,
Kook’s Headers are the sole supplier to the NASCAR Canadian Tire and K&N series. They are also the spec muffler for both the Whelen Modified Southern and Canadian Modified tours.
Here we see a large jig for an X-pipe. The machining process at this station is very interesting.
Here are some test pieces for various X-pipes. Traditionally O2 bungs are welded in place but Kooks has this new high-tech specialty machine which creates a bung out of the existing material in the tube. If you look at the tubes above, there is a much smaller hole than what’s needed for the O2 sensor. The machine stretches and doubles the material back to create a flange which is then tapped to accept the O2 sensor. By getting rid of the welding altogether, this process makes for a far more durable threaded port and makes welding a separate piece obsolete.
Kook’s has every exhaust producing tool imaginable. This OEM-quality notching machine quickly cuts out any notches needed to fit an OEM joint.
Continuing with the OEM quality theme, this device creates factory ball and socket exhaust joints which allows axle-back exhausts to bolt to existing mid-pipes without the need to cut or weld on flanges. This also makes exhaust systems modular enabling the customer to buy kits in stages or order cat-backs if you don’t want to commit to a header-back system.
All of Kook’s mufflers are made in-house. Here we see an SRT-8 muffler being completed with an OEM ball and socket exhaust joint.
Once an exhaust is finished, it makes its way to the packing station and to the inventory shelving to await a trip to their new home.We were blown away with the technology and quality of Kook’s state of the art facility and especially “Papa” Kooks’ hands-on leadership and attention to detail which really shows in their products. While we knew Kooks was a premium brand that made excellent products, we had no idea of the extent of the technology that they use to make consistent products and their versatility and emphasis on efficiency to be able to offer them at a great price point. We want to thank George Kook Sr. and Jr., Chris Clark, and everyone at Kook’s Custom Headers for showing us around their impressive facility which makes some of the best exhaust products on the market and in racing.
Sources
