Kooks, TSP, or speed engineering headers and go!

Dnfwm · 08-07-2018, 07:02 PM

Alright guys, the mod bug is starting to bite (18 SS 1LE)and I figured headers and x pipe would be a good place to start. Now normally I’m not the type of guy that wants cheap mods, but let me share a little back story with you....

My previous ride was a Lexus ISF. There weren’t many companies that made mods for the car so I had to pay to play. I ended up buying made in America PPE headers (1600usd)for the car and they ended up hitting the steering shaft and vibrating like crazy, not just at turns, all the time. Had to put the car back in the shop and the mechanic that did the job had to do a lot of prying on the headers to get the clearance needed. I then installed a borla catback ($1,200usd). On first fire up, you should have heard it, tinging like crazy. Once again, car had to go up on the hoist and some serious prying needed to get them to sit right. My next mod was the most expensive coilovers that were available for the ISF, Penskes ($3,300.00USD).Well let me tell you this, I had the Penskes on the car for 2 years and 20,000 miles and have pulled them off and they are leaking oil.

I guess what I’m getting at, is I have been down this road before, buying “quality” stuff and nothing was perfectly smooth with this “quality” stuff.

So is there really that big of a difference between Kooks, Texas speed and speed engineering, other than the price? Because to be completely honest, if I’m going to have to screw around with fitment for any of them and they all produce approximately the same results, I think I would lean towards the cheaper option. Can anyone give me any valid reasoning why this is a bad idea?

parbreak · 08-07-2018, 07:29 PM

All I can tell you is I installed Kooks LT headers and didn't have to do any of the stuff others have said they had to do for installation, such as removing starter, jacking up motor, etc. They slipped right in, no hitting the steering shaft bolt, none of that.

meilmarc · 08-07-2018, 08:26 PM

I have Texas speed headers, with no issues, good fit and no steering shaft rub. 1 7/8 inch headers

danhr · 08-07-2018, 08:35 PM

I installed my kooks 2" headers both from the top.

I have no steering rub

I was able to still pull my started off without taking the header off, to do my torque converter

I would not hesitate to put TSP or Speed Engineering headers on my car. Just at the time, TSP was sold out of 2" headers, and speed engineering didnt offer 2" headers

KingLT1 · 08-07-2018, 09:06 PM

Speed Engineering headers have been reported to have some issues. A guy supposedly had 3 sets crack(Just what I read). Texas speed are fine if you go 1 7/8. Their 2" some have had clearance issues with the steering shaft. ARH and Kooks 2" slip right in with no issues from what I have heard. On a light bolt on car 1 7/8 is all you need. 2" won't show any gains till heads/cam or FI.

ULTRAZLS1 · 08-07-2018, 09:08 PM

Kooks 1 7/8 here no problem

Make sure the wiring on the passenger side is heat wrapped and or pulled away from the headers

BlueCamaro6 · 08-08-2018, 03:52 AM

I have the speed engineering ones and no issues. Headers, mid pipe, attached to the npp. I also put hi flo cats on.

SloCal · 10-11-2018, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueCamaro6

I have the speed engineering ones and no issues. Headers, mid pipe, attached to the npp. I also put hi flo cats on.

What hi flow cats did you get? want speed engineering but don't know which to get. Also any issues come up with speed engineering headers/exhaust?

Joshinator99 · 10-11-2018, 03:35 AM

American Racing and Kooks both seem to get the most positive feedback. Both made in the USA too. I’ve seen more complaints about Speed Engineering than any other brand. Believe they’re made in China...not sure how many Camaros are over there...

Booher · 10-11-2018, 06:49 AM

Does anybody use stainless works? I rarely see their name matched with our cars. Is there a reason for that?

ecko04 · 10-13-2018, 09:43 AM

Every product and every manufacturer has it’s issues. Issues are not limited to where the product is made.

Speed Engineering designs their products in the US, and yes, they outsource to China for manufacturing.

