m6speed

iTrader: (11)

not just at the welds, lol i bought them from QTP. i'm going to get the car up on stands tonight to start tearing apart the engine, when i do that i'll get pics.

Hardtop

iTrader: (3)

You seem to be forgiving the fitment issues because the headers look nice. I don't look at it that way. I want a turn key system that fits right the first time, and I have read more complaints about QTP, than ARH. I don't believe your claims about the power difference either. Do you know of any back to back dynos between QTP and ARH to prove your claim? Do you work for QTP?

radz282003

iTrader: (1)

I thought I saw a comparison somewhere but I can't find it and can't remember any benefit, either way. The biggest thing I like with the QTPs are the collector. If you look at their primaries, they just seem to merge the primaries together smoother (in my eyes anyways...) The transition just seems more gradual, which, IMHO, is also the reason I don't favor them as much as they look like they are more difficult to weld completely. That is my biggest complaint, is the leaking. I can TELL anyone that I believe they leak a LOT. I remember significant ticking from my QTPs and after using the manifold epoxy repair the ticking is almost gone (for now.) You can't even tell the car has LTs because there's no more noise than with the manifolds. Again, I like the concept of QTPs merge, however the execution and practicality of it's complicated design doesn't lend it to be sealed all the way. I'm no engineer however, I've spent a LOT of time starring at my LTs, before they were on the car because of how purdy they were, and even tried a make-shift leak test on them (hence my finding the leaks) but I can say that if ARHs design is definately leak-proof, I'd lean that way more so.

I'd go so far as to say if someone were to offer me a straight trade from my QTPs to ARHs for free, I'd take it in a hearbeat. I can't confirm how good the ARHs are, but I know from personal experience everything I stated regarding my QTPs. Don't get me wrong, I love 'em, and I've put down great power (IMHO,) but they leave something to be desired...

A. R. HEADERS

Choco, Until you physically take a tape measure and check both systems you should refrain from making statements regarding length. Also you need to take some header theory courses. Longer primaries do not automatically mean more power or torque. You're also not taking into account what role the 20ft of pipe after the headers has on power output.
When we developed our F-body headers we started with a clean sheet of paper. We deliberately chose our primary lengths to accomodate the widest array of performance applications. We then made no comprimises on our Y-pipe design. We even go a step further by gladly fine tuning our systems for customers with special needs.

Nick

radz282003

iTrader: (1)

I think that's another plus for ARH, is they will custom tune your system My understanding is that is important to remember that a merge collector has to be optimized for different applications and engine specs'. Just because a header has a merge collector doesn't mean it's optimized for your specific engine combination. FWIW, I don't think the difference in the length of the primaries are going to be too significant.

Again, I like how active ARH is on here too

2002_z28_m6

iTrader: (10)

I can back that the special needs part. I have ARH headers. Nick is a huge help. They put a 3" outlet on the end of my Y pipe so there was no 2 3/4 neck down in the system. The Y pipe fits awesome and the cats do not set any codes on my car. Some aftermarket cats set Low Efficiency codes. Nick will do anything to help a customer. Thank you Nick and all of you at ARH.

The Alchemist

iTrader: (19)

Here's a question, will the ARH ypipe match up to the QTP headers????? I like the ARH ypipe but don't want to buy new headers as I'm happy with the qtp's I have now.

radz282003

iTrader: (1)

Good question. I wish I could have a nice merge collector and Y-pipe in stainless. I know I remember seeing someone run the 3" Y-pipes into a 4" collector somewhere. I think the collector was actually a LM resonator and it necked down at the exit, but now that I think about it, I believe this was on ARHs LTs.

A. R. HEADERS

Unfortunately the answer is no. Our Y-pipes are unique to our headers.

