LS3 Headers
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 73
Likes: 18
From: NY
Longtubes with a quality collector
American Racing, Kooks, and LG are among the few that are consistently recommended for build quality and performance
1 7/8 primary are typically used for the LS3 but some will argue that
American Racing, Kooks, and LG are among the few that are consistently recommended for build quality and performance
1 7/8 primary are typically used for the LS3 but some will argue that
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,237
Likes: 257
From: Tampa FL
KOOKS...... Work well for me ,on my 11 G.S. .....Ceramic coated LT's and X pipe into OEM... NPP mufflers.
Like a well fitting pair on gloves , they went on simply great.
P.S. install headers so there is a little movement till you attach the X pipe. Then tighten them to torque, I used (stage 8) brand of exhaust bolts W/French locks. For exhaust gaskets ,I used G.M. gaskets found them better than KOOKS.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,104
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
It depends on your priorities. Put these in order of preference, since you can't get the best of everything in one product.
Price (including installation?)
Maximum Power
Materials
Quality of construction
Appearance
Ease of installation
Relationship to other mods (is tune req'd ?)
Price (including installation?)
Maximum Power
Materials
Quality of construction
Appearance
Ease of installation
Relationship to other mods (is tune req'd ?)
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 25
Likes: 2
KOOKS...... Work well for me ,on my 11 G.S. .....Ceramic coated LT's and X pipe into OEM... NPP mufflers.
Like a well fitting pair on gloves , they went on simply great.
P.S. install headers so there is a little movement till you attach the X pipe. Then tighten them to torque, I used (stage 8) brand of exhaust bolts W/French locks. For exhaust gaskets ,I used G.M. gaskets found them better than KOOKS.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,161
Likes: 257
From: Virginia
No. The difference is mostly fitment and material quality. TSP headers are a cheaper Chinese steel if I’m not mistaken. Also on the TSP headers, not knocking them at all, but they apparently are bad for ground clearance
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 99
From: Nova Scotia
I went with ARH. I liked that the primaries are a little longer than kooks and the collectors look better and the x is before the cats. But in reality power numbers will be pretty close. There's been some complaints about LG leaking at the slip joint and the others use a ball and socket joint
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 13,262
Likes: 3,150
From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 3,595
Likes: 1,065
From: Auburn,WA (30 miles SE of Seattle) WA
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
3" Catted X Pipe
1 7/8 ARH
2012 Grand Sport
I removed and plugged the REAR O2 sensor bungs and the car was tuned
3" X pipe adapts to fit 2.5" NPP over the axle pipe
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 3,595
Likes: 1,065
From: Auburn,WA (30 miles SE of Seattle) WA
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
SpaceMe, Im the owner, installer of the ARH 1 7/8 headers in Post #12 (Orange Grand Sport)
I did have too trim/cut the flanged edge of frame on right side, as ARH advised I might have to....
Other wise the ARH FIT very well..........
Can you elaborate on the fitment differences between KOOKS and ARH ?????
I did have too trim/cut the flanged edge of frame on right side, as ARH advised I might have to....
Other wise the ARH FIT very well..........
Can you elaborate on the fitment differences between KOOKS and ARH ?????
Safety Car
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 4,616
Likes: 1,808
From: Erlanger, Kentucky
SpaceMe, Im the owner, installer of the ARH 1 7/8 headers in Post #12 (Orange Grand Sport)
I did have too trim/cut the flanged edge of frame on right side, as ARH advised I might have to....
Other wise the ARH FIT very well..........
Can you elaborate on the fitment differences between KOOKS and ARH ?????
I did have too trim/cut the flanged edge of frame on right side, as ARH advised I might have to....
Other wise the ARH FIT very well..........
Can you elaborate on the fitment differences between KOOKS and ARH ?????
Also, on the ARH's I used to have, the transmission cooling lines touched the headers and I had to bend the lines but they were still very close. On the Kooks, no such problems as they included a small bracket that replaced the stock bracket for the cooling lines that pushed them up and out of the way of the headers.
And the Kooks that I have are actually for a C6 ZR1. I got these as I have an Edelbrock E-force which has a block mounted oil cooler similar to the ZR1. And these fit perfect with plenty of clearance for the oil cooler.
Having owned a number of headers over the years, fit and clearance are the most important in my opinion. If I am paying good money, I shouldn't have to modify my car like most people have to do with ARH.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 25
Likes: 2
Anyone use Jet-Hot to ceramic coat your headers? I will eventually change out the NPP to Corsa Extremes. In-the-meantime ... is there an adapter to go from the 3" X-pipe to the 2 1/2" NPP?
Last edited by Buckeye Mike; Oct 25, 2020 at 11:14 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,237
Likes: 257
From: Tampa FL
11 G.S.
My Kooks 3" X pipe is necked down to 2.5" as sold by Kooks ran into my NPP. The LTs and X pipe were sold by a secondary seller and they were drop/shipped to me from Jet Hot. The ceramic coating is holding up well now at 3.5 years.
My Kooks 3" X pipe is necked down to 2.5" as sold by Kooks ran into my NPP. The LTs and X pipe were sold by a secondary seller and they were drop/shipped to me from Jet Hot. The ceramic coating is holding up well now at 3.5 years.
Last edited by HK770; Oct 26, 2020 at 12:12 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 25
Likes: 2