Went speed engineering LTH and xpipe so i could swallow the pill of the Corsa xterme mufflers, amazing fit and insane sound. Dont sleep on speed engineering.
Great "hands on" info about these three header brands. The shop working on my '04 C5 said basically, "don't bring stuff that is not plug-n-play or the labor and down time would be more. I said what's good? He mentioned Kooks fit great without cutting, welding, anything; just bolt them in. So I showed up with Kooks Headers, catted x-pipe and mid pipe all black cerakoted by a powder coating business. Inexpensive cat-back exhaust and cold air intake. Michigan Motorsports sourced BTR stage 1 cam plus all the cam goodies like Johnson slow leakdown lifters (expensive lifters but worth it), dual valve springs, titanium retainers, upgraded rocker arms, etc.. ATI super damper and ARP bolt, tensioners, belts, new GM radiator with some really weird transmission cooler line fittings. Only on the late '04 C5 before the quick disconnect style on the C6, and after the flare type transmission cooler line fitting on '97-'03 C5's. It was like an 8 month run of that particular '04 C5 radiator style and it is NOT easy to find. I had to get the radiator from GM and they had to order it; there were two available for order. Don't believe me, call GM and ask for a radiator for the last 8 months of the entirety of the C5 model run, Mr. DeWitts himself from DeWitts Radiator wrote a blog on his website about the fitting design, it's unorthodox design compared to the earlier C5 and the later C6 with pics. Fluids, Mobil 1 filter, some new sensors here and there that were easy to access with the intake off. The technician picked his own gaskets and went with Felpro throughout but used the MLS gaskets that came with the Kooks header kit. Most know what to do with an LS, mod it or maintain it in stock trim and enjoy one of the best bang for buck motors ever made. It's my first LS powerplant so I am learning what's good for the LS and having some fun. But I see some aftermarket stuff for this car that looks like more trouble than it's worth. Yes, the Kooks header kit was more expensive, but installed without issue or bad looking welds like on some of the Frankenstein set ups. Like cutting out the factory H-pipe and welding or clamping in a universal x pipe. It's a Vette, people spent $15-$25k on a C5, $25-35K on a C6, and then proceed to go all "shade tree" on "America's Sports Car" by installing cheap stuff all over it. Then wonder why it doesn't fit properly, breaks too soon, doesn't tighten down right, (every one's favorite) at the wrong angle, develops cracks, or leaks. Remember, "Speed Engineering" can also mean hastily, poorly designed, and rushed to market. Kooks made in USA; Texas Speed made in China. You get what you pay for.
The biggest comparison you left out is price. For some people, the problems you listed may be a small price to pay for the affordability of the Speed Engineering headers. Personally, I have ARH on my car and they were the easiest install of headers I've ever done. They practically installed themselves but they were not cheap. People trying to go fast on a budget, an oxymoron I know, probably could easily overlook the issues you pointed out to make their performance buck go farther.
Sounds like speed engineering had a debt with this guy lol You could also try EOS ones which I have and Fitment has been great for more than a year now, no clearence problems whatsoever
Speeding engineering hate from OP is wild AF 😂😂😂 “You get what you paid for” isn’t necessarily a valid argument when compare item for item . . . You can buy a Rolls Royce ghost or simply save a bunch of money get the 745 bimmer and you practically have the same item You get what you pay for is an American saying to charge more for basically the same things but do you with your $2.5k headers 😂😂😂
So completely off topic lmao comparing 2,000 dollars headers vs 350.00 headers lmao 🤣 😂 btw the speed engineering headers give you the same hp on a dyno as the other 2 over priced. And they last. They fix great and install easy as well and you save thousands of dollars .. but great video. Kooks and American racing you pay for the name nothing more.
Youee not copoaring apples to appkes. The silverado ones arw nothibg like c7 speed engibeering headers. Tgeres no welds or turns on c7 speed engibeering headers. Guessing youre lying to people because you work for comoetition of se. LAME
Your video was painful to watch i do have the speed engineering headers. I like them but personally couldn't justify the 2gs on headers compared to the two big brands. Keep in mind my tuner did say they were a bitch to install but said they were the preferred header for a budget build. I have intake/cam/e85..475hp 490tq 8 speed. Love it as weekend car..a SCAT PACK KILLER!
A dyno comparison would solve so much debate on forums and fb groups. Appreciate the detailed video though
100% agree…at the end of the day HP gains are what I’m interested in!
They already did and the speed headers does the same as the rest. Lol and doesn't break the bank
Went speed engineering LTH and xpipe so i could swallow the pill of the Corsa xterme mufflers, amazing fit and insane sound. Dont sleep on speed engineering.
