How Do You Pick Headers? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

leggettjd · 09-29-2015, 02:59 PM

With so many brands and prices, how do you choose what type of headers to install? Why are some better than others and do some offer more power gains?

Ksacamaro · 09-29-2015, 03:14 PM

There are two sizes 2" & 1/7-8" , you choose depending on how much you wanna make ur car rwhp reach , most say 650rwho+ is better to go with 2" , under that then stay with 1/7-8 which i would choose too even if im gonna reach more than that ...

You would wanna choose quality brands such as Arh/kooks/pfadt/SW/etc & stay away from really cheap brands since welds & quality wont be that good & will cause problems more than the bucks you will save ...

Most headers have 20-30hp gain . i think pfadt is the most one that gives the most gains from its 4in1 tube design & they say 50hp with a tune .. but i think all will get you almost the same power ...

Red2014SS · 09-29-2015, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leggettjd

With so many brands and prices, how do you choose what type of headers to install? Why are some better than others and do some offer more power gains?

Headers are kind of like tires. They'll all do the job, it's just that some are made better. I went with Stainless Works because that's what my tuner, and local speed shop, recommended. They are affordable, high quality headers. Pick a decent brand and you really can't go wrong.

leggettjd · 09-29-2015, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ksacamaro

There are two sizes 2" & 1/7-8" , you choose depending on how much you wanna make ur car rwhp reach , most say 650rwho+ is better to go with 2" , under that then stay with 1/7-8 which i would choose too even if im gonna reach more than that ...

You would wanna choose quality brands such as Arh/kooks/pfadt/SW/etc & stay away from really cheap brands since welds & quality wont be that good & will cause problems more than the bucks you will save ...

Most headers have 20-30hp gain . i think pfadt is the most one that gives the most gains from its 4in1 tube design & they say 50hp with a tune .. but i think all will get you almost the same power ...

Thanks for the info. What size are the stock headers?

Ksacamaro · 09-29-2015, 05:16 PM

Hmm i really dont want to say something & turns to be wrong , but i think they are 1/3-4 , correct me guys if im wrong ... Also they are classified under short headers not long ...

jayno20 · 09-29-2015, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red2014SS

Headers are kind of like tires. They'll all do the job, it's just that some are made better. I went with Stainless Works because that's what my tuner, and local speed shop, recommended. They are affordable, high quality headers. Pick a decent brand and you really can't go wrong.

This.

All the information I've seen on the major brand headers are all within a few horsepower of each other. Get the cheapest good name header out there and you are good to go.

I personally have experience with the Stainless Power headers and they fit with no rubbing issues.

leggettjd · 09-29-2015, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayno20

This.

All the information I've seen on the major brand headers are all within a few horsepower of each other. Get the cheapest good name header out there and you are good to go.

I personally have experience with the Stainless Power headers and they fit with no rubbing issues.

What other brands fit without any rubbing or fitment issues?

hognutz · 09-29-2015, 06:41 PM

stainless works/stainless power
kooks
AHR

that's all I have personally installed. the kooks have a ball and socket collector and the other two have slip fit.

dynatech and Phadt will get thrown around as well but I have never put either on to comment on fitment.

my .02 if you going to buy a premium header go 2". you can dig up dyno data that show no real loss.

now if you wanted to buy something like the stainless power for $600 or so and save the money then they are only available in 1 7/8.

which is best??? hard argument to win dyno's vary more than the differences you will see between brands. Some are real partial to say ARH or Kooks. I personally would run any of the first three I posted as they all fit fine, sound good, make power.

ZL W0N · 09-29-2015, 08:04 PM

Whichever brand you choose, it's worth it to get them ceramic coated. I got mine done locally for $150. It helps keep the heat in and not released into the engine bay. You can also get them wrapped, but it doesn't look as nice. Plus side to wrapping is that you can remove it if you eventually want to sell them.

I would recommend:
Kooks
Stainless Works
ARH
PFADT

I would've went with PFADT if they were available at the time, but I went with Kooks because I got them never used for $700 shipped.

KaBoom1701 · 09-29-2015, 11:31 PM

This is pretty much the gateway mod to tuning your car as well....

Candr3535 · 09-29-2015, 11:46 PM

I'm very happy with my dynatech. Got the ceramic coated and had no issue with the fit at all. Just my .02

TobysZL1 · 09-30-2015, 03:25 AM

I got stainless power 1 7/8 that I just put on. Excellent quality and welds. Superior fitment and sound. Couldn't be happier. My wallet thanks me as well, 725 bucks shipped with high flow cats, can't beat it! Kooks and Arh, dynatech are all excellent choices as well but way overpriced that serve no additional gains over the stainless power, except if you like to waste money. The only header that supplies a little more gain is pfadt due to it's design but there the most outrageous priced yet, it's a joke actually.
Oh and ceramic coating = waste of money!

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

Stephen12ZL1 · 09-30-2015, 07:45 AM

Stainless Power fit great and work very well. No surprises and a great price! All stock plug wires clear with ease and the quality is very nice.

leggettjd · 09-30-2015, 08:11 AM

How much louder are headers, can you tell a difference in power and if I got a shop to install, how many hours would the install take?

09-29-2015, 02:59 PM	#1
leggettjd Drives: 2012 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Houston Posts: 21	How Do You Pick Headers? With so many brands and prices, how do you choose what type of headers to install? Why are some better than others and do some offer more power gains?

