[dbmstr124]

I'm looking at getting headers for my car. I've heard bbk and kooks are both good. Not sure if one is better or not? Also, ill need a matching midpipe right? I think I want long tube headers, not sure if there are pros and cons of either? I like a deep sound. Ceramic or stainless steel? Also, do you have to pull engine to install? Will they have ports for o2 sensors? Thanks guys

 

[07 Boss]

Yes you need the matching mid-pipe. Yes there will be bungs for the sensors (usually). Either or on the stainless/ceramic. No you don't have to pull the motor, but you do have to unbolt it and lift it a bit. You do have to pull the starter, dipstick tube, and steering shaft, and removing the battery tray will help.

 

[dbmstr124]

Thank you. I really wanna do it, but not regret what I buy. eBay has some good deals, but I'm in Hawaii, hard to get them to ship here

 

[faym 08]

Great write up..http://www.moddedmustangs.com/forum...-dimoras-mac-long-tube-header-how-installation-thread-plus-cats-prochamber.html

 

[07 Boss]

Thank you. I really wanna do it, but not regret what I buy. eBay has some good deals, but I'm in Hawaii, hard to get them to ship here

You want a good legit deal? Call Stage 3 Motorsports in Phoenix. Pacesetter ceramic coated headers and O/R H-pipe is gonna run you $525. They say free shipping but you'll have to pay for living in paradise. That will at least save you a few bucks. Do you need smog in Hawaii?

 

[dbmstr124]

Thanks Boss. I'll see what they've got for me. You do have to get a safety check and stuff here, but I've got ways around it! I'm at a point where I have some extra money and I want to put it into my car. I've got the Ebay app on my phone so I've been looking haha. I've got the idling problem with my car I've posted on here, I just sent a data log to Bama, so hopefully I can get that squared away soon. I transfer to South Carolina in August, so I'll have my garage there. I'm just bored and wanting to make my car sound better and hopefully gain a bit. I've got Borla axle backs now. So is your car a low throaty sound? Do the headers add a whole lot of flow? If I do the headers I'll want to put the entire system on, mid pipe and H or X pipe. Is the sound and power a noticeable difference?

 

[jpac811]

If you want to hear what long tubes and off road x pipe with borlas sound like, go on my you tube channel. I have comparisons of what it sounded like with just the borlas and than what it sounded like after the LTs and o/r X.

What part of South Carolina are you going to? Military?

 

[codycat91]

BBK are definitely inferior in quality compared to Kooks, Amercan Racing, or Stainless Works. Those are by far the leaders in the industry

All are Stainless. ARH is headed by previous Kooks employees. I went with ARH and could not be more happy with the quality. I have had BBK products before and cannot say the same

The next step down in quality (and price) would probably be SLP and Mac

Sent from AutoGuide.com App

 

[DiMora]

For sound, Mac longtubes with a ProChamber are hard to beat. With Mac Axlebacks, it is an amazing setup. Mac's ceramic coating and fitment are not, however, as good as others.

American Racing are generally considered to be the best you can get.

Kooks, although not generally ranked by most as nice as American Racing, are also very well respected.

Pypes are Chinese copies of Kooks.

Stainless Steel Works are also gaining a good reputation. My local speed shop uses them a lot.

Pacesetters, as stated above, offer good bang for the buck.

I like ceramic myself - they look good and keep under-hoot heat down, which can rob power.

 

[ncstang06]

There's always a huge debate over headers on this forum. It's usually between ARH and Kooks, or Mac and pacesetter. Between those 4 you have two that cost over 1000 dollars and two that cost under 500. In my opinion the all do the same thing, and all have good reputations, so I couldn't justify paying twice the price simply for better finish and craftsmanship when I know that the macs I bought are still well made and aren't going to crap out on me. I have no problems with ARH or Kooks, both are great pieces, but you have to decide how much it's worth to you, if you have enough to get looks, but buy macs or pacesetters then that leaves you some extra cash for other mods. Just my .02

 

[DiMora]

