Which Header? Kooks or QTP?
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 158
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Which Header? Kooks or QTP? I am doing my engine build up and i was wondering which header would be better for the turbo setup. I am basically going through Cartek and they just put Kooks as the header with a y pipe with cats. I guess i am going to go stainless steel and i know both are. I checked around and both go for about $800.00 plus or minus minus the y pipe. I was just wondering if one had better ground clearance or if one worked better with the sts turbo. And most importantly, does any one know where to find either for a good price?
thanks.
thanks.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: Buffalo, N.Y.
Man, what a perfect topic to start a war over.
I've owned two '02 WS6 M6 Trans Ams. I installed Kooks in both cars. The power gains were definitely noticeable. I also think stainless headers (not just Kooks) are superior to coated headers. I've seen (I WILL NOT mention brands) supposedly the-best-you-can-get coated headers look like absolute garbage after only a few years.
Kooks, QTP, Stainless Works, and, I believe Hooker (some models, just lately...I could be wrong) all make stainless headers. I would bet they are all equally hi-quality components. Edelbrock's Ti-Tech coated long-tubes are still relatively new. Out of all the materials available for coating, I'd have to say titanium would be pretty damn good. It'll be interesting to see how they do in the durability department.
The worse thing that will happen to a stainless header, is heat discoloration. I cannot speak for any other brand of header, but Kooks. They are the only brand I have had real-world experience with. They have thick, flat, straight flanges, outstanding weld quality, and tuck up tighter to the engine/tranny than any other brand I've seen from underneath, with the car up on a lift. I also lost 0 ground clearance.
The ONLY thing I do not like about Kooks, are the cheesy exhaust manifold gaskets they supply with their heades. I used GM OEM MLS exhaust manifold gaskets on both installs I did, and they work great.
I've owned two '02 WS6 M6 Trans Ams. I installed Kooks in both cars. The power gains were definitely noticeable. I also think stainless headers (not just Kooks) are superior to coated headers. I've seen (I WILL NOT mention brands) supposedly the-best-you-can-get coated headers look like absolute garbage after only a few years.
Kooks, QTP, Stainless Works, and, I believe Hooker (some models, just lately...I could be wrong) all make stainless headers. I would bet they are all equally hi-quality components. Edelbrock's Ti-Tech coated long-tubes are still relatively new. Out of all the materials available for coating, I'd have to say titanium would be pretty damn good. It'll be interesting to see how they do in the durability department.
The worse thing that will happen to a stainless header, is heat discoloration. I cannot speak for any other brand of header, but Kooks. They are the only brand I have had real-world experience with. They have thick, flat, straight flanges, outstanding weld quality, and tuck up tighter to the engine/tranny than any other brand I've seen from underneath, with the car up on a lift. I also lost 0 ground clearance.
The ONLY thing I do not like about Kooks, are the cheesy exhaust manifold gaskets they supply with their heades. I used GM OEM MLS exhaust manifold gaskets on both installs I did, and they work great.
I would probably just write both on a piece of paper and just throw it in the air and which ever one is further away....purchase that one. 
the only reason that I say that is because they are equally great in my book.
the only reason that I say that is because they are equally great in my book.
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Tempe, AZ
Originally Posted by orangeapeel
I would probably just write both on a piece of paper and just throw it in the air and which ever one is further away....purchase that one.
the only reason that I say that is because they are equally great in my book.
the only reason that I say that is because they are equally great in my book.
~Alex
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TECH Regular
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 469
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From: Tempe, AZ
Phew, I went with the triangle fold instead of the square so I think I am ok
But back to the question at hand I have heard to just get the ones that you can find the best deal on. Also some food for thought, check this post https://ls1tech.com/forums/generation-iii-external-engine/487345-got-my-kooks-now-i-want-polish-what-do-i-use.html metal shavings and things being left in the collector... kind of makes you wonder. Sorry if that doesn't really healp but it is really late/early and I need sleep.
Alex
But back to the question at hand I have heard to just get the ones that you can find the best deal on. Also some food for thought, check this post https://ls1tech.com/forums/generation-iii-external-engine/487345-got-my-kooks-now-i-want-polish-what-do-i-use.html metal shavings and things being left in the collector... kind of makes you wonder. Sorry if that doesn't really healp but it is really late/early and I need sleep.
Alex
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: Buffalo, N.Y.
