JBA Headers Update

Kerry · 12-27-2021, 04:36 PM

Anyone use or try these headers? So looks like Kooks are king and very expensive make the most power. Looking at them they do look good with close pipe lengths.
But I am looking for cooler unhood temps and maybe a little power. So i ordered up some pacesetters. lol Probably a little more than half the price by the time their coated. but ceramic coated looks like that drops about 500 degrees. That's a ton here's a video seems pretty good.

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So Im gonna try these out and see how they do. I can see hp tq in my tune and it was close to dyno numbers with the way its set up. Fingers crossed I don't loose power

smokeybrown · 12-27-2021, 10:25 PM

Also interested in these.

enzia35 · 12-28-2021, 05:13 AM

Buy once, cry once.

Aaron07 · 12-28-2021, 05:28 AM

JBA were popular on the 5th gens. Don't know much about them other then that.

Spaceme1117 · 12-28-2021, 07:22 AM

Get the Kooks. Best place to buy them is RDP Store. And they have a coupon code (kok12d) that takes 12% off the price.

BlackbeastSS2 · 12-28-2021, 08:26 AM

I did Kooks in my 2016 SS, nice headers. This time I did TSP headers at half the cost and got them ceramic coated. I can’t tell the difference in regards to fit, quality, and looks. But I can tell you TSP headers are a lot cheaper and do the job just fine.

LT1ornothing · 12-28-2021, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackbeastSS2

I did Kooks in my 2016 SS, nice headers. This time I did TSP headers at half the cost and got them ceramic coated. I can’t tell the difference in regards to fit, quality, and looks. But I can tell you TSP headers are a lot cheaper and do the job just fine.

I am leaning hard in this direction as well.

Kerry · 12-28-2021, 03:39 PM

Well looks like ts sells the jbas as well

Spaceme1117 · 12-28-2021, 04:29 PM

I have gone down the road of Texas Speed headers, JBA, OBX, ARH.

By far the best header brand is Kooks. I have Kooks on a total of 5 different cars and Kooks fit the best every time.

As for ceramic coating, if you are going to spend money on that, what's the deal with cheaping out on the headers themselves?

Kerry · 12-28-2021, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spaceme1117

I have gone down the road of Texas Speed headers, JBA, OBX, ARH.

By far the best header brand is Kooks. I have Kooks on a total of 5 different cars and Kooks fit the best every time.

As for ceramic coating, if you are going to spend money on that, what's the deal with cheaping out on the headers themselves?

Time will tell that answer.

BlackbeastSS2 · 12-28-2021, 05:42 PM

Kooks and TSP headers are both made of 304 Stainless Steel, IMO Kooks is like Nike runners. Your paying for the name.

Now that I have done both I see no difference for the performance angle or believe me if one company had the greatest headers everyone would have them. The ceramic coating has nothing to do with the headers performance it’s all about keeping the heat down. Everyone has a choice and can pick which ever one they want, I am just offering my recent experience in two Gen 6 builds. If you just want to buy the most expensive headers then Kooks and American Race Headers are the ones for you.

s346k · 12-28-2021, 06:30 PM

it has been my experience that most all stainless headers are going to perform & fit almost exactly the same. they all have stories supporting and denying fitment. i've had/used/installed just about every header known to man for a street car over the last 20 years.

the only thing a kooks or ar header has over anything else is "made in america". actual fitment & performance are identical.

Kerry · 12-28-2021, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackbeastSS2

Kooks and TSP headers are both made of 304 Stainless Steel, IMO Kooks is like Nike runners. Your paying for the name.

Now that I have done both I see no difference for the performance angle or believe me if one company had the greatest headers everyone would have them. The ceramic coating has nothing to do with the headers performance it’s all about keeping the heat down. Everyone has a choice and can pick which ever one they want, I am just offering my recent experience in two Gen 6 builds. If you just want to buy the most expensive headers then Kooks and American Race Headers are the ones for you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by s346k

it has been my experience that most all stainless headers are going to perform & fit almost exactly the same. they all have stories supporting and denying fitment. i've had/used/installed just about every header known to man for a street car over the last 20 years.

the only thing a kooks or ar header has over anything else is "made in america". actual fitment & performance are identical.

BlaqWhole · 12-28-2021, 07:19 PM

I've used OBX, TSP, SW, etc. No brand has any advantage over the others. Well, maybe the finish...Kooks, ARH, SP, and other big names do a little more for the finish. But that is all looks. So unless you're entering your car into a show then it won't matter. Even in a show it's not like they can see a lot of the headers anyway. And I don't think they're gonna crawl under your car either.

Other than that it used to be that Kooks and ARH and other premium brands provided extra brackets etc to make install go more smoothly. Not that it was needed on the 5th Gens since there was ample room and clearance. However it was nice. I'm not sure if they do that for the 6th Gen or if it possible or necessary. But tge cheapos install with the same difficulty level as the pricey brands so it's not needed.

Buy what you want more, prefer, and like better. Buy what you can afford. Go expensive, cheap, it won't matter. They'll all fit the same and offer the same performance so you can't go wrong no matter what you buy.

My only suggestion is to go 2" as opposed to 1-7/8s. But even that is simply your preference and choice. Enjoy.

