BBK Long tube ceramic headers or maybe Hookers - 2003-04 Mach 1 Registry Owners Club

Mean04Mustang · 02-04-2008, 02:36 AM

Just wanted to know from people who have them or others that have seen/used them. Im thinking of getting long tube headers really soon but SLP's are expencive and if these are nice id like to save 300 bucks.

Anyone got any pictures of there headers installed or not.

Are these good qaulity?
How fast are they rusting? (surface)
Are these worth the trouble and money Vs hookers, or SLP's?
Any other issues?

Whats the best ones for useing factory k-member?
Which ones hang the lowest? lowered with C-springs
Can I install while engine is in place?
Any other tips.... like anything I can do to prevent them from rusting? Such as another coating on them over the ceramic.
My basani's rusted shortly even with the ceramic and its annoying to do all that work and then looks like crap when it starts rusting.

3150Mach1 · 02-04-2008, 06:19 AM

c0nfl1kt · 02-04-2008, 12:13 PM

Kooks are made with chinese stainless steel that cracks, BBK cracks at the welds. Personally, I like ARH. They are top notch quality, top notch sound, and top notch dyno results

Mean04Mustang · 02-04-2008, 05:22 PM

Who is ARH? Links would be good. How soon to expect crack in welds and in general in the steal with the kooks. How often is the cracks being that I dont like much of BBk's stuff, I wasnt to so about there headers. SLP's are probly the best ones out there. I was hopeing to keep the costs down to about 5-600 bucks. Which is expencive when you think about it. Best thing about the older 5.0s everything was cheaper.

corysmach1 · 02-04-2008, 08:31 PM

I would also like to know what ARH is also I have done a lot of search on Longtubes and the best are KOOKS then SLP and I dont care what people say MACS!!! I have some stuff of MACS now and it sounds great and makes good power they have came a long from the fox body days...I know a lot of people run them on there 03 Cobras and absolutely love them...for the price I will be going with MACS.....

3150Mach1 · 02-04-2008, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c0nfl1kt

Kooks are made with chinese stainless steel that cracks, BBK cracks at the welds. Personally, I like ARH. They are top notch quality, top notch sound, and top notch dyno results

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mach1Marauder

My Kooks never cracked and I've never heard of KOOKS doing that. I've SEEN JBA headers do that though. Maybe that's where you're getting that from.

American Racing Headers are great too.

Funny avatar!

Chinese Stainless Steel?

Isn't everything made in China?

machgsxr · 02-04-2008, 10:37 PM

ARH= American Racing Headers

Hooker's work great and sound great to me and my dad. Wish I could post a link on the dyno. I don't know how though.

I dropped the stock tranny inbetween them with no problems.

Just1More · 02-04-2008, 11:27 PM

From what I hear and have read Kooks are all around a great and if not the best longtube header. As for me though I couldn't justify the cost of them, so I settled for the BBKs. I've been extremely happy with them, and haven't experienced any surface rust or welds cracking. Keep in mind though my Mach isn't a daily driver anymore, so it rarely sees rain. Overall though I couldn't be happier with my choice.

trchred03 · 02-06-2008, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just1More

From what I hear and have read Kooks are all around a great and if not the best longtube header. As for me though I couldn't justify the cost of them, so I settled for the BBKs. I've been extremely happy with them, and haven't experienced any surface rust or welds cracking. Keep in mind though my Mach isn't a daily driver anymore, so it rarely sees rain. Overall though I couldn't be happier with my choice.

It seems to me from your pics that you could remove the tranny without pulling/loosening up the BBKs. It does seem like it would take some extra muscle to pull the tranny back about a foot but it looks easily doable. Anyone else, preferably professionals, want to chime in on my observations.

04cymach · 02-06-2008, 11:14 PM

I have the BBK's, I had to clean the weld splatter inside the tubes though. I'm very happy with them, great sound/fit/rwhp.

I installed them when I had the original K member (dropped it out of the car, really the only way to install).

I also had to remove the tranny when I installed my head cooling mod (LDC), I think I had to loosen the passenger side header to get the tranny out.

Mean04Mustang · 02-07-2008, 02:31 AM

Thank you for pics and responses. Just1more Great pics. I think im leaning towards the BBk's. I would like to know also if you can remove tranny leaving these on which would be a huge bonus come clutch install time.

Torkuda · 02-07-2008, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 04cymach

I have the BBK's, I had to clean the weld splatter inside the tubes though. I'm very happy with them, great sound/fit/rwhp.

