I installed the Kooks true dual system last week when I put in my new engine. I thought I would pass on my experience for those of you thinking about getting it.

The system seems to be well made and heavy duty. The tips are beautiful and completely fill up the rear valance on a Trans Am. After they were installed I loved the way they looked.

The install was fairly easy even with me modifying it slightly for the QTP headers. All I had to do was remove about 3 inches of the front pipes and re-weld the expanded part back on to slip over the header collectors. Worked perfectly. It takes quite a bit of time (for me about 5 hours) to install it and adjust it all to fit and clear everything properly. The system is very heavy and settles after starting and driving the car for a few miles. I installed an extra hanger on the two pipes right as it went over the axle to help support all the weight and keep it aligned between the drive shaft loop and the panhard support bar. It helped tremendously and stopped the rattles.

The system is suppose to come with directions and a stick-on heat shield for the gas tank and neither were in the box. I called over a week ago and they said they would send it out but haven't seen it yet. Went ahead with the install and used some aircraft heat shield.

The tips take extra care to get aligned just right. You may have to tweak brackets a little to adjust height and centering.

The system sounds very nice even without converters. It has no rasp but there's some drone and lower rpms. When you wind it gently it sounds so sweet. When you go WOT, it sounds awesome but loud. It's definitely an attention getter. There is plenty of ground clearance on a stock Trans AM.

The system seems to perform well on the dyno. I have a 383 LS6 with LS6 heads (PRC 2.5), Fast 90/90 (ported), 234/239 598/605 114+1 cam, M6. The car made 485 to the rear wheels on a Mustang Dyno. By the time you add in the 12% for the difference for a DynoJet it comes in at 542. So..... the exhaust has to work pretty well.

Overall, I like the system a lot and glad I got it. I don't think would have been happy with anything else. Kooks did a good job on it but, I wouldn't recommend a novice try to install this exhaust as I think they would get frustrated.

Cheers

 

Sounds great, but you know there will be a few requests for pics or it didn't happen....

I'm interested in the clearances of pan hard rods, rear end, etc. Going with Kooks TD myself....

 

it seems this system is a great design but needs some minor improvements. im sure KOOKS will get this perfected eventually based on their rep for designing great stuff for our cars.

 

^^^ I don't see the issues with the "system fitting the car" as much as it should be said, the "car fitting the system". Too many variations from one vehicle to the next. Kooks has to hit a "nominal" position in which the installer would be required in some cases to tweak as needed.

 

I was wondering about the druver's side tip issue. Do you have to re-weld the muffler, or was it just a matter of tucking it up farther?

 

To fix the driver side tip alignment you need to raise the inboard side of the muffler by adjusting the band clamp and tweeking the inboard hanger up on the same side.

 

i agree but at that price you shouldnt need extra parts or extensive fabrication. yes, i know these cars werent designed for TDs but other systems seem to fit ok.

 

The system is supposed to come with a stick-on heat shield? Like yours mine didn't come with one. Is there a way to modify the stock heat shield that's in place? Stupid question, is one really required or is it just a little too close to the gas tank?

I'm going to finish up my install this Tuesday. Spent the last couple days replacing the mounts (motor & transmission) and ripping out the old exhaust.

Any chance of posting some pictures of the hanger placements?

Thanks

Gary

 

Its funny how many (all) of these threads always come down to "expectations" based on cost. Should it fit great to excellant for the price? Absolutely! Hell, the same header will from car to car fit different....why should we "expect" anything less from an exhaust system? Could you imagine how much it would be if "extras" were included based on all the "what-if" scenarios?

What other systems are you referring to? There's only one (Bassani) that I'm aware of and its nothing close to Kooks TD.

 

TSP.


i know they arent as well designed as KOOKS but i havent heard of any problems.

i have their LTs and theyre an excellent part. it just seems their system can use a little more fine tuning.

 

^ TSP is dumps. You could fab up a set of dumps in a couple hours in a driveway. To have a FULL TD all the way back is a different animal. Especially an OTA setup.

Sorry guys, but I'm taking the side of Kooks on this one. To have a mail order TD OTA setup that fits "two cars" is going to have variations from car to car, even though the body is pretty much identical on paper. This is some of the reason why some have to modify some pieces and for some it slips right in. I also partly blame the person behind the wrench on some of these complaints, but again, the exhaust clearance/fittment is going to vary from car to car. You can't expect a company to foresee EVERY POSSIBLE fittment issue that could EVER arise, other than a blatent problem like a 90* bend instead of a 45*. THAT I would understand. But with this being their first run at this, I would expect a slightly revised edition. Like someone mentioned about a 10" muffler instead of a 12". Perfection is achieved through repetition.

 

Bayer already hit the nail on the head...you are talking about two totally different animals. Going over the axle on the same side of the car with two 3" pipes is not easy, especially when it was designed for a car that already wasn't manufactured with tight tolerances. To say that the TSP system isn't as well designed isn't even appropriate...it isn't even in the same ball park. The only thing they share in common is that they are a true dual exhaust system - I mean...I guess my car is just like a ZR1 Corvette. They both have four wheels and a steering wheel...what's the difference?

 

Seems like alot of money to tweek the set up to get it to fit.

 

^
1: How much "tweaking" do you do on a normal exhaust?

2: How much do people typically spend on a good FULL exhaust?

Same for each.

Good LT's = ~$750
Good Y ? = $350
Good CB? Upwards of $800... Not counting O2 extensions, gaskets, hangers, heat shields, and maybe Cats (@ $300/ea) and clamps that comes out to $1900.

The sticker price shocks most people because they prolly have never bought a full headers back exhaust at one time. The kooks exhaust is a bargain in that respect. Granted you can argue that "well, I can get X-brand, or OBX with a Y for half that." We've seen problems with almost every exhaust out there as far as flange quality, weld quality and how these components age. ie; corrosion, discoloration, rust, warping etc etc. I'd put my money on a top dollar set of exhaust components over something that may be half the price. You get what you pay for and this is proven all the time on this site. That's why I haven't replaced my SLP LT mess yet. Waiting for the money for this Kooks TD exhaust and yes I am expecting some minor fitment issues. It is what it is, and it is to be expected when dealing with non-oem stuff.

Same thing goes with typical LT's. Some have to clearance the block, so people have to shave a tad off the K-Member. Not to mention that some CB's rub in the overaxle pipe. Aftermarket is aftermarket. This is not OEM equipment. FAR from it. Especially trying to snake mammoth 3" stainless mandrel bent tubes over the rear axle.

 

I can post some pictures in the next day or so. Yes you should have a heat shield and no the stock one won't work because there isn't enought room. There is only 3/8 of an inch between the top of the pipes and the tank and 1/2 inch between the bottom of the pipes and the panhard support bar. I installed the extra hanger to keep them exactly where they should be when you hit bumps or push the car hard.

 

I really don't know what all the fuss is about as far as the tweeking is concerned. I expected to have to tweek it some because I know there is always some differences in the same car. I'm just glad we had the option of getting a quality true dual system verses what is out there. I tried getting several places around my home in SC to build a true dual exhaust and no-one would even try. This was the best option. I like it.

 

Do you have cats? You said drone is an issue? Could you describe how it sounds in low rpm just cruising around 2k?

 

ill wait and see on this part for now. overall its great quality and ill see what others have to say before i make a judgement.

 

yes pictures of where u put the extra hanger and all where u tweaked at would be awsome im still waiting to install this system i have had it for a month now still waiting on my kooks headers from maryland speed, its taking forever and i want to drive my car with this exhaust on already!!

 

Picks and and a sound bite would be very nice!!