Kooks or Stainless Works Headers for My Corsa Extreme?

[Paletero]

I’m looking at 2" headers with green cats to pair with my Corsa Extreme cat back. For those who’ve run them, which do you prefer, Kooks or Stainless Works?

How do they compare in terms of sound and power delivery?

If you have any experience or videos of either setup, I’d really appreciate any input.

 

[blkout]

I would go with Kooks or ARH, both are top notch. I've heard too many bad things about Stainless Works products on multiple platforms. ARH doesn't show any headers on their website for the CT5-V BW, but they do have them. My car is currently at Vengeance Racing being modified and ARH was one of the options they gave me. I chose not to install headers right now.

As for sound, they are going to sound the same and produce the same amount of power which is typically around 30whp.

 

[kadowaca]

i have stainless works headers installed - i like them a lot. headers come with cats but i am running mine deleted. sound clip attached - this is into the stock catback. i’m installing the rest of the stainless works catback soon - waiting for a break in the weather to trek to the shop.

 

[OldGoat]

I recently had Kook's headers and green cats. For the possible loss of a couple of horsepower it's not worth the possibility of not passing visual state inspection. The Kook's cats have mid-pipes that join just before mufflers. Pictured is the OEM removed exhaust and the installed Kook's system. Can't give you a power increase for just headers as I had other mods done prior and tuned after all done. With valves open a significant increase in exhaust sound, closed barely above stock.

 

[Souperman]

I picked up a set of Stainless Works headers to go with my Corsa. I could not see the point in paying the extra couple hundred dollars for the Kooks just to replace the mid pipe I already have with my Corsa system.

Not sure when I'll have time to get them installed. My ECM is currently at HP Tuners, and I'm waiting on the box from Kong to arrive to send my blower out. Might try and get a buddy of mine to come over and see about tackling the headers while I wait for all the other parts to come back.

 

[BigShark]

I've been running Kooks with my Corsa setup for about a year now and they sound awesome together - the quality is definitely worth the extra money over Stainless Works in my experience.

 

[marcmac]

ARH just released longtubes for the CT5-V Blackwing

 

[blkout]

ARH just released longtubes for the CT5-V Blackwing

They've been available for a few months now I believe. Vengeance Racing wanted to install a set on my Blackwing when it was at the shop Nov 28 but I didn't want to go with headers at this time. I asked if they were available since the website wasn't showing any for the Blackwing and they said they've installed a few sets already. Vengeance claims they are better quality than Kooks which is saying something because Kooks are always top tier.

 

[flipray]

I picked up a set of Stainless Works headers to go with my Corsa. I could not see the point in paying the extra couple hundred dollars for the Kooks just to replace the mid pipe I already have with my Corsa system.

Not sure when I'll have time to get them installed. My ECM is currently at HP Tuners, and I'm waiting on the box from Kong to arrive to send my blower out. Might try and get a buddy of mine to come over and see about tackling the headers while I wait for all the other parts to come back.

Have you checked your Stainless Works clearance to the steering shaft? A few folks have issues with it the shaft connecting bolt touching the driver side header.

They've been available for a few months now I believe. Vengeance Racing wanted to install a set on my Blackwing when it was at the shop Nov 28 but I didn't want to go with headers at this time. I asked if they were available since the website wasn't showing any for the Blackwing and they said they've installed a few sets already. Vengeance claims they are better quality than Kooks which is saying something because Kooks are always top tier.

Ive had ARH in my other cars and feel like the metal is thinner on these Kooks. For the price, feel like they could have gone with thicker metal.
My biggest gripe tho is the usage of just a clamp on the mid pipe to the front intermediate pipe under the transmission tunnel. The clamp lets the mid pipe to sag and settle on the transmission tunnel cross bar and vibrate like hell. I ended up changing that clamp to a lap band to help alleviate the sagging.

 

[Souperman]

Have you checked your Stainless Works clearance to the steering shaft? A few folks have issues with it the shaft connecting bolt touching the driver side header.

Not yet. It's been in the low single digits at home and currently getting crushed with 2ft of snow. It's been slow going in the garage. Not exactly in a rush to get it done.

Took the supercharger off to get out to Kong and my ECM is coming back from HPT today or tomorrow.

 

[blkout]

Have you checked your Stainless Works clearance to the steering shaft? A few folks have issues with it the shaft connecting bolt touching the driver side header.

Ive had ARH in my other cars and feel like the metal is thinner on these Kooks. For the price, feel like they could have gone with thicker metal.
My biggest gripe tho is the usage of just a clamp on the mid pipe to the front intermediate pipe under the transmission tunnel. The clamp lets the mid pipe to sag and settle on the transmission tunnel cross bar and vibrate like hell. I ended up changing that clamp to a lap band to help alleviate the sagging.

Good info if I ever decide to add headers to mine. I've only used Kooks in the past and have no complaints.