[tortilla-flats]

So not really a "which is best" question but a cost questions. Reading through old(er) threads it seems most agree that ARH & Kooks are very similar in quality. Discussions on pricing indicate that ARH are a bit higher in price.

That doesn't seem to be the case any longer. For what I am currently finding on the internet, generally the price for a catted, "long" kit is
~ $2,500 for ARH
~ $3,500 for Kooks

Does anyone know why Kooks are $1k more? This isn't a minor pricing differential.

[SWFLZL1]

The kooks seem to have a better high flow cat from my understanding. Seems if it’s a n/a car, either will work, but for boosted cars, the kooks cat seems to hold up better.

[tortilla-flats]

That makes sense, I guess. But a thousand dollars better?

[KingLT1]

Check out the LTH brand headers.

[Dynamical]

I always wondered why some people were saying ARH was more money. As far as I remember, Kooks has always been more expensive. That being said, if ARH could build their stuff faster I would have probably had their full system by now. I debated this for so long I’m leaning towards not doing headers.
If you want the good cats then Kooks will be the way to go. If I did do headers I would get the catted ARH with plans on gutting them for future FI. It would also be for visual inspection. No way I’m spending that big money on cats with kooks. And no I don’t believe the extra 1k is worth it. ARH is expensive enough.

[SWFLZL1]

Originally Posted by tortilla-flats

That makes sense, I guess. But a thousand dollars better?

My CSP headers (made by Kooks) came with a 4.5” bodied Gesi cat. They are like $800 a piece, so yeah, I guess if the ARH cats are only like $300 a cat, then there’s your $1000 difference. Don’t know which cats ARH uses, but it is possible.

[CamaroDreams76]

The Kooks has an option to be ceramic coated by jet hot. Pretty sure the 3500 has the optioned on.

[vince3]

I bet on a Dyno the standard high flow 200 cell cat makes more power than the green or gesi cat. Only if you need a cat on a power adder car would it make any sense.

[Katech_Mike]

For catless & N/A catted builds we typically use ARH. For catted supercharged builds we use the Kooks w/ H.O cats.

The fitment on both systems is very good. The ARH cats will not last on a supercharged car.

[SOCAL.M6.ZLE]

Originally Posted by tortilla-flats

So not really a "which is best" question but a cost questions. Reading through old(er) threads it seems most agree that ARH & Kooks are very similar in quality. Discussions on pricing indicate that ARH are a bit higher in price.

That doesn't seem to be the case any longer. For what I am currently finding on the internet, generally the price for a catted, "long" kit is
~ $2,500 for ARH
~ $3,500 for Kooks

Does anyone know why Kooks are $1k more? This isn't a minor pricing differential.

Can you share links to the kits you are looking at? my guess is that the $3,500 kit includes he UHO cats.

Question; if. you plan to push more than 650rwhp... those are the cats you want. you also want the coated headers so, yes... the minimum investment level goes alot hight when get the "good stuff"

[DeuceCam]

What are your thoughts on the x pipe design difference on both brands?

[L78toLT1]

Originally Posted by SWFLZL1

The kooks seem to have a better high flow cat from my understanding. Seems if it’s a n/a car, either will work, but for boosted cars, the kooks cat seems to hold up better.

The Kooks "high-flow" cats can't handle much boost. Their Greens seem to hold up pretty well at my power level (low-mid 700 whp).

[tortilla-flats]

Originally Posted by SOCAL.M6.ZLE

Can you share links to the kits you are looking at? my guess is that the $3,500 kit includes he UHO cats.

Kooks 1-7/8" Headers & GREEN Exhaust Kit For OEM Mufflers. 2016-2024 Camaro SS/ZL1 $3,633.85
2016-2024 Chevrolet Camaro SS LT1 6.2L 1-7/8" x 3" Stainless Steel Long Tube Headers & 3" GREEN Catted Header back exhaust Kit.
All 304 Stainless Mandrel Bent Tubing
3" GREEN Catted Connection Pipes 1
3" X-Pipe
Connects to OEM exhaust near rear Axle to retain Factory Valved Mufflers
Includes all Gaskets, Hardware and Clamps required for installation
No Welding Required

-----------------------

ARH Camaro V8 (LT1/LT4 SS /ZL1/1LE) Long System 2016-2024 $2,835.30
Features include our high quality long tubes with primary sizes up to 2", merge style collectors, our 3" X-Pipe and the pipes needed to mate to the factory mufflers with a single mark and cut on each side. (NO WELDING REQUIRED)
100% Made in the USA - Never Outsourced
Made entirely of 304 stainless steel
3/8" thick laser-cut flanges for a warp-free seal
Hand-ported TIG welded inlets
Optimized primary tube routing for superior fit and performance
Merge collectors with scavenger spikes
Catted systems feature 200 cell metallic substrate catalytic converters for extreme durability

==================

Good callout on the Jet Hot coating being the difference, but I don't see any mention of that.

Originally Posted by SOCAL.M6.ZLE

Question; if. you plan to push more than 650rwhp... those are the cats you want. you also want the coated headers so, yes... the minimum investment level goes alot hight when get the "good stuff"

That's a good question. My current (near term?) plans don't go that high. But I am looking at possibly a supercharger down the line. My primary thought process that what I buy today can be leveraged in the future.

[tortilla-flats]

It looks like the difference IS the green cats...https://kooksheaders.com/exhaust/con...0-camaro-sszl1 $1,439.38

Wow, that's nuts. They want more for just the cats than their headers ($1,168).