Headers - Hooker or Kooks?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 6
From: Los Alamitos California
St. Jude Donor '09
I have LGs and am happy with them, but I don't have anything to compare them against. I also bought them used (although they were new and cermaic coated) from a forum member for a considerable discount.
If my ex had ever tried to buy me a car part, I might still be married. Best of luck to you.
San
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,987
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix
Kooks vs LG pricing isn't all that different. LG sells their headers and mid pipes as one package. Kooks sells the headers and then also sells the midpipes(sometimes called crossover pipes). So to compare Kooks to LG headers you need to add the header price and midpipe price for Kooks.
LG also now has a "street" header package which is quite a bit less than their "pro" headers.
If your husband found a $600 header system, it was most likely the OBX headers. They are also stainless, but made overseas.
Having a discussion here about OBX headers is like asking what religion is best. It just never works out, lol.
As far as header coating goes, I wouldn't worry about it. I had uncoated headers on my GTO and also coated and really didn't notice that much difference in under hood temperatures.
One of the forum vendors has both the LG Pro and Kooks in stock. You can compare pricing there: http://marylandspeed.com/corvette-c6...c-148_226.html
LG Street Headers direct at LG are $1095 without catalytic converters and $1295 with catalytic converters: http://www.lgmotorsports.com/2008-LG...EW-LOWER-PRICE
Last edited by jon6.0; Nov 10, 2011 at 08:20 PM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 265
Likes: 3
From: Metamora, IL
This is a question with many opinions, but since your husband specifically mentioned either Kooks or LG, I would suggest you go with one of them. If he is like me and extremely picky, he knows what he wants and goes after it. In this case, both are great products and you won't go wrong with either company. Some say the LG's give a slight advantage in HP because of slightly longer tubes. One thing to remember with a quality product like these. If and when he sells the car, he can remove the headers and sell them on the forum. I usually get 60 ~ 70% back when I sell them and got to enjoy a quality American made product for a couple of years. You also asked for suggestions. I am on my 3rd set of American Racing Headers. No leaks, rattles or problems with any of them. All fit and worked flawlessly. They are another of the "Big 3" that have been mentioned. By the way, your husband is a lucky man to have a wife that supports his Corvette habit. I also have a wife that supports my Corvette addiction and it is very refreshing. I will speak for him and say thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
I agree that if he found headers for $600 it was for a set of OBX headers without catalytic converters. I would say that's the best route to go currently with our cars if your emissions checks only check to be sure no service lights are on on the dash.
All headers will sound the same and all headers will make similar power. Buying expensive headers is for the brand name....nothing else.
OBX, Kooks, LG, American Racing, Stainless Works, etc... all fit well, sound the same and make about the same horsepower. One just happens to save you a grand.
If you're worried about being made over-seas you wouldn't want LG Streets either 
All headers will sound the same and all headers will make similar power. Buying expensive headers is for the brand name....nothing else.
OBX, Kooks, LG, American Racing, Stainless Works, etc... all fit well, sound the same and make about the same horsepower. One just happens to save you a grand.
Last edited by FloydSummerOf68; Nov 11, 2011 at 07:55 AM.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Kooks- non-chatted
After all your help and contunited research I have decided of Kooks headers!! Which one do I buy?
Kooks headers 6601-ex 1.875 in tube
OR
Kook headers 6601-2ex 2.00 in tube
What's the real difference in a different size tube? Also will I need to buy x-pipping or will the headers just bolt on without x-pipping?
Kooks headers 6601-ex 1.875 in tube
OR
Kook headers 6601-2ex 2.00 in tube
What's the real difference in a different size tube? Also will I need to buy x-pipping or will the headers just bolt on without x-pipping?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 7
From: Indy
Forum deal going on now - FREE shipping and 20% off of anything KOOKS.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...orks-sale.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...orks-sale.html
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,836
Likes: 9
From: Rushsylvania Ohio
I have LG's on my 2008 LS3 with NPP. Same as your hubby.
1 3/4" with cats.
Best price I found was TPS Motorsports.
http://www.tpsmotorsports.com/corvet...e-headers.html
1 3/4" with cats.
Best price I found was TPS Motorsports.
http://www.tpsmotorsports.com/corvet...e-headers.html
