Buying headers is tough, pls help.

**LS2Tuner** · 02-23-2008, 07:35 AM

Here is a link to the Kooks. 6500-1RHS is the Kooks part # you want Dan.

http://www.lmperformance.com/15829/1.html

All the higher quality headers are what they say they are. If they say 1 7/8" they measure 1 7/8".
Cheap shit try to trick you by giving you a OD (outside diameter) measurement and NOT a ID (inside diameter) measurement.
Once again you get what you pay for!
Looks can be VERY deceiving huh...........

**Too Fast** · 02-23-2008, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by rickssz

Save money get pacesetters everything else is a head trip.

You have lots of research to back this up, eh? There are differences between headers, it all depends on what you want from the engine.

**LS2Tuner** · 02-23-2008, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by rickssz

Save money get pacesetters everything else is a head trip.

For your motor your probably right! LOL

Originally Posted by Too Fast

You have lots of research to back this up, eh? There are differences between headers, it all depends on what you want from the engine.

I didn't even catch that response. LOL Making that statement should answer your ? in the first place.
You tell me how many FAST race cars or street cars you see at the track running Pacesetters.

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!

I know what Eagle plans on doing and what he is spraying now. Putting a cheap POS header is pointless to waste money. Stock motor NO nitrous yeah who gives a fuck.

**Too Fast** · 02-23-2008, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by LS2Tuner

For your motor your probably right! LOL

I didn't even catch that response. LOL Making that statement should answer your ? in the first place.
You tell me how many FAST race cars or street cars you see at the track running Pacesetters.

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!

I know what Eagle plans on doing and what he is spraying now. Putting a cheap POS header is pointless to waste money. Stock motor NO nitrous yeah who gives a fuck.

Oh, so for my POS mostly stock motor I shoulda got Pacesetters LOL

**rickssz** · 02-24-2008, 04:51 AM

I read the original post and didnt see where Eagle explained anything other than he was on a budget so thats what I replied to.

LS1Tuner Im curious are pacesetters really that bad to call them a "POS" I thought an awful lot of people on here used them??

**Eagle** · 02-24-2008, 06:03 AM

Click me.

Tell me why I should have stepped headers over just 1 3/4" or 1 7/8" headers, cuz they're a bit cheaper without the step... but if I had to guess you're going to answer something like "you get what u pay for"!

-Eagle

**senicalj4579** · 02-24-2008, 06:38 AM

I'm not convinced theres an aftermarket header out there that measures the exact spec its supossed to.
Are you sending those headers back and going with something else Dan?

**Eagle** · 02-24-2008, 06:56 AM

Yeah they're going back... just waiting on an RMA #. Just not SURE what to do yet... but I'm leaning towards Kooks.

**senicalj4579** · 02-24-2008, 07:03 AM

Some people dont like kooks or qtp but they are and always have been the top headers for our ls1 cars. I'm curious to know how the top of the line header measures up. Keep us updated on what you get and please take measurements. Have you considered qtp?

**Eagle** · 02-24-2008, 07:25 AM

I've thought about QTPs, but since you told me your 1 3/4" QTPs measure 1 5/8" (only 1/8" of an inch larger than than these OBX headers) I'm really curious if I should be going with the Kooks... but truth be told I don't know what they measure for I.D. either... so I'm still basically throwing $$$$ at it.

**LS2Tuner** · 02-24-2008, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by rickssz

I read the original post and didnt see where Eagle explained anything other than he was on a budget so thats what I replied to.

LS1Tuner Im curious are pacesetters really that bad to call them a "POS" I thought an awful lot of people on here used them??

Just stirring the pot! Like I said they are fine for stock or close to motors.
And the POS comment was about the junk he bought off Ebay. Yeah they sure made sure that outside polish looks nice though......LOL

Originally Posted by Eagle

Click me.

Tell me why I should have stepped headers over just 1 3/4" or 1 7/8" headers, cuz they're a bit cheaper without the step... but if I had to guess you're going to answer something like "you get what u pay for"!

-Eagle

Well the biggest reason is your car is a street car. If it was a track only deal than who cares about your TQ curve on the motor (N/A).
The stepped will give you a more flat TQ curve and help aid in driveabilty on the street. Not to mention it will aid in peak power on the bottle.
I would have to say that the 160 or 180 it cost will pay for itself in fuel mileage by aiding your low end TQ.
If you just went with the 1 7/8" the bottle would love it but you would kill the lower end of your TQ curve on the motor which really effects driveabilty.
Here are a couple quites from the manufacture.

