Here we go. Stepped headers or uniform size?

[Raptor626]

****NOT INTERESTED IN STARTING A THREAD ON WHICH PRIMARY SIZE IS BETTER/BEST FOR WHATEVER REASON*****


All I want to know is if you'd rather go with headers that utilize a stepped setup (primaries start off one size, then enlarge) or a uniform setup (primaries start off one size and remain that size all the way to the collectors)?



Thanks.

[blazzin1]

Yeah sure, why not, the stepped header has been proven to be beneficial. Unfortunately, they're too expensive. But if money was no object...yes I would.

[MarylandSpeed]

Obviously you are going to get a lot of responses one way or another. My personal experiance is that a stepped header makes more power in pretty much every application we have tried it as long as it has been set up right. Let's be honest here..aside from the fact that it works, what other reason or advantage do I have to gain by bringing out a more expensive product in an already price sensitive market, that further confuses the buying decision for customer? Bottom line is..I want to offer the best products..and our experiance shows that a properly designed stepped header performs best.

[Raptor626]

Originally Posted by blazzin1

Yeah sure, why not, the stepped header has been proven to be beneficial. Unfortunately, they're too expensive. But if money was no object...yes I would.

Actually, MarylandSpeed has a pretty good price on Kooks stepped headers. That's actually why I posed this question. The difference was only like $300, which I don't think is much.


I'm actually in the same boat as another member on here. I can't decide which to go with, ARH or Kooks. They're both great fabricators, and the guys at Kooks actually worked at ARH if I'm not mistaken. So, with that said, let's assume that the quality is comparable. The next deciding factor would be price. I live about 30min from the actual ARH shop and am a member of NY5thGEN, so I would get a pretty good deal on purchase/install.

HOWEVER! If I can get Kooks stepped headers, which make more power and will cost me about the same as an ARH setup, why not?


Thanks blazzin.

And MarylandSpeed, you might be getting a call from me in the very near future.

[blazzin1]

Don't forget about Stainless Works!!! They're just as good as the other two.....and it may not be on their website, but they do make a 1-7/8" to 2" stepped header. Not sure about prices, but I'm pretty sure they're a bit more expensive than the Kooks.

[MarylandSpeed]

Stainlessworks makes a good header no doubt. We sell a lot of their product, and I have no issue recommending it. I likely will even put them on my CTS-V. In this application I run Kooks on my car because I like the ball and socket collector, and one peice mid pipes. The SW design uses a slip fit collector, and 3 piece clamp togethor mid pipes. I hate clamps with a passion as a personal preference, so I avoid them. Some people however may see it as an advantage since you can go between off road and catted by swapping the cat for a section of pipe on the SW's. The pictures below show the differences.

[Raptor626]

Originally Posted by MarylandSpeed

Stainlessworks makes a good header no doubt. We sell a lot of their product, and I have no issue recommending it. I likely will even put them on my CTS-V. In this application I run Kooks on my car because I like the ball and socket collector, and one peice mid pipes. The SW design uses a slip fit collector, and 3 piece clamp togethor mid pipes. I hate clamps with a passion as a personal preference, so I avoid them. Some people however may see it as an advantage since you can go between off road and catted by swapping the cat for a section of pipe on the SW's. The pictures below show the differences.

I'm a sucker for shiny things.

Btw, I wanted to get the Kooks coated and I saw that you offered a wide selection of choices. My question though is, what does the titanium coating look like? It's either that or the sterling silver for me.

[MarylandSpeed]

Originally Posted by Raptor626

I'm a sucker for shiny things.

Btw, I wanted to get the Kooks coated and I saw that you offered a wide selection of choices. My question though is, what does the titanium coating look like? It's either that or the sterling silver for me.

Titainum is just a fancy name for flat gray. We get people who order it..and think it is like actual titainum..haha. If you need some help this weekend, shoot me a PM..I think someone will be working tomorrow.

[Raptor626]

LOL I feel like a kid in candy store looking at these.

I just can't wait to have the loudest thing in the neighborhood.

[Raptor626]

Originally Posted by MarylandSpeed

Titainum is just a fancy name for flat gray. We get people who order it..and think it is like actual titainum..haha. If you need some help this weekend, shoot me a PM..I think someone will be working tomorrow.

Cool. I guess I'll go with the Sterling Silver!

[Bay Area SS]

I would go stepped for sure if the money is there. there is a reason most race cars run a tuned stepped header

[Apex Motorsports]

Stepped headers can produce more power over a standard header but, as Maryland Speed mentioned, proper design is critical. Give this article from our blog a read.

Step It Up With Stepped Headers

[Raptor626]

So I read your link, Chase, and I have a question. I would like to get a cam and a set of heads next summer, therefore would a step from 1 3/4" - 17/8" be good enough for this, or should I get a 17/8" - 2" step?

[Raptor626]

Also, MarylandSpeed, do you guys offer 17/8"-2" steps? I know I can get them custom from Kooks, but I was wondering if you guys could get them as well?