There's always a huge debate over headers on this forum. It's usually between ARH and Kooks, or Mac and pacesetter. Between those 4 you have two that cost over 1000 dollars and two that cost under 500. In my opinion the all do the same thing, and all have good reputations, so I couldn't justify paying twice the price simply for better finish and craftsmanship when I know that the macs I bought are still well made and aren't going to crap out on me. I have no problems with ARH or Kooks, both are great pieces, but you have to decide how much it's worth to you, if you have enough to get looks, but buy macs or pacesetters then that leaves you some extra cash for other mods. Just my .02

I agree. And I run ceramic-coated Macs. :bubba:

 

[ncstang06]

I agree. And I run ceramic-coated Macs. :bubba:

I wish I had decided to go ceramic, but I cheaped out and got the chrome macs, if I ever end up having to pull the motor, or have it where I can get to te headers "easily" I'll probably try and get them coated.

 

[dbmstr124]

Thanks guys. I've been looking at the pacesetters. If I wasn't so impatient I'd wait until I got to Charleston, but I really want them now haha. I think I"ll be getting the pacesetters and trying to put them on at the hobby shop here. I am on a slow computer right now, but I can't wait to check out those youtube videos. Thanks for the posts guys!

 

[fzr confused]

Besides the chrome discoloring, will they hold up for the long haul? I have ceramic coated JBA's in my truck, but only because I got them on clearance for cheaper than chrome. I was looking at the macs, not sure if I will get the PC (sounds amazing) or their x-pipe for a possible 1-3hp increase lol and the $ savings. I will prob go x-pipe because it is also a bit cheaper than the PC. That or have a muffler shop make my current x-pipe work on them.

 

[jpac811]

Thanks guys. I've been looking at the pacesetters. If I wasn't so impatient I'd wait until I got to Charleston, but I really want them now haha. I think I"ll be getting the pacesetters and trying to put them on at the hobby shop here. I am on a slow computer right now, but I can't wait to check out those youtube videos. Thanks for the posts guys!

Who are you getting a tune from?

Besides the chrome discoloring, will they hold up for the long haul? I have ceramic coated JBA's in my truck, but only because I got them on clearance for cheaper than chrome. I was looking at the macs, not sure if I will get the PC (sounds amazing) or their x-pipe for a possible 1-3hp increase lol. I will prob go x-pipe because it is also a bit cheaper than the PC.

Ive had my chrome BBKs for about 2 years and they still look pretty much the same since the day I got them aside from normal dirt and road grime that comes off with a hose and cleaner.

 

[Durr4456]

Who are you getting a tune from?



Ive had my chrome BBKs for about 2 years and they still look pretty much the same since the day I got them aside from normal dirt and road grime that comes off with a hose and cleaner.

Really? Not saying I don't believe you, but can you post a pic? That's pretty awesome!

 

[07 Boss]

I wish I had decided to go ceramic, but I cheaped out and got the chrome macs, if I ever end up having to pull the motor, or have it where I can get to te headers "easily" I'll probably try and get them coated.

Coating them does help but unless you're running stupid horsepower you don't really need it. The reason why I suggest it with the pacesetters is that they are made from mild steel, not stainless. It is more for the corrosion protection than the thermal benefits.

Your chrome headers should hole up fine as long as you don't get any scratches that go through the plating. I actually like chrome and the blueing it gets up near the heads, but I'm old and nostalgic.

 

[fzr confused]

Yea I like the blueing too just didn't want them to rot out. If I get the chrome macs and PC its basically the same price as the coated with the x-pipe. I live in Florida so snow/salt is not an issue, but rain/puddles is a large problem.

---------- Post added at 04:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:04 PM ----------

Are the macs being 1 3/4" too large for an N/A application? I do plan to get a supercharger but that's a bit down the road. Also, I plan to install prothanes which I hear clear up most if not all of the Mac fitment problems.

 

[Durr4456]

You mean prothane motor mounts? Or what?

 

[fzr confused]

Yea, sorry about that. Heard the added clearance fixes most fitment problems with them.