[db2022cs]

I reached out to a pretty decent shop that does a lot of Chevy work and is pretty reputable. I was looking to have long tube headers, flex fuel kit and a tune done to the car, they provide all the parts. They went with Kooks 1 7/8 with green cats which is about $2700 right there alone. Everything else came out to another $3200 bringing the total for the work and tax to $5900. The same shop quoted me $12100 for a 600HP package that includes engine removal, cams, heads, headers and tuning.

Is $6000 fair for headers, flex fuel and tune and parts/supplies? I have the quote below.

2260H430 1.00 2761.00 KOOKS 1 7/8 HEADERS WITH GREEN CATS 2016-UP CAMARO
33829 1.00 137.99 MSD WIRESET LT1 14+
4344 8.00 109.20 NGK IRIDIUM SPARK PLUG
12657093 2.00 34.04 GM LT1 EXHAUST GASKET 2014+
DSXFLEX 1.00 375.00 DSX FLEX FUEL KIT- '16+ CAMARO SS
LABOR 4.50 607.50 Install Headers and connections
LABOR 2.00 270.00 Install Flex Fuel kit
LABOR 1.00 850.00 Dyno tune (E85)
6452 2.00 184.00 VP C-85 5 GALLON
1.00 266.00 Supplies

5972.84 Total with tax
Kooks headers are great headers are great, and that is a huge cost. If I could find something for half that cost and get them ceramic coated, I would maybe be happier. What is the difference between the green cats and high flow cats? Are the green cats just what Kooks calls the high flow cats? I could knock off another $270 and install flex fuel myself but I think they have a 12000 mile 1 year warranty if they install everything. What are the thoughts here? TIA.

[kropscamaro16]

yup thats a pretty fair deal the headers themselves aint cheap unless you can find a used pair

[ShockSS]

I know Kooks makes a fantastic product, but for what its worth, 3 years ago I had 1 7/8th texas speed stainless headers installed with my flex sensor and tune. I’ve had zero issues whatsoever from the TSP headers and all in only hit my wallet for about 2500 (to be fair the headers at the time were only 1000 and are now 1400) but the flex kit is still about the same (250-300ish) and install/dyno tune only ran me 1250. I’m sure things vary by area but almost 6K seems a hair high to me

[White1SS]

Aren't you concerned about losing your power train warranty on a new car? I have a 24, and would like to do something similar, but just can't get over voiding my warranty.

[WiggyB]

I say save the money and do the work yourself just take it to the shop for the tune. I did everything listed myself and saved a good bit on the pockets.

[Megahurtz]

Nothing alarming about that quote.

[KingLT1]

Imo Catted headers are not worth that kind of money vs the gains on a basically stock car. I think I would do a Flex sensor, LT2 manifold, 95mm tb, and CAI. Go with TSP headers later if you decide to get a cam.

[ALMN]

Originally Posted by db2022cs

I reached out to a pretty decent shop that does a lot of Chevy work and is pretty reputable. I was looking to have long tube headers, flex fuel kit and a tune done to the car, they provide all the parts. They went with Kooks 1 7/8 with green cats which is about $2700 right there alone. Everything else came out to another $3200 bringing the total for the work and tax to $5900. The same shop quoted me $12100 for a 600HP package that includes engine removal, cams, heads, headers and tuning.

Is $6000 fair for headers, flex fuel and tune and parts/supplies? I have the quote below.

2260H430 1.00 2761.00 KOOKS 1 7/8 HEADERS WITH GREEN CATS 2016-UP CAMARO
33829 1.00 137.99 MSD WIRESET LT1 14+
4344 8.00 109.20 NGK IRIDIUM SPARK PLUG
12657093 2.00 34.04 GM LT1 EXHAUST GASKET 2014+
DSXFLEX 1.00 375.00 DSX FLEX FUEL KIT- '16+ CAMARO SS
LABOR 4.50 607.50 Install Headers and connections
LABOR 2.00 270.00 Install Flex Fuel kit
LABOR 1.00 850.00 Dyno tune (E85)
6452 2.00 184.00 VP C-85 5 GALLON
1.00 266.00 Supplies

5972.84 Total with tax
Kooks headers are great headers are great, and that is a huge cost. If I could find something for half that cost and get them ceramic coated, I would maybe be happier. What is the difference between the green cats and high flow cats? Are the green cats just what Kooks calls the high flow cats? I could knock off another $270 and install flex fuel myself but I think they have a 12000 mile 1 year warranty if they install everything. What are the thoughts here? TIA.

