Help with buying headers - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

CamaroDIYking · 05-31-2013, 05:00 PM

What do the different sizes mean and does it matter which brand? I know I need stainless so it wont rust but why do some cost twice more than others when it's all metal and does the same job?

mikeyg36 · 05-31-2013, 06:12 PM

This is in the wrong section....

You want the highest quality headers that you can buy. The more expensive ones (Kooks, SW, ARH) are hand welded exclusively in the US, with the highest grade of stainless. The also have features such as integrated merge spikes etc. They also fit better and have a lifetime warranty.

Birm · 05-31-2013, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroDIYking

What do the different sizes mean and does it matter which brand? I know I need stainless so it wont rust but why do some cost twice more than others when it's all metal and does the same job?

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyg36

This is in the wrong section....

You want the highest quality headers that you can buy. The more expensive ones (Kooks, SW, ARH) are hand welded exclusively in the US, with the highest grade of stainless. The also have features such as integrated merge spikes etc. They also fit better and have a lifetime warranty.

That about sums it up. When it comes to headers typically you get what you pay for. The quality of American Racing Headers or StainlessWorks or kooks are second to none and are all on PAR with each other for the most part.

Different sizes are exactly that...1 3/4" 1 7/8" 2" etc. Different diameters typically for different purposes... The normal header for most is the 1 7/8, better flow then 3/4 and not overkill since you don't have a ton of air to move like the 2" would be. It is the one that best suits most.

FSP has some of the best prices around on American Racing Headers, pm me if you are interested.

POWERFREAK · 05-31-2013, 06:58 PM

Also, stainless will hold heat in much better then cheaper metal. +1 for ARH...top notch.

Apex Motorsports · 05-31-2013, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroDIYking

What do the different sizes mean and does it matter which brand? I know I need stainless so it wont rust but why do some cost twice more than others when it's all metal and does the same job?

Give the thread below a look. If you have any questions afterwards feel free to hit me up.

Choosing The Right Long Tube Headers

Avenging Orange · 05-31-2013, 10:12 PM

Do a lot of research, there are plenty of quality headers out there at a reasonable price. If you are dead set on paying extra for a nameplate, then you are spending money foolishly. Don't get me wrong, the 3 named above are quality products........but don't play follow the leader. One thing I like about Stainless works, is they have got with the program and offer a super quality lower priced header (Stainless Power), which in my opinion, puts them miles ahead of the others. TSP offers some great products at good prices. And yes, I'm man enough to throw it out there, OBX makes some really good budget headers (just be sure to buy from an OBX dealer, NOT Ebay). 99% of the long tube headers will offer the same hp/tq gains. 99% of stainless long tubes will outlast you automobile. 1 3/4" is usually good enough, but recently 1 7/8" have become the norm. 2" are useless unless you are pushing ubergobs of hp.

RJT-SS · 06-01-2013, 07:33 AM

I am as penny-pinching as they come but, some of us buy the "nameplate" to support the "Made in the USA" philosophy.

All of the headers mentioned though are good products. The thread from Apex Chase is a great read to get you started.

Mchlgrrsn · 06-01-2013, 07:50 AM

Buy what you can afford. Quickly. Times a wasting. Sizes depend on ow much your going to add later, 2" are for big builds. 1 7/8 is usually the size to get for moderate builds. Enjoy

IDEALG · 06-01-2013, 07:59 AM

1 7/8 is what you want unless your building a highly modded supercharged engine then you want to go bigger.

although the brands listed above are well known, i'd take a look at the Dynatech Longtube headers that Jannetty Racing sells. I've installed a few sets of these headers and they are really nice , fit perfect, and have the right price.

Ted has done the dyno testing on these as well to show that they perform right on.

thjr59 · 06-01-2013, 01:05 PM

I just installed a set of stainless power headers. They fit nice and for the amount of money I saved compared to others I can put that money towards a tune.

05-31-2013, 05:00 PM	#1
CamaroDIYking Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Georgia Posts: 229	Help with buying headers What do the different sizes mean and does it matter which brand? I know I need stainless so it wont rust but why do some cost twice more than others when it's all metal and does the same job? __________________ 2010 2SS/RS- every option possible in 2010 Lighting- LED footwell, grille, trunk, and engine lights done via DIY. LED dome, DRL, and tag lights. Paint- Painted engine cover, steering wheel bezel, speedometer bezel, front bowtie, tail light bezels, wheel center caps. Exterior lights- tinted tail lights and sidemarker lights. Wheels- powdercoated stock RS 20' wheels black Exhaust- Cat-back Dynomax Bullet Exhaust system with bullet muffler delete. Misc- rear blackout kit from Big Worm Graphix, black side Camaro lettering from Emblem Pros, and rear Camaro lettering from Emblem Pros.

