Lt headers
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 306
Likes: 84
From: Nj
Lt headers
So tossing around the idea of adding some long tube headers to my 2006 Ls2. I know about the corvette tax on some things I bought already but 3-3500 for headers w/cats? Possibly a small cam along with them. I mean I know the old saying you wanna play you gotta pay but damn. Is there an alternative to kooks or Arh. Worried about fitment problems if I dont go with one of the bigger names. Any suggestions and experiences would be great. TIA
Drifting
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 661
From: Lakeland, Florida
The price you mention looks to be for the Kooks GREEN Connection Kit.
This link below has the regular (non-GREEN) header kits at Kooks, much more affordable (unless you were specifically wanting the GREEN kit ?):
>> Fits My Vehicle | Kooks Headers & Exhaust
This link below has the regular (non-GREEN) header kits at Kooks, much more affordable (unless you were specifically wanting the GREEN kit ?):
>> Fits My Vehicle | Kooks Headers & Exhaust
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 3,296
Likes: 1,890
From: Ulta Vista, AZ
You didn’t pay the Corvette tax, you paid the “handmade in America tax”
There are cheaper brands that fit just as well.
Kooks really overdid it with their new Green cats. They damn near doubled the price of a midpipe.
Thank the EPA for that one.
There are cheaper brands that fit just as well.
Kooks really overdid it with their new Green cats. They damn near doubled the price of a midpipe.
Thank the EPA for that one.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 5,115
Likes: 403
From: Philadelphia
Some have had success with the cheaper/overseas brands but I've seen countless others complain of fitment/clearance issues.
IMO you get what you pay for. Green Cats are quality but also depends on what kind of power you're expecting to make
We're Kooks/ARH dealers and would be happy to extend group pricing - Kooks is on sale at the moment too.
- Alec
IMO you get what you pay for. Green Cats are quality but also depends on what kind of power you're expecting to make
We're Kooks/ARH dealers and would be happy to extend group pricing - Kooks is on sale at the moment too.
- Alec
__________________
Alec @ Forza Motor Works
(267) 788.4897 Call/Text
info@forzamotorworks.com
www.forzamotorworks.com
Your trusted source for premium parts - offering competitive pricing, exceptional service, and professional installation options.
Corsa | Borla | AWE Tuning | Girodisc | Halltech | American Racing Headers | Milltek | Soler | Weld | Fabspeed | SOUL | Kooks | BC Forged & 100's more!
Alec @ Forza Motor Works
(267) 788.4897 Call/Text
info@forzamotorworks.com
www.forzamotorworks.com
Your trusted source for premium parts - offering competitive pricing, exceptional service, and professional installation options.
Corsa | Borla | AWE Tuning | Girodisc | Halltech | American Racing Headers | Milltek | Soler | Weld | Fabspeed | SOUL | Kooks | BC Forged & 100's more!
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 77
Likes: 28
I really like my Kooks headers and "catted" x-pipe but I got the last of the "old style" for $2,200. The sound is epic with whatever axle-back exhaust was on my 2007 when I bought it (minimal bullet-style mufflers). It drones fiercely at 1,500 RPMs though.
For about half that cost (or 1/3 of the current prices I've seen) you can add similar power across the board with a FAST LSXR 102 intake manifold. The OEM LS2 manifold is garbage for an N/A car.
A cam, even a small one, will be much more involved for the installation and to do it "right" I would suggest the following additional parts and modifications:
For about half that cost (or 1/3 of the current prices I've seen) you can add similar power across the board with a FAST LSXR 102 intake manifold. The OEM LS2 manifold is garbage for an N/A car.
A cam, even a small one, will be much more involved for the installation and to do it "right" I would suggest the following additional parts and modifications:
- Melling High Pressure Oil Pump
- Lifters (Johnson 2110R)
- Lifter trays
- Head gaskets
- Head bolts
- Might as well get a valve job and resurface the heads while they're off for the lifter replacement
- Valve springs
- Rocker trunnion upgrade
- Katech C5.R timing chain
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 3,296
Likes: 1,890
From: Ulta Vista, AZ
Some have had success with the cheaper/overseas brands but I've seen countless others complain of fitment/clearance issues.
IMO you get what you pay for. Green Cats are quality but also depends on what kind of power you're expecting to make
We're Kooks/ARH dealers and would be happy to extend group pricing - Kooks is on sale at the moment too.
