Kooks Headers vs American Racing Headers
TECH Resident
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: South Alabama
ARH didn't charge me any extra to modify the headers and Y pipe. I had them add an O2 bung for the wide band and had them delete the rear O2 bungs as the rear O2's had been tuned out. They also manufactured the exhaust end of the Y pipe to the diameter of my choosing, again at no extra charge.
Tech Resident
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,117
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From: Philly
ARH didn't charge me any extra to modify the headers and Y pipe. I had them add an O2 bung for the wide band and had them delete the rear O2 bungs as the rear O2's had been tuned out. They also manufactured the exhaust end of the Y pipe to the diameter of my choosing, again at no extra charge.
TECH Resident
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 937
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From: South Alabama
That's still a moot point. This is a discussion of off-the-shelf systems. The ARH system does not come the way you have it off the shelf. You had custom modifications made. It's also worth noting that since you wanted custom modifications, I'm assuming you bought it directly from ARH. That means you don't have the luxury of buying through sales from sponsors. That being said, you probably did pay a premium. I didn't buy my headers at MSRP and I never would. Again, still a moot point since we're talking about off-the-shelf systems. Custom modifications don't mean anything in this discussion, at least to me.
If that doesn't mean anything to you - so be it. It doesn't suprise me as I've disagreed with your logic before so this is just par for the course.
BTW-According the sponsor list ARH is a site sponsor, so even if you buy directly from them you're still buying from a company that directly supports this board.
Last edited by Weezzer; Feb 15, 2009 at 08:14 AM.
Adding and removing 02 bungs is custom modifying? Man thats kinda splittin hairs if you ask me. Kinda like sayin if you paint or coat them they are custom modified as well.
I know alot of people like Kooks and swear by them, but not me. The 1 set that I have personally installed were crap. They were so far off, I could not make them work, and I had to send back. They sent another set, and they were almost just as bad. I had to heat up a few tubes and dimple them and had to slice and dice one tube all toghether to get the headers to fit. A simple 351W in a Fox Body Mustang with a tubular KMember. They got into blaming the Kmember, than they wanted to say the car had frame damage, etc.....I do know that every car is gonna be different, but these were not even close to being able to fit.
Tech Resident
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,117
Likes: 3
From: Philly
I bought it thru Thunder Racing as they had the best price on it at the time, I told TR what I wanted changed and two or three days later Nick from ARH called me to go over exactly what I wanted prior to the system being made - again all this at no extra charge. That's customer service (QTP are you out there?? lol). Basically it was off the shelf service, as the system arrived within 7-10 days from the phone call.
If that doesn't mean anything to you - so be it. It doesn't suprise me as I've disagreed with your logic before so this is just par for the course.
BTW-According the sponsor list ARH is a site sponsor, so even if you buy directly from them you're still buying from a company that directly supports this board.
If that doesn't mean anything to you - so be it. It doesn't suprise me as I've disagreed with your logic before so this is just par for the course.
BTW-According the sponsor list ARH is a site sponsor, so even if you buy directly from them you're still buying from a company that directly supports this board.
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TECH Fanatic
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Los Angeles, California (818)
That's pretty cool then. I won't argue that that isn't good service. That's very good service. However, I can't guarantee that Kooks won't do the same. It's not a fair comparison to compare a modified header to an unmodified one. I think it's only fair to compare the ARH to Kooks headers as-is and only as-is, not with custom modifications.
Closed ex-Sponsor Account
Joined: Aug 2008
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The Grot design is one of the best out there if not the best. It's equal length, too. I have no idea if ARH's headers are equal length. On top of that, the Kooks have the extra bung. I much prefer the design of the Kooks/QTP/Grot than anything else out there as it is a proven design and has been along for a long, long time. I have QTP's right now and I picked up almost 50rwhp with headers and a tune.
That's still a moot point. This is a discussion of off-the-shelf systems. The ARH system does not come the way you have it off the shelf. You had custom modifications made. It's also worth noting that since you wanted custom modifications, I'm assuming you bought it directly from ARH. That means you don't have the luxury of buying through sales from sponsors. That being said, you probably did pay a premium. I didn't buy my headers at MSRP and I never would. Again, still a moot point since we're talking about off-the-shelf systems. Custom modifications don't mean anything in this discussion, at least to me.
That's pretty cool then. I won't argue that that isn't good service. That's very good service. However, I can't guarantee that Kooks won't do the same. It's not a fair comparison to compare a modified header to an unmodified one. I think it's only fair to compare the ARH to Kooks headers as-is and only as-is, not with custom modifications.
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Spanaway, Wa
ARH 
Mine are coming in next week. I can't freakin wait. Installed a set in a friends car bout a year ago. Excellent design and fabrication, and GREAT fit.
I'll be mating mine up to Bassani's TD system hopefully by end of next week.
Mine are coming in next week. I can't freakin wait. Installed a set in a friends car bout a year ago. Excellent design and fabrication, and GREAT fit.
I'll be mating mine up to Bassani's TD system hopefully by end of next week.
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Spanaway, Wa
I'm having a shop do this one. Don't have the time, help, or tools/means this time around.
But I will get pics. Prolly be a few weeks, waiting on the headers & cats to get in and I may wait for one more paycheck just to give some wiggle room in the wallet lol
But I will get pics. Prolly be a few weeks, waiting on the headers & cats to get in and I may wait for one more paycheck just to give some wiggle room in the wallet lol
Launching!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 214
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From: Glendale, Ca
Sweet thread, I was going to post the same thread reguarding the same questions. Ive personaly seen kooks, and they tuck really tight, so I know from seeing them that they fit well. Its just the ARHs, Ive never seen what they look like tucked up. Can anyone with ARHs post some side pics so we can see how they tuck up?
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From: Los Angeles, California (818)
Sweet thread, I was going to post the same thread reguarding the same questions. Ive personaly seen kooks, and they tuck really tight, so I know from seeing them that they fit well. Its just the ARHs, Ive never seen what they look like tucked up. Can anyone with ARHs post some side pics so we can see how they tuck up?
Launching!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: Glendale, Ca
Ok, i would love if you could get some pics. Im leaning towards ARHs anyways, but alot of people swear to kooks as well. The reason why I said the headers hanging low is cause Ive seen TSP headers on a camaro and their only a couple inches off the ground, thats why I just want to make sure. Are you going to the bbq/show this sunday?