What you guys think of this Kooks Exhaust Header?

[DIY Fixer]

I was just on youtube searching around and saw that this TrailBlazer had install a Kooks Exhaust Header which is a exhaust header and catalytic converter all in one. Have anyone bought and install it on there TrailBlazer or Envoy. My vehicle is a 03 Envoy. Here that video

and here the picture from Amazon site.

 

[Mounce]

General consensus is that the cost : gain ratio is too high to make it worth it. Cool, but not worth it to most.

 

[DIY Fixer]

The price on all the sites I seen this item at was $873.65 with free shipping. I also see why some people might have it for the looks or power gain with the round tubing.

 

[Mounce]

Power gain is minimal which I why I, and many others, say it's not worth it.

 

[DIY Fixer]

I also read on another forum name: Kooks headers - Go green or not? I seen most of the answer is stock the way to go if you want to save gas mileage too. Many high performance after market header, catalytic converter and exhaust system is just a bunch of waste of money and noise for attention.

 

[Capote]

Not worth it IMO... and i'm on the same page as Garth here.
You can get get more power simply putting in an 09 exhaust manifold, gutting your cat, and putting an aftermarket exhaust for way less than the price of Kooks Headers

 

[therealsethallen]

I was under the impression they'd be magnificent. They're so freaking expensive (like all of Kook's products).

 

[Mounce]

You'd think so for the price but... Naw.

 

[therealsethallen]

I've always personally liked Headman Headers. I'd get one of those for my I6. To the best of my knowledge the members of TV at the time really wanted Kooks to do it. So if you want someone to blame, there ya go.

 

[djthumper]

Actually Kooks are the ones that kind of offered up to build them. They do a pretty nice job and I have heard a few improvements but just to change over to headers the cost is not worth it to me.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Yup...minimal if any gain for a bunch of money.

 

[littleblazer]

I thought the whole thing was that by the end of production the exhaust flowed pretty free anyway so gains were minimal. Just what I remember reading.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Seems they did tests but along with other mods and no only header comparison was around. W other mods included it seemed the gains were minimal.

 

[dmanns67]

Honestly, If I had deep pockets, I would have already purchased the header for my I6. Like everyone has mentioned, the cost versus the gains is not there for most average consumers. Between the header and the PCM tune, you are already at $1,050. Add the cost of labor if you have someone install the header, then you will need to add a couple hundred more $$$$.

With the header and a tune, you are looking at 16 HP and 19 ftlbs gained.

With just the header and stock tune, you are gaining 11 HP and 16 ftlbs.

The gains are not terrible, but if the header was offered for around maybe $450-$500, I think it would be more appealing to more I6 owners. Being that Kooks is the only company offering an aftermarket header for the I6, they can charge whatever they like unfortunately.

 

[Daniel644]

if I was rich and had money to blow and wanted to play dress up the engine bay I would do it, but not worth it from a dollar to performance point of view.

 

[seanpooh]

I have the headers myself and I thought it was worth the money. After you get the headers, you need the PCM tune and it improves throttle response (I feel).

Plus I had two broken head bolts and the exhaust gasket was leaking due to no support there. It gave me something to do.

Also, if you need a better price... I bought mine through Maylandspeed.com. I called them during the labor day sale and paid $765 shipped.

Plus take into consideration, our trucks are at most 14 years old so if it's worth it to you.

 

[mrrsm]

"Inspecting" these Kooks for some reason reminds me a lot of this scene from the movie "The Dirty Dozen"...especially when Donald Sutherland asks Colonel Ryker,

"They're very Pretty Colonel....Very Pretty.... But can they Fight?"

EDIT:
Dammit... Yeah ...The Kooks CAN Fight...They can Fight against CAT Clogging Rust Flakes as Big as Potato Chips. They Can Fight against Cheap Sand Moulded Cast Iron CRAP Exhaust Manifolds that CRACK if you so much as look at them Cross-Eyed... So Yeah... The Kooks CAN Fight and The Kooks CAN WIN with (5) Stainless Steel Header Tubes... Tied Behind their Back... EASY!

