[KingLT1]

All I know these are popular in the Mustang community and now some GM shops are starting to use them. So, take it FWIW...

[Spudsmaro]

Originally Posted by vince3

All headers seem to have problems but which ones are the least problematic vs price or value

CSP - seem to fit the best, but still have issues with the wiring harness having to be moved. Never in stock and $1600 with off-road connection pipes

Kooks - cause false knock, wiring needs to be moved, rubs motor mounts, have to drop starter and sits very close to the starter. Can buy CSPs clone version with connection pipes for $1350

ARH - had arh on my old car, had burnt wires. Price lol

TSP - fit issues with steering column. Some have to dent the headers or just have it rub the steering column. Also no rear 02 bung on the cats, so no putting wideband. Not sure if the high flow cats are good, not sure if the my are 200 or 400 cell. Very reasonable price 1k with cats.

Speed engineering - fit issues, clamps leak, cheaper metal, not cat options but damn cheap and since the all have problems why not. Very feasible price $750 ish with 3” x pipe going to axle back.

Stock manifolds - give up on 10-20 rwhp on a bolt on car, no cool exhaust noise but no cost and problems.

I’ve search many times just wanted some fresh opinions.

I’ve had the speed engineers headers on for about 3 years. I put them on myself along with the off road x pipe they offer. Spent about $800 on the set.
I wrapped them. I used a set of spark plugs with ceramic boots I purchased from Phasteck. I found no issues with fitment. I did not use the clamps provided by speed engineering I bought the sleeve clamps off eBay for a reasonable price. Clearly getting it welded would be the better option. It connected straight to the factory muffler and I get the thumbs up and “it sounds amazing” often. I’d 100% choose speed engineering again. It’s 304 stainless steel which most headers on the market are so I don’t see how it’s “cheaper material”. But as stated I’d choose them again if I had too.

[vince3]

I still haven’t bought headers. All my other parts are sitting in a corner collecting dust until I decide. I should have bought the used set of ARH headers, but I hesitated and they sold quickly. I really wanted TSP, but now I’m leaning towards the ARH long system with cats or speed engineering with x pipe with 3” pipes back to axle back.

I am concerned with the 409 steel in speed engineering with driving in traffic with a bunch of hot days here and that steel might not hold up in our high humidity climate.

[Megahurtz]

In our experience, Speed Engineering may or may not fit well. So much so that now we won't install that brand anymore when clients want to bring their own parts. It's not worth the time and headache when they fit like garbage and client has to send them back or deal with rattles/vibrations.

Save yourself the trouble and get a good set of ARH or Kooks headers, that are manufactured in the US with strict quality control and great customer service.

[KingLT1]

^Yup. Speed Engineering is a crap shoot. Some production runs seem to fit fine, the next batch fits like crap. I have a set on my Yukon and I had to beat the snot out of them to get clearance from the frame and steering shaft. Had I paid a bunch of money for them I would have sent them back. The 409 steel is the least of your worries. For the cost I am not mad about it, but I don't think I would put them on my Camaro. I know others that got lucky, and they fit fine.

[vince3]

I really wish I could find more reviews on these. I had LG headers on my Z06 but that was almost 20 years ago.

https://www.lgmotorsports.com/lgm-ge...-8-header.html

[DeuceCam]

Megahurtz,

With the 1-7/8" versions, do you find ARH or Kooks both offer ample starter clearance, or is one better in than the the other in that regard? What are your thoughts on the x pipe design when comparing both brands?

[Dynamical]

Originally Posted by DeuceCam

Megahurtz,

With the 1-7/8" versions, do you find ARH or Kooks both offer ample starter clearance, or is one better in than the the other in that regard? What are your thoughts on the x pipe design when comparing both brands?

Good question about the starter and clearance. Can I add another question? Lol. What about false knock? Is this a very common thing with these cars with headers and is tuning it out a compromise in any way due to having to desensitize the knock sensitivity?

[Delran]

Anyone have the Stainless works headers with the Borla S-Type exhaust? Wondering how the fitment would be....I keep going back and forth between the SW/Kooks/ARH headers

[tortilla-flats]

Originally Posted by vince3

I really wish I could find more reviews on these. I had LG headers on my Z06 but that was almost 20 years ago.

https://www.lgmotorsports.com/lgm-ge...-8-header.html

Ah, thanks for that! I had plum forgotten about those guys. Had their headers on my C5. They were the go to back in the day.

Not to far from me. That's probably where I'll go when I get around to headers.

[White_1LE]

I have Kooks 2" primary headers with the Ultra HO Green Cats. No complaints, install went smooth, I can change all the plugs without any craziness involved, haven't burnt a plug wire (4k miles since install). I used MSD bendable boots with fire sleeves FWIW.

I want to have a set of "Track Only" connection pipes available so I can remove the cats from the system on occasion. Like maybe go catless for a 10/10ths tuning or dyno session, or track event, and then put the cats back on for around town. MN is not an inspection state, so not concerned about that, but I opted for these cats when I put the headers on planning for the future (never know if I move) and not be quite as obnoxiously loud as some cars I have had over the years.

Kooks wants a small fortune for their catless connection pipes. I stumbled across the LTH brand recently and from the pictures, it sure looks like their catless connection pipes would bolt right in. And they are substantially cheaper. Also from what I have read, seems like Kooks makes LTH brand headers for them.

I am guessing nobody else has tried this, but figured might be worth asking? Or has anybody used the LTH brand headers and can confirm the bubble flange is 3" and maybe measure the overall length?

TIA!

[tortilla-flats]

lol, So many posts here lately it's like people reading my mind.

I've been having the same thoughts. If you're concerned about price, my solution is probably not what you can to hear. But I'll tell you anyway.


I was thinking to have a custom exhaust shop make me a straight connector to replace the cats, then v-band that in along with v-banding the cat-back.

Swap cats out and swap the muffler with a muffler delete or the AWE Track Attack cat-back.

[vince3]

I found a full ARH system including mufflers for 2k. It was used, but originally a $4500 system. When I called shops to ask what they would charge to install headers, most said they would only install ARH and kooks. I was leaning the cheap route but people in here convinced plus the shops not wanting to install.

[White_1LE]

Originally Posted by tortilla-flats

lol, So many posts here lately it's like people reading my mind.

I've been having the same thoughts. If you're concerned about price, my solution is probably not what you can to hear. But I'll tell you anyway.


I was thinking to have a custom exhaust shop make me a straight connector to replace the cats, then v-band that in along with v-banding the cat-back.

Swap cats out and swap the muffler with a muffler delete or the AWE Track Attack cat-back.

Yeah, that is a good idea, but as you said, would add some cost. I am fine with the slip fit and bubble flange for now, I won't be swapping frequently enough to need something faster/less prone to issues like a VBand. But that would be a perfect solution.

The LTH catless pipes look like they are about $300 shipped and the Kooks catless pipes are $650-700 everywhere I look. Guessing custom pipes with VBands from a shop is going to be as much or more than the Kooks pipes, but maybe not much more.