I was wondering if removing the weld spatter is necessary. I am thinking about getting some Mac l/ts this spring, and I think they have the same problem. I dont know if I have the tools to do that, so I was wondering if it really hurts performance to leave it as is.

beerformeplz · 02-07-2008, 02:14 PM

I agree with the Bassani rust issue. I switched to Mac longtubes.

CompOrange · 02-07-2008, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mach1Marauder

My Kooks never cracked and I've never heard of KOOKS doing that. I've SEEN JBA headers do that though. Maybe that's where you're getting that from.

American Racing Headers are great too.

Funny avatar!

The guy must be thinking of JBA. I've never heard one bad thing about kooks in the couple years that I've known about them, but I've heard plenty of bad about JBA AFTER dealing with cracked welds and doing a lot of research trying. Those ****ers would not even back up their "Warranty" claiming that it wasn't their problem. I'd never personally buy a JBA product ever again or recommend them to others and I know I've run into others with the same damned problem. So my guess is that he's got his information confused.

Phil · 02-11-2008, 03:15 AM

http://www.mach1registry.org/forums/...header+install

Just1More · 02-13-2008, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mean04Mustang

I would like to know also if you can remove tranny leaving these on which would be a huge bonus come clutch install time.

From my research people said you would have to loosen up the passenger side header to remove the tranny, but I honestly don't know.

Per the weld splatter, I didn't have to clean mine up because they weren't that bad at all and I couldn't be happier with my performance.

Sidenote: When I was deciding about the BBKs, Phil's post/link above is what I kept going back to and comparing my headers to his.

02-04-2008, 02:36 AM	#1
Mean04Mustang 2004 mustang Mach 1 Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 352	BBK Long tube ceramic headers or maybe Hookers Just wanted to know from people who have them or others that have seen/used them. Im thinking of getting long tube headers really soon but SLP's are expencive and if these are nice id like to save 300 bucks. Anyone got any pictures of there headers installed or not. Are these good qaulity? How fast are they rusting? (surface) Are these worth the trouble and money Vs hookers, or SLP's? Any other issues? Whats the best ones for useing factory k-member? Which ones hang the lowest? lowered with C-springs Can I install while engine is in place? Any other tips.... like anything I can do to prevent them from rusting? Such as another coating on them over the ceramic. My basani's rusted shortly even with the ceramic and its annoying to do all that work and then looks like crap when it starts rusting. __________________ 2004 Mustang Mach 1 Competition orange IUP upgrade MODS: -JLT Ram Air kit -Triple Gauge pod (painted to match) -Colbalt 2 gauges (oil pres. ,water temp, fuel pres.) -MAC Catted Pro-chambers -PHP Intake spacer -SLP Loudmouth II Cat-back -Diablo Predator custom tune -Plasma Booster -NGK Iridium Spark Plugs -MGW Shifter w/ red handle -Kenny Brown Matrix Subframe System -Ford Racing Aluminum Drive Shaft -UPR clutch quadrant extreme w/firewall adjuster Cant fit anymore

02-04-2008, 06:19 AM	#2
3150Mach1 Love my Mach Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 13,678	Re: BBK Long tube ceramic headers or maybe Hookers __________________ 2003 slowmatic 11.105@117mph w/125 shot of Nitrous best to date Kooks LTsw/OR X, elect cutouts, JLT RAI w/C&L 85 MAH,1" Spacer,PP Lower intake,Accufab TB,160 T-stat,EF Cooling Mod,NX Kit,Mez Electric Water pump,SLP Linelock,FRPP 4.10s-Alum Dif Cover-Alum Driveshaft & SL, Steeda Bumpsteer,MM Alum rack bushings,Deep Alum Tranny pan,Predator,Steeda AUCAs,MM ALCAs, Dspecs,MM CC plates & FLSFCs,MRT Guage cluster,AEM WB,MRT hood struts,Seq TLs, carbon fiber hood/trunk/Cobra wing,220 amp alt

02-04-2008, 05:22 PM	#4
Mean04Mustang 2004 mustang Mach 1 Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 352	Re: BBK Long tube ceramic headers or maybe Hookers Who is ARH? Links would be good. How soon to expect crack in welds and in general in the steal with the kooks. How often is the cracks being that I dont like much of BBk's stuff, I wasnt to so about there headers. SLP's are probly the best ones out there. I was hopeing to keep the costs down to about 5-600 bucks. Which is expencive when you think about it. Best thing about the older 5.0s everything was cheaper. __________________ 2004 Mustang Mach 1 Competition orange IUP upgrade MODS: -JLT Ram Air kit -Triple Gauge pod (painted to match) -Colbalt 2 gauges (oil pres. ,water temp, fuel pres.) -MAC Catted Pro-chambers -PHP Intake spacer -SLP Loudmouth II Cat-back -Diablo Predator custom tune -Plasma Booster -NGK Iridium Spark Plugs -MGW Shifter w/ red handle -Kenny Brown Matrix Subframe System -Ford Racing Aluminum Drive Shaft -UPR clutch quadrant extreme w/firewall adjuster Cant fit anymore

