Sponsored

Header options question

Venandakatra

Active Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2017
Threads
4
Messages
44
Reaction score
10
Location
Schaumburg, IL
Vehicle(s)
2017 Lightning Blue GT350
The mod bug finally got the best of me and am going to do off-road headers and a flex fuel tune. I was debating between American Racing and Stainless Works and someone I was talking to suggested I should really be deciding between Kooks and Stainless Works.

Is there any consensus around what is best from a power and sound perspective or are they all pretty equal? I have looked at a few videos and I haven't really noticed much of a difference from one OR header to another in sound, but know that videos aren't the greatest representation.
Sponsored

 

oregongt350

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2016
Threads
5
Messages
542
Reaction score
357
Location
Oregon
First Name
Michael
Vehicle(s)
2022 GT500 HE, 1967GT Fastback S code,
Headers

The mod bug finally got the best of me and am going to do off-road headers and a flex fuel tune. I was debating between American Racing and Stainless Works and someone I was talking to suggested I should really be deciding between Kooks and Stainless Works.

Is there any consensus around what is best from a power and sound perspective or are they all pretty equal? I have looked at a few videos and I haven't really noticed much of a difference from one OR header to another in sound, but know that videos aren't the greatest representation.
Tons of posts on headers and the various results use your search option at the top of the page.:ford::ford::ford::ford:
 

nastang87xx

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2015
Threads
89
Messages
6,546
Reaction score
4,189
Location
Wisconsin
Vehicle(s)
2016 GT350 Track Pack
All three are top tier products, all three use 304 stainless, all three use top of the line mandrel benders, all three are pretty expensive. Cats quality is clearly not a concern for you so flip a coin. The only thing I'd point out is that Stainless Works typically bunches their primary tubes together pretty tightly when they build headers so they MIGHT be a touch easier to install and handle vs the other two.
 

JuRuKi

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 2, 2016
Threads
71
Messages
937
Reaction score
241
Location
SoCaL
Vehicle(s)
2016 GT/PP
If you are lowered another thing to consider is ground clearance. I just paid $500 to install my Pypes headers and i cant make it over speed bumps without hitting the headers (they hang a full inch lower than the rest of the car). My car is only dropped 1.5 in front and 1.0 in rear.
 

TonyJ5150

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2016
Threads
40
Messages
261
Reaction score
237
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Vehicle(s)
2016 Shelby GT350
The mod bug finally got the best of me and am going to do off-road headers and a flex fuel tune. I was debating between American Racing and Stainless Works and someone I was talking to suggested I should really be deciding between Kooks and Stainless Works.

Is there any consensus around what is best from a power and sound perspective or are they all pretty equal? I have looked at a few videos and I haven't really noticed much of a difference from one OR header to another in sound, but know that videos aren't the greatest representation.
I may be willing to part with my Kooks headers for the right price...have custom headers for the Twins now..
 

Sponsored

OP
OP

Venandakatra

Active Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2017
Threads
4
Messages
44
Reaction score
10
Location
Schaumburg, IL
Vehicle(s)
2017 Lightning Blue GT350
My car is currently at factory ride height and I don't plan on lowering it, so that should not be an issue.

I will road course the car on occasion, but I need to work on my driving before refining parts. This is more for street enjoyment.

What do you consider the right price for the kooks?
 

TonyJ5150

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2016
Threads
40
Messages
261
Reaction score
237
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Vehicle(s)
2016 Shelby GT350
My car is currently at factory ride height and I don't plan on lowering it, so that should not be an issue.

I will road course the car on occasion, but I need to work on my driving before refining parts. This is more for street enjoyment.

What do you consider the right price for the kooks?
They are what, $1450 new..IDK, do you think $1k is fair? Ill throw in the JTL oil separator too..
 

jvandy50

H3249
Joined
Jul 8, 2015
Threads
12
Messages
2,259
Reaction score
1,117
Location
AR
First Name
jason
Vehicle(s)
22 TRX, 18 ZL1-1LE
They are what, $1450 new..IDK, do you think $1k is fair? Ill throw in the JTL oil separator too..
That's a pretty good deal. I couldn't find any SW videos without the whole exhaust too, but the kooks and the ARH offroad headers and the factory mufflers sounds fun amazing.

