Need advice on what Headers to buy?

**2001ws6ta** · 03-01-2009, 01:22 PM

I have a 2001 WS6 Trans Am and going to get some headers soon...I've heard that Kooks longtubes are the best...Also considering Hooker...Any suggestions or advice for me? Thanks

**Tyler_LS1** · 03-01-2009, 01:24 PM

Go with Stainless if you can afford it. I personally like my American Racing headers, perfect fitment and excellent quality QTPs are also good headers

**ebdboudreaux** · 03-01-2009, 01:27 PM

American Racing and Kooks are nearly identical since the same person created them... However ARH have some very minor improvements... I personally have ARH and couldn't be happier... You get what you pay for....

**UTVols98** · 03-01-2009, 10:53 PM

Depending on how much you want to spend, the Hookers have worked fine for me and without fitment issues. Kooks and ARH are prob the best, but pricey. Pacesetters best bang for the buck.

**allbaugh_04** · 03-03-2009, 11:10 AM

Don't ARH have em in 1 7/8 as well? Not needed on a bolt on car but every lil bit helps.

**ebdboudreaux** · 03-03-2009, 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by allbaugh_04

Don't ARH have em in 1 7/8 as well? Not needed on a bolt on car but every lil bit helps.

Yea, and they actually just came out with a larger size as well, not 100% on what it is...

If you were to put the 1 7/8 on just a bolt on car you'd actually be losing quite a bit of torque due to the loss of back pressure. they made 1 3/4 for a reason...

**supersporter13** · 03-03-2009, 09:30 PM

How bout if you plan on going F/I? Would you be losing so much torque that ur better of the 1 3/4 and buy the 1 7/8 when you go F/I? My TGT Timeline for F/I is in about 2 years.

**allbaugh_04** · 03-04-2009, 02:55 AM

the whole back pressure thing is BS

**Mr. Luos** · 03-04-2009, 05:52 AM

Originally Posted by allbaugh_04

the whole back pressure thing is BS

I disagree. Kinda.

In the lower RPM's, the 1 3/4" longtubes will perform slightly better. In the upper RPM's, the 1 7/8" longtubes will allow for a little more power.
It depends on what you want, if you are set-up for using the top end of the RPM range, and if you plan on modding further.

That said....
On a budget?? Get Pacesetters.
Willing to drop some coin for the headers? Kooks or ARH

**allbaugh_04** · 03-04-2009, 05:56 AM

I know you can make more TQ with smaller ones. Everything you said is true, but I don't believe in the whole "back pressure" shenanigans

There is a set of QTPs for sale on LS1tech for 400 i believe...i'd jump all over that shit, but I already got QTP's

**TRANS-DAD** · 03-04-2009, 06:11 AM

1 7/8" kooks with just bolt on's here............I went from stock to headders,magnaflow
catback, and tune.........gained lots of power even down low!

**RedVertTA** · 03-04-2009, 06:51 AM

Gas mileage will suffer with the larger pipe headers.

**RedVertTA** · 03-04-2009, 06:53 AM

Originally Posted by ebdboudreaux

American Racing and Kooks are nearly identical since the same person created them... However ARH have some very minor improvements... I personally have ARH and couldn't be happier... You get what you pay for....

I'd beg to differ, the Kooks collector is said to be a little better than the ARH one.

**RyanJM** · 03-04-2009, 09:31 AM

I went with QTP race headers. I had hookers and they fit good but they got rusty over time and when I got rid of the EGR I wanted to get rid of the fittings since all the block off looked like sht. The QTP's have a great finish, fitment was also good. Ypipe bangs a little under hard throttle. Not to mention the price is there right in between pacesetter and a set of Kooks.

**ebdboudreaux** · 03-04-2009, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by allbaugh_04

the whole back pressure thing is BS

Yea that makes a lot of sense... Do some research, talk to some techs... They make 1 3/4 for a reason... Unless he's gonna be doing some MAJOR modifications to the engine there is no point in putting 1 7/8 or larger on the car... He'd prolly make a few more hp with them, but he'd definitely lose way more TQ with the DECREASE of backpressure...

**allbaugh_04** · 03-04-2009, 01:24 PM

Then why do real drag racers use dual cutouts and run open headers...

show me some proof

**Too Fast** · 03-04-2009, 01:28 PM

Exactly. Show me the proof. I went with Hooker LTs and their ORY, I INCREASED my highway MPG by almost 2.0. Went from almost 26 to over 28 sometimes, no tune yet. I believe my headers are 1 3/4. What the hell is 1/8 inch difference going to do for back pressure.

**Mr. Luos** · 03-04-2009, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by allbaugh_04

Then why do real drag racers use dual cutouts and run open headers...

show me some proof

Drag cars aren't street cars.

**RedVertTA** · 03-04-2009, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by Mr. Luos

Drag cars aren't street cars.

Originally Posted by allbaugh_04

Then why do real drag racers use dual cutouts and run open headers...

show me some proof

Drag cars don't see the low rpm ranges, so the decrease in low end torque doesn't matter, but its still there.

**fxgs** · 03-05-2009, 02:22 AM

Originally Posted by RyanJM

Ypipe bangs a little under hard throttle.

Then get this...........it will solve that little problem:

http://www.mufflex-performance.com/m...tegory_Code=FZ

By the way I have QTP's and I love them