Is it worth it? Long tube question

[yellow05gt]

So I'll be the first to admit I don't know everything there is to know about long tube headers. So the question is, is it worth it to go with ARH over stainless power for the difference in price? Thanks for any and all input!

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[venumous]

You're asking a subjective question that will be full of bias. For me, the money saved is better spent elsewhere.

 

[steveespo]

Just a question of quality and consistency of fit. In the Coyote world it seems that ARH and Kooks are just about tied for the #1 spot in fitment (ARH has slight edge), Power (Kooks by a smidge), Quality (ARH again slightly) and sound (tie). Other brands work but I have heard of flanges that won't seal and cracked welds, and inconsistent manufacturing that caused contact with the frame or floor pans. Stainless Works of all the rest does have a fairly good reputation. If you can afford it go with the ARH, otherwise be prepared to do some tweaking to get things just right with the install.

 

[yellow05gt]

Just a question of quality and consistency of fit. In the Coyote world it seems that ARH and Kooks are just about tied for the #1 spot in fitment (ARH has slight edge), Power (Kooks by a smidge), Quality (ARH again slightly) and sound (tie). Other brands work but I have heard of flanges that won't seal and cracked welds, and inconsistent manufacturing that caused contact with the frame or floor pans. Stainless Works of all the rest does have a fairly good reputation. If you can afford it go with the ARH, otherwise be prepared to do some tweaking to get things just right with the install.

I definitely understand each brand has their pros and cons and I guess that's what I was asking. Is it worth it to spend the extra money on one set over another. Between Kooks and ARH is their power gains significant or just a few?

 

[venumous]

Id like to know how many people with Stainless Power, etc wouldn't do it again. I installed Kooks on my Boss 302 and the Stainless Power fit just as perfectly as those did and don't make contact with anything they shouldn't, even the AC line bolt. Spending the extra money doesn't make any sense to me. Put it into another mod.

 

[4V Mayhem]

Me? I'm cheap. The thing about being cheap is that it saves you money. I learned over the years, never be afraid to ask for a lower price (you just might get it) and never be afraid to buy a cheaper product if it is just as good. ARH and Kooks along with Stainless Works and a few other brands are the top as far as quality. ARH and Kooks sre the more popular of the top brands. They put a lot of R&D and spend a lot of time developing their products. And they put a lot of work into the quality and finish of the product. You will pay more, but you will get more. With that said, if you plan to show the car or race professionally, then go with ARH or Kooks. If you don't plan to do any of that and just want a set of nice headers, then go with SP, Pypes, BBK, or the other mid-level headers. If you're cheap like me and daring, then go with an Ebay brand like OBX.

No matter which brand you go with, there is a chance you'll get a dud. Even Kooks and ARH from time to time have duds. The chances are slimmer, but it could hapen and it could be right in the middle of the install too. The mid-level brands might be more likely to have duds. And the chances are even higher with the low-grade level brands. I've been lucky in the past so I think I'll stick to what I do best, lol!! But, if you care about top quality and want the best header that will most likely ahve less issues, then go with Kooks or ARH. If you plan to sell the car or trade it in or whatever, and if you don't care about how well refined the headers are, then go with a mid-level brand. If you're cheap like me, then go with a low-grade level.

For the record, if your plan is just to have more power and go to the track often, then even the low-grade level headers are good enough.

 

[zaquhree]

I gained 2-4mph depending on conditions with my Kooks when boosted

 

[15dib]

I went with stainless power. The fitment is good. Everything lined up great. I reused all the studs on the drivers side and only kept one one the passenger side.

 

[Khyber]

support american labor. at least get stainless works if you are looking at SP...since SP is chinese labor.

for me it would sw or arh. arh is what I really really want...just still hesitate on buying headers.

 

[Pincushin3819]

Stainless Power here also, had kooks on my Camaro & ARH on my C7 there was no difference worthy of noting other than price. Save your money SP FTW.

 

[RockStang]

support american labor. at least get stainless works if you are looking at SP...since SP is chinese labor.

for me it would sw or arh. arh is what I really really want...just still hesitate on buying headers.

This. I try to buy American made products whenever I can. Even though half of it's either made with foreign parts or with illegal immigrant labor

 

[15dib]

support american labor. at least get stainless works if you are looking at SP...since SP is chinese labor.

for me it would sw or arh. arh is what I really really want...just still hesitate on buying headers.

Lol, let's go tell all those Toyota, Nissan and Subaru owners to stop buying and buy American.
We all buy what we want. I guess you should tell Terry to stop selling SP.

 

[Khyber]

and a giant bulk of those toyotas, nissans, hondas, hyundai/kias, and more are made in america by americans.... you got my point..


in the case of headers...sw has a better warranty than sp with it's american labor anyways.

 

[Zodiac]

support american labor. at least get stainless works if you are looking at SP...since SP is chinese labor.

for me it would sw or arh. arh is what I really really want...just still hesitate on buying headers.

So why are you riding on Velgens and Eibach springs? Shouldn't you have supported American labor? How do you know your springs are made in the US facility and not in Europe or Asia? Guess you got to support Taiwan too?

 

[RockStang]

Lol, let's go tell all those Toyota, Nissan and Subaru owners to stop buying and buy American.
We all buy what we want. I guess you should tell Terry to stop selling SP.

No one said anything about telling anyone anything. I gave my feeling and opinion for myself, no one else.

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