for over a month and I do not notice any additional noise or heat in the cockpit. Vengeance Racing in Cumming, GA did the install and I am very happy with it.
Keep in mind that I am a 60 year old bird hunter and shooting shotguns all my life limits what I can hear.
Keep in mind that I am a 60 year old bird hunter and shooting shotguns all my life limits what I can hear.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,269
Likes: 4
From: Mililani HI
You didn't pick up any extra noises?
I installed the Kooks coated 1 7/8" with off road pipes and the noise picked up, now I can hear the tiny loping of the stock camshaft. The drone is severe under load and at around 1600 rpms. But the trade off is the great performance and WOT sounds.
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,206
Likes: 6
From: Makena, Maui & NM
I really didnt pick up any extra noise, tinny sounds or whatever with my Kooks Headers (Jet Hot Extreme 1700 coated) & Hi Flo Cats added to my Corsa Sport system for the A6. No drone either. Maybe its the cats and Corsa H-pipe that helps. Its louder when I stomp WOT on it and sounds like a racing car, but that was to be expected, right? It may sound different from under the hood, but I drive from inside the cockpit, not from under the hood. 
Oh, if anything, the cockpit heat is less.
Oh, if anything, the cockpit heat is less.
Last edited by siffert; Jan 5, 2008 at 12:07 AM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 430
Likes: 1
From: Savannah Georiga
i have noticed more noice from the motor after my install on slp headers, xpipe, hiflow cats..its not unbearable but its not stock sounding...cut if off after the xpipe and noise from the motor wouldnt be an issue...lol, i see that you are located in macon, glad to see some semi-locals on here
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,448
Likes: 130
From: Fernandina Beach
I had installed Kooks headers x pipe and hi=flow cats this past spring. It sounded better than stk but not loud. I don't like a loud set-up but I just ordered the magnflow catback (15886) to get a little deeper sound (and hopefully get rid of the valve ticking noise)
Ted
Ted
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 658
Likes: 0
From: Pa
the exhaust will have a metallic sound, meaning you will hear a tinging noise thru the headers. The sound is deeper with headers and more aggressive, especially over 4k I have not noticed any additional heat in the console area. The headers don't hold as much heat as the manifolds and stock cats.
I have not noticed any additional heat in the console area. The headers don't hold as much heat as the manifolds and stock cats.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Henderson Nevada
Do headers add noise
Well lets put it like this, high performance car, do you want it to sound like a mouse or a Lion, I want to roar when I put my foot down, I also dont want to be driven out of my car while driving. I have Dynatech Supermaxx headers flowing thru high flow cats and finishing out a pair of Calloway Double D's, nice very deep low sound until you get on it and then it really makes sound, it's the sound that say you have POWER, there is no drone what so ever, I have had many ask what system I have on when driving near me or hearing my ride.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
From: Burnsville MN
PM me in April and I will give you the result. If the drone continues, the complete stock exhaust system is going back on and all you sound lovers can pick up my Kooks/Corsa system for peanuts
Not all is bad ... I went from 337 to 378 RWHP
I also like the sound at WOT - On the track (WOT down the straight away) my Porsche club instructor commented on their "sweet" sound 
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,206
Likes: 6
From: Makena, Maui & NM
I respectfully disagree just a little. I have the same car. I have Kooks 1 7/8 with Hi-Flow CATs and x-Pipe and LPE CAI. You definately hear the value train much louder than stock. AND there is the dreaded drone - loud and rumbling from 1650 - 2000 RPM. I actually down shift on the hwy so not to hear the drone. I have heard the Corsa exhaust will remove the drone. So this April they are going in.
PM me in April and I will give you the result. If the drone continues, the complete stock exhaust system is going back on and all you sound lovers can pick up my Kooks/Corsa system for peanuts
PM me in April and I will give you the result. If the drone continues, the complete stock exhaust system is going back on and all you sound lovers can pick up my Kooks/Corsa system for peanuts
This is the only setup to be assured of NO, NADA, NONE drone that you are looking for. I got that exact system, and my Kooks 6066EX 1 3/4, Hi Flo Cat (6155CC), Corsa Sports w/H-Pipe (#14167) just purrs at 1600-2000 rpm like a pussycat and stock exhaust with NO drone on my A6.
Last edited by siffert; Jan 10, 2008 at 11:32 AM.
