ARH vs Kooks headers

[mattc]

Originally Posted by mikeSS

your nuts to run headers without any mufflers.... your going to get a ticket and need to get mufflers

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

[Kilo-9]

Originally Posted by cm5217

I have the 3" comp series cat back

Any video or sound clips of your setup? This is exactly the system I'm planning...

[mattc]

Originally Posted by RedJewel2SS

i have the exact same set up you are getting ready to install.

my first recommendation is to not install that axle back exhaust, sell or return it, and get the ARH exhaust to fit up to their kit. the two different brands just don't fit up to each other like you want it to; it requires some cutting and modifications, and the tips will NEVER line up in the diffuser like you want them to. with the full ARH headers-back exhaust system, you do not have any of those fitment issues.

to clear up a few things:
with the ARH header kit, all you have to cut is the stock exhaust in front of the rear axle and the ARH kit slips right into place. it sounds OK with the stock mufflers, very raspy and excessively loud with Magnaflow comp series axle back (or any muffler delete), but just right with the ARH axle back exhaust cuz they designed them with THEIR headers in mind... all other aftermarket exhaust systems are designed with the stock exhaust manifolds and cats in mind..

i had no problems with the fit, however i did have problems with leaks mainly cuz i had someone else do the install! the slip fit is an easy way to install exhaust, however if the two pieces of pipe are not FULLY snug together and tightened down to spec, then you will have leaks. ALL cat-back exhaust systems are a slip fit design. even the stock exhaust connects to the stock cats and manifolds with a slip-fit design. since then i have fixed my leaks myself, and the problem was solved.

if you don't want to use the band clamps another option is to use them just to get the exhaust into place, tac weld each connection, loosen them, then cut off each band clamp, lower the exhaust and fully weld the system together to make one big piece like the stock system.

the ARH header kit comes with a ball and socket connection near the tunnel brace, the Kooks header kit is just headers and cats with a ball and socket connection between the headers and cats, BUT has a slip fit connection to connect to the stock exhaust or aftermarket cat-back.

the quality of the ARH system is a good as it gets. both Kooks and ARH use the same 304 stainless steel, with thick flanges, and CNC mandrel bends, the only issue you will have with the ARH header kit is if you have an automatic... their is a drain pipe coming from the tranny that the pipe that connects the cats to the x-pipe hits. all i did was bend that drain pipe and problem solved.


both brands are equally good, they just install a little different depending on what you are wanting to do.

You are a wealth of information. Thanx for the help. I was supposed to have this install done at Hennessey tomorrow. I backed out and told them I need to do more research on headers. They were cool with it.

[mattc]

Originally Posted by mlee

Good solid info Red Jewel...

Mattc... if you want to see and hear these in person stop by one of our Camaro Club meetings... here in Houston

I will do that. I've been meaning to. I just don't know where to go or when ya'll meet up.

[mlee]

Originally Posted by mattc

I will do that. I've been meaning to. I just don't know where to go or when ya'll meet up.

Just had a big one at Hooters on 1960 and I45 on Saturday.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94189

Check out www.h-towncamaroclub.com for where we are at. Usually meeting up or crusing someplace on weekends.

And you can talk directly to the guys from the speed shops around here like Fastlane, Hennessey, ARD about your exhaust setup.


Oh Yeah... and we have some stupid loud setups on some of the cars too. Mine's almost one of them...

[mth35115]

I have the ARH with stock mufflers. I have had a lot of compliments on the sound both on the street and at the drag strip. I left the stock mufflers on figuring I could change the mufflers at a later date if I wasn't happy with the sound. I haven't had any issue with the fit.

[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.

[SGOS252382]

Originally Posted by mattc

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

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.

[RedJewel2SS]

Originally Posted by mattc

You are a wealth of information. Thanx for the help. I was supposed to have this install done at Hennessey tomorrow. I backed out and told them I need to do more research on headers. They were cool with it.

thanks,

and a shop like Hennessey is not going to screw it up! i had mine done at Midas of all places

if you go back tell Courtney Enders, Ryan Howren said Hello!(yes, she's related to pro drag racer Erica Enders)

she dated one of my best friends back in HS so she better remember me!

[mattc]

Originally Posted by RedJewel2SS

thanks,

and a shop like Hennessey is not going to screw it up! i had mine done at Midas of all places

if you go back tell Courtney Enders, Ryan Howren said Hello!(yes, she's related to pro drag racer Erica Enders)

she dated one of my best friends back in HS so she better remember me!

Will do. I spoke with Courtney on the phone today. She was the one I talked to when I decided to back out. I told them everything thats on this post... they were cool with it.

[mlee]

Originally Posted by mattc

Will do. I spoke with Courtney on the phone today. She was the one I talked to when I decided to back out. I told them everything thats on this post... they were cool with it.

I got my Corsa system from Hennessey as they were the first ones to get it a year ago. You can't go wrong there. No need to worry about what will and won't bolt up and they will tac weld all the connections.

Courtney is super cool. Did a car show with her last year. She can drive too!!

[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.....

[Merc]

ARH rocks. 12.35 @ 113 & change.

[RedJewel2SS]

Originally Posted by mlee

I got my Corsa system from Hennessey as they were the first ones to get it a year ago. You can't go wrong there. No need to worry about what will and won't bolt up and they will tac weld all the connections.

Courtney is super cool. Did a car show with her last year. She can drive too!!

well she used to be a jr. drag racer with her sister, but decided not to go pro i guess.

there was a disney movie made a few years back about them