Uber Boosted873

I have a 2014 5.0 and I'm looking into getting longtubes with a o/r x pipe. I know what brands are the "best", but is a set of Kooks for $1,000 really that much better than a set of BBK's for $549? I'm wondering how you justify price gaps like that.

UPRSharad

The correct answer is "it depends." If the budget is tight, I guess there's nothing wrong with the BBKs. A good stainless header will hold a better finish than the $550 BBKs though. My rationale was the opposite. I just bought a pair of headers for my 2011 5.0, and installing headers is such a huge PITA, I made sure to buy the nicest headers I could find so I would never want to upgrade them later. (ARH 1-7/8" Stainless)

Uber Boosted873

Definitely, I want the pain of installing to be a one time thing so quality and fitment is a must. I'm working up towards a turbo build so I'm trying to do my homework on what headers enjoy boost the most. Any input on what inlet size/finish/brand works best for a daily that goes to the strip every weekend?

ticopowell

A turbo will have it's own exhaust manifold that meets up with the turbo, so if you want to end up with a turbo you might as well keep the stock headers and save your money. You can put your money into an intake, like a boss or cobra jet, and get quite a bit of benefit before and after the turbo.

Uber Boosted873

By intake you mean intake manifold right? I'm looking at the Hellion kit as the future setup and it seems to have its own intake setup, so a CAI would be pointless.

UPRSharad

A turbo kit will not use your aftermarket headers, so skip the headers if you're planning to go turbo. However, if you go ProCharger, ARH headers like mine are PERFECT!

ticopowell

Yes, intake manifold. Things to do to prep for the hellion would be to save money. Honestly it will make as much power as you want, enough to break the motor, so you don't need to worry about support mods unless you want to add forged internals.

The coyote stock bottom end is usually considered safe up to 600hp to the wheels, if you want more you need forged internals, The boss motors are usually good for 700-800 because of the different internals.

Keep asking questions, always here to help when able.

mmarsh3014

When planning out my '12 GT mods, I pretty much threw the idea of a turbo out the window when I ordered my headers and o/r X pipe. A CAI/tune was the best option for me while I save my pennies for the supercharger of choice. A small boost in power over stock and a quick painless piece to get rid of after the SC comes.

I love my setup as it stands right now. Highly recommend Kooks and Brenspeed.