Difference between TSP, Kooks, and AR LT headers? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

1KillerSS · 03-24-2014, 09:01 AM

I am sorry that you are reading another header thread, but I am in the market for a set of LT headers. I have narrowed it down to these three...Kooks, TSP, and AR. Problem i am having is they all make good HP gains and basically all say that there great. while i am sure that each one is great in its own right. i am wondering what the real differences are between them and why i should choose one over the other.

I am not wanting to turn this into a "well this is what i run" or "buy from X-vendor they will treat you right"

I am honestly not that interested in the headers that you run I am sure that you will recommend the headers that you are currently running, but I am really not a follow the leader type of buyer...more along the lines of the known differences between the three..

Basically price is not the issue here I just care that i buy the right set for me and my future mods...which include Super charger and cam.

Thanks in advance for your help and input.

ST1LE · 03-24-2014, 09:46 AM

Well for starters TSP is welded in China, and doesnt have a merge spike like Kooks, ARH, and Stainless Power(also welded in China). I am not familiar enough with these to know how they differ in their connections to cats and/or cat back exhaust, but surely someone can chime in on that.

RA1987 · 03-24-2014, 10:04 AM

If price is not an issue flip a coin between ARH and KOOKS. It's a win win situation.

Dexman1349 · 03-24-2014, 10:30 AM

^^ +1

From a performance perspective, no difference at all.

Only real difference is where they are made and their warranty's.

Sapper12b · 03-24-2014, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ST1LE

Well for starters TSP is welded in China, and doesnt have a merge spike like Kooks, ARH, and Stainless Power(also welded in China). I am not familiar enough with these to know how they differ in their connections to cats and/or cat back exhaust, but surely someone can chime in on that.

I have TSP and they do have a merge spike and have the same connections as any other headers.

Take a look at my link, it's on the second page.....

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...=275478&page=2

1KillerSS · 03-24-2014, 10:51 AM

Thanks for the reply's.

Do any of them have fitment issues? I have heard that some sit on the plug wire itself but i cant remember which one....I thought I read about one guy having to modify his to allow for more clearance between plug wire and header

can any vendors chime in on the differences between there products?

Avenging Orange · 03-24-2014, 10:59 AM

Only true difference is price. Pick what moves you and enjoy.

TECHTURTLE · 03-24-2014, 11:06 AM

Let's face it, we are talking about tubes, no moving parts no rocket science... All brands have to get the exhaust gas from the same points A to the same point B in the same amount of space, so there really won't be that much of a difference in engineering. As long as they are made of 304 stainless and fit (Which applies to all that you mentioned) there really is very little difference.

I vote made in the USA, but you can do whatever you want.

WHAMMO · 03-24-2014, 11:26 AM

China vs usa. Go for the ARH, unless you are really broke. I went with Stainless Works(usa made) , and the fit is perfect with 2" headers; steering shaft, plug wires, frame and ground clearance are nice.

1KillerSS · 03-24-2014, 11:34 AM

im not trying to make it out to be rocket science, nor an i trying to reinvent the wheel...and thanks i didn't realize that the point was to get gas from a to b with no moving parts.....i am just asking if and what the differences are other than 500 bucks i figured for that price there had to be something that was not the same..thanks for taking the time to post

ST1LE · 03-24-2014, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1KillerSS

im not trying to make it out to be rocket science, nor an i trying to reinvent the wheel...and thanks i didn't realize that the point was to get gas from a to b with no moving parts.....i am just asking if and what the differences are other than 500 bucks i figured for that price there had to be something that was not the same..thanks for taking the time to post

Seems his post was to clarify why there just isnt much room for difference on a mod like headers. For the extra $500 you get a nice name plate on it...woo hoo!

1KillerSS · 03-24-2014, 11:52 AM

ok thanks guys i understand

ST1LE · 03-24-2014, 11:53 AM

Good luck with your decision, and post some vid when you are done so we can hear it!

1KillerSS · 03-24-2014, 12:09 PM

Ok I am going with Kooks and there off-road pipes. seems as if there all the same and since there made in america and a few hundred cheaper than ARH....so thanks again everybody and once again sorry for starting another header thread.

Going to order by the end of the month and soon as I install them ill post a vid!, I cant wait.

