Why are some headers so much more than others? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Jagerday · 07-27-2011, 07:13 PM

What is the difference in 300-400$ headers and 1000$ headers. They are made of the same material and have the same dimensions. The only thing not specified is the wall thickness. Is this the difference?

nitto85 · 07-27-2011, 07:14 PM

You get what you pay for, and that price difference sounds like Shorties vs Long Tubes.

Jagerday · 07-27-2011, 07:20 PM

They are both long tube headers T-304 Stianless 1.75/2.5 inlet/outlet. I understand getting what you pay for, but I don't want to pay an extra 600$ for a name.

VaderSS · 07-27-2011, 07:44 PM

Coated? Some brands are more expensive than others. I couldnt say whether or not there are significant design or performance differences. American Racing are usually at the high end of the spectrum. They are a respected brand. Seems like the fitment is better with AR than some others.

LS1hawk · 07-27-2011, 08:14 PM

There are some detailed threads with pictures that show the differences. It costs money to develop products and build them in the U.S. The others seem to be copies and are built elsewhere.

mike25 · 07-27-2011, 08:18 PM

some of the high end companies make a good product and know people will buy them ( brand name kinda plays a role) and they capitalize on this with high prices..

*Mindz* · 07-27-2011, 08:39 PM

Some company's headers are built in the US, and have a lot of time and R&D put into them.

Some company's steal a design of the companies that are doing well and just make a replica. Some have great welds like the original, while other companies have some really crappy quality piping etc. Warranties sometimes are not included with some of the headers, some are. It's really a grab bag of options.

Kahdir · 07-27-2011, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mindz

Some company's headers are built in the US, and have a lot of time and R&D put into them.

Some company's steal a design of the companies that are doing well and just make a replica. Some have great welds like the original, while other companies have some really crappy quality piping etc. Warranties sometimes are not included with some of the headers, some are. It's really a grab bag of options.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LS1hawk

There are some detailed threads with pictures that show the differences. It costs money to develop products and build them in the U.S. The others seem to be copies and are built elsewhere.

Gordo · 07-28-2011, 12:51 AM

Why buy a 38,000+ $ car to put a 300$ set cheap Chinese made copy of an American made header on it,I have ARH and I got what I paid for and am very very happy with them.Just because something looks the part doesn't mean it is.You pay for the R&D on the American made headers and you pay for a copy made in a sweat shop for the cheap ones.That's why they are so cheap.

mikeSS · 07-28-2011, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordo

Why buy a 38,000+ $ car to put a 300$ set cheap Chinese made copy of an American made header on it,I have ARH and I got what I paid for and am very very happy with them.Just because something looks the part doesn't mean it is.You pay for the R&D on the American made headers and you pay for a copy made in a sweat shop for the cheap ones.That's why they are so cheap.

i can maybe see somebody with a honda civic getting cheap headers, but on a brand new camaro. i would only want brand name headers with good reviews.

axis · 07-28-2011, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordo

Why buy a 38,000+ $ car to put a 300$ set cheap Chinese made copy of an American made header on it,I have ARH and I got what I paid for and am very very happy with them.Just because something looks the part doesn't mean it is.You pay for the R&D on the American made headers and you pay for a copy made in a sweat shop for the cheap ones.That's why they are so cheap.

That arguement went away YEARS ago. Do you really think spending $38K on a car means you have to spend top dollar on a set of headers? This isn't the 80's when a 30k+ car was an expensive one. In todays market, the price of a decent, well equipped car is in the 30-40k range. I'm glad you're happy with your ARH's and i'm sure they work just fine, but I have a hard time believing that they can't make set of headers for a few hundred less. There are a few shops on this board that are making 304 SS headers in the $500 range and i'm not talking about the Ebay ones either. There's no way you can say that ARH and Kooks don't come at a premium because of the name on them. Extended R&D is BS as well. It's not like the Camaro uses a totally different engine that needs totally different pipes to work. It's an LS based engine that is very similar to the previous models that they've already R&D'd. You already know there's going to be a merge spike and you know the pipe sizes you're going to use. All you really need to do is mock up how you're going to run the pipes to clear everything. Is that really worth an extra $400+? As with most things in life, some do and some don't.

MG · 07-28-2011, 05:13 AM

I think it is that way simply because people are willing to pay those prices.

A $1200 header is just nuts but so long as people are buying them I wouldn't expect the price to go down

kbui · 07-28-2011, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by axis

That arguement went away YEARS ago. Do you really think spending $38K on a car means you have to spend top dollar on a set of headers? This isn't the 80's when a 30k+ car was an expensive one. In todays market, the price of a decent, well equipped car is in the 30-40k range. I'm glad you're happy with your ARH's and i'm sure they work just fine, but I have a hard time believing that they can't make set of headers for a few hundred less. There are a few shops on this board that are making 304 SS headers in the $500 range and i'm not talking about the Ebay ones either. There's no way you can say that ARH and Kooks don't come at a premium because of the name on them. Extended R&D is BS as well. It's not like the Camaro uses a totally different engine that needs totally different pipes to work. It's an LS based engine that is very similar to the previous models that they've already R&D'd. You already know there's going to be a merge spike and you know the pipe sizes you're going to use. All you really need to do is mock up how you're going to run the pipes to clear everything. Is that really worth an extra $400+? As with most things in life, some do and some don't.

