Time for LT's & Y pipe
Overdrive Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,496
From: Boulder, CO
RE: Time for LT's & Y pipe
ORIGINAL: kaoss_11
last I checked pacesetter headers lt had 1 3/4 primary tubes
ORIGINAL: 95slvrZ28
You're partially right in saying that you pay for the name, but I can safely say, from personal experience as well as the thoughts of other professionals in the performance field (I've talked to a guy at a local speed shop that focuses on late model chevy engines about the difference in headers specifically), that the Kooks and Dynatech systems are the highest quality and have the best power/torque numbers out of all the headers for F-bodies. I've personally compared Hooker headers to my Kooks and I can safely say that the quality of the welds, the quality of the bends, the thickness of the flange is all of a higher calibre. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that Hooker or SLP are bad, but they aren't as good.
Edit: I would also like to note that the Pacesetter headers come with a 1 and 3/8" primary, the Hookers come with a 1 and 5/8" primary, my Kooks and the Dynatech systems have 1 and 3/4" primaries, meaning they will make more power than the Pacesetter or Hooker headers because they can flow more. I looked at the SLP headers for the LS1 (they don't make a long tube for the LT1) and they are a tuned 1 and 3/4" header, but I still submit that the quality in Kooks or Dynatech is a higher because all the tubes are 1 mandrel bent piece. That being said, I rest my case, take from it what you will...
You're partially right in saying that you pay for the name, but I can safely say, from personal experience as well as the thoughts of other professionals in the performance field (I've talked to a guy at a local speed shop that focuses on late model chevy engines about the difference in headers specifically), that the Kooks and Dynatech systems are the highest quality and have the best power/torque numbers out of all the headers for F-bodies. I've personally compared Hooker headers to my Kooks and I can safely say that the quality of the welds, the quality of the bends, the thickness of the flange is all of a higher calibre. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that Hooker or SLP are bad, but they aren't as good.
Edit: I would also like to note that the Pacesetter headers come with a 1 and 3/8" primary, the Hookers come with a 1 and 5/8" primary, my Kooks and the Dynatech systems have 1 and 3/4" primaries, meaning they will make more power than the Pacesetter or Hooker headers because they can flow more. I looked at the SLP headers for the LS1 (they don't make a long tube for the LT1) and they are a tuned 1 and 3/4" header, but I still submit that the quality in Kooks or Dynatech is a higher because all the tubes are 1 mandrel bent piece. That being said, I rest my case, take from it what you will...
Overdrive Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,496
From: Boulder, CO
RE: Time for LT's & Y pipe
You can think what you want, but the bends, welds and collector are what makes a power difference on a header. If you're comparing a header that has sharper bends, more welds and a simple slip on collector to a header that has smoother bends, no welds and a high quality collector(Kooks has a special "Venturi" collector that incorporates a fin type apparatus that goes between the junction of the 4 tubes as they enter the collector to help smooth flow and reduce turbulance) the better qualtiy product will come out on top every time.
Ninja Administrator
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,172
From: Potato
RE: Time for LT's & Y pipe
I feel like u and I are the little angel and devil that sit on people's shoulders over this argument. 
of course the power is going to be better, but is it $200-$500 worth of power? some think yes, some think no. I get to a point personally where I feel like im spending an aweful lot of money for a little gain, money that can be thrown at another part of the powertrain for a bigger gain than a fin aparatus. but this is really a matter of opinion and "what works for me".to keep it to simple facts, the higher quality parts will produce measurably better numbers
of course the power is going to be better, but is it $200-$500 worth of power? some think yes, some think no. I get to a point personally where I feel like im spending an aweful lot of money for a little gain, money that can be thrown at another part of the powertrain for a bigger gain than a fin aparatus
. but this is really a matter of opinion and "what works for me".to keep it to simple facts, the higher quality parts will produce measurably better numbers
Overdrive Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,496
From: Boulder, CO
RE: Time for LT's & Y pipe
[sm=teetertooter.gif]
There, me and Spec...
I will tell you my number 1 reason for getting Kooks headers was not because they are "the best" that money can buy, I was in the market for a specific item (stainless, long tube, tuned, emissions equipment, good fit) and Kooks offered that with great performance gains and I am happy with my purchase. I did not know about Dynatech headers at the time so I saved my pennies so I could get the product that fit my needs. Everyone has a different budget and different savings habbits, but I will recommend Kooks headers over any for an F-body until I see something better out there.
There, me and Spec...
I will tell you my number 1 reason for getting Kooks headers was not because they are "the best" that money can buy, I was in the market for a specific item (stainless, long tube, tuned, emissions equipment, good fit) and Kooks offered that with great performance gains and I am happy with my purchase. I did not know about Dynatech headers at the time so I saved my pennies so I could get the product that fit my needs. Everyone has a different budget and different savings habbits, but I will recommend Kooks headers over any for an F-body until I see something better out there.
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