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Probably a stupid header question....

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Old Dec 2, 2009 | 02:54 PM
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Default Probably a stupid header question....

Other than fitment, price, and diameter of the pipe, what actually makes one set of headers better than the next???

Ebay - $150
Dynatech - $460
Pacesetter - $275
Kooks $900

These prices vary way too much to just to be brand specific. Is there more to it than I'm seeing or as long as they fit well, headers are headers???
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Old Dec 2, 2009 | 03:18 PM
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coated or uncoated, steel or stainless, quality of stainless, cost of materials, cost of paid labor, hours of R+D, company overhead, reputation of company.....lots of normal business related stuff contributes to very similar products being very different in price.

If I had to buy headers in 1 3/4 I would buy pacesetters. They may not make as much power (couple hp) as an equal length header like Kooks but frankly its not that important to me. If I had to buy 1 7/8ths headers for a bigger cube motor, I would prolly get TSPs as I think they have the lowest price set in that size.
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Old Dec 2, 2009 | 03:32 PM
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Flange thickness, weld quality, gaskets, O2 extensions, collector type...

Tons of variables. Those that are of good material and craftsmanship quality are going to cost more.
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Old Dec 2, 2009 | 04:14 PM
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Truthfully, you're just paying the quality of the metal, the name.... that's all.

I bought Stainless Works SS longtube headers thinking I bought it because of the quality of the welds, boy was I wrong.
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Old Dec 4, 2009 | 04:27 PM
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Ive done coated pacesetters and ebay stainless cheapies. Both have served well for many years. If you want to be able to say you spent a grand on long tubes, go for it.
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Old Dec 4, 2009 | 05:17 PM
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I have pacsettlers. And they are the coated ones. I wish I would of added the extra money and bought the kooks 1 7/8's. Mine are only a year old and already rusting..
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Old Dec 4, 2009 | 08:12 PM
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Mine are three years old and look just about the same as when I bought them. Different areas I guess
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Old Dec 4, 2009 | 09:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Fabian
Mine are three years old and look just about the same as when I bought them. Different areas I guess
You hit it right on the head. He lives in Indiana, you live in New Mexico. Your roads probably never get salted or sanded in the winter. I don't know how much, but I'm pretty sure Indiana gets a little snow.
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