05-31-2013, 06:12 PM	#2
mikeyg36 Drives: 2015 Z/28 #533 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: NY Posts: 6,731	This is in the wrong section.... You want the highest quality headers that you can buy. The more expensive ones (Kooks, SW, ARH) are hand welded exclusively in the US, with the highest grade of stainless. The also have features such as integrated merge spikes etc. They also fit better and have a lifetime warranty. Last edited by mikeyg36; 05-31-2013 at 06:43 PM.

05-31-2013, 06:58 PM	#4
POWERFREAK I.AM. Drives: 2011 2SS/RS/A6 cammed-n-whippled Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NY Posts: 2,638	Also, stainless will hold heat in much better then cheaper metal. +1 for ARH...top notch. __________________ NY5thgen.com

05-31-2013, 10:12 PM	#6
Avenging Orange Drives: 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Clermont, IN Posts: 3,297	Do a lot of research, there are plenty of quality headers out there at a reasonable price. If you are dead set on paying extra for a nameplate, then you are spending money foolishly. Don't get me wrong, the 3 named above are quality products........but don't play follow the leader. One thing I like about Stainless works, is they have got with the program and offer a super quality lower priced header (Stainless Power), which in my opinion, puts them miles ahead of the others. TSP offers some great products at good prices. And yes, I'm man enough to throw it out there, OBX makes some really good budget headers (just be sure to buy from an OBX dealer, NOT Ebay). 99% of the long tube headers will offer the same hp/tq gains. 99% of stainless long tubes will outlast you automobile. 1 3/4" is usually good enough, but recently 1 7/8" have become the norm. 2" are useless unless you are pushing ubergobs of hp. __________________ 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS M6 Black Leather, Sun Roof, OBX Headers, Borla touring axle back, Cold Air Inductions CAI , non synthetic fluids, BMR total bushing upgrade/1" lowering springs, DSE 32mm rear sway bar. GM fe4 shocks/struts/LCA's, AAM 3.91 diff, Vertini RFS1.8 20x9 +30. Conti ExtremeContact Sport 275/35/20. sjm autoprod ABL dash kit. Mike Norris tuned 413/419. Avenging Orange: 43 years of not buying into the Hype........and damn proud of it!! https://youtu.be/9JD9it6SmB8 https://youtu.be/xmelTlEzI34 KICKING CANCERS ASS SINCE 2015!!

06-01-2013, 07:33 AM	#7
RJT-SS Drives: '11 2SS/RS A6 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: New Orleans Posts: 504	I am as penny-pinching as they come but, some of us buy the "nameplate" to support the "Made in the USA" philosophy. All of the headers mentioned though are good products. The thread from Apex Chase is a great read to get you started. __________________ 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

06-01-2013, 07:50 AM	#8
Mchlgrrsn Stroked and blown Drives: 2010 LS3 2SS Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Bridgewater, NJ Posts: 1,458 View My Garage	Buy what you can afford. Quickly. Times a wasting. Sizes depend on ow much your going to add later, 2" are for big builds. 1 7/8 is usually the size to get for moderate builds. Enjoy __________________ LME 416 LS3 shortblock/Callies Compstar 4340 4"crank/Callies 6.125 H beams rods/Wiesco 4.07 forged pistons/Cam Motion custom LS1/LME ported heads /maggie TVS2300/I West 8rib 10%OD /3.2 pulley/OD cog drive/JRE tensioner/ID850 /ADM dual fuel/Kooks LT 1 7/8/magna flow2.5 /cat delete/Roto Fab CAI /MGW short throw /SPEC super twin clutch/G Force built trans,carbon syncro rear shaft upgrade /DSS 9"single CF DS /Strange 3.70/31 spline trutrac/MT DR's/earls oil cooler /tuned KHC

06-01-2013, 07:59 AM	#9
IDEALG Chevy's "Rumble" Best! Drives: 2015 ZL1 6 speed Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Ideal Garage aka (Grayskull) Fords, nj Posts: 4,458 View My Garage	1 7/8 is what you want unless your building a highly modded supercharged engine then you want to go bigger. although the brands listed above are well known, i'd take a look at the Dynatech Longtube headers that Jannetty Racing sells. I've installed a few sets of these headers and they are really nice , fit perfect, and have the right price. Ted has done the dyno testing on these as well to show that they perform right on. __________________

06-01-2013, 01:05 PM	#10
thjr59 Drives: 2010 Camaro SS IOM Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Spring Hill, FL Posts: 83	I just installed a set of stainless power headers. They fit nice and for the amount of money I saved compared to others I can put that money towards a tune.