Great "hands on" info about these three header brands. The shop working on my '04 C5 said basically, "don't bring stuff that is not plug-n-play or the labor and down time would be more. I said what's good? He mentioned Kooks fit great without cutting, welding, anything; just bolt them in. So I showed up with Kooks Headers, catted x-pipe and mid pipe all black cerakoted by a powder coating business. Inexpensive cat-back exhaust and cold air intake. Michigan Motorsports sourced BTR stage 1 cam plus all the cam goodies like Johnson slow leakdown lifters (expensive lifters but worth it), dual valve springs, titanium retainers, upgraded rocker arms, etc.. ATI super damper and ARP bolt, tensioners, belts, new GM radiator with some really weird transmission cooler line fittings. Only on the late '04 C5 before the quick disconnect style on the C6, and after the flare type transmission cooler line fitting on '97-'03 C5's. It was like an 8 month run of that particular '04 C5 radiator style and it is NOT easy to find. I had to get the radiator from GM and they had to order it; there were two available for order. Don't believe me, call GM and ask for a radiator for the last 8 months of the entirety of the C5 model run, Mr. DeWitts himself from DeWitts Radiator wrote a blog on his website about the fitting design, it's unorthodox design compared to the earlier C5 and the later C6 with pics. Fluids, Mobil 1 filter, some new sensors here and there that were easy to access with the intake off.
The technician picked his own gaskets and went with Felpro throughout but used the MLS gaskets that came with the Kooks header kit. Most know what to do with an LS, mod it or maintain it in stock trim and enjoy one of the best bang for buck motors ever made. It's my first LS powerplant so I am learning what's good for the LS and having some fun. But I see some aftermarket stuff for this car that looks like more trouble than it's worth.
Yes, the Kooks header kit was more expensive, but installed without issue or bad looking welds like on some of the Frankenstein set ups. Like cutting out the factory H-pipe and welding or clamping in a universal x pipe.
It's a Vette, people spent $15-$25k on a C5, $25-35K on a C6, and then proceed to go all "shade tree" on "America's Sports Car" by installing cheap stuff all over it. Then wonder why it doesn't fit properly, breaks too soon, doesn't tighten down right, (every one's favorite) at the wrong angle, develops cracks, or leaks. Remember, "Speed Engineering" can also mean hastily, poorly designed, and rushed to market. Kooks made in USA; Texas Speed made in China. You get what you pay for.
I prefer Kooks as well but ARH is made in the USA too.
I have speed engineering headers on my c5 lol and it was a perfect fit. No trouble at all no cutting or anything.
The biggest comparison you left out is price. For some people, the problems you listed may be a small price to pay for the affordability of the Speed Engineering headers. Personally, I have ARH on my car and they were the easiest install of headers I've ever done. They practically installed themselves but they were not cheap. People trying to go fast on a budget, an oxymoron I know, probably could easily overlook the issues you pointed out to make their performance buck go farther.
Price is massively different for sure. With how difficult the speed engineering pipes I would gladly pay the extra lol.
@@TheSundaeDrivewhat’s difficult about speed engineering
OMFG …. Kooks like COOKS not Kewks FFS
I bought speed engineering for my vet the fitment was perfect and the quality is good and the sound is good they are not as bad as you make them to me
They are cheap junk. One thing I will say tho with the clamps you can just flip them around
Idk I had them now for 3 months and then been good and I gave me a decent power got it dynoed and I went from 285 to 322 wheel
I’m going with speed engineering. It’s all just piping. As long as it’s quality metal it’ll be fine.
When it comes to high quality exhaust parts Kooks, Borla & Corsa rule the roost. With Kooks usually been my top pick.
ARH here on my 2012 C6 Grand Sport and they are solid NPP exhaust catless x pipe sounds great.
Very nice! Thanks for sharing!
No mention about collector scanvenging spikes on any of these.
Sounds like speed engineering had a debt with this guy lol
You could also try EOS ones which I have and Fitment has been great for more than a year now, no clearence problems whatsoever
I'm done trying to save money on parts that can mess with the drivability of the car 😅
I am having trouble looking for the speed plate. Do you have a link for that?
Thanks in advance
Speeding engineering hate from OP is wild AF 😂😂😂
“You get what you paid for” isn’t necessarily a valid argument when compare item for item . . . You can buy a Rolls Royce ghost or simply save a bunch of money get the 745 bimmer and you practically have the same item
You get what you pay for is an American saying to charge more for basically the same things but do you with your $2.5k headers 😂😂😂
Headers are Headers and your not gonna get anymore horsepower if you buy expensive kooks!
Will the Kooks 2" Headers match up with a 3" AWE Xpipe ... How can i make this happen????
So completely off topic lmao comparing 2,000 dollars headers vs 350.00 headers lmao 🤣 😂 btw the speed engineering headers give you the same hp on a dyno as the other 2 over priced. And they last. They fix great and install easy as well and you save thousands of dollars .. but great video. Kooks and American racing you pay for the name nothing more.
why are my kooks rusting with blotches ?
will these work for an lt1?
Definitely not a header's engineer looking and talking about it
Just your average guys showing what we see :)
Youee not copoaring apples to appkes. The silverado ones arw nothibg like c7 speed engibeering headers. Tgeres no welds or turns on c7 speed engibeering headers. Guessing youre lying to people because you work for comoetition of se. LAME
The super cheap SE headers make as much hp....
If you can get them installed they do lol
Your video was painful to watch i do have the speed engineering headers. I like them but personally couldn't justify the 2gs on headers compared to the two big brands. Keep in mind my tuner did say they were a bitch to install but said they were the preferred header for a budget build. I have intake/cam/e85..475hp 490tq 8 speed. Love it as weekend car..a SCAT PACK KILLER!
How much did you pay to get headers installed
@@rogeliodelatorre8377 all those mods were installed at once. 6gs total. Hpp racing out of Garland tx.
damn 6K to not even break 500whp? You need to get a refund. @@214hotrod85