Generation III External Engine LS1 | LS6 | Bolt-Ons | Intakes | Exhaust | Ignition | Accessories
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Header finish quality

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 20, 2014 | 06:43 PM
  #1  
Wagonwiener's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Default Header finish quality

I have recently purchased some BBK shorty headers for my 01 TA WS6.
I was unhappy with the finish. For $500 headers (ceramic coated), I expected a better fit/finish. The first set had welds that did not touch completely around the pipe to header flange, had some porosity around the air tube, and had some grooving from the tubing bender.
They sent me a second set to see if they were any better. Still had some of the same issues, but what really drove me nuts was a big goober weld right where I would have seen when checking the oil.
They send me a third set. Still issues with the welds around the pipe and the grooving from the bender, but probably the best I would get.

So, I had always though BBK was a good brand. Anyone else have issues with them? Who makes a good quality header for our cars?
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2014 | 06:57 PM
  #2  
conan's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,492
Likes: 6
From: Back in the Burg
Default

Kook's get my vote, The fit and finish is top notch. I'll buy another pair when the time comes.
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2014 | 07:05 PM
  #3  
73CamaroLT's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
10 Year Member
Photogenic
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 358
Likes: 2
From: Hanover, Pa
Default

They are BBK not ARH. Dont expect top notch quality from a average vendor. I run BBK headers and i knew they were a budget header so i didnt really care. They still made good power and tucked very good. My opinion, if u dont want those, but Kooks or ARH, if u dont want to spend that much, dont complain they will work fine.
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2014 | 03:19 AM
  #4  
SRVDean's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Fort Bragg, NC
Default

Any reason for not going to a LT and Y for that kind of money?
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2014 | 10:18 AM
  #5  
JRENIGAR's Avatar
10 Second Club
10 Year Member
iTrader: (37)
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,069
Likes: 2
From: 72396
Default

Originally Posted by Wagonwiener
I have recently purchased some BBK shorty headers for my 01 TA WS6.
I was unhappy with the finish. For $500 headers (ceramic coated), I expected a better fit/finish. The first set had welds that did not touch completely around the pipe to header flange, had some porosity around the air tube, and had some grooving from the tubing bender.
They sent me a second set to see if they were any better. Still had some of the same issues, but what really drove me nuts was a big goober weld right where I would have seen when checking the oil.
They send me a third set. Still issues with the welds around the pipe and the grooving from the bender, but probably the best I would get.

So, I had always though BBK was a good brand. Anyone else have issues with them? Who makes a good quality header for our cars?
To answer your question specifically, Speed Engineering has a set of headers that are stainless and have very good build quality that cant be beat for the price. There is a thread in this section about them where I as well as others have posted feedback about them.

Last edited by JRENIGAR; Feb 21, 2014 at 01:38 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2014 | 11:18 AM
  #6  
FAD2BLK93's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 0
From: POULSBO WA.
Default

I'm with him X2!!! Just put mine on...for $400 bucks CAN'T BEAT EM'!!!!! Has anyone posted any gains from them? Before and after yet?
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2014 | 12:44 PM
  #7  
73CamaroLT's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
10 Year Member
Photogenic
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 358
Likes: 2
From: Hanover, Pa
Default

I know you are talking about the speed engineeiring headers but my car dynoed 303hp with catback and lid and alot of spark knock. After my BBK headers, ORY and tune i am at 354hp.
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2014 | 01:43 PM
  #8  
JRENIGAR's Avatar
10 Second Club
10 Year Member
iTrader: (37)
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,069
Likes: 2
From: 72396
Default

Originally Posted by 73CamaroLT
I know you are talking about the speed engineeiring headers but my car dynoed 303hp with catback and lid and alot of spark knock. After my BBK headers, ORY and tune i am at 354hp.
These cars dont normally see 50rwhp from a tune and headers. Did you figure out why all the KR before the change? Good #'s afterwards, any track times?
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 21, 2014 | 06:18 PM
  #9  
Wagonwiener's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Default

Any reason for not going to a LT and Y for that kind of money?
Two reasons. One, I have heard of ground clearance issues with LT's.
Two, I had recently put on a magnaflow catback and cats with an SLP Y pipe.

To answer your question specifically, Speed Engineering has a set of headers that are stainless and have very good build quality that cant be beat for the price. There is a thread in this section about them where I as well as others have posted feedback about them.
thank you, thats the info I was looking for
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2014 | 08:20 PM
  #10  
73CamaroLT's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
10 Year Member
Photogenic
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 358
Likes: 2
From: Hanover, Pa
Default

Originally Posted by JRENIGAR
These cars dont normally see 50rwhp from a tune and headers. Did you figure out why all the KR before the change? Good #'s afterwards, any track times?
No i honestly never looked into. There was maybe a 2 month gap from that dyno run to when i put the headers on. I will say tho that my car was running a 19 A/F with the headers which is crazy. My tuner was scared to make a full pull with no changes. I have ran at the track but being my first time the numbers werent pretty haha. With header and no tune i ran 13.3 on ALl seasons at 20PSI. I know for a fact my 60 foot was like 2.1 or 2.2 with a 110 trap speed haha.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:11 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE