header choice ?
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 304
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From: Stow Ohio
header choice ? from what ive heard kooks longtubes are the best choice of headers for an lt1. i just can find it reasonable to pay $900 for headers. performance wise would it be just as good to buy a set of pacesetters or will i be getting what i pay for?
If you get pacesetters go with coated, I would also recommend Lamonte Performance Parts headers. A lot of guys love those. I went with the stainless steel Ebay pacesetter knockoffs but I'll let you know how those go. <$300 for headers/y-pipe/free shipping so I could not complain a whole lot.
i bought the ebay stainless steel long tubes + Y pipe around 300 free shipping.. flange is real thick welds look really nice. i have a 94 camaro ordered one that said 93-97 needed an oil filter relocation kit (bought a universal from jegs for around $70) because there is NO way to get filter back on even small one. also had to grind down the steering linkage and dent in header because that rubbed too..(my motor mounts were good also) so little fit issues with that but for the price i didnt mind doing that... as long as they hold up.
I would vote for the pacesetters coated LT's. they have been on my 93' ta now thru 4 midwestern winters, and have been holding up fine. They have done so well on my ta, that I now have a set on my goat.
Here is a partial shot of the one's on my ta after 4 yrs.
Here is a partial shot of the one's on my ta after 4 yrs.
Last edited by 06blackGTO; Jan 16, 2010 at 11:10 PM.
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Hey:
What about the new LPP headers, I thought they were the best LT1 header now? The website now has them listed on there, with 321 SS true duals as well.
Dub
When In Doubt Do Without
What about the new LPP headers, I thought they were the best LT1 header now? The website now has them listed on there, with 321 SS true duals as well.
Dub
When In Doubt Do Without
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i would NEVER buy anther set of pacesetters in my life!! My coating flaked off months after having them. I drove the car once only on weekends and never in the cold months so they never seen salt. Same with my buddys ls1 car, the coating flaked off even faster cause he DD his car and was damn near rusted through. Sold um and bought LPPs, now thoes are the ones to buy hands down!!
I have owned both Pacesetter's and Hooker's and will never buy either again. My dad bought a set of Kooks and they simply put all the rest to shame. On LS1GTO.com a test was done comparing the hp/tq gain from a set of 1 3/4" Pacesetter's vs. 1 3/4" Kooks versus 1 3/4"-1 7/8" Stepped Kooks on a cammed, bolt-on Goat. Comparing apples to apples we will leave the stepped headers out so the 1 3/4" Kooks made an additional 5rwhp/6rwtq over the Pacesetters. That would be attributed to a better designed header with a substantially better venturi merge spike etc. With your stage of mods I would imagine the differences in power to be negligable but just wanted to point it out because I would have bought Kooks from the getko if I was better informed when I made my purchase years ago. BTW, the coating on both my sets of headers have came off in certain areas and rust formed in its place. I would highly suggest stainless steel headers no matter which brand you choose.
http://www.ls1gto.com/forums/showthr...s.+pacesetters
http://www.ls1gto.com/forums/showthr...s.+pacesetters
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 529
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no way in hell would i pay $1000 for a set of kook headers. maybe for an entire exhaust system, but not just headers.
i'd buy 4 sets of the ebay headers before i would pay that much for one set of headers..
i'd buy 4 sets of the ebay headers before i would pay that much for one set of headers..
Last edited by brucer; Jan 17, 2010 at 03:50 PM.
Hey:
I agree with both you guys that pacesetters don't last And IMO that Kooks are overpriced. As for Kooks being the best header, well I disagree. I replaced my rusty pacesetters with a set of Kooks Stepped 304 Stainless pipes they were of very good quality and since I planned on keeping the car long term I felt it was a good long term investment. I FELT FOR THE COST THEY COULD HAVE FIT MUCH BETTER, But they did tuck up very nice. I sold them to try a set of 321 Polished Stainless LPPs. As delivered the polish finish appeared much better, LPPs are made from a better grade of Stainless Steel, welds are good but not as great as the Kooks, but not inferior in welded material or penetration, just a bit more slag, Fit was pretty much the same, and cost half as much. I have less in a complete Polished Stainless system than I had in the Kooks headers only. I wish the LPPs had an EGR/AIR option as that would give them a wider appeal for Me at least. There is plenty of good quality Headers out there, Burns, Kooks, Lemons, Stainless Works, The Stainless Header Co, and Real cool exotic ones like TI Exhaust and Titanium works. None of them are cheap, you normally get what you pay for when it comes to quality, limited edition, one off parts and then some. But I think many an enthusiast can see not many things are the deal that LPP has come up with for American made Stainless exhaust products. Just My 02 cents..
Dub
When In Doubt Do Without
I agree with both you guys that pacesetters don't last And IMO that Kooks are overpriced. As for Kooks being the best header, well I disagree. I replaced my rusty pacesetters with a set of Kooks Stepped 304 Stainless pipes they were of very good quality and since I planned on keeping the car long term I felt it was a good long term investment. I FELT FOR THE COST THEY COULD HAVE FIT MUCH BETTER, But they did tuck up very nice. I sold them to try a set of 321 Polished Stainless LPPs. As delivered the polish finish appeared much better, LPPs are made from a better grade of Stainless Steel, welds are good but not as great as the Kooks, but not inferior in welded material or penetration, just a bit more slag, Fit was pretty much the same, and cost half as much. I have less in a complete Polished Stainless system than I had in the Kooks headers only. I wish the LPPs had an EGR/AIR option as that would give them a wider appeal for Me at least. There is plenty of good quality Headers out there, Burns, Kooks, Lemons, Stainless Works, The Stainless Header Co, and Real cool exotic ones like TI Exhaust and Titanium works. None of them are cheap, you normally get what you pay for when it comes to quality, limited edition, one off parts and then some. But I think many an enthusiast can see not many things are the deal that LPP has come up with for American made Stainless exhaust products. Just My 02 cents..
Dub
When In Doubt Do Without
Last edited by 1993 z28 f1; Jan 17, 2010 at 05:13 PM. Reason: spacing