"They can be produced in many different configurations depending on what you need. This quick reference will give you an idea of what will work best for your application -

1 3/4" - Best for bolt-on cars or if your running a head/cam upgrade
1 7/8" - These work great with stroker motors
1 3/4" to 1 7/8" stepped - A nice upgrade for if your running a BIG cam, supercharger or nitrous.
1 7/8" to 2" stepped - These are pretty much "race car headers" Your going to be running a big cubic inch motor and spraying alot of nitrous to take advantage of these. They have 3 1/2" collectors. "

"Step Header Design
This patented design is quite unique in that it offers a smaller diameter primary tube that starts at the engines exhaust port and later increases to a greater diameter at a specific distance from the cylinder head. The result from the larger tube is maximum horsepower at high RPM, while the small tube maximizes low-end torque."

Either way you go you'll be amazed @ the difference your going to see in Quality!
The link you posted has them for cheaper but they are also NOT coated like they are from LMP. In my opinion it is NOT a educated decision to purchase a $1000 high end header and NOT have it coated.
You could call around Chi on Mon. and I know there is Many powder coating shops that are doing exhaust coatings that are the same thing as Jet Hot but alot cheaper. You might be able to save some money that way. Plus look at who is better on the shipping rate.
Salt loves stainless..........................

**carls2001ws6** · 02-26-2008, 06:05 AM

I have to say that I am so totally happy with the Pacesetters. Great fit nice coating nice welds good price, whats to lose. Many people think they are the best bang for the buck. Sure the Kooks will give you a few HP, someone help me here, mabey what about 4 HP for $400 more. Toss in an electric cutout at the last bend befor the muffler and gain another 5 to 10 HP for $150 bucks. This is the setup I use and it is really nice to be able to run in stealth mode. No need to attract even more attention arround the streets of Chicago. Open the cutout under an overpass, go 4 grand and watch everyone hit the breaks. Worth every dime

**xzaero0** · 02-26-2008, 09:37 AM

I went with the ARH stainless Longtubes Ceramic Coated. They are being put on this week with duals and an x pipe setup. I'll let you know how it turns out. The ARH looked awsome with very good welds. I would go with ARH or Kooks, if I had to buy headers again. Sometimes you get what you pay for... sometimes you don't... like sometimes you get a good deal off of Ebay and sometimes you don't. Call a speed shop and see what they have to say. It's more than likely they will tell you to go with Kooks, but not if your going to just leave it on the stock motor with no bottle. What you are going to do with your car later down the line also has a lot to do with it.

**LS16SPD** · 02-26-2008, 10:07 AM

I Did The Edelbrock Shorties.slp Off Road Y Pipe And Magnaflow Cat Back Sounds Great And Makes A Ton Of Power

**LS16SPD** · 02-26-2008, 10:07 AM

Ceramic Coated!!

**xzaero0** · 02-26-2008, 10:38 AM

The Edlebrock Shorties are junk!!! They are way too restrictive. The stock manifolds are just as good if not better than as they are. My car auctuall didnt pull as hard on the top end with them.

**LS2Tuner** · 02-26-2008, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by xzaero0

The Edlebrock Shorties are junk!!! They are way too restrictive. The stock manifolds are just as good if not better than as they are. My car auctuall didnt pull as hard on the top end with them.

Stock manifolds are better.........

Your car didn't pull as hard because of you not having the right tune!

Yeah manifolds flow better.............. LOL

**xzaero0** · 02-26-2008, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by LS2Tuner

Stock manifolds are better.........

Your car didn't pull as hard because of you not having the right tune!

Yeah manifolds flow better.............. LOL

That could be part of the problem. But they looked so cute laying next to my ARH. I only had a predator tune... I know its not that good but man those are terrible headers. Prolly never gonna buy anthing from Edelbrock again tho. I really woudnt doubt the manifolds being almost if not as good tho. Just used o2 sims on my dual with no cats. Electric WP, SLP underdrive pulley, debaffled air lid, K&N, Predator tune LM2s dual exhaust = 281/283 only thing holding it back was the shorties.

**gnomee** · 02-26-2008, 04:45 PM

I have the SLP stainless and love them!

Install was much easier than everyone says. If you take your time and have the car high enough installing any brand is really not easier than the other.

Just remember that the steering shaft is adjustable. No need to be banging on your $1000.00 or $400.00 header to get them in. Also no need to be grinding on your block.

Also taking the coil packs off and setting them up on the intake out of the way is way easier then trying to do it with them on.

#1 rule for me when working on the car is taking stuff out of my way makes it go 10 times faster than working around stuff I could have taken off.

The SLP do definetly have a clearance issue. If your car is lowered or you have low profile tires or plan on lowering it they are a bad idea. You should go with QTP or Pacesetter which will tuck up better.

The biggest issue I have with some of the cheaper brands is the flange. The ones with a thing flang tend to have to be tightened after a while. I'm going on 2 years and atleast 10-15,000 miles on mine and I have not had to tighten them again.

**jamessr** · 02-27-2008, 03:16 AM

I just bought my header 2 days ago. I've been watching this post and got alot of good information. I decided to got with the Pacesetter long tubes ceramic coat.