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I see that most folks go with kooks but from what I'm reading ARH seems to be a better product. Is it because of price? I'm looking at the catted version of both on factory exhaust. I would like to go with the quieter of the two if there is a difference.
In my opinion either will grant you everything you would come to expect from top tier exhaust companies. They both have great fitment, both make great power, and both will make your vehicle sound incredible. Kooks and ARH are our two most popular brands we sell and install here at our shop.
I see that most folks go with kooks but from what I'm reading ARH seems to be a better product. Is it because of price? I'm looking at the catted version of both on factory exhaust. I would like to go with the quieter of the two if there is a difference.
Thoughts?
I would go with the ARH set up a few yrs back I bought 2 inch headers from KOOKs for the c5 I was told these headers would NOT have problems with the A/C lines they where the new set up. Well guess what it did with 3 days burn a hole in the line.
I called the guy I got them from at KOOKS he told me one of the old sets had to been shipped out he was sorry but couldn't do nothing & wouldn't do nothing about it. I got a vendor in here BLOWNBLUEZ06 in here he was making up lines for the old set up cost me almost 250.00 more for the A/C line from him & also getting the A/C chged back up again. Robert
Are there any props out there for Stainless Works? They are an American company and 2 of the shops near me recommend them. I also see banners and T shirts for them on episodes of Street Outlaws. Their headers don’t get mentioned very much on these forums.
IMO, the Kooks brand is solid. Will give you good fitment and performance for a good price. The ARH are the best of the best. They will be better than the Kooks (even if only by a little bit), but you are paying a decent amount more for them.
I have ARH on my car and they are perfect. But the Kooks seem to do the job very well as well.
I can't speak for Corvettes as I just purchased my first one, but for my other vehicles I have ALWAYS had Nick over at ARH build me my exhausts. He used my 01 Camaro to mock up over the axle true duals when other companies said it couldn't be done (and he did a SICK job). He custom made my headers for my 68 Camaro with a 434ci and I just used his Long Tubes 2 inch and 3 inch cat back system on my hellcat. Are they expensive? You bet your butt they are. Are they great? Absolutely. Benefit for me is ARH is located 15 minutes from my house. George over at Kooks builds nice stuff too. But he left long island, NY so I just use ARH that way if I have any issues, they are right here. And I have them install all my exhausts as well.
So kooks versus ARH? Id go ARH but Kooks are nice quality as well. Comes down to how deep the wallet goes I guess.
Early when the C7 was first introduced the ARH performed the.best. I have a set of 2" ARH and they fit like a glove. That said I don't think you could go wrong with either.
So KOOKS used to be on Long Island NY. They then moved down south and started again. ARH are some of the old KOOKS guys that stayed on Long Island NY.. The old KOOKS manufacturing building is now the ARH manufacturing building. So you're going to get similar quality from both manufacturers being they worked together in the past.
Last edited by BlueDevilZ51; Mar 2, 2018 at 08:17 AM.
I have used/installed MANY headers from both manufacturers. ARH has longer primaries and if primary diameter is the same, they should produce a couple more ftlbs over the kooks. After a few months to a couple years, I find the uncoated finish on the Kooks to be nicer. I have used BOTH on my personal cars and cost swayed me the last time. You can’t really go wrong with either one.
I see that most folks go with kooks but from what I'm reading ARH seems to be a better product. Is it because of price? I'm looking at the catted version of both on factory exhaust. I would like to go with the quieter of the two if there is a difference.
Thoughts?
One thing I learned awhile back is to check the gauge (thickness) of the steel. You get a lot of rasp when using thin steel.
I have had both on other cars. On my 17 GS I went this time with Kooks and what swayed me was the ARP bolts that it came with, ARH also has hardware too. I think both offer the same quality and performance.
Running the ARH 2" catted xpipe setup on my GS. Could not be happier. Fitment was perfect and from what I have read the ARH makes a little more power up top and in the mid range than the Kooks. Either is a good choice
Running Kooks 1 7/8" LTs plus green cats and am very pleased with the setup. Had Kooks on my old 2009 Pontiac G8 GT and both Kooks experiences have been top notch for fit, finish, performance, and sound.