Hooker Sidepipe Header installation question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,577
Likes: 2
From: Long Island New York
Hooker Sidepipe Header installation question
I'm getting ready to install my new Hooker ceramic coated sidepipe headers and would like to know from those who have done this how you got your car 36" up in the air without a lift. I have ramps which raise it 9", jack stands that go to 17" and my 2 ton floor jack. The bottom of the car sits around 6" off the ground with the 550 lb. springs in the front, any ideas anyone? Hooker states in the instructions the the car must be a minimum of 36" in the air to install them, is this correct, and can just the front be up or does the rear have to be up as well? Thanks.
Last edited by Glassbowtie77; Jun 27, 2007 at 03:08 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
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From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
I'm getting ready to install my new Hooker ceramic coated sidepipe headers and would like to know from those who have done this how you got your car 36" up in the air without a lift. I have ramps which raise it 9", jack stands that go to 17" and my 2 ton floor jack. The bottom of the car sits around 6" off the ground with the 550 lb. springs in the front, any ideas anyone? Hooker states in the instructions the the car must be a minimum of 36" in the air to install them, is this correct, and can just the front be up or does the rear have to be up as well? Thanks.
I didnt need all 36 inches, but what I ended up doing to get a few extra inches was raiseing the car up and moving the jack stand from the front part of the frame near the rocker to about 1/4 ways back. that did the trick and i could get the headers in. just make sure the wheel are chalked well I use front side of tire on one side back on the other.
I took lots of pic,s let me know if you wanna see em
tim
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 668
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From: Platteville WI
I certainly don't mean to scare you but I know a gentleman here that was killed when his car fell off his jack stands. If you really insist on doing this at home, please take care.
BTW, I totally love my Hooker headers and side pipes.
Jay
BTW, I totally love my Hooker headers and side pipes.
Jay
Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 657
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From: Wisconsin
Good Point
I'm contemplating the same change- that is: to headers and sidepipes. I am also concerned for safety reasons (I saw a jack fall on a guy once and killed him) Does anyone know how much it would cost to have a set of headers professionally installed? i'm leaning toward this route- as 36" is WAY up in the air without a lift. I cannot imagine the cost would be THAT much.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 7
From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
the problem arises when these basic precautions are not followed. dont know your gentleman friend but a statement like i know a guy who something terrible happped to is of littel value.... did he exceed the weight of the stand, did he not have the car level, did he not have wheel chocked?
there in lies the lessons to be learned
Last edited by sweethence; Jun 28, 2007 at 07:17 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,577
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From: Long Island New York
I installed the Summit headers on my originally and had no problem with the car on jackstands, just followed the safety precautions like Tim said. I'm just curious how to get the extra height off the ground without a lift so I can clear the steering box. I always safety check and shake the car before crawling under it, even when I have it on ramps for an oil change. By the way the UPS Driver was pissed when he delivered them, he's like in his late 50's and a small guy. The header box weighted 51lbs. and he had to drag it off the the truck and up the incline on my driveway, it's 93 degrees here today and humid.
Last edited by Glassbowtie77; Jun 27, 2007 at 03:08 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 7
From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
I installed the Summit headers on my originally and had no problem with the car on jackstands, just followed the safety precautions like Tim said. I'm just curious how to get the extra height off the ground without a lift so I can clear the steering box. I always safety check and shake the car before crawling under it, even when I have it on ramps for an oil change. By the way the UPS Driver was pissed when he delivered them, he's like in his late 50's and a small guy. The header box weighted 51lbs. and he had to drag it off the the truck and up the incline on my driveway, it's 93 degrees here today and humid.
with the car up on the ramps, I jackked the car up enough so that the wheels tires were still all the ramps and placed the jack stands where you see them i think it was three teeth on the jack stand in that position. the pass side sliipped right in. for the drivers side, I jacked the car up high enough so that the tires were clear of ramps and raised the jack stands two more teeth, both sides ( might have been three) to get the the headers in clear of the steering box, then once i had the headers in position, i lowered the car back on the ramps and finished the job...
the tough part will be bolting up the heades while supporting them on the side of the car, here is where a friend really helps, I used a jack and an old vette seat cusion to hold it in place while i wrestled with headersd getting the bolts started, If it were on film it would have been quite comical
if you have a manual, then the z bar has to come out as well
Oh and dont forget a heat shield, or thermal blanket if you are running a stock style starter, it took all of three days for me to cook mine
But i diid indeed do this by my self so you can to , but a friend is better
Last edited by sweethence; Jun 28, 2007 at 07:35 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 7
From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
I'm contemplating the same change- that is: to headers and sidepipes. I am also concerned for safety reasons (I saw a jack fall on a guy once and killed him) Does anyone know how much it would cost to have a set of headers professionally installed? i'm leaning toward this route- as 36" is WAY up in the air without a lift. I cannot imagine the cost would be THAT much.
cheers
tim
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
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From: Ann Arbor Michigan
I onlyt needed to raise it high for the drivers side to clear the steering box, I to used ramps and stands.
