ARH vs Kooks headers

[caverman]

Originally Posted by radz28

I'd go with ARH. They haven't been around as long as Kooks, but I've only seen good reviews and good customer service. Also, I like their merge collector, which isn't standard on Kooks (one used to be able to get them as an extra-cost option - I don't know about now). They have a nice collector, which they used to call a merge, but it's not a true merge collector. Having said that, all merge collectors have to be tuned to the combination, however I'm a firm believer in them. I went from another companies standard collectors to their merge-style (which had the same primary sizes and lengths) and gained more than 10 RWHP. I believe Kooks are on the same level of quality and customer service however. I just prefer the ARHs.

Do you have any more info/pics of the merge collector? From what I heard the KOOKS and ARH are basically the same header.

I also heard that the guys at both companies used to work together and then a couple broke off and created their own company.....can't remember which company was started first.

[mcdoogle6969]

Originally Posted by mattc

I'm going for stupid loud. This is more of a weekend car. My daily driver is a GMC pickup.

Well, if you want stupid loud...ARH(no cats) with mangaflow comp series will do just that. I had that setup and was pulled over 5 times within a 3 week period.

[mcdoogle6969]

Originally Posted by SGOS252382

Just don't let the cops hear you.

Long tubes with no mufflers will get you a noise ticket in pretty much any town in the U.S.A.

So if you see a cop, you better just coast and not touch the gas pedal.

That does not work, I tired. The deceleration is insane when you let off.

[mcdoogle6969]

Originally Posted by zerox

Guys maybe you can help me out to. I have an ATAK cat back on it's way and next year I plan on getting headers. I am set on Kooks and ARH as everyone praises them. I really like the way AR sounds, Kooks is a monster to. I'm stumped here.....

Borla ATAK+ARH=sexy. That's the setup I am currently running, it's loud for cruising...but not too loud to get pulled over. and when you floor it, it sounds like you unleashed a monster.

[mattc]

Originally Posted by mcdoogle6969

Well, if you want stupid loud...ARH(no cats) with mangaflow comp series will do just that. I had that setup and was pulled over 5 times within a 3 week period.

Yes sir, i've thought about that multiple times. In Texas that would not fly during a state inspection. If I could find a way around that... i'd be all over it.

[radz28]

Originally Posted by caverman

Do you have any more info/pics of the merge collector? From what I heard the KOOKS and ARH are basically the same header.

I also heard that the guys at both companies used to work together and then a couple broke off and created their own company.....can't remember which company was started first.

I can do some research I don't have pics' of Kooks; I haven't even looked at them or their site for a couple years. As far as them being the same, they weren't, really, on 4th Gens. The merge collector was the biggest difference. They both offer a great selection of options as far as primary sizes and I know they're both great companies. I believe, design-wise, QTP's LTs were about mirror images of Kooks.

I didn't want to get into what I recall from the past, but I believe you are correct. Kooks has been around for years. ARH came around about six years ago I think.

JMVHO

[Jekyll-N-Hyde]

Originally Posted by caverman

Do you have any more info/pics of the merge collector? From what I heard the KOOKS and ARH are basically the same header.

I also heard that the guys at both companies used to work together and then a couple broke off and created their own company.....can't remember which company was started first.

Kooks was started first then two broke off and made ARH


ARH made it Big first with the Mustang Crowd and the NMRA

[MarylandSpeed]

Below is a picture of Kooks standard (non merge) collector they used to put on headers, and the new stamped merge that comes standard on all their 2010 Camaro headers. A stamped merge collector is what Kooks and many of their competitors use. Just as the name indicates, this type of collector is stamped from basically a steel cone. This is the cheaper way to do a merge collector. A true race merge collector costs more because it is 4 pieces of pipe actually cut and welded togethor into a collector. A true race merge costs over $100 more than stamped ones for the consumer. As far as I know, no one offers a true race collector on their headers standard.

There has been a lot of discussion on merge collectors over the years. On a street car, you will have a hard time finding a difference outside the margin of error on the dyno between merge collector and no merge..especially on a catted system. To keep prices down, Kooks used to offer a stamped merge or true race merge as an added cost option. As others started adding the stamped merge standard, Kooks decided to bite the bullet and add it to certain lines like the new Camaro standard. When your a premium header, last thing you want to do is be perceived as down on someone else in anyway.

[MarylandSpeed]

This is what a true race merge collector looks like-



They cost more because someone has to fabricate them vs. being actually stamped. That is why no one actually uses them on a production header..they have to be special ordered.

[caverman]

Thanks for the info!

I still have KOOKS at the top of my list and Maryland Speed is where they will be coming from when I pull the trigger.

[A.R. Headers]

Guys, We welcome any questions you may have about our systems. With over a couple of thousand sets sold and hardly any complaints, I guarantee we will meet or exceed your expectations. Our products are 100% US made and I firmly believe there's nothing better. We'll prove it to you.

Nick

[RedJewel2SS]

Originally Posted by A.R. Headers

Guys, We welcome any questions you may have about our systems. With over a couple of thousand sets sold and hardly any complaints, I guarantee we will meet or exceed your expectations. Our products are 100% US made and I firmly believe there's nothing better. We'll prove it to you.

Nick

my only complaint is i wish i would've bought the exhaust with my headers!!! but of course i did not know y'all were making one before i installed what i have now.

expect a call from me sometime this month to order that

[caverman]

I think KOOKS and ARH are equal in quality. I would take either one for sure. The biggest reason I would lean towards KOOKS vs ARH for myself is price.

The quote I got from Mayland Speed on a KOOKS complete system with HF cats and ceramic coated headers is significantly lower then anything I've seen vendors selling ARH for. Like several hundred difference if you factor in the ceramic coating.

I look at the complete picture of what I'll have to lay out to get the headers, have them coated, get the cat-back with it, and then a tune.

If you have any ARH vendors that can come close to his prices please PM me.


EDIT: Anyone know of some videos that show the complete ARH system? Curious to see what it sounds like.

[longbeachss2010]

yea i bought kooks headers. for the price and quality.