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

I think the gains from the tune are more than the headers.

 

[Daniel644]

I have the headers myself and I thought it was worth the money. After you get the headers, you need the PCM tune and it improves throttle response (I feel).

Plus I had two broken head bolts and the exhaust gasket was leaking due to no support there. It gave me something to do.

Also, if you need a better price... I bought mine through Maylandspeed.com. I called them during the labor day sale and paid $765 shipped.

Plus take into consideration, our trucks are at most 14 years old so if it's worth it to you.

and how much of that bump would be from fixing the exhaust leaks you had, versus actual gains from the pipe change?

 

[dmanns67]

I have the headers myself and I thought it was worth the money. After you get the headers, you need the PCM tune and it improves throttle response (I feel).

Plus I had two broken head bolts and the exhaust gasket was leaking due to no support there. It gave me something to do.

Also, if you need a better price... I bought mine through Maylandspeed.com. I called them during the labor day sale and paid $765 shipped.

Plus take into consideration, our trucks are at most 14 years old so if it's worth it to you.

When did you buy your Kooks header through Maryland Speed? I am not seeing a header offered for the I6 on their site. Parts mostly for the 5.3L and 6.0L.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

I have no real opinion to offer since I have a 5.3, but I will say I've used KOOK's product's three times on other vehicles, and the craftsmanship and fitment were absolutely top notch every time.

 

[stickypoop]

Probably the only time I've ever heard a 6cyl sound decent, though. Not sure how much of that is directly attributed to the header but lovin' that tractor rumble idle around 50sec

is that fishstick's truck in the vid?

 

[Kelly@PCMofNC]

They are expensive, but with Kooks you are getting a quality product. Even on other platforms where there are ten other companies competing, they are still in the upper price range. They never have been a budget header company and if you ever tour their facility you will see why - it is very high tech. Not to mention the most important thing...that factory is 20 minutes from us - employing US workers, stimulating US economy directly.

So it's not that they are trying to take advantage of you because they are the only company making I6 headers; it's that a well fitting part made from good materials like stainless, and having nice features such as clean merges/good size collectors simply costs more.

They do really need the tuning to take full advantage of the extra power, but they feel a lot more responsive and torquey in the mid range especially (keep in mind a dyno graph is just telling you the differences in max output when it lists the hp numbers at the bottom).

I think the main thing with the I6 platform is that there is not an overwhelming aftermarket like there is with say, an LS1 Camaro, where you can buy intakes/intake manifolds/cams/heads/headers/exhaust/nitrous/superchargers/turbos etc that all bolt right on...so if you are trying to get every last horsepower out of the I6 this is one of the few mods out there you can use to do it. Yeah they do look nice, but they pick up a reasonable amount of power on an I6 (percentage wise, about what they do on a V8), and they sound great too.

 

[djthumper]

Probably the only time I've ever heard a 6cyl sound decent, though. Not sure how much of that is directly attributed to the header but lovin' that tractor rumble idle around 50sec

is that fishstick's truck in the vid?

Yes that was Fishsticks

 

[therealsethallen]

I don't know about the rest of y'all but my truck is a 30,000 mile a year daily driver. Paying close to a grand for a header just doesn't seem cost effective to me. If I had a spare 4.2 to build. I would.

 

[DIY Fixer]

Wonder what other companies do sell headers for our I6 engines?

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

None

 

[therealsethallen]

Wonder what other companies do sell headers for our I6 engines?

I'm not going to try to sound like a jerk here. But I'm pretty sure that was mentioned about eighty times in this thread.

 

[DIY Fixer]

Also about those Kooks header I actually look on their website www.kooksheaders.com they don't even have a replacement catalytic converter sold separately from the complete header set. If you need a converter from them you will end up buying the complete set again. It is a bunch of waste of money for looks.

As you can see on their site no replacement converter... http://www.kooksheaders.com/amfinder/?find=2003-gmc-envoy-i6-398261

On my 1999 GMC Jimmy Envoy I just stuck with changing the Catalytic Converter and Exhaust System to MagnaFlow and power notice was instant and no tune at all. Even had a K&N Intake.

