Best headers?!?!

Sharp Shifter · 04-08-2018, 09:49 PM

2" headers will be the direction I choose, but.......which one has the best producing results? Has anyone compared ARH, kooks, stainless works and Texas Speed?

Or has everyone just assumed the most expensive is the best? Because if Texas speed performs just as good at half the price, why not?

Figure this would be a good threat for everyone trying to make this decision. Pros and cons

Can'tHave2MuchHP · 04-08-2018, 10:03 PM

ARH is the best. Kooks is tied. But ARH is the only Header company that are not only made in the USA but the steel itself is made in the USA. All the other companies source steel from China or similar countries. ARH's are used on the COPO for a reason and money no object they're the best. Plus, between ARH and Kooks, ARH is the only one to make the long system that would connect just before the factory suit case on these ZL1's, which is what you want so you delete the secondary cats, junk factory X, and crushed rear section.

I'm not saying you can't make power and be just fine on TSP's or similar, but for me, it's ARH or Kooks, and in the case of the 6th ZL1, ARH.

TDS · 04-08-2018, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Can'tHave2MuchHP

ARH is the best. Kooks is tied. But ARH is the only Header company that are not only made in the USA but the steel itself is made in the USA. All the other companies source steel from China or similar countries. ARH's are used on the COPO for a reason and money no object they're the best. Plus, between ARH and Kooks, ARH is the only one to make the long system that would connect just before the factory suit case on these ZL1's, which is what you want so you delete the secondary cats, junk factory X, and crushed rear section.

I'm not saying you can't make power and be just fine on TSP's or similar, but for me, it's ARH or Kooks, and in the case of the 6th ZL1, ARH.

I went with Kooks and they fit great! Not sure the extra money for the ARH are worth it, however maybe with the fact that they get rid of the crushed pipe, did not know that.

Can'tHave2MuchHP · 04-08-2018, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDS

I went with Kooks and they fit great! Not sure the extra money for the ARH are worth it, however maybe with the fact that they get rid of the crushed pipe, did not know that.

Kooks are absolutely as good as ARH in fitment and build quality. Again like I said the only things with the ARH is in this case, they have a long system and they’re the only header company with US sourced steel. That’s all.

tnspd · 04-09-2018, 08:05 AM

I have the ARH full system. Fits great. I have ARH on my 2010 and 2018 Camaro's. Can't got wrong.

unavailablezl1 · 04-09-2018, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Can'tHave2MuchHP

Kooks are absolutely as good as ARH in fitment and build quality. Again like I said the only things with the ARH is in this case, they have a long system and they’re the only header company with US sourced steel. That’s all.

After this post I went and looked and it also says that ARH are officially licensed by GM.

Maybe this would mean that you could go to the dealer and get an upgrade and maybe a tune and keep your warranty. Mmmmmmm food for thought/research

Can'tHave2MuchHP · 04-09-2018, 12:06 PM

Yep. If you buy ARH headers for GM cars now they actually say GM Performance on them or something like that I think. I saw it in RPM's video.

Walt88 · 04-09-2018, 12:17 PM

So every time I have looked into this myself, comparing cars tuned at the same place with same mods etc, ARH usually wins in the numbers department. That being said, many times it was only by a few horsepower, so if you can pick up a set of kooks or TSP significantly cheaper I'd say go for it. If money is no object then ARH all the way.

unavailablezl1 · 04-09-2018, 01:52 PM

Here is the GM Parts Catalog for ZL1 1LE upgrades....not bad..

https://html5.dcatalog.com/?docid=00...5604bc#page=24

danhr · 04-09-2018, 01:56 PM

whichever set is on sale.

texas speed offers a great bang for your buck

Kooks vs Stainless Works vs ARH is a topic that has been beat to death decades ago. It's 100% subjective. Go with whichever one has the better sticker to put on the side of your car.

djfury05 · 04-09-2018, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danhr

whichever set is on sale.

texas speed offers a great bang for your buck

Kooks vs Stainless Works vs ARH is a topic that has been beat to death decades ago. It's 100% subjective. Go with whichever one has the better sticker to put on the side of your car.

For me it's not 100% subjective. Many years ago I had a set of ARH headers for a 4th gen Camaro with the evap extensions that eventually broke off due to too heavy of a block off plate. Not their fault at all as they didn't make the block off plates I was using. I called the owner Nick and he sent me a complete brand new set for headers for free shipped on their dime and I kept the old broken ones. If that doesn't say something to you then I don't know what would about excellent customer service. ARH has earned me as a customer for life. Sometimes its not just about the parts...

Can'tHave2MuchHP · 04-09-2018, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djfury05

For me it's not 100% subjective. Many years ago I had a set of ARH headers for a 4th gen Camaro with the evap extensions that eventually broke off due to too heavy of a block off plate. Not their fault at all as they didn't make the block off plates I was using. I called the owner Nick and he sent me a complete brand new set for headers for free shipped on their dime and I kept the old broken ones. If that doesn't say something to you then I don't know what would about excellent customer service. ARH has earned me as a customer for life. Sometimes its not just about the parts...

Yeah it's definitely not 100% subjective. Furthermore I wouldn't put Stainless Works equal with Kooks and ARH.

SJFGTO · 04-09-2018, 06:12 PM

Kooks v. ARH is too close to call. Fit, quality, collector design, etc. are outstanding. Go with the best price. You can not go wrong either way.

