BBK Headers

[JLEONARD]

Ok, I know opinions are like a*&^%$ but what is the real deal with BBK shorties or any other header for that matter. I see great reviews, bad reviews, fitment issues, perfect fit. Does it all come down to the install and prep for them to be good or do all headers leak? I'm just trying to get away from the dreaded manifold bolt replacement issue. This is my fourth Ram with the same issue. I had my exhaust guy replace the bolts with some type of upgraded bolt on my 05 but I don't recall if they held or not.

 

[Simpleman]

Save yourself a lot of headaches and go with Kooks headers and remflex gaskets and be done with it. I installed them on my truck and no problems whatsoever. No need to wrap or coat Kooks headers you'll love them

 

[DILLIGAF]

^ What he said , there's a reason BBK is cheap !

 

[Ryno1500]

I love my BBKs, I used the factory manifold gaskets with them. Now it definitely helped having the engine out of the truck. If I still lived in OK, I probably would have gone different and dropped the cats though.

 

[JLEONARD]

Thanks for the replies. I don't think headers are worth $1500.00. Not enough return with hp etc.
I think I'm gonna go with the aftermarket hardened steel replacement bolts again. I grew up with my exhaust guy, he won't steer me wrong.

 

[jr27236]

Man you didnt even give your thread a chance for people to give there view before you drew your own conclusion. Asked and decided in less then 24hrs. A forum record i think

 

[jr27236]

Save yourself a lot of headaches and go with Kooks headers and remflex gaskets and be done with it. I installed them on my truck and no problems whatsoever. No need to wrap or coat Kooks headers you'll love them

Sorry to hijack your thread OP. But I'd love to know by @Simpleman which Kooks he used, did they bolt up to the stock pipe or do you need to purchase a new Y pipe with cats? Gaskets? Bolts?

 

[cityredneck]

i'm using the kooks shorty headers KOK-35101110 i got them from summit when they were $850, now theyre $1700!!!

i got the bare ones and had a local shop ceramic powder coated. they bolted up to the factory y pipe, i love'm

 

[jr27236]

i'm using the kooks shorty headers KOK-35101110 i got them from summit when they were $850, now theyre $1700!!!

i got the bare ones and had a local shop ceramic powder coated. they bolted up to the factory y pipe, i love'm

Wow big change in price!

 

[EdGs]

If you have broken manifold bolts, and simply replace them without sanding or milling the OE manifolds flat, the bolts will break again.

You dont need super hard bolts IMO. When my manifold bolts broke on my '15, both exhaust manifolds were warped about .030 at the rear cylinder and slightly twisted as well. I sanded them flat the best I could, replaced the gaskets and bolts, and have not had a problem since.

A set of headers would be cool, but not in my financial situation. 20K+ miles down the road, and no issues for me. JMO, YMMV.

 

[Pull Ya]

You might take a look at this thread. It's from the "Sticky" section of this section
Jay

Exhaust Manifolds | Warped

I'm well-aware that the 5.7L HEMI has a fairly common issue surrounding the exhaust manifold bolts, causing the "HEMI tick". About 10 days ago, I noticed my truck had a tapping noise when cold-started. I assumed that this was the infamous HEMI tick and honestly didn't give it much thought. It...

www.ramforum.com

 

[JLEONARD]

I trust my guy. Family is Lou's Custom Exhaust. This is my 4th Ram, fourth go around with the manifold bolts. My 05 needed machining, the rest worked with whatever bolts he replaces with. I was just curious about the headers. He steered me away from that idea.

 

[89stang1]

I had BBK headers on mine didnt take long for them to rust to sheet 3 years they were shot. I wanted Kooks stainless shorties but they were not available and i got tired of waiting so i bought AFE Twisted steel shorties not the same grade steel as Kooks but so far they are holding up good. They were a couple hundred less than Kooks if i had my choice it would be Kooks hopefully mine last long.

 

[SKinnaird]

Great thread.
Looking to put headers on my '01 1500 with the 5.2
And then straight pipe it out the back.

 

[RLJ10X]

I have ceramic coated BBKs on my 2013 Mustang. I've had them for a long time now. No problems what so ever.

Get the ceramic coated ones, and I doubt you'll have rust or any other problems. But my vehicles are garaged. And being garaged averts a lot of problems.

I put Shortys on my truck BEFORE I had any broken bolts, ticks, wapage, etc. I like to keep things simple.

 

[JLEONARD]

Just an update:
Had stock manifolds put back in only to leak again after 1.5 years.
Bring it to local mechanic who finds 5 of the bolts over torqued, stripped the threads. That is why she's leaking this time. Manifolds didn't have a chance.
I ordered BD manifolds and had hom install those. So after the lengthy repair of the 5 bolt holes and the BDs, I'm into this for $1844!!
Should've known when the cat's away theory is on display. My guy wasn't there that day and "his guys" torque gunned the hell out of the manifolds. I watched him but I didn't know the protocol at the time. Now I know, so does my wallet.

 

[PhillipVanarsdel]

Defective product, no accountability, zero ethics.


Purchased BBK Part #4015 shorty headers for a 2020 Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi. Upon professional installation, two defects were found: an audible exhaust leak at the weld on the bank 2 merge collector, and a leak where the bank 1 downpipe connects to the collector — confirmed by a professional mechanic using a stethoscope. BBK replaced the headers, which tells you everything you need to know about the quality of the first set. What they refused to do was cover the $780 in labor caused entirely by their defective craftsmanship. When I pointed out that it's unreasonable to make a customer absorb that cost due to a manufacturing defect, they ghosted me. The product failed. They admitted it by replacing it. Then they left me holding the bill for someone else's mistake. Buy elsewhere.

 

[Tray Burge]

DO NOT GO SHORTY'S!
Ask me how I know.
Looks are absolutely the best, if they make em for your model.

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

How d you know? I've installed 2 sets of ARP shorties with no issues. What has been your experience