+1
It just simply the costs of doing business in the US vs. overseas. It costs more for the labor, materials, overheads, taxes, regulations.....

blazzin1 · 07-28-2011, 08:14 AM

Doesn't the quality of the material have a lot to do with it also? I mean just because two different headers say they both made of T-304 Stainless, doesn't exactly mean those materials will be of the same quality. From what I can remember reading, there can be quite a difference between "good" 304 S/S and "cheap" (overseas) 304 S/S.
So, it is my understanding that if you stick with ARH, Stainless Work, or Kooks headers you will have a top-notch header with the best quality materials that will last a lifetime. Ultimately it's up to you whether or not you're willing to take a chance with the cheaper brand, that may have inferior materials, inferior welds, and inferior fitment. Some have gotten lucky, some haven't.....roll the dice if you wish!!!

07-27-2011, 07:13 PM	#1
Jagerday Drives: 2010 RJT SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Grenada, MS Posts: 281 View My Garage	Why are some headers so much more than others? What is the difference in 300-400$ headers and 1000$ headers. They are made of the same material and have the same dimensions. The only thing not specified is the wall thickness. Is this the difference?

07-27-2011, 08:14 PM	#5
LS1hawk Drives: 11 SGM 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: PA Posts: 479	There are some detailed threads with pictures that show the differences. It costs money to develop products and build them in the U.S. The others seem to be copies and are built elsewhere. __________________

07-27-2011, 08:18 PM	#6
mike25 Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Dubba V Posts: 2,869	some of the high end companies make a good product and know people will buy them ( brand name kinda plays a role) and they capitalize on this with high prices.. __________________ 2LT/RS M6 CGM VIN#53104 SOLD 2012 Black 2SS/RS w/ Hurst- Mods: Corsa catback, SSE, Vararam

07-27-2011, 08:39 PM	#7
Mindz E.B.A.H. Drives: you wild... Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: In the happy padded room wearing a jacket that makes me hug myself... Posts: 18,420	Some company's headers are built in the US, and have a lot of time and R&D put into them. Some company's steal a design of the companies that are doing well and just make a replica. Some have great welds like the original, while other companies have some really crappy quality piping etc. Warranties sometimes are not included with some of the headers, some are. It's really a grab bag of options. __________________ Blue Rush, 2010 SS [Car of the Week 3/22/2010] Traded in on...ZLZBUBB, 2013 ZL1

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07-27-2011, 07:14 PM	#2
nitto85 Caffeine Injected Drives: 13 Ram - 05 Widebody 1050rwhp Vette Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Woodstock, Ga Posts: 1,033	You get what you pay for, and that price difference sounds like Shorties vs Long Tubes.

07-27-2011, 07:20 PM	#3
Jagerday Drives: 2010 RJT SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Grenada, MS Posts: 281 View My Garage	They are both long tube headers T-304 Stianless 1.75/2.5 inlet/outlet. I understand getting what you pay for, but I don't want to pay an extra 600$ for a name.

07-27-2011, 07:44 PM	#4
VaderSS Drives: 2010 SS/RS 6sp Join Date: May 2011 Location: Olathe Posts: 169 View My Garage	Coated? Some brands are more expensive than others. I couldnt say whether or not there are significant design or performance differences. American Racing are usually at the high end of the spectrum. They are a respected brand. Seems like the fitment is better with AR than some others.

07-28-2011, 12:51 AM	#9
Gordo Drives: CMG 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Unknown Posts: 194	Why buy a 38,000+ $ car to put a 300$ set cheap Chinese made copy of an American made header on it,I have ARH and I got what I paid for and am very very happy with them.Just because something looks the part doesn't mean it is.You pay for the R&D on the American made headers and you pay for a copy made in a sweat shop for the cheap ones.That's why they are so cheap.

07-28-2011, 05:13 AM	#12
MG Drives: 2011 Camaro Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: NYC Posts: 627	I think it is that way simply because people are willing to pay those prices. A $1200 header is just nuts but so long as people are buying them I wouldn't expect the price to go down

07-28-2011, 08:14 AM	#14
blazzin1 Drives: 2010 2SS/RS R6P Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: St. Cloud, FL Posts: 4,845 View My Garage	Doesn't the quality of the material have a lot to do with it also? I mean just because two different headers say they both made of T-304 Stainless, doesn't exactly mean those materials will be of the same quality. From what I can remember reading, there can be quite a difference between "good" 304 S/S and "cheap" (overseas) 304 S/S. So, it is my understanding that if you stick with ARH, Stainless Work, or Kooks headers you will have a top-notch header with the best quality materials that will last a lifetime. Ultimately it's up to you whether or not you're willing to take a chance with the cheaper brand, that may have inferior materials, inferior welds, and inferior fitment. Some have gotten lucky, some haven't.....roll the dice if you wish!!!