Kooks Headers

Kooks Headers & Exhaust: Six Decades of Racing Heritage

The history of Kooks Headers & Exhaust dates back to 1962 when founder George Kook, known as "Papa Kook," used his gas torch to build his first set of headers for his family race car. Competing week after week at area drag strips, Papa Kook's talents did not go unnoticed by local racers, and the business of building high-quality race headers and exhaust systems continues to this day. What started as hand-built headers for drag racers turned into one of the most respected names in the performance world, backed by wins across NHRA, NMRA, and other top-tier motorsports series.

Now a family-owned business spanning three generations with George Kook Jr. continuing the legacy, Kooks is ISO 9001:2015 certified, ensuring the highest standards of quality and performance. All products are handcrafted in the USA and backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty to the original purchaser.

Pioneers of the Stainless Steel Revolution

Kooks stands as the sole header company capable of offering headers for gas engine trucks while simultaneously crafting bespoke race headers used in applications exceeding 3,000 horsepower. The company prides itself on being the pioneers in the stainless steel header revolution and innovators in the exhaust industry as a whole—Kooks designs, tests, and manufactures it first, then other companies follow.

Every Kooks product is constructed from T304 aircraft quality stainless steel, featuring 16-gauge tubing for unmatched strength, corrosion resistance, and lasting performance under the heat and stress of high-performance driving. Kooks utilizes laser-cut 3/8-inch thick stainless steel flanges that won't warp or bend, with each port hand-ground to ensure perfectly smooth surfaces eliminating exhaust constriction TRE Performance.

Championship-Winning Racing Pedigree

For over 60 years, Kooks has concentrated its efforts in the racing world, winning hundreds of championships and setting countless records in NHRA, IHRA, NMCA, NMRA, NASCAR, NASA, and SCCA racing organizations . From drag racing to circle track, road racing, motorcycles, and even offshore boats, some of the biggest and most dominant names in motorsports continue to run Kooks headers and win championships.

Long Tube Headers: The Foundation of Performance

Kooks long tube headers are built from mandrel-bent stainless steel and TIG-welded for strength, engineered to maximize scavenging and low-end torque while reducing backpressure. Every header collector features a Kooks scavenging spike to ensure maximum flow, and installation requires no welding—all gaskets, bolts, and oxygen sensor extensions are included in every kit.

Stepped Header Technology: Kooks signature series stepped headers create a more usable torque and power curve for street use while remaining suitable for track use and big horsepower applications, accomplishing this by taking advantage of two sets of pulse waves created by two lengths within a single primary tube. Available in 1-3/4" x 1-7/8" or 1-7/8" x 2" configurations, stepped headers create more area under the curve and offer more usable power than single-diameter primary headers.

GREEN Catalytic Converter Technology

Kooks has designed and produced a 400-cell count metallic high-flow catalytic converter certified to EPA standards that is used in their systems, while competitors use 200-cell count catalysts designed for industrial applications rather than automobiles. Kooks is the only company in the industry with a 49-state EPA-approved catalytic converter that flows as much as standard high-flow converters while significantly reducing the likelihood of triggering a check engine light.

GREEN Catalyst Offerings:

  • Standard GREEN Cats: 3" inlet/outlet, 400 CPSI substrate, rated for 375 horsepower per cat (750 HP per pair)
  • Ultra-GREEN Cats: 3" inlet/outlet, rated for 425 horsepower per cat (850 HP per pair), suitable for forced induction applications
  • High Output GREEN Cats: Designed for extreme high-performance builds requiring maximum flow

Comprehensive Platform Coverage

Kooks offers extensive support for American muscle and performance vehicles:

Ford Mustang: Complete header and exhaust systems for 2005-2010 Mustang GT 4.6L 3V, 2011-2014 Mustang 5.0L, 2015-2024 S550/S650 Mustang GT Coyote 5.0L, and 2020+ Mustang GT500 5.2L with 2" x 3" header options 

Chevrolet Camaro: Systems available for 2010-2015 Camaro SS LS3/L99/LSA 6.2L and 2016-2024 Camaro SS/ZL1 LT1 6.2L with options for 1-7/8" or 2" primary tubes with GREEN catted or competition-only connection pipes 

Chevrolet Corvette: Coverage for C5 LS1/LS6, C6 LS2/LS3 6.0L/6.2L (2005-2013), C7 LT1/LT4/LT5 6.2L (2014-2019) including Z06 and ZR1, C8 Stingray (2020+), and 2022+ Corvette Z06 with stepped Tri-Y header designs 

Dodge Challenger/Charger: Complete systems for 2005-2020 Chrysler LX/LD platform with 5.7L HEMI, 2008+ Challenger/Charger with 6.1L/6.4L HEMI, and 2015+ Hellcat 6.2L HEMI applications with 1-7/8" or 2" header options

GM Trucks: Torque Series Headers for 1999-2001 GM trucks with EGR (4.8L/5.3L/6.0L), 2002-2013 GM trucks (4.8L/5.3L/6.0L/6.2L), 2019+ GM trucks and 2021+ SUVs (5.3L/6.2L), plus 2023+ Cadillac Escalade V applications 

Dodge RAM: 1-5/8" x 1-3/4" Torque Series Headers for 2009-2018 RAM 1500 5.7L HEMI and 2019-2024 RAM 1500 5.7L HEMI applications

Ford Super Duty: 1-7/8" x 3" stainless steel headers for 2020+ F-250/F-350 Super Duty 7.3L gas engines 

Cadillac CTS-V: Stepped headers and GREEN exhaust kits with stainless steel quad tips for 2016-2020 CTS-V applications 

Complete Exhaust Systems

Kooks exhaust systems are crafted from 304L stainless steel with mandrel-bent tubing for maximum flow and lasting performance. Kooks mufflers are engineered with minimal drone technology, delivering a deep, aggressive exhaust note without sacrificing cabin comfort, tuned for maximum flow while maintaining durability.

Connection options include catted and off-road (catless) setups with X-pipe, H-pipe, and Y-pipe designs depending on platform, with catted pipes offering a balance of power and emissions compliance. All systems are purpose-built for specific chassis rather than universal parts, ensuring proper fitment and performance.

Whether you're building a weekend warrior for the drag strip, a road course track car, or a high-horsepower street machine, Kooks Headers & Exhaust delivers the handcrafted American quality, race-proven performance, and engineering excellence that three generations of racers and enthusiasts have trusted since 1962.