I think it has to do with the New tech vs old tech (or new muslce vs old muscle cars). It seems to me that in the new tech world, one must have expensive headers that are T304, and jet hot coated, with all the gravy that goes with it (merged, spiked collectors) etc etc. But, on the older muscle car forums, the guys with the 50k show cars and even pro street cars have no problems with jet hot coated mild steel headers, stamped non merged collectors...matter 90% of the headers for those application are mild steel with optional jet hot coating...it's not t'ill you look at 90's and up high tech rides that T304 comes in...
just an observation though

 

Donny, I'm insulted that you don't remember me. Fuel tanks ring a bell?


I promise, I had these on in and hour an 12 minutes. I even dropped one of the header bolts on one side, but went ahead and put the other bolts in. I looked on the floor for the other bolt, but it was nowhere to be found. When I found it, it had fallen down between the down tubes and slid all the way to the collector. I used one of those antenna type magnets and shoved it down between the tubes, then took a small screwdriver and "flicked" at it until I got it close enough to the magnet to pick it up. This was included in the 74 minutes.

BlackMoon is the one that had trouble with removing the starter (which I didn't have to do, maybe the Z has a different starter?). He also didn't get the two extension pieces, so those had to be fabbed. I didn't remove anything but the spark plugs and that wasn't for necessity, I just didn't want to chance breaking one. Also, I had had the bolts in my exhaust system off and on several times, so they all came off like butter. I think a few of BlackMoons broke.

 

This is the best I've got without getting a jack under it.

I took these about 10 minutes ago.



C5









C6

 

my bad tim. had a lot on my mind lately. your fuel tank help was amazing.

 

No I don't believe it and either should you. I made it up

 

looks good!

 

Runs good too.

 

I too will be picking up the c6 headers from this guy. Screw the corvette tax.

 

So I got the chinese headers are here is my review.

The actual headers fit PERFECT and the quailty is great. The install was exactly like 2000C5 said. Less than an hour. As for the Xpipe, that did not fit at all. I had to have the flange side spread out and also have one of the sides shortened because when the flanges did match up to the headers the X was all sideways and wouldnt fit in the exhaust tunnel. After LOTS of modifing, the system works perfect. I also was able to call the seller from TX and get him to refund my $50 of the $400 shipped I spent because the X had to be modified to fit at my expense. Overall, I spent a little over $500 with the modifying costs, install and flange bolts/O2 extensions. Pairing these 1 3/4" offroad headers with my bullets was a big mistake. It made the car WAY too loud, but I have a much quieter catback on the way for it. Once the new catback is on, Im going in for another dyno tune and I will report back.

On a side note, the seller was a fairly young kid(dick). He did verify that the cheap headers are indeed made in china. Also, after the sale when I called him about the X pipe problem, he got very $hitty with me and hung up on me claiming I was trying to nickel and dime him by asking for some money back to cover the cost of making his kit work AS ADVERTISED. He also had the nerve to tell me that what did I expect from a $400 dollar set of headers and that I was more then welcome to send him back the xpipe and buy my own x pipe. Well thanks a$$hat. He then called me back a week later and wanted to know if he offered the kit without the Xpipe online, just the headers, would I still have bought it. If I had the money, I would buy the LG or real KOOKS in a second, but right now I have a car throwing codes because of burned out cats and this was the most inexpensive way to get it running for the summer until next year when I can get the right stuff. Otherwise, buy at your own risk.

Brian

 

Spend american money on american product's if at all possible.

 

You have to turn off the rear O2 sensors when eliminating cats. That will prevent codes. So final verdict is "The actual headers fit PERFECT and the quailty is great" but crappy seller?

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think his opinion reads that the headers were knocked off really well so they fit. The balance of the system and the customer service was crap. This scenario is very typical.

Nick

 

I'd like to welcome any Corvette owner located in our area, who's willing to drive to our facility, to tour our shop and see exactly how our systems are manufactured and to what level we go too to produce an outstanding product. I'd also like to show you why we only use U.S. made materials and how easily corners can be cut to reduce manufacturing costs. Those on the fence about going the cheaper Chinese route can then make an honest accessment on whether or not it's worth it. We can easily put this debate to rest.

Nick

 

We receive out sourced material all the time from overseas mills for testing. But refuse to test any of it due to the simple fact it usually fails in the bending machine we have broken mandrels and destroyed wiper dies trying to test bend there materials so it is not worth our time to attempt to use it.As for the knock off headers everyone can say it is now big deal until it happens to you. Then there is a difference.This company was started over 45 years ago in Mr Kooks garage and has grown to the level that we are at now with alot of blood sweat and tears so yes we take this personal. How would you like it one day if your employer comes in your office and says you are getting laid off because we are going to outsource your job to a cheaper labor rate. So now you need to go home and explain that to your family. We produce everything in house with US sourced materials in our Long Island Facility. If anyone would like a tour fill free to stop by and we will show you the entire production operations. I will enclose a picture just to get things started. The last thing is when you purchase our product and there is any need to speak to us after the sale you call 1 866 586 KOOK and we answer the phone and asst you try that with brand X. Remember forum members you are not just purchasing a peace of material you are buying everything that comes with it before the sale and after the sale.

 

Huh? You must be the customer service guy at the Chinese header factory!!!

 

A tune would have fixed the cat issue. Are you gonna keep the system long term or replace it later? Strange he offered the headers without and X-pipe?

 

Though I didn't get my headers from you guys, I will bump you for being a great company.

 

I've done way way more to fit headers than stretching an x-pipe, which was probably welded on a crapy jig. Can't even begin to tell ya what I had to do to make my 2" headers fit my raised port heads on my BBC camaro...
So if the headers themselves fit great, and you have to deal with an x pipe...could almost buy the headers and use a kooks x pipe...or spend the 50 buck to have it modified...you're still 800 dollars ahead of the game, IF (key word) you have a tight budget.
So the whole argument is becoming a matter of opinions: you either spend 1200-1500 on a set that you don't have to deal with anything at all, or you can spend 400 and have to deal with the x-pipe that won't line up right...
so when some other guy in 3 months ask about chineese headers, we'll be able to give him facts and let him decide...and keep the rest out...

 

Agreed BUT, I wasnt sure if the headers where they connect to the xpipe was the problem or just the xpipe was wrong. I was affraid that if I got a REAL kooks xpipe that it wouldnt fit on the chinese headers so I just had the xpipe modified. But yes, the actual headers fit to the motor perfect. They are a golden color now since running the car. And this setup is only for this year. I would have had my tuner correct the engine light, but the stock cats were all degraded and clogged and needed to be removed. Trust me, I saw them first hand when I took them off. But for the money, they were worth it. Im going real catted kooks 1 7/8 headers next fall. Im going in for a tune any day now, so I will let you all know if the chinese headers can do better than the 548rwhp and 481rwtq that the car made with just the catback and blower.

 

Question for KOOKS, ARH and LG. Why do your headers cost so much more? I can see a little but 4 times? I think everyone on here would rather have your headers but money is tight right now. Maybe you should look at cutting profits a little to keep the Chinese out of the market. Not trying to run your business but speaking from experience, flag waving and employee stories won't keep the cheap stuff off the market. You better be looking at ways to get your pricing as good as you can or you may be doomed to fail. The Chinese will fix their fitment problem and their customer support is just a matter of firing someone. It won't go away just by saying buy American.