Kooks vs ARH
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Kooks vs ARH
Been thinking about getting my headers and x pipe done next as I plan on going fbo, I’m stuck making the choice between kooks and arh. Ideally id like to prioritize performance but at this high of price and quality i doubt theres much difference anyways, what do you guys recommend?
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 5
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Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 5,213
Likes: 410
From: Philadelphia
I've installed/sold a lot of both and IMO it really comes down to personal preference.
Can't go wrong with either as they're the two best brands on the market - I run ARH on my C6Z with no complaints whatsoever.
I'm not a fan of the cheaper, overseas Header options - have heard far too many issues to ever consider installing or recommending them.
Happy to help with a set if interested, just let me know primary size and with or without Cats.
- Alec
267.788.4897
Can't go wrong with either as they're the two best brands on the market - I run ARH on my C6Z with no complaints whatsoever.
I'm not a fan of the cheaper, overseas Header options - have heard far too many issues to ever consider installing or recommending them.
Happy to help with a set if interested, just let me know primary size and with or without Cats.
- Alec
267.788.4897
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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!
Safety Car
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 4,647
Likes: 1,832
From: Erlanger, Kentucky
Kooks over ARH. Kooks fit better.
I have had ARH on my C6. Passenger side header was always too close to the transmission line and to the frame. And this is a relatively common thing with ARH and C6's.
I sold the ARH and purchased a set of Kooks. Perfect fit with no clearance problems.
I have had ARH on my C6. Passenger side header was always too close to the transmission line and to the frame. And this is a relatively common thing with ARH and C6's.
I sold the ARH and purchased a set of Kooks. Perfect fit with no clearance problems.
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Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 5
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 3,333
Likes: 1,932
From: Ulta Vista, AZ
Kooks over ARH. Kooks fit better.
I have had ARH on my C6. Passenger side header was always too close to the transmission line and to the frame. And this is a relatively common thing with ARH and C6's.
I sold the ARH and purchased a set of Kooks. Perfect fit with no clearance problems.
I have had ARH on my C6. Passenger side header was always too close to the transmission line and to the frame. And this is a relatively common thing with ARH and C6's.
I sold the ARH and purchased a set of Kooks. Perfect fit with no clearance problems.
Everyone with kooks swears they need to wrap everything due to plug wire failures and starter failures.
so I typically take these with a grain of salt.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 223
Likes: 72
From: Rocky Mountains USA
ARH must have gone downhill recently. They sent me a set of headers that physically would not fit in the engine bay, I had dropped them in from the top before bolting the heads on and had to take the heads off again to take them out. Took many months to get the replacements. Then after me sending the whole exhaust back and reminding them of that fact in an email to confirm the return address, they only shipped the headers back.. Finally got the rest of the exhaust back this week.. All up about 18 months from initial order. Though to be fair Im always travelling. So it took time for me to check what they had sent etc.
But total fail from ARH sending; 1. Badly mangled headers with zero QA that would never fit and 2. Totally ignoring all comms about the problem and only returning a new set of headers and not the full exhaust.
So zero points all round. I would go Kooks for sure.
But total fail from ARH sending; 1. Badly mangled headers with zero QA that would never fit and 2. Totally ignoring all comms about the problem and only returning a new set of headers and not the full exhaust.
So zero points all round. I would go Kooks for sure.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 360
"Everyone with kooks swears they need to wrap everything due to plug wire failures and starter failures."
I've had uncoated, unwrapped, 2" Kooks for about 8000 miles (ZR1 800+whp). So far no issues with plug wires (they are aftermarket and have socks) or the starter. I say "so far" since 8K miles really isn't much. Just throwing it out there FWIW.
I've had uncoated, unwrapped, 2" Kooks for about 8000 miles (ZR1 800+whp). So far no issues with plug wires (they are aftermarket and have socks) or the starter. I say "so far" since 8K miles really isn't much. Just throwing it out there FWIW.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 360
My impression from all the reading I've done here over the years is that Kooks and ARH are both excellent headers but you do occasionally hear of slight fitment problems with the ARH headers. I don't believe I've ever read of a fitment issue with Kooks so that gives the edge to Kooks, IMO. Still, the ARH headers are highly regarded and are the better bang for the buck option. Performance wise I don't think there's a bit of difference.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,513
Likes: 92
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
I just installed ARH and the fitment was pretty good. As far as customer service, don’t believe ANYTHING they tell you about shipping times. I was quoted 3-4 weeks and it took 8.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 218
I've installed/sold a lot of both and IMO it really comes down to personal preference.
Can't go wrong with either as they're the two best brands on the market - I run ARH on my C6Z with no complaints whatsoever.
I'm not a fan of the cheaper, overseas Header options - have heard far too many issues to ever consider installing or recommending them.
Happy to help with a set if interested, just let me know primary size and with or without Cats.
- Alec
267.788.4897
Can't go wrong with either as they're the two best brands on the market - I run ARH on my C6Z with no complaints whatsoever.
I'm not a fan of the cheaper, overseas Header options - have heard far too many issues to ever consider installing or recommending them.
Happy to help with a set if interested, just let me know primary size and with or without Cats.
- Alec
267.788.4897
Safety Car
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 4,647
Likes: 1,832
From: Erlanger, Kentucky
what size do did you have? Your comments almost made me not buy ARH, but I can tell you that other than slightly bending that line, I had no fitment issues on mine. Nor did I wrap anything or melt anything.
Everyone with kooks swears they need to wrap everything due to plug wire failures and starter failures.
so I typically take these with a grain of salt.
Everyone with kooks swears they need to wrap everything due to plug wire failures and starter failures.
so I typically take these with a grain of salt.
As for coating or wrapping, it can help but is no guarantee not melting or burning anything. Main thing is the make sure nothing is directly touching the exhaust and ideally has at minimum 1/4 inch of clearance. I do have plug wire insulators with my Kooks on my C6 but on my 2017 Camaro SS, the wires are bare and never had any problem with my uncoated Kooks there.