Hooker Super comp headers/Sidepipes
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 675
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From: Kinzers. PA
Hooker Super comp headers/Sidepipes
I was just wondering if anyone here has any experience with the Hooker Supr competition header Sidepipes on a 1978 corvette, I am interested in getting these but i dont know how they would install and perform, If anyone has any exerience with them leave me some advice on them
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,329
Likes: 12
I installed mine on my '78 last winter. I used the STS baffles and they sound great! The fit was alright with my angled plugs and I only had to hammer one tube to clear my rack'n'pinion. As for the side pipes, they fit perfectly (had to cut the provided bolts/brackets so that they didn't hit the rocker panels). I might even weld those brackets this winter since these pipes are staying on for ever. 
I bought the black painted ones and the paint chipped right off near the heads after a few miles. I heard the chromes are just as bad... so I suggest you go with the new stainless steel ones or repaint/jet-hot a black set.
I bought the black painted ones and the paint chipped right off near the heads after a few miles. I heard the chromes are just as bad... so I suggest you go with the new stainless steel ones or repaint/jet-hot a black set.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 295
Likes: 0
From: Port Alberni
Hooker sidemount headers
I have Chrome Hooker sidemount headers on my 78.They fit like a glove no cutting or banging to get them in and as far as the chrome goes the people that say it will not last must not look after it .I dont have any problems with the chrome just clean it after you drive the car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 936
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa OK
Has anyone had to make 
adjustments to headers that have been Jet Hotted? Would it pretty much ruin the headers? I want to order directly from Jet Hot, but all this talk about having to 'adjust' makes me nervous.
adjustments to headers that have been Jet Hotted? Would it pretty much ruin the headers? I want to order directly from Jet Hot, but all this talk about having to 'adjust' makes me nervous.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 633
Likes: 1
From: Hamilton, ON, Canada
Although Hooker supposedly has a good reputation, I hope you guys are aware that they are restrictive. For a small block, the header port is smaller than the stock small block exhaust port size. On top of that, weld build-up protrudes into the flow area. A call to Hooker customer service revealed that the weld protrusion is supposed to be removed during manufacture but that is apparently not happening. As for port size, confirmed that it is smaller than the head port. I bought a pair and when I discovered that, I returned them. Funny how they don't advertize that. So now I'm looking for custom headers.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 936
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa OK
Originally Posted by 75 Hot One
Although Hooker supposedly has a good reputation, I hope you guys are aware that they are restrictive. For a small block, the header port is smaller than the stock small block exhaust port size. On top of that, weld build-up protrudes into the flow area. A call to Hooker customer service revealed that the weld protrusion is supposed to be removed during manufacture but that is apparently not happening. As for port size, confirmed that it is smaller than the head port. I bought a pair and when I discovered that, I returned them. Funny how they don't advertize that. So now I'm looking for custom headers.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by Xakk
Has anyone had to make adjustments to headers that have been Jet Hotted? Would it pretty much ruin the headers? I want to order directly from Jet Hot, but all this talk about having to 'adjust' makes me nervous.
adjustments to headers that have been Jet Hotted? Would it pretty much ruin the headers? I want to order directly from Jet Hot, but all this talk about having to 'adjust' makes me nervous.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Originally Posted by 75 Hot One
Although Hooker supposedly has a good reputation, I hope you guys are aware that they are restrictive. For a small block, the header port is smaller than the stock small block exhaust port size. On top of that, weld build-up protrudes into the flow area. A call to Hooker customer service revealed that the weld protrusion is supposed to be removed during manufacture but that is apparently not happening. As for port size, confirmed that it is smaller than the head port. I bought a pair and when I discovered that, I returned them. Funny how they don't advertize that. So now I'm looking for custom headers.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 295
Likes: 0
From: Port Alberni
75 Hot One
I dont know what 75 Hot One is saying I have over 400hp in my vette with Hooker Sidemount Headers and my car runs fine with no problem.I guess some people think they know it all before they realy try it.If hooker sidemount headers was such a problem then why do so many vettes have them ?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,248
Likes: 48
From: westland mi
Originally Posted by eeyore
i have hooker header sidepipes on my 70- sound great, even better though when i remove the baffles from the sidepipes, mine are chrome and are showing their age- i'd pay the xtra and go stainless.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 633
Likes: 1
From: Hamilton, ON, Canada
Originally Posted by MotorHead
WHich headers did you get ? The Hooker Comps or the Super Comps. Mine are the Super Comps and have a 1 3/4 in. primary pipe and which is big enough for my Victor Jr. heads exhaust port, which is considerably bigger than a stock exhaust port.. The sidepipes are even bigger at 1 7/8 in.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 633
Likes: 1
From: Hamilton, ON, Canada
Originally Posted by buffed1978
I dont know what 75 Hot One is saying I have over 400hp in my vette with Hooker Sidemount Headers and my car runs fine with no problem.I guess some people think they know it all before they realy try it.If hooker sidemount headers was such a problem then why do so many vettes have them ?
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
Originally Posted by buffed1978
I dont know what 75 Hot One is saying I have over 400hp in my vette with Hooker Sidemount Headers and my car runs fine with no problem.I guess some people think they know it all before they realy try it.If hooker sidemount headers was such a problem then why do so many vettes have them ?
Maybe because they look SO
I was thinking about getting don't care about port size but I don't want the car too loud and what about burning the legs getting in & out of a hot vette. 
A friend has a 66 & removed the mufflers & left the side covers because he said he burned his legs & so did his wife.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 12
From: Carbondale Pa.
Originally Posted by Xakk
Can't be any more restrictive than the 2-1-2 that many of us are replacing. Besides, you sure can't beat the look!
Peace,,,Moosie 
Last edited by moosie982; Dec 21, 2005 at 11:11 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,434
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St. Jude Donor '07
I picked these chrome sidepipes up for free from this guy my dad knows. There not the greatest and don't look brand new up clos but they still look excellent from further away. I also noticed a huge improvement in power. My old headers were way to restricted. This are like a 1/2 inch bigger 
My old ones were also beat on to fit becuase my road race oil panhad clearance issues and we had to beat it half way in. Know I have no heat problems either.
My old ones were also beat on to fit becuase my road race oil panhad clearance issues and we had to beat it half way in. Know I have no heat problems either.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 936
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa OK
Originally Posted by RedBad1979
If you don't get the stainless pipes I'd definately fit them first and then send it to JetHot for coating.... some C3s require some fitting, some don't...
, then send them off to Jet Hot, right?
Last edited by Xakk; Dec 21, 2005 at 01:11 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Originally Posted by 75 Hot One
Mine were Super Comp with 1 3/4" primaries. The measured port size on the headers was 1 5/16" wide by 1 5/8" high. A stock small block head has 1 1/2" square ports which is also the size of the standard exhaust gaskets. The vertical size is good but the lateral size is too small. So even for stock heads, the Super Comps are restrictive. Ideally, the port size in the header should be slightly larger than the port size in the head so there's a step on the downstream side of the gasket.