The gains are real. What i'm after is will the green cats be enough to prevent a code. What also is real is losing the 5/60 warranty on a high strung engine. I have added trans/ rear end coolers, aftermarket wheels and a few suspension bits. Warranty work has been front rotors, ac evaporator, complete rear end and a driveshaft, never a problem with Ford. The word is no problem with warranty. Where the problem begins is if you present the car with a engine/ drivetrain issue. Any evidence of aftermarket tune or ecu fiddling or off road parts expect to tow your car out of the shop.
I have the Kooks system, but I have it mated with their O/R Xpipe. I also run the Ford OEM mufflers. I am tuned so I have zero codes. The car runs very well on corn or 93.
In the "Frank talk about Headers" thread above this one, I dropped a vid in that thread of my car at WoT. From what I been told from many vendors and people who had the system before I purchased, was to go with green cats if you have inspections. You can probably pass without the green's but that what was recommended. Florida does not have inspections so......yeah Saved some coin.