Hi guys


I,m planning to buy a new headers for my 2004 GTO 5.7 liter it has only cat back system and crank pulley

what is your advise of headers brands ?

 

I'd definitely go long tubes (as opposed to shorties)...Stainless Works and Kooks are two of the most popular...most people seem pretty happy with them. (I love my Kooks!)

 

Go with some Kooks long tubes. Do not go with Stainless Works. I have SW on my GTO and those fing things hit on my power steering box/lines all day long. I orignaly tired to switch them to Kooks befor they were sent off to me but since they were coated I was not able to do so, as of today I'm still wondering if I should spend the money to switch to Kooks.

 

I agree about the fitment issues with SW. I love my Dynatechs. They come complete. Install was not bad and fitment is perfect.

 

Kooks LTs, coated. PM me for where to get them at a decent price.

Some of all brands of headers have fitment issues IRT the steering. This is not because of the header but because of the car. The steering rack location varies as much as 1/4" from car to car. How much is 1/4 of rack movement as compared to the steering wheel? Almost 180 degrees.

The solution is move the rack to clear the steering arm from the header, then get an alignment. The only thing that will be wrong will be your steering wheel center. The alignment will still be as it was before you started. All that will need to be adjusted "to fix this part" will be your toe settings.

I have installed about 4 sets of these and all, even mine, required some adjustment to prevent binding on acceleration while turning left.

Jerry

 

I have SLP long tubes with hi flow cats. They come coated and had no fitment issues. I had no problem to date with them . Never had a problem with anything from SLP yet. I would suggest to go catless for the extra power. It only took me 6 hrs with hand tools on the ground by myself. That was taking a couple breaks. I am a union guy, just can't work right thru any job. I had no binding either.

 

get longtubes, avoid stainlessworks
kooks are pricey, but have fewer complaints.

 

Kooks LTs in the 1 7/8ths gets my vote. Also be sure to give us a call for pricing on them.

Chad

 

Why not the 1-3/4 tubes? It's a 2004 LS1.

 

Yes that was done to try and solve the issue, it helped but it still hits. I've known about 4-5 other people with SW LT's and they have the same problem even after moving the steering rack over as well. It's not the car it's the actually product in this case, it's just a bad design. I'm not saying I dislike the company or anything, though they should have taken out more time to design a better product... especially for how much they charge you for it.

 

if you're in socal you can buy my shorties. or if you wanna pay shipping..

 

Thanks guys I think I,m gonna with KOOKS

 

Kooks 1-3/4 with cats ...best choice.

 

+1...no need for the 1-7/8. I've seen lots of deals on Kooks over on ls1gto....I stumbled upon a random sale there and got mine for a ridiculous price.

 

I just Installe SW LT's over the weekend, they were a pain in the *** to install. Make sure you have metric and sae stubby wrenches, they will make it easier. As far as fittment issues, they are damn tight, but they fit. I also think that now they have been heat cycled I can re-torque them and the one very small exhaust leak will go away. shouldnt have reuse my stock flange gaskets.

 

According to Kooks if you have anything done to the car like a CAI or an exhaust then you need the 1 7/8ths headers.

Chad