Kooks Headers - Catted or Off Road

[Kashawy]

Before I bought my Mustang, I really didn't know I would be spending that much money on mods, I actually never thought about modifying the car in any way. And here I am, looking for more. It is most certainly a disease.

Anyway, the only mods I've done so far is a catback exhaust and lowering springs. I'm in the market for a CAI as well. And now I'm considering LTHs.

I've read as much as I could here, but somehow I still couldn't find exactly what I'm looking for. First of all, I chose to go with Kooks Headers, why? I couldn't find any bad reviews about them, and it seems like headers is the company's specialty.

My questions are:
a) What's exactly the difference between Catted and Off Road? How does it affect the sound, and overall gains?
b) Difference between Catted and GREEN Catted? (This seems to be offered only from Kooks, and there's a price difference of about $500).
c) Do I need to get a tune if I chose to go with the Catted?
d) I currently have the Borla ATAK and there's no drone, will adding the headers change that?

Also, please note that this is my DD, and I use it for absolutely everything.

**Where I live, a brand new car doesn't need inspection or testing for registration renewal for the first 3 years. You just pay the renewal fees, that's all.**

Thanks!

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[2015 Silver GT]

Headers will require a tune either catted or not. Also if you have emissions testing be prepared for a headache if you go with longtubes.

 

[evo8904]

I went with off road since we don't have emissions in FL. I have always gone with off road headers on all of my cars when modifing them. It gives you a little more HP. It mainly helps with FI and higher HP performance.

 

[Evo_Rob]

My questions are:
a) What's exactly the difference between Catted and Off Road? How does it affect the sound, and overall gains?
b) Difference between Catted and GREEN Catted? (This seems to be offered only from Kooks, and there's a price difference of about $500).
c) Do I need to get a tune if I chose to go with the Catted?
d) I currently have the Borla ATAK and there's no drone, will adding the headers change that?

Also, please note that this is my DD, and I use it for absolutely everything.

Thanks!

A. O/R will be louder. Catted is an attempt to pass emissions testing, which typically doesn't work anyway.
B. Again, another attempt at passing emissions. My opinion is, it doesn't work if you're at a shop that's actually doing their job to do correct testing.
C. Yes, you need a tune for any header change.
D. Yep, it's going to be louder, but not necessarily add any droning. Throttle manipulation is always key.

IMHO, if you're swapping to LT's, go with O/R.

 

[Varekai]

My questions are:
a) What's exactly the difference between Catted and Off Road? How does it affect the sound, and overall gains
b) Difference between Catted and GREEN Catted? (This seems to be offered only from Kooks, and there's a price difference of about $500).
c) Do I need to get a tune if I chose to go with the Catted?
d) I currently have the Borla ATAK and there's no drone, will adding the headers change that?

Thanks!

Catted has catalytic converters, off road has none.
Green cats are just high flow cats Kooks use
You will have a CEL
No, headers actually help get rid of existing drone. Did for me.

 

[Varekai]

A. O/R will be louder. Catted is an attempt to pass emissions testing, which typically doesn't work anyway.
B. Again, another attempt at passing emissions. My opinion is, it doesn't work if you're at a shop that's actually doing their job to do correct testing.
C. Yes, you need a tune for any header change.
D. Yep, it's going to be louder, but not necessarily add any droning. Throttle manipulation is always key.

IMHO, if you're swapping to LT's, go with O/R.

We must have been typing that at the same time.

 

[KilluminatiDre]

I see Kooks has an option for Race cats and Green cats

 

[Kashawy]

Headers will require a tune either catted or not. Also if you have emissions testing be prepared for a headache if you go with longtubes.

Since it's a brand new car I don't need to take it for inspection for 3 years

If a tune is necessary I assume Steeda will be able to do it along with the CAI tune.

I went with off road since we don't have emissions in FL. I have always gone with off road headers on all of my cars when modifing them. It gives you a little more HP. It mainly helps with FI and higher HP performance.

A. O/R will be louder. Catted is an attempt to pass emissions testing, which typically doesn't work anyway.
B. Again, another attempt at passing emissions. My opinion is, it doesn't work if you're at a shop that's actually doing their job to do correct testing.
C. Yes, you need a tune for any header change.
D. Yep, it's going to be louder, but not necessarily add any droning. Throttle manipulation is always key.

IMHO, if you're swapping to LT's, go with O/R.

As I mentioned above, I don't need to take my car for inspection for the first 3 years. I've read here that when you go non-catted there's a strong exhaust smell. Ultimate power is not my concern, this is my daily driver, and most certainly I will not be doing FI, only NA.

Catted has catalytic converters, off road has none.
Green cats are just high flow cats Kooks use
You will have a CEL
No, headers actually help get rid of existing drone. Did for me.

What is "CEL"?
My current exhaust system doesn't have any drone. So it's a good thing headers don't add any.

 

[Evo_Rob]

Check engine light. If you're not looking for power, then don't worry about LTs.

 

[KilluminatiDre]

Steeda will not tune for off cat-less headers. They did agree to tune for catted headers but last I talked to them they were unsure when that will be available.

 

[evo8904]

Since it's a brand new car I don't need to take it for inspection for 3 years

If a tune is necessary I assume Steeda will be able to do it along with the CAI tune.





As I mentioned above, I don't need to take my car for inspection for the first 3 years. I've read here that when you go non-catted there's a strong exhaust smell. Ultimate power is not my concern, this is my daily driver, and most certainly I will not be doing FI, only NA.



What is "CEL"?
My current exhaust system doesn't have any drone. So it's a good thing headers don't add any.

Off road headers will have a stronger exhaust smell. I kind of like it

 

[Evo_Rob]

Steeda will not tune for off cat-less headers. They did agree to tune for catted headers but last I talked to them they were unsure when that will be available.

I thought David said they would, so long as it complies with state regulation? I know that's why they won't do it for the guys in Cali

 

[KilluminatiDre]

I thought David said they would, so long as it complies with state regulation? I know that's why they won't do it for the guys in Cali

Looks like they changed the tune request form since I submitted mine a couple months ago and added long tube headers. There was a "*" saying they wouldn't tune for off road headers at all. It wasn't even an option on the drop down bar. So I asked about catted LT headers and they agreed and added "catted LT headers" to the menu but once I submitted my tune request with catted headers they said it wasn't available yet and didn't know when. So maybe now they have it ready, I switched to Lund anyways lol

 

[ManBearPig]

Are you guys saying a tune is necessary just to turn off the rear o2 sensors? I'm sure a tune would be helpful in realizing the biggest gains but Id think you would be just fine runI g the original tune after a header swap.

 

[KilluminatiDre]

So from what I gathered they claim the Green cats are emission legal in 49 states and don't require a tune or throw codes. The green cars are almost $400 more than the race cats. I went with the race cats personally.

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