Are KOOKS headers the best out there for performance wise?

 

which size?

they offer some with bigger primaries correct? for most applications the standard 1 5/8" tubes are more than enough, and will maintain low end power. for big cubes or extreme h/c or blower applications the 1 3/4" tubes will probably perform better.

as far as a "best performing" LT header...of equal primary size...i don't think there is such a thing.

the same brand header on 10 different cars will probably produce 10 different hp gains, +/- 1-2hp.

at the same time each brand of LT header on the same car will probably produce the same variation.

i think it boils down to the standard of error in the testing. small changes in engine temp, heat soak, fuel density, air temp changes all affect the outcome to some degree.

Kooks are heavy guage stainless, and are very well constructed. are they guaranteed to last longer than an uncoated $250 set of mild steel hookers??
most likely

are they guaranteed to make Xhp more than any other brand?
no way

i think it boils down to you being able to afford them, and if you want the peace of mind knowing they will last a long time.


oh and by the way...your LS1 is 346ci

 

btw - standard size is 1 3/4", 1 7/8" is the larger size

the only thing you're paying for is the stainless construction which is well worth it IMO

if you're just looking for performance out of a garage queen that never sees weather, then you'd probably be able to get away with just an affordable set of coated headers, but given enough time they will still rust

 

yep....just flipped through my Jegs catalog....

i stand corrected...

but you got my point

 

Hell, my uncoated Hookers on my 70 SS lasted 10 years. For me, it doesn't pay to get stainless, but this all depends on where you live. How many people even keep their f-bodies long enough to make stainless headers cost effective? Very few I bet.

 

What about the sound? Would different types of metal produce a different note? Say, for instance, stainless steel? I have the Pacesetter LT's and TSP ORY, with the Rumbler exhaust. My buddy has the stainless steel SLP Loudmouth exhaust. Our cars sound different. Could the difference in metal type of the exhaust create a different exhaust note? And if so, would a stainless steel header give a different exhaust note than, say a coated header? Just a random pondering....

Abe

 

well there is a chance the metal would have a different sound.

but with your 2 cars....

the resonator on the LM is totally different from the bullet used in the Rumbler. that is why most people think the rumbler sounds better.

 

Dam teke cut me some slack I just rounded it off to 350

 

The best performaning headers are the QTP HVMC hands down

 

is it true what jet hot say about their coating that it lasts 3 times longer than traditional cermamic coatings? maybe if it is then the 500 dollar jet hots are pretty good.

Dakota

 

That's a pretty biased statement seeings how both Kooks and QTP use the same Grotohyan pattern. A set of Kooks with HVMC would produce the same numbers as the QTP's because they would be the same header. When it comes down to making a decision between Kooks or QTP, I just look at who's got what in stock.

 

Thats the same statement you'll hear from the GMMG catback owners. Never mind the hard data. lol LG makes a nice header too.

 

I think what he was trying to say is that the QTP's w/ their HVMC's will produce the best power. That's not biased, just the truth. Kooks don't come with HVMC's. If you bought HVMC's for the Kooks then the power between the two would be similar.

 

Sure, a header with a HVMC should make more power, but the design of the header up to that point will be the same. Kooks and QTP both offer the HVMC for a optional fee. Neither header comes with them. Both headers are the same price wise, with and without HVMC's. Unless you have the time to dyno test diffrent camshafts to see what works with your HVMC's, your not going to gain alot anyway. Kooks told me maybe 5 hp diffrence if you just put a "shot in the dark" camshaft in there. Which puts me back to my original statement, neither header will outpower the other if they are the same.

 

Not quite sure what hard data you are refering to, whether it be about catbacks or headers. LG does make a nice header, but not for F-bodies.