09-29-2015, 03:14 PM	#2
Ksacamaro Drives: 2014 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Saudi arabia Posts: 102	There are two sizes 2" & 1/7-8" , you choose depending on how much you wanna make ur car rwhp reach , most say 650rwho+ is better to go with 2" , under that then stay with 1/7-8 which i would choose too even if im gonna reach more than that ... You would wanna choose quality brands such as Arh/kooks/pfadt/SW/etc & stay away from really cheap brands since welds & quality wont be that good & will cause problems more than the bucks you will save ... Most headers have 20-30hp gain . i think pfadt is the most one that gives the most gains from its 4in1 tube design & they say 50hp with a tune .. but i think all will get you almost the same power ... __________________ Lingenfelter 630Hp Package , Afco Heatexchanger , Moroso Catchcan , D3 Tank , Siemens 63Pds/hr Injectors , Custom tune.

09-29-2015, 05:16 PM	#5
Ksacamaro Drives: 2014 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Saudi arabia Posts: 102	Hmm i really dont want to say something & turns to be wrong , but i think they are 1/3-4 , correct me guys if im wrong ... Also they are classified under short headers not long ... __________________ Lingenfelter 630Hp Package , Afco Heatexchanger , Moroso Catchcan , D3 Tank , Siemens 63Pds/hr Injectors , Custom tune.

09-29-2015, 06:41 PM	#8
hognutz Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: tangent or Posts: 2,985	stainless works/stainless power kooks AHR that's all I have personally installed. the kooks have a ball and socket collector and the other two have slip fit. dynatech and Phadt will get thrown around as well but I have never put either on to comment on fitment. my .02 if you going to buy a premium header go 2". you can dig up dyno data that show no real loss. now if you wanted to buy something like the stainless power for $600 or so and save the money then they are only available in 1 7/8. which is best??? hard argument to win dyno's vary more than the differences you will see between brands. Some are real partial to say ARH or Kooks. I personally would run any of the first three I posted as they all fit fine, sound good, make power. __________________ 2016 2SS 2020 super duty on 37's

09-29-2015, 08:04 PM	#9
ZL W0N GuitarmageddonZL1 Drives: ‘13 ZL1, ‘17 TT ZL1, ‘17 Silverado Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Harrisburg, PA Posts: 432	Whichever brand you choose, it's worth it to get them ceramic coated. I got mine done locally for $150. It helps keep the heat in and not released into the engine bay. You can also get them wrapped, but it doesn't look as nice. Plus side to wrapping is that you can remove it if you eventually want to sell them. I would recommend: Kooks Stainless Works ARH PFADT I would've went with PFADT if they were available at the time, but I went with Kooks because I got them never used for $700 shipped. __________________

09-29-2015, 11:31 PM	#10
KaBoom1701 KaBoom1701 Drives: 13' ZL1 Red M6 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: I.E. SoCal (Yucaipa) Posts: 8,631	This is pretty much the gateway mod to tuning your car as well.... __________________ Mods: Roto-Fab Intake, WW Res. kit & Big Gulp Air Scoop, Elite Catch Can, ATI Super Damper & 18% OD Pulley, LF Idler pulley bracket, Metco CC breather, ID850 Injectors, Stainless Power Headers w/ ceramic coating, TR71X Spark Plugs, JMS Fuel Pump Booster, Bo White TB, Tuned by Ted @ Jannetty Racing, Ron Davis HX, D3 Reservoir, Pfadt 1" Springs, Moreno Camber Plates, ZL1 Addons Splitter guard washers, Tow Hook kit & rock guards, Hurst Shifter Billet Plus 6 Speed Short Shifter, ZL1 DRL lighting harness, ZL1 Recaro Seats.

09-29-2015, 11:46 PM	#11
Candr3535 Drives: 2013 ZL1 Triple Black Vert M6 #5591 Join Date: May 2013 Location: Galloway,NJ Posts: 747 View My Garage	I'm very happy with my dynatech. Got the ceramic coated and had no issue with the fit at all. Just my .02 __________________ 695 RWHP / 660 RWTQ @ 13.5 PSI Dyna-Tech Headers Ceramic Coated w/Super Flo Cats, JRE Custom Rough Idle Racing Cam Package and 125 RWHP Pulley Kit w/ 28% pulley, Custom Tune by Ted, ID850 injectors, JMS Fuel Booster, NGK Plugs, MSD Plug Wires, Roto-Fab CAI, Roto-Fab Big Gulp, Elite Catch Can, Mild to Wild, 90mm VMaxx Ported Throttle Body, Skip Shift Elim., D3 Coolant Resevoir, Separated Clutch Resevoir, and Fuzzy Red Dice..

09-30-2015, 03:25 AM	#12
TobysZL1 Drives: ZL1 Gone but not Forgotten! Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Central NY Posts: 465	I got stainless power 1 7/8 that I just put on. Excellent quality and welds. Superior fitment and sound. Couldn't be happier. My wallet thanks me as well, 725 bucks shipped with high flow cats, can't beat it! Kooks and Arh, dynatech are all excellent choices as well but way overpriced that serve no additional gains over the stainless power, except if you like to waste money. The only header that supplies a little more gain is pfadt due to it's design but there the most outrageous priced yet, it's a joke actually. Oh and ceramic coating = waste of money! Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

09-30-2015, 07:45 AM	#13
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,824	Stainless Power fit great and work very well. No surprises and a great price! All stock plug wires clear with ease and the quality is very nice. __________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)

09-30-2015, 08:11 AM	#14
leggettjd Drives: 2012 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Houston Posts: 21	How much louder are headers, can you tell a difference in power and if I got a shop to install, how many hours would the install take? __________________ 2012 Camaro ZL1 - (JRE 75 RWHP Package) - ATI Damper, 10% ATI OverDrive Pulley, RotoFab Cold Air Intake, 97 Octane Torco Tune, Mild2Wild & Nitto 555R Drag Radials, Dash Commander