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Kooks vs. TSP Headers

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Old 11-07-2012, 08:27 PM
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Default Kooks vs. TSP Headers

I'm trying to decide between Kooks and TSP Headers. I'd love to get the kooks but it's tough to justify the extra $$. Are they worth it? Do they fit better?

Where are the 2 made? Are TSP headers China and Kooks US?

Would they work with my TSP catted Y pipe?

Also, vendors feel free to chime in. What's the best price I can get on a set of kooks shipped right now? The best I found right now is $850 Kooks vs $585 shipped for TSP.
Old 11-07-2012, 08:37 PM
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Old 11-07-2012, 09:09 PM
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Got my Kooks headers for sale right now.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/parts-cla...eaders-fs.html

Kooks are made in the US BTW.
Old 11-07-2012, 09:38 PM
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Picture of my 1 7/8 I got today,and the velocity spike. Going kooks all the way out the back. Tsp are good but kooks are better and made with 100% stainless steel and lifetime warranty (my buddy runs tsp's).Call Maryland speed
Attached Thumbnails Kooks vs. TSP Headers-20a589ac-3caf-4afb-bb69-1bf94904b809-12852-00000f462876bf88.jpg   Kooks vs. TSP Headers-222d6f95-7821-4a6c-aa63-d0641b5401c7-12852-00000f4663b39cb0.jpg  

Last edited by 2nasty; 11-07-2012 at 09:44 PM.
Old 11-07-2012, 09:55 PM
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Tsp has a merge spike a.d is all stainless as well, no?
Old 11-07-2012, 10:24 PM
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I am with you. I am getting headers hopefully next year. I'm gonna go with TSP and their catted y. I have heard good things about them as far as clearance and install. Plus their catted y seems much better than the ORY. If I had the money, ARH.
Old 11-07-2012, 10:29 PM
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I believe they are not fully 304ss. The tsp headers and kooks both tuck up really nice.
Old 11-07-2012, 10:36 PM
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I bought TSP stainless and it only cost 240 to get them installed. Installer said they were great! I cant see why would would wanna spend all the extra just for a name brand?
Old 11-08-2012, 02:50 AM
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Going kooks all the way out the back.

Old 11-08-2012, 03:30 AM
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I have the Kooks 1 7/8's and the Kooks ORY. I run it into a GMMG catback. I wouldn't get any other brand header aside from ARH. Kooks are top notch and, IMO, the best header on the market. Reguardless of price. I saved to get my headers when I could have just spent less on the TSP set that is China made and fitment seems to be hit or miss with them. I see threads almost every week about how some one had to cut this or shave that to get them to fit and most all times people have installed new motor mounts with them. My Kooks practically bolted themselves in once I got the factory stuff out. I installed both sides by myself in my garage with the car on stands and basic hand tools. Had I have bought the TSP's and needed to shave or grind something I would have been screwed because I didn't have the money to go buy a tool just to cut something or shave something on my car to get a part to fit that was supposed to have no fitment issues. I'm all about having nice things that are quality built, especially by a company who will back their product as opposed to having a lot of mods that are cheap on price, quality, and longevity made by a company who will tell you to take a grinder to your car to install something. I'll never have to replace my Kooks and if something ever did happen, for the price I paid, their fantastic customer service backs their product and there is no doubt in my mind they will fix me up. I got mine from Maryland speed as well like others have mentioned and at a price that was hard to pass. If you give them a call I'm sure they'll do the same for you. I'm sure you could modify your TSP y pipe to slip over the Kooks so you choose to buy them but you might be better off buying the Kooks y pipe and selling your TSP to recover some of the funds. Good luck with whatever you decide op.
Old 11-08-2012, 03:48 AM
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Originally Posted by maxpower_454
I'm trying to decide between Kooks and TSP Headers. I'd love to get the kooks but it's tough to justify the extra $$. Are they worth it? Do they fit better?

Where are the 2 made? Are TSP headers China and Kooks US?

Would they work with my TSP catted Y pipe?

Also, vendors feel free to chime in. What's the best price I can get on a set of kooks shipped right now? The best I found right now is $850 Kooks vs $585 shipped for TSP.
I would seriously give Maryland Speed a call. They don't advertise their prices. You have to call them and I will say that for less than a hundred dollars more than what your saying is your best price for the Kooks is about what I paid for my 1 7/8's AND the ORY from Kooks through Maryland...
Old 11-08-2012, 04:37 AM
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Whatever brand you go with.... Stay away from TSP and Kooks ORY, they are both complete garbage.
Old 11-08-2012, 08:25 AM
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I went with TSP 1 7/8" & the catted TSP Y-Pipe. I'm very happy with them both & saw a good increase in power as well! Love the sound of them as well. I'm actually going to get it up on a lift today at work & polish them up!
Old 11-08-2012, 08:28 AM
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I've got TSP 1 7/8 and they are really nice....but if you want to have warm fuzzy feelings from buying kooks go ahead.
Old 11-08-2012, 10:21 AM
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^^^my thoughts exactly..Another vote for TSP!
Old 11-08-2012, 10:22 AM
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Originally Posted by lemons12
Tsp has a merge spike a.d is all stainless as well, no?
Correct, polished 304 stainless with a velocity spike in collector!
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Old 11-08-2012, 11:22 AM
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One thing to keep in mind is that Kooks revised their headers a few years back. Now every header has a merge spike, merge collector, and an extra rear O2 bung with screw cap installed for wideband tuning. If anyone wants a great deal, always give us a call at the number in the sig.

Here are some pictures..include one comparing the old collector to the new merge one. This header is a 6501-RHS race header with 1 7/8" Primaries, and 3" Merge collector.





Old 11-08-2012, 09:42 PM
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Originally Posted by lemons12
Whatever brand you go with.... Stay away from TSP and Kooks ORY, they are both complete garbage.
why is the kooks ORY garbage?? i have there ORY and have no problems with it
Old 11-08-2012, 10:23 PM
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Horrible design.. Not only does it rob power it causes rasp. I think tsp improved theirs but it still needs a ton of work to be something i would run.
Old 11-08-2012, 10:31 PM
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Originally Posted by lemons12
Horrible design.. Not only does it rob power it causes rasp. I think tsp improved theirs but it still needs a ton of work to be something i would run.
thats new to me, i have no rasp what so ever, i went from TD dumped before the rearend 3inch to a ypipe/catback and only lost 2rwhp (on the dyno)

but im sure in some cases it could happen


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