Stainless Headers..Are they all the same?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 46
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From: South Dakota
Stainless Headers..Are they all the same? I own a 99 Z-28 and are getting ready to order some long-tube headers. I want to go with stainless steel but not sure which brand. Price doesn't matter but whats the difference between the SLP Kooks ARH etc. which is best or are they the same?
I just got myself a set of QTP's and I will be fabbing up a custom Stainless Y-pipe. I like the QTP design over the Kooks personally... Ive seen too many of the Kooks hang just a bit too low and the power difference between the two designs is going to be miniscule. I like the fact that the QTP's use a high velocity merge collector also, which most people underrate the effectiveness of such a design.
ARH, Kooks and QTP's are all in the same ballpark. My personal choice for a bolt on or H/C car is the QTP's. YMMV though.
ARH, Kooks and QTP's are all in the same ballpark. My personal choice for a bolt on or H/C car is the QTP's. YMMV though.
I would honestly say that while XS has a great budget header design, and they look great, I would have to say that XS falls behind a bit in the actual performance engineering aspect of it all.
The OP stated that money isnt a concern so, with that being said, In my book, the QTP's would be first choice, Kooks second Dynatech third and ARH fourth... All other stainless headers on the market wouldnt even be on my list such as the Hookers or the SLP's.
The OP stated that money isnt a concern so, with that being said, In my book, the QTP's would be first choice, Kooks second Dynatech third and ARH fourth... All other stainless headers on the market wouldnt even be on my list such as the Hookers or the SLP's.
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IMO American Racing and Kooks headers are two of the better headers on the market. The AR y pipe is what made me go with them over the Kooks.
I've heard nothing but good things about it and it has a great merge.
I've heard nothing but good things about it and it has a great merge.
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TECH Addict
Joined: Nov 2005
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If you are going to do a custom y-pipe or true duals, then the QTP's should be at the top of your list along with the Kooks and the AR.
The QTP's have my vote as the High Velocity Merge Collectors do work. I pulled 349HP and 360ft/lb of torque after my header + catted/muffler/out the back true duals. A gain of 43HP and 35ft/lb of torque for me.
The QTP's have my vote as the High Velocity Merge Collectors do work. I pulled 349HP and 360ft/lb of torque after my header + catted/muffler/out the back true duals. A gain of 43HP and 35ft/lb of torque for me.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: South Dakota
Thanks for the help so far guys but has anyone heard about the Stainless Works long-tubes. Other then the ones we already mentioned I think that's the only headers I haven't heard anything about. So far it's either QTP or Kooks. If this helps I have no cats on the car and a american thunder cat-back.
WS6 store has some good pricing on QTPs right now... http://www.ws6project.com/user_stor/...oducts_id=1183
Wow... that is a great deal on QTP's... That would be the route I would go if I were you.
I have mine on the way already, but I got em used, and only for $79 cheaper than they are new from WS6store.com I feel jipped... lol.
I have mine on the way already, but I got em used, and only for $79 cheaper than they are new from WS6store.com I feel jipped... lol.
Yah, If i was smart I would've waited for a deal like that instead of going with Pacesetters. I would've broken about even with less time swapping headers/gaskets (stupid paper POS's). And now, some tuners are preaching that coated headers induce knock (mine HATES timing too)... boo. For anyone wondering about coated vs stainless, do it right the first time. Buy stainless.
Yah, If i was smart I would've waited for a deal like that instead of going with Pacesetters. I would've broken about even with less time swapping headers/gaskets (stupid paper POS's). And now, some tuners are preaching that coated headers induce knock (mine HATES timing too)... boo. For anyone wondering about coated vs stainless, do it right the first time. Buy stainless.
I dunno... It just doesnt make sense to me. I dont mean to hijack the thread, but do you have more info on this?
Also, I know you made it to LVinvasion, I was wondering if your going to be able to make it to the festivities for the Los Angeles invasion. Let me know!
I wouldn't go that far. Yes the ground clearence is probably the worst of any header out there but the actual performance and construction is good.
Yah, If i was smart I would've waited for a deal like that instead of going with Pacesetters. I would've broken about even with less time swapping headers/gaskets (stupid paper POS's). And now, some tuners are preaching that coated headers induce knock (mine HATES timing too)... boo. For anyone wondering about coated vs stainless, do it right the first time. Buy stainless.
Pacesetters are one of the best values for the money hands down and the fact you decided to utilize a poor choice in gaskets is nobody's fault but your own.
I have xs headers and y pipe on mine and on a weak tune made 395hp during the middle of the summer in a insanely hot shop. So they by all mean flow just fine and the price is more than fine!
I have ARH's, and love them. I wouldnt use anything else. I have considered Kooks, but they dont have a good Y and niether does QTP. ARH's setup rocks and the Y is full stainless. They tuck VERY well and make damn good power. Do it once do it right, and go stainless.