In fact, if he doesn't take you up on that you might holler at me if you wana get rid of em
 
OP
OP

Venandakatra

Active Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2017
Threads
4
Messages
44
Reaction score
10
Location
Schaumburg, IL
Vehicle(s)
2017 Lightning Blue GT350
I already have the ford performance separators and I will let you know, if you still have them once I am ready to pull the trigger. By all means sell it to the other guy if he is ready.
 

JN66

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2016
Threads
82
Messages
1,251
Reaction score
509
Location
British Columbia
Vehicle(s)
2017 GT350R, 1966 Couple (347 Stroker)
I have kooks being delivered next week to go along with a lund tune. Offroad xpipe as well.
 

Sponsored

TonyJ5150

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2016
Threads
40
Messages
261
Reaction score
237
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Vehicle(s)
2016 Shelby GT350
That's a pretty good deal. I couldn't find any SW videos without the whole exhaust too, but the kooks and the ARH offroad headers and the factory mufflers sounds fun amazing.

In fact, if he doesn't take you up on that you might holler at me if you wana get rid of em
Let me know if you want them..Ill have to hunt down a few boxes..
 

AndreiD

converted Ford fan
Joined
Mar 11, 2016
Threads
24
Messages
242
Reaction score
35
Location
Bucharest, Romania
Vehicle(s)
2017 GT350, 2009 BMW X6 50i, 2012 BMW K1300R
The mod bug finally got the best of me and am going to do off-road headers and a flex fuel tune. I was debating between American Racing and Stainless Works and someone I was talking to suggested I should really be deciding between Kooks and Stainless Works.

Is there any consensus around what is best from a power and sound perspective or are they all pretty equal? I have looked at a few videos and I haven't really noticed much of a difference from one OR header to another in sound, but know that videos aren't the greatest representation.
I made my decision based on sound alone. I watched countless Kooks, ARH, SWs, Borla etc videos and I found Stainless Works to be the best choice for me in terms of headers, along with a Corsa Xpipe. Why? Because it retains the stock tunes while making it more aggressive and louder...it doesn't change much the tune of the exhaust in terms of pitch or bass.

That is the perfect combo for me: SW off-road headers + Corsa Xpipe + stock mufflers. Haven't installed the headers just yet...I'm planning to do so asap.

So IMHO you should judge what you want by the sound alone as most probably all of them are good quality and all of them will net you roughly the same gains.

PS: Most of the people chose other stuff exactly for the same reason: Sound!

PSS: I wanted also to retaing the cracks and pops the exhaust generates on deceleration and I saw other exhausts kill those perks
 

nastang87xx

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2015
Threads
89
Messages
6,546
Reaction score
4,189
Location
Wisconsin
Vehicle(s)
2016 GT350 Track Pack
For the most part SW, Kooks, and ARH will all sound about the same since they have relatively similar primary tube lengths and collector styles. An inch or so tube length difference isn't going to change the pitch much to tell from one brand to the other. They're all great companies that offer top notch products.
 

AndreiD

converted Ford fan
Joined
Mar 11, 2016
Threads
24
Messages
242
Reaction score
35
Location
Bucharest, Romania
Vehicle(s)
2017 GT350, 2009 BMW X6 50i, 2012 BMW K1300R
For the most part SW, Kooks, and ARH will all sound about the same since they have relatively similar primary tube lengths and collector styles. An inch or so tube length difference isn't going to change the pitch much to tell from one brand to the other. They're all great companies that offer top notch products.
You may be right...but I swear I can hear different notes. Maybe differents mics dunno but for what it's worth:


[ame]

For example this set-up with kooks headers and and x pipe but with oem muffler sounds beefier than the SW above video.

[ame]

But yes I think the most sound difference is made by the last part of the muffler.

You can clearly hear different tones, once the muffler has been changed:

 

nastang87xx

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2015
Threads
89
Messages
6,546
Reaction score
4,189
Location
Wisconsin
Vehicle(s)
2016 GT350 Track Pack
Two different cameras, two different angles, two different environments.

I would bet my whole car that if you lined up a GT350 with ARH headers and Kooks headers and SW headers with the same catback system you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a wet fart and a runny milk shake.

SW's demo production value is quite good.
Sponsored

 
 




Top