12-28-2021, 05:13 AM	#3
enzia35 Drives: '16 Garnet Red 1SS Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: College Station, TX Posts: 3,450	Buy once, cry once. __________________ '16 Camaro 1SS '18 Miata GT Gone: '01 Camaro, '14 Camaro, '90 Miata

12-28-2021, 05:28 AM	#4
Aaron07 Drives: 2017 2SS F1FTY Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 347	JBA were popular on the 5th gens. Don't know much about them other then that. __________________ 2017 2SS F1FTY/HUD/Mag Ride/NPP/Nav/M6/Mishimoto catch can/BTR stage 2 Cam kit/GPI ported LT2 IM and 95mm TB/Roto Fab CAI/Kooks Long Tubes ceramic coated/Borla S Type NPP catback/AFE lowering springs/1LE wheels/OEM smoked tail lights/Diode Dynamics side markers/Uniden R7/3D Maxpider floor mats/Adams graphene ceramic coat

12-28-2021, 08:26 AM	#6
BlackbeastSS2 Drives: 2019 Camaro 1LE Shock Candy Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Garage Posts: 1,757	I did Kooks in my 2016 SS, nice headers. This time I did TSP headers at half the cost and got them ceramic coated. I can’t tell the difference in regards to fit, quality, and looks. But I can tell you TSP headers are a lot cheaper and do the job just fine. __________________ LT4 1.7 Supercharger snout ported & Meth 103 Katech TB, KATECH Custom Heads, DSX In-line fuel TSP Headers, Spec P Super Twin Clutch, TSP EL C7 CAM Diamond Piston & Manley Rods, Roto Fab Big Gulp BTR Push Rods,LS7 Lifters, ARP, FI Chiller, Kirkey Seats SJM Line Lock, Hurst Pistol Grip. 747/739 RWHP street tune - 821/794 RWHP track tune 101 octane. 2014 Mini Cooper countryman S All4 M6 daily driver

12-28-2021, 05:42 PM	#11
BlackbeastSS2 Drives: 2019 Camaro 1LE Shock Candy Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Garage Posts: 1,757	Kooks and TSP headers are both made of 304 Stainless Steel, IMO Kooks is like Nike runners. Your paying for the name. Now that I have done both I see no difference for the performance angle or believe me if one company had the greatest headers everyone would have them. The ceramic coating has nothing to do with the headers performance it’s all about keeping the heat down. Everyone has a choice and can pick which ever one they want, I am just offering my recent experience in two Gen 6 builds. If you just want to buy the most expensive headers then Kooks and American Race Headers are the ones for you. __________________ LT4 1.7 Supercharger snout ported & Meth 103 Katech TB, KATECH Custom Heads, DSX In-line fuel TSP Headers, Spec P Super Twin Clutch, TSP EL C7 CAM Diamond Piston & Manley Rods, Roto Fab Big Gulp BTR Push Rods,LS7 Lifters, ARP, FI Chiller, Kirkey Seats SJM Line Lock, Hurst Pistol Grip. 747/739 RWHP street tune - 821/794 RWHP track tune 101 octane. 2014 Mini Cooper countryman S All4 M6 daily driver

12-28-2021, 06:30 PM	#12
s346k Drives: like an old lady Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: indiana Posts: 2,395	it has been my experience that most all stainless headers are going to perform & fit almost exactly the same. they all have stories supporting and denying fitment. i've had/used/installed just about every header known to man for a street car over the last 20 years. the only thing a kooks or ar header has over anything else is "made in america". actual fitment & performance are identical. __________________ 2016+ camaro: everyone’s first car

12-27-2021, 10:25 PM	#2
smokeybrown Lowe's Pro Drives: 2022 LT1 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Wentzville, Mo Posts: 33	Also interested in these.

12-28-2021, 07:22 AM	#5
Spaceme1117 Drives: 2017 Camaro SS, 2011 Corvette GS Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Erlanger, Kentucky 41018 Posts: 815	Get the Kooks. Best place to buy them is RDP Store. And they have a coupon code (kok12d) that takes 12% off the price.

12-28-2021, 03:39 PM	#8
Kerry Drives: 2019 2SS Camaro Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Al Posts: 828	Well looks like ts sells the jbas as well

12-28-2021, 04:29 PM	#9
Spaceme1117 Drives: 2017 Camaro SS, 2011 Corvette GS Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Erlanger, Kentucky 41018 Posts: 815	I have gone down the road of Texas Speed headers, JBA, OBX, ARH. By far the best header brand is Kooks. I have Kooks on a total of 5 different cars and Kooks fit the best every time. As for ceramic coating, if you are going to spend money on that, what's the deal with cheaping out on the headers themselves?

12-28-2021, 07:19 PM	#14
BlaqWhole Account Suspended Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: NJ Posts: 7,692	I've used OBX, TSP, SW, etc. No brand has any advantage over the others. Well, maybe the finish...Kooks, ARH, SP, and other big names do a little more for the finish. But that is all looks. So unless you're entering your car into a show then it won't matter. Even in a show it's not like they can see a lot of the headers anyway. And I don't think they're gonna crawl under your car either. Other than that it used to be that Kooks and ARH and other premium brands provided extra brackets etc to make install go more smoothly. Not that it was needed on the 5th Gens since there was ample room and clearance. However it was nice. I'm not sure if they do that for the 6th Gen or if it possible or necessary. But tge cheapos install with the same difficulty level as the pricey brands so it's not needed. Buy what you want more, prefer, and like better. Buy what you can afford. Go expensive, cheap, it won't matter. They'll all fit the same and offer the same performance so you can't go wrong no matter what you buy. My only suggestion is to go 2" as opposed to 1-7/8s. But even that is simply your preference and choice. Enjoy.

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