Choosing The Right Long Tube Headers

[BLU DUCE]

Originally Posted by Apex Motorsports

When the COPO Camaro, Dodge Challenger Drag Pack, Mustang Cobra Jet, and Viper ACR-X all use the same company to build their headers it is a safe bet that they are pretty decent. Apex is a proud American Racing Headers distributor.

[Apex Motorsports]

Originally Posted by spike III

[cc-rider]

Originally Posted by Redrocker1958

Stainless engineering.. Headers..fake cats...o2 extenders.. $340 to the door. Ls6..just installed a set..perfect fit

After months of researching, reading, thinking, contemplating, and agonizing over headers...I just did the same thing and ordered Speed Engineering. $340 shipped to the door. Has EVERYTHING the other brands do including great reviews. Only exceptions would be no merge spike, not US made, and no name bragging rights. With a $700+ difference, it was just too hard to pass up the Speed Engineering offering.

As much as I wanted a big hitter name brand (Kooks, ARH, Pfadt were the big boys I was considering), its foolish FOR ME to pay 200% more for name brand recognition and US made. No doubt Kooks, ARH, SW, etc have awesome headers. Not trying to knock them, or knock anyone who decided to pay more for these. Were are truly blessed with these Camaro's to be given so many options and have so many aftermarket companies that support the car.

[Apex Motorsports]

Just for comparison top to bottom; Kooks, Stainless Works, and ARH.

[RS Speedriver]

Does anyone have power and tq gains from kooks headers?

[Apex Motorsports]

Originally Posted by RS Speedriver

Does anyone have power and tq gains from kooks headers?

Kooks, ARH, and Stainless Works all generate almost identical gains. There is some info on it in the opening post.

[8balldeluxe]

What about Speed Engineering and OBX headers?

[Apex Motorsports]

Originally Posted by 8balldeluxe

What about Speed Engineering and OBX headers?

Are you asking about performance gains?

[Airbornesldr12]

You guys think the flowmaster lt headers have good hp gain?

[Apex Motorsports]

Originally Posted by Airbornesldr12

You guys think the flowmaster lt headers have good hp gain?

We have not had our hands on them and I have not seen any dyno charts on them. They will make more power than stock but they lack merge spikes which do make a difference.

[InfernoB]

Originally Posted by Apex Motorsports

Just for comparison top to bottom; Kooks, Stainless Works, and ARH.

Question: As far as LT Headers and HF Cats are concerned, when it comes to Kooks, American Racing, Stainless Works, Stainless Power, Pfadt, and Texas Speed... Are these manufacturers "manufacturing their own HF Cats", or are they all using someone elses product with their LT Header Packages? In other words, when I buy Pfadt Headers, am I getting HF Cats made by Pfadt... or are they perhaps using Magnaflow HF Cats? (Only used Magnaflow as an example here). However, I read somewhere that the Texas Speed LT Headers actually come with Magnaflow HF Cats.... I'm really curious to know if any of the before mentioned manufacturers are actually using the same HF Cats, and weather or not any of their HF Cats are superior? (Excluding Kooks Green Cats)... Hate to see any of the cats plugging up my mufflers... (Couldn't resist after seeing the photo)! BUT SERIOUSLY.. everyone talks about the "quality of the actual headers"; yet, we don't know anything about who made the actual HF Cats? Perhaps the Top Headers may be Made in the USA, while the actual HF Cats are made in China? How would we know? I have yet to see this question addressed on the forum or on any of the manufacturers actual web sites... They all give you an opportunity to add HF Cats without telling you anything about them, (other than how they flow... or 200 cells blah blah blah)?

[Magna_Flow]

Originally Posted by InfernoB

Question: As far as LT Headers and HF Cats are concerned, when it comes to Kooks, American Racing, Stainless Works, Stainless Power, Pfadt, and Texas Speed... Are these manufacturers "manufacturing their own HF Cats", or are they all using someone elses product with their LT Header Packages? In other words, when I buy Pfadt Headers, am I getting HF Cats made by Pfadt... or are they perhaps using Magnaflow HF Cats? (Only used Magnaflow as an example here). However, I read somewhere that the Texas Speed LT Headers actually come with Magnaflow HF Cats.... I'm really curious to know if any of the before mentioned manufacturers are actually using the same HF Cats, and weather or not any of their HF Cats are superior? (Excluding Kooks Green Cats)... Hate to see any of the cats plugging up my mufflers... (Couldn't resist after seeing the photo)! BUT SERIOUSLY.. everyone talks about the "quality of the actual headers"; yet, we don't know anything about who made the actual HF Cats? Perhaps the Top Headers may be Made in the USA, while the actual HF Cats are made in China? How would we know? I have yet to see this question addressed on the forum or on any of the manufacturers actual web sites... They all give you an opportunity to add HF Cats without telling you anything about them, (other than how they flow... or 200 cells blah blah blah)?

We agree with your point about the origin and quality of the catalyst being largely overlooked. Now we cant speak to which companies do and dont manufacture their own catalytic converters, but it is quite an involved business to get into- dealing with precious metals laws, the EPA, etc. Smaller performance parts companies are most likely not going to have the resources necessary to move into a market like that, so its easier to source a pre-made 3rd party cat. This is a good thing for the end customer (as long as a quality cats are used) because it keeps production cost down.

[Camaro Dude]

Originally Posted by InfernoB

.....SERIOUSLY.. everyone talks about the "quality of the actual headers"; yet, we don't know anything about who made the actual HF Cats? Perhaps the Top Headers may be Made in the USA, while the actual HF Cats are made in China? How would we know? I have yet to see this question addressed on the forum or on any of the manufacturers actual web sites... They all give you an opportunity to add HF Cats without telling you anything about them, (other than how they flow... or 200 cells blah blah blah)?

The Made in USA/Made In China hybrid theory you pose as question to the top dog header manufacturers, is quite interesting :cigarette:, dare I say, refreshing.

Ball in their court.

👂

[zz430camaro]

is it really that hard to pick headers for a camaro?