"......metal shavings and things being left in the collector"
VERY, VERY true. That was one thing that disappointed me about the Kooks. They were FILTHY inside. I filled 'em with hot, soapy water, and shook 'em around....a lot. I got a rag down as far as I could into each collector, and the merge, and blew 'em out with my compressor. As far in as I could see, they cleaned up pretty nice.
I did not do this when I installed my 1st set, and they stunk like hell for a week or so until all the crap burned out of 'em. Then I replaced a front 02 sensor a week later...I don't think it was a coincidence.
VERY, VERY true. That was one thing that disappointed me about the Kooks. They were FILTHY inside. I filled 'em with hot, soapy water, and shook 'em around....a lot. I got a rag down as far as I could into each collector, and the merge, and blew 'em out with my compressor. As far in as I could see, they cleaned up pretty nice.
I did not do this when I installed my 1st set, and they stunk like hell for a week or so until all the crap burned out of 'em. Then I replaced a front 02 sensor a week later...I don't think it was a coincidence.
Originally Posted by bichin95redta
"......metal shavings and things being left in the collector"
VERY, VERY true. That was one thing that disappointed me about the Kooks. They were FILTHY inside. I filled 'em with hot, soapy water, and shook 'em around....a lot. I got a rag down as far as I could into each collector, and the merge, and blew 'em out with my compressor. As far in as I could see, they cleaned up pretty nice.
I did not do this when I installed my 1st set, and they stunk like hell for a week or so until all the crap burned out of 'em. Then I replaced a front 02 sensor a week later...I don't think it was a coincidence.
VERY, VERY true. That was one thing that disappointed me about the Kooks. They were FILTHY inside. I filled 'em with hot, soapy water, and shook 'em around....a lot. I got a rag down as far as I could into each collector, and the merge, and blew 'em out with my compressor. As far in as I could see, they cleaned up pretty nice.
I did not do this when I installed my 1st set, and they stunk like hell for a week or so until all the crap burned out of 'em. Then I replaced a front 02 sensor a week later...I don't think it was a coincidence.
quite the wait indeed.... quite the wait indeed. I ordered mine early february and they still arent here, just to give you an idea of how long the wait is... They are supposedly coming in this friday but who knows...
Originally Posted by bichin95redta
Man, what a perfect topic to start a war over.
I've owned two '02 WS6 M6 Trans Ams. I installed Kooks in both cars. The power gains were definitely noticeable. I also think stainless headers (not just Kooks) are superior to coated headers. I've seen (I WILL NOT mention brands) supposedly the-best-you-can-get coated headers look like absolute garbage after only a few years.
Kooks, QTP, Stainless Works, and, I believe Hooker (some models, just lately...I could be wrong) all make stainless headers. I would bet they are all equally hi-quality components. Edelbrock's Ti-Tech coated long-tubes are still relatively new. Out of all the materials available for coating, I'd have to say titanium would be pretty damn good. It'll be interesting to see how they do in the durability department.
The worse thing that will happen to a stainless header, is heat discoloration. I cannot speak for any other brand of header, but Kooks. They are the only brand I have had real-world experience with. They have thick, flat, straight flanges, outstanding weld quality, and tuck up tighter to the engine/tranny than any other brand I've seen from underneath, with the car up on a lift. I also lost 0 ground clearance.
The ONLY thing I do not like about Kooks, are the cheesy exhaust manifold gaskets they supply with their heades. I used GM OEM MLS exhaust manifold gaskets on both installs I did, and they work great.
I've owned two '02 WS6 M6 Trans Ams. I installed Kooks in both cars. The power gains were definitely noticeable. I also think stainless headers (not just Kooks) are superior to coated headers. I've seen (I WILL NOT mention brands) supposedly the-best-you-can-get coated headers look like absolute garbage after only a few years.
Kooks, QTP, Stainless Works, and, I believe Hooker (some models, just lately...I could be wrong) all make stainless headers. I would bet they are all equally hi-quality components. Edelbrock's Ti-Tech coated long-tubes are still relatively new. Out of all the materials available for coating, I'd have to say titanium would be pretty damn good. It'll be interesting to see how they do in the durability department.
The worse thing that will happen to a stainless header, is heat discoloration. I cannot speak for any other brand of header, but Kooks. They are the only brand I have had real-world experience with. They have thick, flat, straight flanges, outstanding weld quality, and tuck up tighter to the engine/tranny than any other brand I've seen from underneath, with the car up on a lift. I also lost 0 ground clearance.
The ONLY thing I do not like about Kooks, are the cheesy exhaust manifold gaskets they supply with their heades. I used GM OEM MLS exhaust manifold gaskets on both installs I did, and they work great.
