Kooks headers

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Nov 6, 2019 | 04:50 PM

Undy

Thread Starter

Safety Car

Joined: Dec 1999

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From: Virginia Beach, VA & Port Charlotte, FL

Kooks headers

It didn't take long for the aftermarket to kick in... I wonder what a chassis dyno would show for benefits? I'm sure a tune would be required if and when they crack the ECM.

Nov 6, 2019 | 04:59 PM

C8Jake

Race Director

Joined: Sep 2013

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From: ►SICAMOUS◄

compare w/OEM

Last edited by C8Jake; Nov 6, 2019 at 05:06 PM.

Nov 6, 2019 | 05:14 PM

FN in MT

Racer

Joined: Jul 2019

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From: Cascade, Montana

ANY other C8 products?

Nov 6, 2019 | 05:14 PM

Undy

Thread Starter

Safety Car

Joined: Dec 1999

Posts: 4,718

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From: Virginia Beach, VA & Port Charlotte, FL

The Kooks have a stepped primary ending up with a larger primary diameter. I'm pretty sure you'll find a merge collector in each primary collector too. Today's modern catalytic converter typically isn't an exhaust flow bottleneck. I would be surprised to see more than 2 rwhp after their removal. 10 to 15 rwhp on the headers, max. I'm interested in seeing Kooks final design and dyno comparisons.

Nov 6, 2019 | 05:24 PM

C7Me

Purveyor of Common Sense

Joined: Apr 2017

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From: Chicago Suburbs IL

St. Jude Donor '19

Someone should tell them they have the C7 logo etched into them.

Nov 6, 2019 | 06:17 PM

2021 C8

Pro

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Undy

It didn't take long for the aftermarket to kick in... I wonder what a chassis dyno would show for benefits? I'm sure a tune would be required if and when they crack the ECM.

Thank you for posting.
Best news I've read on here in a LONG time.

Headers are going to be a much better way to spend your money,
instead of the Z51 or even NPP options.

Nov 6, 2019 | 06:23 PM

64drvr

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From: 200 AGL

St. Jude Donor '15

Last edited by 64drvr; Nov 6, 2019 at 06:24 PM.

Nov 6, 2019 | 07:09 PM

marknagy13

Burning Brakes

Joined: Apr 2018

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So are these technically considered shorty headers that would bolt on to the stock cats?
The only reason I would get headers is to go catless and really get some nice sound.

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Nov 6, 2019 | 08:34 PM

Bucco Bar

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From: Murrysville PA

The Kooks headers along with the Corsa Extremes were on my last 2 cars. They will be on my C8 too. (waiting for Corsa)
Norm

Nov 6, 2019 | 08:43 PM

#10

PurpleLion

Burning Brakes

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I would be really surprised if they were better than the stock headers.

Nov 6, 2019 | 09:16 PM

#11

C8Jake

Race Director

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From: ►SICAMOUS◄

Quote:

Originally Posted by PurpleLion

I'd be really surprised if they were better than OEM

so would I

Last edited by C8Jake; Nov 6, 2019 at 10:22 PM.

Nov 6, 2019 | 09:51 PM

#12

FinsterforstFan

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Joined: Aug 2018

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A tune wouldn’t necessarily be required. I have Dundon catted headers on my GT3RS and they have shown dyno proven gains of around 25whp with no tune.

It will be interesting to see what sorts of gains can be had out of these.

Last edited by FinsterforstFan; Nov 6, 2019 at 09:52 PM.

Nov 7, 2019 | 07:06 AM

#13

MikeyTX

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From: Big Bend Country, TX

St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21

NCM Lifetime Member

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undy

It didn't take long for the aftermarket to kick in... I wonder what a chassis dyno would show for benefits? I'm sure a tune would be required if and when they crack the ECM.

Quote:

Originally Posted by C8Jake

compare w/OEM

Well, I guess if someone has the money to waste and or is a brand ***** ..................

Nov 7, 2019 | 09:22 AM

#14

Racer X

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jul 2000

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From: North Dallas 40 TX

Ok, thanks Kooks. Now tell us about how it fits in the stock heat shielding, or are they making custom heat shielding as well? I would not want to run those naked.

Nov 7, 2019 | 09:41 AM

#15

RapidC84B

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Joined: Feb 2013

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 2021 C8

Thank you for posting.
Best news I've read on here in a LONG time.

Headers are going to be a much better way to spend your money,
instead of the Z51 or even NPP options.

So you think headers... which will add 10-15 horse max... will do more than the Z51 with it's revised gearing, and cooling, and aero? I'd wager the base car will overheat on a summer trackday. There's a reason they added the 3rd radiator.

If you're just drag racing, the Z51's gearing will out ET the base car... GM's published stats prove that.

NPP is just a catback... all C8s come with the OEM tubular headers. Additionally, these have no provision for heat shielding. GM heat shielded the heck out of those headers for a reason. They don't add cost just because.

Nov 7, 2019 | 09:44 AM

#16

RapidC84B

Team Owner

Joined: Feb 2013

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Bucco Bar

The Kooks headers along with the Corsa Extremes were on my last 2 cars. They will be on my C8 too. (waiting for Corsa)
Norm

FYI Corsa has no ETA on development, but did confirm they will be making a system.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PurpleLion

I would be really surprised if they were better than the stock headers.

Gains will be minimal and you'll have to void your warranty with a tune to take full advantage. They appear to have longer primaries and certainly have a merge collector, but it'll be interesting to see when someone deletes the cats and makes real long-tubes. However, 20-30 horse isn't worth voiding my warranty.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racer X

Ok, thanks Kooks. Now tell us about how it fits in the stock heat shielding, or are they making custom heat shielding as well? I would not want to run those naked.

Exactly... I track my cars often. GM added all that heat shielding for a reason. Would be interesting to see how a good ceramic jet hot would do. I don't think it's on the same level as the physical barrier heat shielding. I'm sure it would be just fine for street and drag use, but 30 minutes WOT on a road course in the summer may be a different story. I felt the same about my C7 seeing how close the giant fuse box was to the exhaust manifold.

Nov 7, 2019 | 09:51 AM

#17

C8Jake

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From: ►SICAMOUS◄

Nov 7, 2019 | 09:51 AM

#18

tyho

Racer

Joined: Jan 2015

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C7 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019

Now if someone made titanium headers along with the rest of the exhaust, that would be something. Expensive, yah ... but 50 lbs lighter. Here's hoping anyway.

Nov 7, 2019 | 09:52 AM

#19

RapidC84B

Team Owner

Joined: Feb 2013

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See GM detailed powertrain presentation slides here... lots of in-depth info on the exhaust development and the new wideband O2 sensor. Going to be interesting to see how the aftermarket accounts for the tuning challenges of the wideband.

https://www.corvetteblogger.com/2019...ys-powertrain/

“Advancements in controls and new WRAF (wide range air fuel) sensor allow for improved idle combustion stability despite camshaft modifications”

Last edited by RapidC84B; Nov 7, 2019 at 10:06 AM.

Nov 7, 2019 | 04:11 PM

#20

2021 C8

Pro

Joined: Jul 2019

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Tool Hoarder

I already addressed this in another thread.
Depends on the use of the car.

If a track car like you claim, there's an argument for Z51+MSRC.
Better yet, wait for the C8 ZO6.

If daily driven, a non-Z51 is the best choice.
Money spent on Z51 is better served going towards headers on a daily driver.

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