This is no different than Apple, or just about any other, product that’s designed and engineered in the US and made in China, or elsewhere. Speed Engineering has been in the game a long time, they’re no spring chicken and they do take quality assurance seriously.

I like to support US designed and sold just as much as the next person but we gotta stop acting like US made products are somehow immune to manufacturing defects and issues. We may not hear about them as much, because we hate to bash our own, but they do exist.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

ecko04 · 10-13-2018, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SloCal

What hi flow cats did you get? want speed engineering but don't know which to get. Also any issues come up with speed engineering headers/exhaust?

I asked him the same question, he got back to me very quickly. I’m going after the exact same exhaust setup as him.

Kooks GE-307540

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

ssmike · 11-03-2018, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 18ss376

I finally went with Texas Speed 1-7/8" headers, cats & 3" X-Pipe made of 304 S.S. way cheaper than anyone else I could find.

How did the x-pipe tie into the factory exhaust. I’m a little confused by their install instructions. I may end up doing with their headers and catted connections into the factory exhaust. Just wondering if there’s any advantage to adding their x-pipe.

6spdhyperblue · 11-03-2018, 08:01 AM

You will need to massage there 2in headers in a few places. Nothing horrible tho

08-07-2018, 07:02 PM	#1
Dnfwm Drives: 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Canada Posts: 56	Kooks, TSP, or speed engineering headers and go! Alright guys, the mod bug is starting to bite (18 SS 1LE)and I figured headers and x pipe would be a good place to start. Now normally I’m not the type of guy that wants cheap mods, but let me share a little back story with you.... My previous ride was a Lexus ISF. There weren’t many companies that made mods for the car so I had to pay to play. I ended up buying made in America PPE headers (1600usd)for the car and they ended up hitting the steering shaft and vibrating like crazy, not just at turns, all the time. Had to put the car back in the shop and the mechanic that did the job had to do a lot of prying on the headers to get the clearance needed. I then installed a borla catback ($1,200usd). On first fire up, you should have heard it, tinging like crazy. Once again, car had to go up on the hoist and some serious prying needed to get them to sit right. My next mod was the most expensive coilovers that were available for the ISF, Penskes ($3,300.00USD).Well let me tell you this, I had the Penskes on the car for 2 years and 20,000 miles and have pulled them off and they are leaking oil. I guess what I’m getting at, is I have been down this road before, buying “quality” stuff and nothing was perfectly smooth with this “quality” stuff. So is there really that big of a difference between Kooks, Texas speed and speed engineering, other than the price? Because to be completely honest, if I’m going to have to screw around with fitment for any of them and they all produce approximately the same results, I think I would lean towards the cheaper option. Can anyone give me any valid reasoning why this is a bad idea?

08-07-2018, 07:29 PM	#2
parbreak Drives: 2017 50th Camaro SS Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Maryland Posts: 525	All I can tell you is I installed Kooks LT headers and didn't have to do any of the stuff others have said they had to do for installation, such as removing starter, jacking up motor, etc. They slipped right in, no hitting the steering shaft bolt, none of that. __________________ 50th Anniversary Edition \|Borla Atak and 60606 mid pipes\| Kooks 1 7/8" \| ProCharger Stage II \|305/45/17 DRs \| Circle D 3500 stall \| LT4 fueling \| Custom made Lowside Aux Pump \| Alky Control Meth \| DSX E85

08-07-2018, 08:35 PM	#4
danhr BAMF SS Drives: 2016 Camaro 1SS A8 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Ford City, PA Posts: 3,023	I installed my kooks 2" headers both from the top. I have no steering rub I was able to still pull my started off without taking the header off, to do my torque converter I would not hesitate to put TSP or Speed Engineering headers on my car. Just at the time, TSP was sold out of 2" headers, and speed engineering didnt offer 2" headers __________________ 2016 1SS A8: FBO + Circle D + P1X + Meth + Tuned by Pray Performance Stock Longblock 800 SAE rwhp. 9.4 @ 145 mph.