- Alec
IMO you get what you pay for. Green Cats are quality but also depends on what kind of power you're expecting to make
We're Kooks/ARH dealers and would be happy to extend group pricing - Kooks is on sale at the moment too.
- Alec
More money does not mean better fit.
PS: I have ran Kooks on other cars and I run ARH on my C6. So I am not just talking **** being a cheap ***, nor am I promoting a product I sell over ones I dont
I just Want to keep the playing field even. It’s not rocket science welding bends on a 20yr old car to make things fit. That was figured out forever ago and places have jigs
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 306
Likes: 84
From: Nj
Thanks for all the input. I think I may pull a total 360 here and look into an ecs supercharger. Headers/cam/possibly new converter I have an auto, depending on cam I’m gonna be I would think 8-10,000. No way I could do the install. Way above my wrenching experience. Ecs last I looked a while back were 8500.00 all in. I’ll have to check out the website. All honesty looking to be around 5-600hp. What you all think.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 306
Likes: 84
From: Nj
Just checked ECS website. Looks like installed package almost 11,000. Haven’t checked the in a while. I know Covid and inflation everything up higher now. Blower package like 6500 and the rest is labor I guess. Definitely don’t feel comfortable doing this in my driveway. Seems a professional install and tune is the way to go.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,413
Likes: 501
From: Rio Rancho NM
I bought some Speed Engineering 1 7/8" headers and x pipe for around $750 shipped. I haven't installed them but I would never pay 3k for headers and a xpipe. That's almost half the cost of a base supercharger kit and can be done in a weekend. It's your money and car but for me the extra cash I saved I can go on a nice weekend trip. To each their own though
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 3,296
Likes: 1,890
From: Ulta Vista, AZ
I bought some Speed Engineering 1 7/8" headers and x pipe for around $750 shipped. I haven't installed them but I would never pay 3k for headers and a xpipe. That's almost half the cost of a base supercharger kit and can be done in a weekend. It's your money and car but for me the extra cash I saved I can go on a nice weekend trip. To each their own though
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,435
Likes: 365
From: Maryville TN
St. Jude Donor '06-13,'16-'17, '19
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 306
Likes: 84
From: Nj
I bought some Speed Engineering 1 7/8" headers and x pipe for around $750 shipped. I haven't installed them but I would never pay 3k for headers and a xpipe. That's almost half the cost of a base supercharger kit and can be done in a weekend. It's your money and car but for me the extra cash I saved I can go on a nice weekend trip. To each their own though
Safety Car
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 4,609
Likes: 1,802
From: Erlanger, Kentucky
I understand. The name brand header and exhaust companies have lost their ******* minds. I think when I purchased my Kooks about 5 years ago, I paid a little over $2000. For the same it would be over $3000.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 306
Likes: 84
From: Nj
Yep exactly how I feel. 2000 is tolerable in my opinion for what you’re getting. I understand Covid bs and such spiked everything. Like what’s been said already 2500 more and you got an ECS supercharger. I totally get if power is your thing you need the headers for sure.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 132
Likes: 42
From: California State
I bought some Speed Engineering 1 7/8" headers and x pipe for around $750 shipped. I haven't installed them but I would never pay 3k for headers and a xpipe. That's almost half the cost of a base supercharger kit and can be done in a weekend. It's your money and car but for me the extra cash I saved I can go on a nice weekend trip. To each their own though
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,910
Likes: 449
From: Central NJ
Thanks for all the input. I think I may pull a total 360 here and look into an ecs supercharger. Headers/cam/possibly new converter I have an auto, depending on cam I’m gonna be I would think 8-10,000. No way I could do the install. Way above my wrenching experience. Ecs last I looked a while back were 8500.00 all in. I’ll have to check out the website. All honesty looking to be around 5-600hp. What you all think.
You don't need a cam to make the hp you're looking for.
I did install a set of Hooker shorty headers before the sc install. LOLC6 is right, the stock manifolds are crap.
You can spend 10k on N/A mods for less than 1/2 the hp or 15k for a SC, installed dyno done.
I spent about 14k with ecs but I had the harmonic balancer and an electric WP installed also. That was about 2 years ago.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 306
Likes: 84
From: Nj
Agree. I’ve had a couple headers/cam old school Chevy big blocks. Think I’m gonna wait til either ecs or a and a throws a holiday special and pick up a supercharger and have it installed. I’m in New Jersey also.