I'm not going to try to sound like a jerk here. But I'm pretty sure that was mentioned about eighty times in this thread.

It better to ask and not know at all and I accept any answer.

 

[Daniel644]

maybe what needs to happen is somebody needs to convince Kooks to make a painted version instead of the stainless steel, in my research painted headers tend to run several hundred dollars cheaper the stainless, perhaps that would be a way to get them to a more reasonable price point.

especially given the common exhaust manifold issues found with this truck and how common this truck is (I know I can't drive anywhere without seeing at least one other GMT360, most likely powered by the 4.2) you would think they would try to find a way to target the crowd that wants the upgrade to something better then a stock part, but is still on a budget, but maybe thats just me.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

I bet if you called kooks and needed a replacement Cat...they would sell you one.

Sorry you had a K&N... did the engine die from the extra dirt they let through?

 

[DIY Fixer]

I wonder how much Kooks Catalytic Converter only would cost? I probably have to ask them.

HardTrailz on my 99 GMC Jimmy Envoy no the engine did not die at all had it for 11 years on that vehicle with 200,000 miles currently on it and had to clean it once.
The K&N intake system 77series on my 03 Envoy lasted 3 years so far and still going strong.

For exhaust system is it better to have Split rear end or just a single out on the vehicle. I am afraid that if I have split rear end exhaust it will create too much trouble.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

maybe what needs to happen is somebody needs to convince Kooks to make a painted version instead of the stainless steel, in my research painted headers tend to run several hundred dollars cheaper the stainless, perhaps that would be a way to get them to a more reasonable price point.

I don't think that's going to happen, as KOOKs isn't interested in making budget or affordable part's, they are interested in making the best parts they can for each application they make one for. Having a painted header out there with there name on it would dilute their brand and there reputation, like a Jeep Compass...

Maybe approaching a more budget oriented company, like Pacesetter would be worthwhile. KOOK's is most likely just going to give you a sales pitch lol.

 

[DIY Fixer]

@Jrgunn5150 true for Kooks it is all sale pitch but they are also making their parts out of real stainless steel material. In many vehicles I always stick to stock in some parts as they are less of headache on cost and easier to buy.

I might change my Catalytic Converter and Exhaust System to brand name MagnaFlow like I had back in the past on my 99 GMC Jimmy Envoy which worked out for me. I bought my 03 Envoy at 109,000 miles so I don't even know what going on down there. Time will tell if I really need to change anything soon.

 

[Blackwater]

Looks cool. I changed my pipes and it made a big difference when I just did a duel exhaust. but its a 350 cid V8. havent put headers on it yet.

 

[Daniel644]

I wonder how much Kooks Catalytic Converter only would cost? I probably have to ask them.

I wouldn't even bother with something like that, just cut the pipe at each end of the CAT and swap in a universal high flow cat should it come to that.

 

[therealsethallen]

Kooks Customer support is rotten. I refuse to deal with them anymore. I tried getting some info on one for a 350 Small-Block. Never in my life have I experienced service like this. What disrespectful people. If I recall the person I spoke to said "You're a fu***ng idiot", or something along the lines.

 

[DIY Fixer]

@therealsethallen one rude comment I wouldn't go back there either

 

[seanpooh]

When did you buy your Kooks header through Maryland Speed? I am not seeing a header offered for the I6 on their site. Parts mostly for the 5.3L and 6.0L.

This was back in Aug 2013. I had to call them to place the order since they don't have it cataloged online.

Actually, it was one of the Customer Service Reps who recommended for me to go through Maryland Speed.

 

[palitoiii]

Hey Kelly from PCMofNC thinking of getting the Kooks header with the cat.. As my exhaust manifold is cracked.. Questions

1. can I get the PCM tuned before drive it like that for a lil then put the headers on?
2. Can I use the same Acdelco O2 sensors?
3. On the tune and with the headers on will I have an issue here in New York State with emissions? I've been going to the same shop to do my emissions for years all they do is plug to pcm make sure all is good and check my light and they give me my sticker..

Those are really my concerns