08-07-2018, 09:06 PM	#5
KingLT1 Drives: 2016 1SS NFG A8 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: 46804 Posts: 6,799	Speed Engineering headers have been reported to have some issues. A guy supposedly had 3 sets crack(Just what I read). Texas speed are fine if you go 1 7/8. Their 2" some have had clearance issues with the steering shaft. ARH and Kooks 2" slip right in with no issues from what I have heard. On a light bolt on car 1 7/8 is all you need. 2" won't show any gains till heads/cam or FI. __________________ 2016 NFG 1SS A8 Options-2SS Leather/NPP Perf. mods-Whipple 2.9/Fuel System/Flex Fuel/103mm TB/Rotofab Big Gulp/Cat Deletes/Corsa NPP Per. times- 10.5 @ 137 w/ 1.8 60ft Full weight on 20's 1200DA

08-08-2018, 03:52 AM	#7
BlueCamaro6 Drives: 2018 Camaro 2SS, Hyper Blue Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Next Level Tuning - Chicago Posts: 186	I have the speed engineering ones and no issues. Headers, mid pipe, attached to the npp. I also put hi flo cats on. __________________ 2018 2SS, A8, NAV, NPP, MRC, Sunroof, Hyperblue, LT4 S/C, LT4 Fuel System, RotoFab CAI, Headers, HiFlo Cats 2016 2SS, A8, NAV, NPP, MRC, Sunroof, Hyperblue (GM buyback) 1999 Trans Am Firehawk, M6, headers, no-cats, slp exhaust, hot cam, intake, 3:73 gears. Red/Blk

08-07-2018, 08:26 PM	#3
meilmarc Drives: 2016 2SS, HBM, NPP, Sun Roof Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 87	I have Texas speed headers, with no issues, good fit and no steering shaft rub. 1 7/8 inch headers

08-07-2018, 09:08 PM	#6
ULTRAZLS1 Drives: 14 Silverado LTZ Z71, 16 Camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Jackson, Michigan Posts: 4,407	Kooks 1 7/8 here no problem Make sure the wiring on the passenger side is heat wrapped and or pulled away from the headers

10-11-2018, 03:35 AM	#9
Joshinator99 Drives: 2017 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Petersham MA Posts: 4,749	American Racing and Kooks both seem to get the most positive feedback. Both made in the USA too. I’ve seen more complaints about Speed Engineering than any other brand. Believe they’re made in China...not sure how many Camaros are over there... __________________ 2017 Chevy Camaro 2SS A8 Whipple 3.0, Mast Black Label heads, Fore triple in-tank pumps, 112mm TB, LPE +52% injectors, LPE BB HPFP, 15” conversion *1059 WHP/944 WTQ, 9.48@150*

10-11-2018, 06:49 AM	#10
Booher Drives: 2019 zl1 6 speed Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Lake Havasu Arizona Posts: 979	Does anybody use stainless works? I rarely see their name matched with our cars. Is there a reason for that?

10-13-2018, 09:43 AM	#11
ecko04 Drives: Too many to list Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: East Coast Runner Posts: 878	Every product and every manufacturer has it’s issues. Issues are not limited to where the product is made. Speed Engineering designs their products in the US, and yes, they outsource to China for manufacturing. This is no different than Apple, or just about any other, product that’s designed and engineered in the US and made in China, or elsewhere. Speed Engineering has been in the game a long time, they’re no spring chicken and they do take quality assurance seriously. I like to support US designed and sold just as much as the next person but we gotta stop acting like US made products are somehow immune to manufacturing defects and issues. We may not hear about them as much, because we hate to bash our own, but they do exist. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

11-03-2018, 08:01 AM	#14
6spdhyperblue Drives: 6th gen Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: US Posts: 3,675	You will need to massage there 2in headers in a few places. Nothing horrible tho __________________ ‘22 2SS 1LE M6 Summit White - RF, Flexfuel, LT2 intake, 95mm tb, ATI udp, VT ramair, full 28” dragpack - 11.68@122 ‘16 1SS M6 LT2 intake + boltons on DR 11.0@126+ (Sold)

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