Kooker Headers Hi Flow CAT - Stock Exhaust

[SS50RS]

I saw this video today on youtube. I thought it was very well done documenting the process of installing new headers and high flow cats, leaving the stock exhaust in place.

I am looking to do the same type of thing on mine. Since I Live in MASS, I have to deal with strict emissions. I'm told you want to do this with a tune and dyno at the same time so you pass the ODB2 emissions and or the system ready test.

Headers, Hi Flow Cats, tune, CAI kit, dyno should set me back 2K OTD. Sound about right ? I could probably save 500 or so if I did it myself.

I was going to do cat backs but 3 performance shops told me to try and avoid them and do the headers as the cat backs really only add the sound and don't offer any performance upgrade over the stock exhaust and can be annoying as it will add drone.

Is that your experience as well with cat back ?

[OK2DRUL]

I had Kooks 1 7/8" headers with off-road pipes and the factory exhaust and it sounded amazing. I live in an area where emissions were not a concern, so I removed the cats. The hi-flow cats will quite things down some, but from my experience the car was very timid around town and under WOT it was extremely loud. The install of the headers and CAI is very simple and can be done in your driveway with a jack and a couple stands if you have any mechanical ability. I will suggest using air tools as the space is limited and it is slow going moving a ratchet and socket in that tight space. Total job with an air ratchet takes about four hours from start to finish, maybe longer if you take a lot of beer breaks.

With just a CAI and headers, you won't see more than a couple horsepower from changing the factory exhaust and some dyno tests have proven that certain aftermarket kits rob horsepower. The main benefits from an aftermarket cat back are sound and weight savings. It's been recommend a million times on here, but always start in the front with headers and work your way back. If the sound isn't what you want after your header install I would shop cat back exhausts then.

[62nalide]

I ran LG Motorsports headers with my stock exhaust for a year and performed very very well

[Baltimorejohn1]

Thanks for sharing that was a very detailed video
Congrats on getting it done

[sub zero]

I ran LT headers with cats and stock ls3 exhaust , pressure flow and sound is very good .. try and u'll be happy..

[gan]

Interesting maybe I will wait on ordering the Solo exhaust for my car as I am looking to do CAI and headers in a couple of weeks,

[JDP Sales]

It's definitely a good idea to start with the headers and work your way back. I suggest sticking with high flow cats. They do not cause much restriction and help to control rasp, smell and emissions.

Feel free to call, PM or email me anytime with questions.

Best regards,

Tyler
888-308-6007

[Avenging Orange]

There are a lot of us on stock cat back. I know a lot if folks want to change the exhaust note without running into warranty issue. But the only way to avoid over spending and ending up with it too loud or droning you out of the car .. is to start with headers and work your way back. I think you will be pleasantly suprised how good it sounds with stock cat back. Enjoy!

[GONIF]

Ran with the SP long tubes and HF cats through the factory cat back for 3 month's .It was not bad ,but way too quiet at idle and cruise . Went with a MBRP 3 inch XP cat back ,and love the sound at idle, cruise, and WOT ,no rasp and very deep sound . Loud but not Too loud . Exhaust tone and sound is very subjective and every one has an opinion . As has been said start with the headers and work your way back .

[Pro Stock John]

I ran Kooks long tubes, cats, + stock exhaust to 12.3@112. Nice sound at WOT but a wee bit too quiet for me.

I later added Moroso Spiral Flow mufflers for sound.

Then did !cats, and Jegs X pipe.

Became too loud for me.

Then did Hooker MaxFlow mufflers, decent sound and hardly any drone on the highway.

Vids in my channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBn...GEkcCJg/videos

[GONIF]

"Then did Hooker MaxFlow mufflers, decent sound and hardly any drone on the highway"

I wonder if those would work on the old lady ,she drones on endlessly ?

[SS50RS]

Females immune to Drone repair. HAHA

[Tampa Tuning]

I have Pfadt headers and high flow cats, Jegs X pipe into stock mufflers.

Its a little louder than stock while cruising ( not enough to make a differences), but screams when you go WOT. Very sleeperish

I like it because you can carry on a conversion inside unlike my Corvette.

Phil