[RideZX6R]

Originally Posted by pyroguy

The higher you pay for the headers the greater chance that they will bolt right in without issue. The reason for that is that those companies took longer to R&D their headers and have higher Q&C standards. Now that doesn't mean that a pair of $500 headers won't fit right the first time, it just means that more consistently the more expensive ones will fit without "massaging" them to fit. On my 5th gen I bought Kooks and they were incredibly easy to fit and had plenty of clearance in all directions. I would recommend them to anyone looking for a set of headers.

My experience was the more expensive headers were a harder fit, so I don't know I'd agree with your generalization.

I will say that when vehicles are new to the market, the more expensive brands will be available sooner, as those companies typically are larger and have more resources/time to throw at fitting a new product. Whereas the cheaper brands will usually come later, in some cases copying or reverse-engineering products already on the market and/or improving upon them (sometimes).

YMMV

[CompleteStreet]

Kooks fit perfectly with no issue. We have installed and sold hundreds of sets.

We keep them in stock, and have a free Jet Hot coating promo listed here-

https://www.cspracing.com/current-sales/

[pyroguy]

Originally Posted by RideZX6R

My experience was the more expensive headers were a harder fit, so I don't know I'd agree with your generalization.

I will say that when vehicles are new to the market, the more expensive brands will be available sooner, as those companies typically are larger and have more resources/time to throw at fitting a new product. Whereas the cheaper brands will usually come later, in some cases copying or reverse-engineering products already on the market and/or improving upon them.

YMMV

That's an interesting experience. I've only installed Kooks and Stainless Works and both were super easy installs. However, many sets of Speed Engineering headers I've heard installed had to have at least one dimple in them to make them fit without rubbing. (These are just a couple examples of the polar opposites in price, I know other brands in-between that have issues/perfect fits as well.)

I do agree that the larger companies are able to do their R&D earlier which is why they come out with their headers sooner, and the cheap brands pretty much just reverse engineered theirs. That reverse engineering is likely why theirs don't fit as well as often too, combined with the typical lower standards of Q&C.

[RideZX6R]

Originally Posted by pyroguy

That's an interesting experience. I've only installed Kooks and Stainless Works and both were super easy installs. However, many sets of Speed Engineering headers I've heard installed had to have at least one dimple in them to make them fit without rubbing. (These are just a couple examples of the polar opposites in price, I know other brands in-between that have issues/perfect fits as well.)

I do agree that the larger companies are able to do their R&D earlier which is why they come out with their headers sooner, and the cheap brands pretty much just reverse engineered theirs. That reverse engineering is likely why theirs don't fit as well as often too, combined with the typical lower standards of Q&C.

No experience with Speed Engineering personally so i can't comment.

I will say that the OBX headers I installed we're cheaper and an easier install than Kooks, not by a ton mind you - but enough to notice. Apart from the install the fitment was pretty similar, with the only major difference being that OBX had a little more room around the steering shaft (but there was a decent amount of room there to begin with so it wouldn't have swayed my decision if I were comparing the two).

[Skyjogger]

I have a question do all headers need the engine mount removed or can some slip in easily ive seen conflicting info on this some people claim to have not had to remove engine mounts heck ive seen videos. and others claim there is zero way youll get headers in without removing mount.

[CompleteStreet]

Originally Posted by Skyjogger

I have a question do all headers need the engine mount removed or can some slip in easily ive seen conflicting info on this some people claim to have not had to remove engine mounts heck ive seen videos. and others claim there is zero way youll get headers in without removing mount.

Kooks do not need engine mount removed.

[geaux_tigerss]

I did TSP 2" on jack stands in my garage and didn't have to touch the engine mounts. It's tight, but doable.

[RideZX6R]

I didn't need to do engine mount for kooks or obx.

I don't think you need to remove it for most headers tbh