02-04-2008, 08:31 PM	#5
corysmach1 Guest Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Circleville ohio Posts: 618	Re: BBK Long tube ceramic headers or maybe Hookers I would also like to know what ARH is also I have done a lot of search on Longtubes and the best are KOOKS then SLP and I dont care what people say MACS!!! I have some stuff of MACS now and it sounds great and makes good power they have came a long from the fox body days...I know a lot of people run them on there 03 Cobras and absolutely love them...for the price I will be going with MACS.....

02-04-2008, 10:37 PM	#7
machgsxr Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Antonio Posts: 6,414	Re: BBK Long tube ceramic headers or maybe Hookers ARH= American Racing Headers Hooker's work great and sound great to me and my dad. Wish I could post a link on the dyno. I don't know how though. I dropped the stock tranny inbetween them with no problems.

02-04-2008, 11:27 PM	#8
Just1More Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Southern, MD Posts: 309	Re: BBK Long tube ceramic headers or maybe Hookers From what I hear and have read Kooks are all around a great and if not the best longtube header. As for me though I couldn't justify the cost of them, so I settled for the BBKs. I've been extremely happy with them, and haven't experienced any surface rust or welds cracking. Keep in mind though my Mach isn't a daily driver anymore, so it rarely sees rain. Overall though I couldn't be happier with my choice. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Current Stable: 04 Mach 1 5spd IUP: Current mods: Stingers, Pro 5.0, Fiore FWA and Quadrant, C&L intake, BBK longtubes and H pipe, Custom tuned, Deep dish 10.5x17 Mach rears. 86 SVO: Bone stock with 986 miles 13 V6: Wife's aka Kermit (Gotta have it green), MCA package Gone but not forgotten: 03 SVT focus (loved that little buggy) 99 Contour SVT 85 Pontiac STE (factory electronic suspension and a dash like rad racer)

02-06-2008, 11:14 PM	#10
04cymach Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bartlett,IL Posts: 53	Re: BBK Long tube ceramic headers or maybe Hookers I have the BBK's, I had to clean the weld splatter inside the tubes though. I'm very happy with them, great sound/fit/rwhp. I installed them when I had the original K member (dropped it out of the car, really the only way to install). I also had to remove the tranny when I installed my head cooling mod (LDC), I think I had to loosen the passenger side header to get the tranny out.

02-07-2008, 02:31 AM	#11
Mean04Mustang 2004 mustang Mach 1 Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 352	Re: BBK Long tube ceramic headers or maybe Hookers Thank you for pics and responses. Just1more Great pics. I think im leaning towards the BBk's. I would like to know also if you can remove tranny leaving these on which would be a huge bonus come clutch install time. __________________ 2004 Mustang Mach 1 Competition orange IUP upgrade MODS: -JLT Ram Air kit -Triple Gauge pod (painted to match) -Colbalt 2 gauges (oil pres. ,water temp, fuel pres.) -MAC Catted Pro-chambers -PHP Intake spacer -SLP Loudmouth II Cat-back -Diablo Predator custom tune -Plasma Booster -NGK Iridium Spark Plugs -MGW Shifter w/ red handle -Kenny Brown Matrix Subframe System -Ford Racing Aluminum Drive Shaft -UPR clutch quadrant extreme w/firewall adjuster Cant fit anymore

02-07-2008, 02:14 PM	#13
beerformeplz Roll Tide ! Join Date: May 2004 Location: Richmond Posts: 2,491	Re: BBK Long tube ceramic headers or maybe Hookers I agree with the Bassani rust issue. I switched to Mac longtubes. __________________ "The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. " - Thomas Jefferson

02-11-2008, 03:15 AM	#15
Phil Nitrous Junkie Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 7,299	Re: BBK Long tube ceramic headers or maybe Hookers http://www.mach1registry.org/forums/...header+install __________________ Phil PRB Machining, LLC http://www.prbmachining-absdeleteman...com/index.html Performance mods by Jeff Chambers, the owner/tuner of CRT Performance in Norwalk, Ohio http://www.crt-performance.com/

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