Kooks header question - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Babich9 · 04-23-2014, 11:17 AM

Did any of you guys use the gaskets that came with the headers or did you get another set from GM? Also did you use the header bolts that come with or did you get others like ARP? I just wanna make sure I use quality! Thanks

Pace · 04-23-2014, 11:22 AM

I bought new gaskets from dealer - OEM are the best. Re-used the header bolts.

newagemuscle · 04-23-2014, 11:44 AM

I bought om gaskets but used the header bolts that cane from kooks.

caverman · 04-23-2014, 11:52 AM

I reused both the OEM gasket and the bolts. My car only had about 3,500 miles at the time. I had no issues with it.

3rdgen3 · 04-23-2014, 02:58 PM

I reused the stock OEM gaskets and the stock OEM bolts that were on the stock manifolds.

Absolutely no leaks and after 2 weeks i went to re-tighten the bolts but they were still tight.

My 2 cents, dont waste the money. Just be careful during diss-assembly so you dont break anything. Pull the spark plugs out before you remove the manifolds so you dont accidentally crack one (super common) and youll be good to go!

MarylandSpeed · 04-23-2014, 09:50 PM

The bolts are good. Gaskets are not. I would reuse or get new OEM gaskets.

HoustonTx2ss · 04-23-2014, 09:52 PM

Same here. Re-used OE gaskets but I used the new bolts.

f5journal · 04-24-2014, 08:26 AM

I reused the OEM, but one side leaked. Bought new OEM, all good. I do believe one side is very slightly warped though (bought the headers slightly used)

ST1LE · 04-24-2014, 08:46 AM

I bought new as they are designed to compress when installed. Most have no issues reusing, but they are cheap so no question to buy new OEM for me.

JDP Sales · 04-24-2014, 11:38 AM

New OEM gaskets are cheap insurance against leaks. Some can get away with reusing them, but for the risk of having to go back and replace them if there was a leak, It's just not worth it IMO. The hardware that comes with them is good, but definitely pick up some new gaskets.

Best regards,

Tyler
888-308-6007

RJT-SS · 04-24-2014, 07:26 PM

Use OEM gaskets - new or used and re-use stock header bolts. It's also a good idea (but not necessary) to put a little anti-seize compound on the bolts when you install your headers.

04-23-2014, 11:17 AM	#1
Babich9 Drives: 2014 2SS/RS 1LE Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Ca Posts: 30	Kooks header question Did any of you guys use the gaskets that came with the headers or did you get another set from GM? Also did you use the header bolts that come with or did you get others like ARP? I just wanna make sure I use quality! Thanks

04-23-2014, 11:22 AM	#2
Pace Lifestyle = Deathstyle Drives: 11 SIM 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 686	I bought new gaskets from dealer - OEM are the best. Re-used the header bolts. __________________ 11 2SS/RS

04-23-2014, 11:44 AM	#3
newagemuscle Philippians 4:13 Drives: SLP Supercharged LS3 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Motor City - Michigan Posts: 2,902 View My Garage	I bought om gaskets but used the header bolts that cane from kooks. __________________

04-23-2014, 11:52 AM	#4
caverman Drives: '69 SS Convertible Join Date: May 2009 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 7,111	I reused both the OEM gasket and the bolts. My car only had about 3,500 miles at the time. I had no issues with it. __________________ *-2010 Camaro* 2SS \| M6 \| VR w/White Stripes \| 1 3/4" KOOKS - 3" Magnaflow \| LPE 3.91 gears \| ADM tuned \| Halltech w/ADM Scoop \| Spohn/BMR Trailing Arm/Toe Rod \| BC Coilovers\| Pedders FE4 ZL1 swaybars \| Cradle/Diff/Radius Rod bushings \| VMax TB \| Morimoto Projectors \| MGW shifter \| Red Calipers Build Journal

04-23-2014, 02:58 PM	#5
3rdgen3 10-bolt Destroyer Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS - AGM, LS3/6M Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Canukistan Posts: 860	I reused the stock OEM gaskets and the stock OEM bolts that were on the stock manifolds. Absolutely no leaks and after 2 weeks i went to re-tighten the bolts but they were still tight. My 2 cents, dont waste the money. Just be careful during diss-assembly so you dont break anything. Pull the spark plugs out before you remove the manifolds so you dont accidentally crack one (super common) and youll be good to go! __________________ 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS - LS3/TR6060: Cam, Headers, Exhaust, Intake, Gears, Twin Disk, Suspension, Tuned - 475rwhp, 443rwtq

04-23-2014, 09:50 PM	#6
MarylandSpeed Account Suspended Drives: 2012 ZL1 & 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,378	The bolts are good. Gaskets are not. I would reuse or get new OEM gaskets.

04-23-2014, 09:52 PM	#7
HoustonTx2ss Drives: 2010 2SS RS M6 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Houston Posts: 31 View My Garage	Same here. Re-used OE gaskets but I used the new bolts. __________________ 2010 SS/RS M6-LS3 -- Mods -- CAI, V-Max Throttle Body, Apex Scoop, SP 1 7/8 Headers, HF Cats, Magnaflow Tru-X. Dyno Tuned by Mike (FAST Automotive) and Matt (FSP) BMR Suspension - Rear - Cradle Bushings (Pro Version), Upper Control Arm Bushings, Diff Bushings, Trailing Arms, Toe Rods, Drop Spring, Koni STR.T Struts.

04-24-2014, 08:26 AM	#8
f5journal Senior Camaro Fanatic Drives: 2011 SS/RS manual - White Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: aiken, sc Posts: 1,980	I reused the OEM, but one side leaked. Bought new OEM, all good. I do believe one side is very slightly warped though (bought the headers slightly used) __________________ Former '68 and '69 Z/28 Owner...........Now sporting around in a 2011 RS/SS with........Kooks LT's and cats, JRE tune, CAI, scoop, ZL1 Bumper conversion, custom ZL-1 grille, halo harness, Painted silver stripes, GM GFX, black painted lower edge of skirts and rear bumper. MGW shifter.....and now a 3.91 1LE diff

04-24-2014, 08:46 AM	#9
ST1LE Drives: E92 BMW M3 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Houston Posts: 4,496	I bought new as they are designed to compress when installed. Most have no issues reusing, but they are cheap so no question to buy new OEM for me. __________________ 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

04-24-2014, 11:38 AM	#10
JDP Sales Drives: Chevys at the limit Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: SLC, UT Posts: 9,621	New OEM gaskets are cheap insurance against leaks. Some can get away with reusing them, but for the risk of having to go back and replace them if there was a leak, It's just not worth it IMO. The hardware that comes with them is good, but definitely pick up some new gaskets. Best regards, Tyler 888-308-6007

04-24-2014, 07:26 PM	#11
RJT-SS Drives: '11 2SS/RS A6 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: New Orleans Posts: 504	Use OEM gaskets - new or used and re-use stock header bolts. It's also a good idea (but not necessary) to put a little anti-seize compound on the bolts when you install your headers. __________________ Performance Mods: Kooks 1-7/8 LTs; Calico coated w/HFCs, Solo Mach XL catback w/J-pipes, VMax TB, C.A.I. Intake, JRE Tune, RX Catch-Can