Dang! Considering you can get an lt4, edelbrock or procharger for close to that amount on a stock car but so much more hp is crazy. Headers alone are worth only what 20 whp?

[db2022cs]

Originally Posted by WiggyB

I say save the money and do the work yourself just take it to the shop for the tune. I did everything listed myself and saved a good bit on the pockets.

While I have thought about doing the work myself. I just have read about how it's just a pain in the butt. I have seen people saying getting the car as high as possible or it's a nightmare, I have seen someone say 3 feet off the ground. I only really have jackstands.

[db2022cs]

Originally Posted by ALMN

Dang! Considering you can get an lt4, edelbrock or procharger for close to that amount on a stock car but so much more hp is crazy. Headers alone are worth only what 20 whp?

Yeah, I am not expecting a crazy amount of power increase, maybe 25-45 with headers, e85 and tune. I am more after a bit of the sound that comes with headers. I have also seriously thought about going procharger route. Seems like the best way to get power for the least amount of money. I'm not racing people, I don't care about getting to 60 the fastest, the current speed of the SS is fine for me. I do enjoy driving the car though and the headers will add to that experience for me. I suppose I could just get a Corsa extreme, but I would want it valved and that is already nearly 3k just for that.

[db2022cs]

Originally Posted by KingLT1

Imo Catted headers are not worth that kind of money vs the gains on a basically stock car. I think I would do a Flex sensor, LT2 manifold, 95mm tb, and CAI. Go with TSP headers later if you decide to get a cam.

I would go catless if my state didn't do visual emission inspections. If I would go that route you suggested, that would be something I could do myself. I just am after more of the sound which is what the headers would give me.

[DavidCaslin]

$6000 for long tube headers, a flex fuel kit, and a tune, along with parts and supplies, seems reasonable considering the quality and labor involved. Kooks headers are known for their performance, though you might explore ceramic coating options to manage costs. I dream of buying a new car, that's why sometimes I try my luck in online casino games as Plinko. You can read about it at https://notgamstop.com/mini-games/plinko/ and compare different mini games.

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by db2022cs

I would go catless if my state didn't do visual emission inspections. If I would go that route you suggested, that would be something I could do myself. I just am after more of the sound which is what the headers would give me.

Just as a side note, catless exhausts stink to high heaven when using 93 or non-ethanol fuel, and are mega loud... my car has Kooks headers with green cats, stock suitcase exhaust, and it's much louder than stock at any amount of throttle, my cold starts can be heard from half a mile. Modern high flow cats do not impede power generation either, and certainly not at these down to earth power leves.

For these reasons (and also not to be a dick to everyone else, uselessly annoying people like those coal rollers whose assholery also contributes to stupid new regulations), I would not go catless even though my county does no inspections.

Originally Posted by db2022cs

Kooks headers are great headers are great, and that is a huge cost. If I could find something for half that cost and get them ceramic coated, I would maybe be happier. What is the difference between the green cats and high flow cats? Are the green cats just what Kooks calls the high flow cats? I could knock off another $270 and install flex fuel myself but I think they have a 12000 mile 1 year warranty if they install everything. What are the thoughts here? TIA.

I think "green cats" is a product moniker and these are actually high capacity, high flow cats. If you go with these headers, make sure you get the newer gen 2 cats rated for 1000+ hp, I have the older gen 1 that is rated for 425 crank hp per bank (850 total), and I'm near the top edge of their allowed range.

Kooks headers may be expensive, but they have excellent quality and perfect fitment. Mine are ceramic coated and have literally looked brand new in the engine bay since 2021. The coating manages their heat pretty well, they don't get very hot, which helps with my 2SS front end that has less airflow than the ZL1. I never had any heat issues.

[KingLT1]

Originally Posted by db2022cs

I would go catless if my state didn't do visual emission inspections. If I would go that route you suggested, that would be something I could do myself. I just am after more of the sound which is what the headers would give me.

So would an axle back exhaust.