03-24-2014, 09:01 AM	#1
1KillerSS Too much is never enough! Drives: AGP TT SS [COTW] 4/20/15 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Toledo,OH Posts: 4,149 View My Garage	Difference between TSP, Kooks, and AR LT headers? I am sorry that you are reading another header thread, but I am in the market for a set of LT headers. I have narrowed it down to these three...Kooks, TSP, and AR. Problem i am having is they all make good HP gains and basically all say that there great. while i am sure that each one is great in its own right. i am wondering what the real differences are between them and why i should choose one over the other. I am not wanting to turn this into a "well this is what i run" or "buy from X-vendor they will treat you right" I am honestly not that interested in the headers that you run I am sure that you will recommend the headers that you are currently running, but I am really not a follow the leader type of buyer...more along the lines of the known differences between the three.. Basically price is not the issue here I just care that i buy the right set for me and my future mods...which include Super charger and cam. Thanks in advance for your help and input. __________________ AGP TT kit, 54/57 Forged rotating assembly, Custom grind cam... Dual nozzle meth, ID850's, Livernois dual fuel pumps, ECS BAP, 25% UDP, 3 inch Magnaflow catback with X pipe, Mantic 9000 clutch, DSS 1000hp axles, DSS aluminum driveshaft, ZL1 rear end, solid subframe bushings, HE differential offset bushings, BMR Trailing arm, BMR toe rods, Lingenfelter LNC-2000,SJM Line Lock. 747 whp 714wtq *Build thread* http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...55#post8107855

03-24-2014, 09:46 AM	#2
ST1LE Drives: E92 BMW M3 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Houston Posts: 4,496	Well for starters TSP is welded in China, and doesnt have a merge spike like Kooks, ARH, and Stainless Power(also welded in China). I am not familiar enough with these to know how they differ in their connections to cats and/or cat back exhaust, but surely someone can chime in on that. __________________ SOLD - 2013 1LE - Pat G Spec'd Cam, NPP with 1 7/8" Long Tube Headers with High Flow Cats, Intake w/scoop, Ported Throttle Body, and Apex 1.25" Lowering Springs. J-Rod Built and Matt@FSP Tuned

03-24-2014, 10:30 AM	#4
Dexman1349 2010 2SS/RS M6 Drives: 2010 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Auckland, NZ Posts: 1,482	^^ +1 From a performance perspective, no difference at all. Only real difference is where they are made and their warranty's. __________________ 2/7/2014: 419 hp, 419 tq Cosmetic: ZL1 front w/mailslot, painted stripes, powdercoated SS rims, tow hook, and full chrome delete Suspension: Pfadt subframe bushings, Pfadt rear UCA bushings, Z28 Upper control arms, Spohn trailing arms with BMR trailing arm & differential bushings, ZL1 Toe Rods and springs, Prothane radius arm inserts & steering rack bushing, Pfadt Sport front sway, FE4 conversion w/ DS rear sway, Pfadt strut brace Drivetrain: RMCR tune, CAI intake, Kooks headers, hi-flo cats & exhaust, VMAX TB, ZL1 fuel pump, LSR Tri-Ax shifter Bumblebee Racecar Build

03-24-2014, 10:51 AM	#6
1KillerSS Too much is never enough! Drives: AGP TT SS [COTW] 4/20/15 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Toledo,OH Posts: 4,149 View My Garage	Thanks for the reply's. Do any of them have fitment issues? I have heard that some sit on the plug wire itself but i cant remember which one....I thought I read about one guy having to modify his to allow for more clearance between plug wire and header can any vendors chime in on the differences between there products? __________________ AGP TT kit, 54/57 Forged rotating assembly, Custom grind cam... Dual nozzle meth, ID850's, Livernois dual fuel pumps, ECS BAP, 25% UDP, 3 inch Magnaflow catback with X pipe, Mantic 9000 clutch, DSS 1000hp axles, DSS aluminum driveshaft, ZL1 rear end, solid subframe bushings, HE differential offset bushings, BMR Trailing arm, BMR toe rods, Lingenfelter LNC-2000,SJM Line Lock. 747 whp 714wtq *Build thread* http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...55#post8107855

03-24-2014, 10:59 AM	#7
Avenging Orange Drives: 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Clermont, IN Posts: 3,297	Only true difference is price. Pick what moves you and enjoy. __________________ 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS M6 Black Leather, Sun Roof, OBX Headers, Borla touring axle back, Cold Air Inductions CAI , non synthetic fluids, BMR total bushing upgrade/1" lowering springs, DSE 32mm rear sway bar. GM fe4 shocks/struts/LCA's, AAM 3.91 diff, Vertini RFS1.8 20x9 +30. Conti ExtremeContact Sport 275/35/20. sjm autoprod ABL dash kit. Mike Norris tuned 413/419. Avenging Orange: 43 years of not buying into the Hype........and damn proud of it!! https://youtu.be/9JD9it6SmB8 https://youtu.be/xmelTlEzI34 KICKING CANCERS ASS SINCE 2015!!

03-24-2014, 10:04 AM	#3
RA1987 Drives: SS Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: 92129 Posts: 489 View My Garage	If price is not an issue flip a coin between ARH and KOOKS. It's a win win situation.

