ARH vs Kooks headers

[mattc]

I needs lots of input. I'm getting ready to have the ARH long set with the magnaflow comp axle back installed on my 2010 camaro. I've recently been told that ARH are not all that great quality, they have frequent leaks, they don't quite fit very well and have to be cut, and they are slip fit which causes more leaks.

I have been told that Kooks are they way to go, they are more GM, Chevy friendly as to how they bolt up, they're not slip fit, but ball and socket which makes for a better fit.

This is all news to me. I always thought ARH were the way to go. what have you all heard?

[RedJewel2SS]

i have the exact same set up you are getting ready to install.

my first recommendation is to not install that axle back exhaust, sell or return it, and get the ARH exhaust to fit up to their kit. the two different brands just don't fit up to each other like you want it to; it requires some cutting and modifications, and the tips will NEVER line up in the diffuser like you want them to. with the full ARH headers-back exhaust system, you do not have any of those fitment issues.

to clear up a few things:
with the ARH header kit, all you have to cut is the stock exhaust in front of the rear axle and the ARH kit slips right into place. it sounds OK with the stock mufflers, very raspy and excessively loud with Magnaflow comp series axle back (or any muffler delete), but just right with the ARH axle back exhaust cuz they designed them with THEIR headers in mind... all other aftermarket exhaust systems are designed with the stock exhaust manifolds and cats in mind..

i had no problems with the fit, however i did have problems with leaks mainly cuz i had someone else do the install! the slip fit is an easy way to install exhaust, however if the two pieces of pipe are not FULLY snug together and tightened down to spec, then you will have leaks. ALL cat-back exhaust systems are a slip fit design. even the stock exhaust connects to the stock cats and manifolds with a slip-fit design. since then i have fixed my leaks myself, and the problem was solved.

if you don't want to use the band clamps another option is to use them just to get the exhaust into place, tac weld each connection, loosen them, then cut off each band clamp, lower the exhaust and fully weld the system together to make one big piece like the stock system.

the ARH header kit comes with a ball and socket connection near the tunnel brace, the Kooks header kit is just headers and cats with a ball and socket connection between the headers and cats, BUT has a slip fit connection to connect to the stock exhaust or aftermarket cat-back.

the quality of the ARH system is a good as it gets. both Kooks and ARH use the same 304 stainless steel, with thick flanges, and CNC mandrel bends, the only issue you will have with the ARH header kit is if you have an automatic... their is a drain pipe coming from the tranny that the pipe that connects the cats to the x-pipe hits. all i did was bend that drain pipe and problem solved.


both brands are equally good, they just install a little different depending on what you are wanting to do.

[caverman]

I haven't really heard anything bad like that for ARH. I'm sure there is always the potential to get a bad one in the bunch. That will go for any Mfg, not just ARH.

However, I'll probably go with KOOKS over ARH just based on price. Give Maryland Speed a call for prices (you must call them) and you'll see what I mean.

I believe KOOKS and ARH are both in the same quality category. I don't think you'll go wrong with either one.

[Camarorss350]

Originally Posted by caverman

I haven't really heard anything bad like that for ARH. I'm sure there is always the potential to get a bad one in the bunch. That will go for any Mfg, not just ARH.

However, I'll probably go with KOOKS over ARH just based on price. Give Maryland Speed a call for prices (you must call them) and you'll see what I mean.

I believe KOOKS and ARH are both in the same quality category. I don't think you'll go wrong with either one.

+1

[RedJewel2SS]

Originally Posted by caverman

I haven't really heard anything bad like that for ARH. I'm sure there is always the potential to get a bad one in the bunch. That will go for any Mfg, not just ARH.

However, I'll probably go with KOOKS over ARH just based on price. Give Maryland Speed a call for prices (you must call them) and you'll see what I mean.

I believe KOOKS and ARH are both in the same quality category. I don't think you'll go wrong with either one.

the price for each is very misleading... keep in mind the ARH kit includes a x-pipe and the Kooks kit does not. when you include the price for a cat-back with the Kooks kit, or an axle-back (of the SAME brand as the cat-back) with the ARH kit, the price is about the same. when you compare the kooks kit to the ARH short kit (does not include x-pipe) the price is about the same. when you compare the Kooks full header-back exhaust to the ARH full header-back exhaust, the price is about the same... +/- $100 for each case.

[2010 SSRS]

ARH

[mlee]

Good solid info Red Jewel...

Mattc... if you want to see and hear these in person stop by one of our Camaro Club meetings... here in Houston

[cm5217]

Kooks all the way and i second the Maryland speed is the place to buy...I just install my kooks headers with the magnaflow comp series exhaust and i didnt have to cut anything. Just call Brandon at MD speed and tell him what you are looking to do and he will hook you up. In my case i just ordered the headers with the high flow cat connectons and they bolted right up to the Magnaflow Cat back comp series exhaust and i must say it sounds bad ass

[RedJewel2SS]

Originally Posted by cm5217

Kooks all the way and i second the Maryland speed is the place to buy...I just install my kooks headers with the magnaflow comp series exhaust and i didnt have to cut anything. Just call Brandon at MD speed and tell him what you are looking to do and he will hook you up. In my case i just ordered the headers with the high flow cat connectons and they bolted right up to the Magnaflow Cat back comp series exhaust and i must say it sounds bad ass

did you do the 3" exhaust or the 2.5" exhaust, because magnaflow sells a comp series in each size and both are very different.

the 2.5" comp series cat-back is the same as the axle back with no mufflers, but has a resonated x-pipe.

the 3" comp series cat-back has a straight-thru x-pipe and mufflers behind the rear tires.

the OP has the 2.5" axle-back and sounds very different with headers than the 3" cat-back does.

[X-treme Horsepower]

they both make a great product
we do not sell american racing though
we sell kooks and stainless works we feel that these to brands fit much better

[trudawg660]

i heard that the ARH had clearance problems, is that true?

[RedJewel2SS]

Originally Posted by trudawg660

i heard that the ARH had clearance problems, is that true?

i have never scraped the bottom of my car on anything, and i have a 1.25" drop

and i don't drive it like a grandma, i've hit a few potholes, gone over a few speed bumps faster than normal, and driven through some steep driveways with no problems.

the primaries stick maybe an inch lower than the subframe, but that is near the front wheels and the front bumper is lower than that! all other parts of the exhaust tuck up inside the driveshaft tunnel.

the only clearance problems some may have is with the 3" pipes hitting the tunnel brace... but if it hits, that just means they either installed the x-pipe upside down or they need to loosen the ball and socket connection near the tunnel brace, jack up the x-pipe more than they did when installing, and retighten the ball and socket connection


most problems with aftermarket parts come from installer error

[cm5217]

Originally Posted by RedJewel2SS

did you do the 3" exhaust or the 2.5" exhaust, because magnaflow sells a comp series in each size and both are very different.

the 2.5" comp series cat-back is the same as the axle back with no mufflers, but has a resonated x-pipe.

the 3" comp series cat-back has a straight-thru x-pipe and mufflers behind the rear tires.

the OP has the 2.5" axle-back and sounds very different with headers than the 3" cat-back does.

I have the 3" comp series cat back

[mikeSS]

your nuts to run headers without any mufflers.... your going to get a ticket and need to get mufflers