BlaqWhole · 04-09-2018, 07:43 PM

No set of LTs is going to make any significant difference over any other set. You can buy ARH for $1200 or a set of Ebay LTs for $300 and the results will be similar with the onle variances being due to separate dyno runs. I would not hesitate to put SP, OBX, TSP, ARH, Kooks, or any other brand on my ZL1. But you can get TSP joints for around $600. They will fit well, the quality is great, and the performance gains will be amazing. Or go with a middle of the road set. You won't be disappointed either way. BTW, a buddy of mine put TSPs on his supercharged SS and they worked really well!!

04-08-2018, 09:49 PM	#1
Sharp Shifter Drives: 98 Transam drag car SOLD now 17 ZL1 Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Texas Posts: 181	Best headers?!?! 2" headers will be the direction I choose, but.......which one has the best producing results? Has anyone compared ARH, kooks, stainless works and Texas Speed? Or has everyone just assumed the most expensive is the best? Because if Texas speed performs just as good at half the price, why not? Figure this would be a good threat for everyone trying to make this decision. Pros and cons __________________ Sold 780rwhp 840rwtq 98 Trans Am Current car 2017 ZL1 Camaro

04-09-2018, 08:05 AM	#5
tnspd Drives: 18 Camaro ZL1 1LE (WILSON) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: N.C. Posts: 1,340	I have the ARH full system. Fits great. I have ARH on my 2010 and 2018 Camaro's. Can't got wrong. __________________ Camaro South Hot Cars and Hospitality on FB camarosouth@hotmail.com

04-09-2018, 01:52 PM	#9
unavailablezl1 Drives: 2019 Silverado Z71 6.2L A10 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Grapevine Posts: 2,075	Here is the GM Parts Catalog for ZL1 1LE upgrades....not bad.. https://html5.dcatalog.com/?docid=00...5604bc#page=24 Attached Images __________________ Current ride 2019 Silverado Z71 LTZ 6.2L L87 425hp A10, 4 inch BDS Lift with Fox Factory Race 2.5 Coilovers, Borla Cat back (15HP bump), BFG KM3's 33's. Past Rides 2017 M6 Camaro ZL1 Hyper Blue 2016 M6 GT350 White with blue strips 2014 M6 Mustang GT Premium Track Pack Ruby Red 2012 M6 M3 Melbourne Red Metallic

04-09-2018, 01:56 PM	#10
danhr BAMF SS Drives: 2016 Camaro 1SS A8 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Ford City, PA Posts: 3,023	whichever set is on sale. texas speed offers a great bang for your buck Kooks vs Stainless Works vs ARH is a topic that has been beat to death decades ago. It's 100% subjective. Go with whichever one has the better sticker to put on the side of your car. __________________ 2016 1SS A8: FBO + Circle D + P1X + Meth + Tuned by Pray Performance Stock Longblock 800 SAE rwhp. 9.4 @ 145 mph.

04-09-2018, 06:12 PM	#13
SJFGTO Oh Oh it's Friday Night! Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE Nightfall Gray Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Walton Woods Posts: 1,061	Kooks v. ARH is too close to call. Fit, quality, collector design, etc. are outstanding. Go with the best price. You can not go wrong either way. __________________ 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE NFG; ARH 2” headers, catless mids, ARH full exhaust, Lingenfelter 18% lower pulley, ATI Harmonic Balancer, Roto-fab CAI, EE-catch can, TM ported TB, NX Lid, BMR strut tower brace. Aeroforce dual pod interceptor gauges. Tuned by Vengeance Racing!!! 644 HP @ 6250 rpm / 689 trq @ 3660 rpm Four that wanna own me Two that wanna stone me One says she's a friend of mine...

04-08-2018, 10:03 PM	#2
Can'tHave2MuchHP Drives: Fast Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,696	ARH is the best. Kooks is tied. But ARH is the only Header company that are not only made in the USA but the steel itself is made in the USA. All the other companies source steel from China or similar countries. ARH's are used on the COPO for a reason and money no object they're the best. Plus, between ARH and Kooks, ARH is the only one to make the long system that would connect just before the factory suit case on these ZL1's, which is what you want so you delete the secondary cats, junk factory X, and crushed rear section. I'm not saying you can't make power and be just fine on TSP's or similar, but for me, it's ARH or Kooks, and in the case of the 6th ZL1, ARH.

04-09-2018, 12:06 PM	#7
Can'tHave2MuchHP Drives: Fast Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,696	Yep. If you buy ARH headers for GM cars now they actually say GM Performance on them or something like that I think. I saw it in RPM's video.

04-09-2018, 12:17 PM	#8
Walt88 Drives: 2017 Camaro 1SS M6 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Rockland, NY Posts: 53	So every time I have looked into this myself, comparing cars tuned at the same place with same mods etc, ARH usually wins in the numbers department. That being said, many times it was only by a few horsepower, so if you can pick up a set of kooks or TSP significantly cheaper I'd say go for it. If money is no object then ARH all the way.

04-09-2018, 07:43 PM	#14
BlaqWhole Account Suspended Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: NJ Posts: 7,692	No set of LTs is going to make any significant difference over any other set. You can buy ARH for $1200 or a set of Ebay LTs for $300 and the results will be similar with the onle variances being due to separate dyno runs. I would not hesitate to put SP, OBX, TSP, ARH, Kooks, or any other brand on my ZL1. But you can get TSP joints for around $600. They will fit well, the quality is great, and the performance gains will be amazing. Or go with a middle of the road set. You won't be disappointed either way. BTW, a buddy of mine put TSPs on his supercharged SS and they worked really well!!

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