03-24-2014, 11:06 AM	#8
TECHTURTLE Drives: 2016 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: OTP Atlanta Posts: 862 View My Garage	Let's face it, we are talking about tubes, no moving parts no rocket science... All brands have to get the exhaust gas from the same points A to the same point B in the same amount of space, so there really won't be that much of a difference in engineering. As long as they are made of 304 stainless and fit (Which applies to all that you mentioned) there really is very little difference. I vote made in the USA, but you can do whatever you want. __________________ 2016 2SS 6-Speed Manual... Magnetic Ride Control, Dual Mode Exhaust, Sunroof, Adrenaline Red Interior, Mylink W/Navigation Added Edelbrock E-Force Supercharger, GM 1LE Sway Bars, BMR Upper/Lower Trailing Arms, BMR Upper Control Arms. BMR Front/Rear Chassis Braces, BMR Tunnel Brace. GM Red knee Pads, GM Black Front Splitter, GM SEMA Concept Grille, GM Dark Taillights, GM Ground Effects package... Savini Di Forza BM-14 Gloss Black Wheels 9's front, 10's rear.

03-24-2014, 11:26 AM	#9
WHAMMO Drives: 13' 1LE Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 2,640	China vs usa. Go for the ARH, unless you are really broke. I went with Stainless Works(usa made) , and the fit is perfect with 2" headers; steering shaft, plug wires, frame and ground clearance are nice. __________________ 13' 1LE Old setup: TSP 231-236/Tick 660/.105 PR, UDP, SW LT 2'' & HFC, stock NPP & H pipe, VR-DRX CAI, air scoop, Goertz1 manifold, 102mm BBK, 26" Toyo DRs, Forgestars R17x10 & F18x8, rear seat delete, remote Pat G tune Autocal, 7400 limiter, Spec Mini Twin. 91oct. 11.90@122.3, 0-60ft 2.0 / 11.99@123.6, 0-60ft 2.1 DA+819 ...519RWHP SAE Solid roller SBE LS3, FED, LLSR, 91oct, 605rwhp N/A. Tuned by Pat G. Build by me.

03-24-2014, 11:34 AM	#10
1KillerSS Too much is never enough! Drives: AGP TT SS [COTW] 4/20/15 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Toledo,OH Posts: 4,149 View My Garage	im not trying to make it out to be rocket science, nor an i trying to reinvent the wheel...and thanks i didn't realize that the point was to get gas from a to b with no moving parts.....i am just asking if and what the differences are other than 500 bucks i figured for that price there had to be something that was not the same..thanks for taking the time to post __________________ AGP TT kit, 54/57 Forged rotating assembly, Custom grind cam... Dual nozzle meth, ID850's, Livernois dual fuel pumps, ECS BAP, 25% UDP, 3 inch Magnaflow catback with X pipe, Mantic 9000 clutch, DSS 1000hp axles, DSS aluminum driveshaft, ZL1 rear end, solid subframe bushings, HE differential offset bushings, BMR Trailing arm, BMR toe rods, Lingenfelter LNC-2000,SJM Line Lock. 747 whp 714wtq *Build thread* http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...55#post8107855

03-24-2014, 11:52 AM	#12
1KillerSS Too much is never enough! Drives: AGP TT SS [COTW] 4/20/15 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Toledo,OH Posts: 4,149 View My Garage	ok thanks guys i understand __________________ AGP TT kit, 54/57 Forged rotating assembly, Custom grind cam... Dual nozzle meth, ID850's, Livernois dual fuel pumps, ECS BAP, 25% UDP, 3 inch Magnaflow catback with X pipe, Mantic 9000 clutch, DSS 1000hp axles, DSS aluminum driveshaft, ZL1 rear end, solid subframe bushings, HE differential offset bushings, BMR Trailing arm, BMR toe rods, Lingenfelter LNC-2000,SJM Line Lock. 747 whp 714wtq *Build thread* http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...55#post8107855

03-24-2014, 11:53 AM	#13
ST1LE Drives: E92 BMW M3 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Houston Posts: 4,496	Good luck with your decision, and post some vid when you are done so we can hear it! __________________ SOLD - 2013 1LE - Pat G Spec'd Cam, NPP with 1 7/8" Long Tube Headers with High Flow Cats, Intake w/scoop, Ported Throttle Body, and Apex 1.25" Lowering Springs. J-Rod Built and Matt@FSP Tuned

03-24-2014, 12:09 PM	#14
1KillerSS Too much is never enough! Drives: AGP TT SS [COTW] 4/20/15 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Toledo,OH Posts: 4,149 View My Garage	Ok I am going with Kooks and there off-road pipes. seems as if there all the same and since there made in america and a few hundred cheaper than ARH....so thanks again everybody and once again sorry for starting another header thread. Going to order by the end of the month and soon as I install them ill post a vid!, I cant wait. __________________ AGP TT kit, 54/57 Forged rotating assembly, Custom grind cam... Dual nozzle meth, ID850's, Livernois dual fuel pumps, ECS BAP, 25% UDP, 3 inch Magnaflow catback with X pipe, Mantic 9000 clutch, DSS 1000hp axles, DSS aluminum driveshaft, ZL1 rear end, solid subframe bushings, HE differential offset bushings, BMR Trailing arm, BMR toe rods, Lingenfelter LNC-2000,SJM Line Lock. 747 whp 714wtq *Build thread* http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...55#post8107855