Nick

JEB99TA

iTrader: (32)

All I know is I picked up great power from a well-ported-primary-tube MAC mid ORY and Flowmaster Y-merge mod setup to a ARH cat'd setup and this was on my 347 motor ... not a big cube motor. I was VERY pleased > 25RWHP/17RWTQ:

https://ls1tech.com/forums/florida-members/831128-ar-headers-tomorrow.html

EXCERPT:

ChocoTaco369

I don't work for anyone, I'm a broke student

I don't mind the occasional tap on the steering column because I've seen too many horror stories about installing headers. I've heard of headers sitting on the K-member, headers sitting on the steering column, having to grind seemingly everything, having clearance issues with spark plug wires where the headers burned right through the wire...the list goes on and on. The fact is, my QTP's fit like a glove and while the driver's side took coaxing to go in, nothing needed to be cut, ground or removed except the oil drain plug, and I had over 4,000 miles on the oil anyway

Headers are probably one of the most compromising aftermarket parts out there because of fitment. Every brand has their horror stories - every single one of them - and the fact that the intermittent tapping isn't even a real problem, well, I'm more than happy with my purchase even happier with the hundreds I saved going QTP.

BTW, you've read more complaints about QTP than ARH because they've been out 3+ years longer than ARH and have sold thousands more sets. Even if QTP had 5% of their customers complain about their headers and ARH had 10%, you'd still hear way more complaints from guys with QTP's because there's so many more sets out there (those numbers are made up, I have no idea how many customers complain with each brand, it was just an example).

Not trying to be Mr. Disagreeable, but I have my reasons for saying what I'm saying...

The Alchemist

iTrader: (19)

Not to be confrontational, but unique to your headers or you just don't want to sell the ypipe without people buying the whole package?

One of these day's I'll be getting a new set of headers as I have the original style collector on the header. I just don't get why the ARH are so much more expensive that the qtp's when they are pretty similar..... Just trying to figure that one out.

ChocoTaco369

You can buy just the y-pipe at MPH without buying the headers:

http://www.mphparts.com/mm5/merchant...BLS1EX-AMERRAC

It's $365. Don't expect the ARH y-pipe to bolt right on to any other headers aside from ARH's, but regardless of what anyone tells you, you can always modify it at any exhaust shop for little cost.

However, it'll probably be cheaper for an exhaust shop to just make a custom one for you. If you don't have any good exhaust shops in the area though, you can always buy the ARH y-pipe and have them modify it. It doesn't take a good exhaust shop to simply modify a y-pipe. Any Joe Blow exhaust shop can do that.

snatch

iTrader: (4)

I think Jeremy from MPH may remember this picture. After paying
so much for QTP's this is what showed up. I was so disappointed in the quality. If it wasnt for MPH's great customer service i would have been assed out..


and please dont try and tell me that gap would seal after it warmed up. You could see large amounts of daylight through the multiple gaps on the primaries. You could actually tell where they tried to weld it up..looked friggen horrible. I wanted to purchase some ARH from MPG but I had to divert the extra funds somewhere else at the time so I went with pacesetters.

This one shows the welds a little better. I had pics of the daylight but I must have deleted them.

Shane

2002_z28_m6

iTrader: (10)

The ARH Y-pipe has alot better ground clearance and is stainless steel. I have been around both systems and the ARH Y is better IMO.

2002_z28_m6

iTrader: (10)

WOW those welds look scary. They missed completely.

ChocoTaco369

Do you have a better pic of those welds? I can't see anything in those pictures.

My welds were perfect

Galen

iTrader: (3)

It isn't the welds you need to look at in the pictures...but the lack of welds. If you follow the tube, you will see a gap where the tubing was not welded at all. They tried, but missed completely. Those look worse than the welds I attempt! Hell, the welds on my XS headers are better than those pictured. I guess those Chinese know how to weld after all!

Galen

toadzq8

iTrader: (43)

ARH Much better fit, Didn't even have to pull my plugs or oil filter to install both sides. Y pipe is all stainless and designed with a decent merge. I am lowered with cats and don't have clearance issues under the car and they never banged the floor boards from day one and I still have the factory motor mounts.

A. R. HEADERS

Alchemist, Our collectors are located in a different spot. It's not off by much but it's enough that you'll have to do extensive cutting and welding to make it work. I wouldn't trust just any exhaust shop to modify it. I'd look for a shop that can tig weld.

Nick