I didnt need all 36 inches, but what I ended up doing to get a few extra inches was raiseing the car up and moving the jack stand from the front part of the frame near the rocker to about 1/4 ways back. that did the trick and i could get the headers in. just make sure the wheel are chalked well I use front side of tire on one side back on the other.
I took lots of pic,s let me know if you wanna see em
tim
I didnt need all 36 inches, but what I ended up doing to get a few extra inches was raiseing the car up and moving the jack stand from the front part of the frame near the rocker to about 1/4 ways back. that did the trick and i could get the headers in. just make sure the wheel are chalked well I use front side of tire on one side back on the other.
I took lots of pic,s let me know if you wanna see em
tim
I did it the same way. Front wheels on ramps then jack up the one side to swing it into position. You don't need 36", something less will get it done. Once you get the header up under the car, you can lower the car back down on your ramps. Be sure to block the rear wheels so it won't roll. It's not that hard. Biggest pain is getting the header bolts screwed into the head.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,577
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From: Long Island New York
Thanks guys, what muffler inserts are you running with yours? I bought the Hooker Max Flows, someone on another forum said they are very loud on their 69 Coupe, however he didn't say if he's running a SB or a BB. I am wondering just how loud they will be on my L48 small block. Hooker's brochure says they are a lot quieter on an engine of 8.5 to 1 compression or less than they are on a BB. I couldn't find any sound clips to hear them before I bought them so it's hard judge which mufflers to buy. Everyone says not to get the reverse flows because the are too quiet and very restrictive, and that the glasspacks sound like total crap. STS's were not in the budget right now, I hope I made the right decision, I want it to have a deep aggressive sound, however I don't want to have to wear earplugs in order to not lose my hearing.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
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From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
Thanks guys, what muffler inserts are you running with yours? I bought the Hooker Max Flows, someone on another forum said they are very loud on their 69 Coupe, however he didn't say if he's running a SB or a BB. I am wondering just how loud they will be on my L48 small block. Hooker's brochure says they are a lot quieter on an engine of 8.5 to 1 compression or less than they are on a BB. I couldn't find any sound clips to hear them before I bought them so it's hard judge which mufflers to buy.Everyone say not to get the reverse flows because the are too quiet and very restrictive, and that the glasspacks sound like total crap. STS's were not in the budget right now, I hope I made the right decision, I want it to a deep aggressive sound, however I don't want to have to wear earplugs in order to not lose my hearing.
they were less than 300 for the pair
http://www.sweet-thunder.com/chamber..._corvette.html
there is a sound file on the link
cheers
tim
Last edited by sweethence; Jun 28, 2007 at 09:03 AM.
Safety Car
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and they sound AMAZING
Miles
Le Mans Master
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From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
theres is a cetral pipe ( 2, 2.25 & 2.5 in dia) that flows all the way through
great rumble at idle and cruise sppeds, awesome roar at WOT
I can email you a wav file of mine if you like
tim
Le Mans Master
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From: one night in Bangkok you are never lonely
My Email is on my web site steelshields.com
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
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From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
email sent
tim
Le Mans Master
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From: one night in Bangkok you are never lonely
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: AL
I also put mine in (actually replaced old ones) just by having the front of the car on jack stands. Not too bad of a job. Like someone else said, the hardest part is getting a couple of the hrader bolts tight (especially the one closest to the firewall on the right side
).
).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
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From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
it do dont it 
I used the allen style header bolts and worked way better that the hex, allowed me to use a wratchet instead of a box wrench
I also put mine in (actually replaced old ones) just by having the front of the car on jack stands. Not too bad of a job. Like someone else said, the hardest part is getting a couple of the hrader bolts tight (especially the one closest to the firewall on the right side ).
).I used the allen style header bolts and worked way better that the hex, allowed me to use a wratchet instead of a box wrench
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
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From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
I dont mean to be a pain, but if you use jack stand then you need to ensure the car is secure and the stands are sufficient to the weight of the vehicle, and placed on a firm level surface. and always give the car the shake test. If you are smart, use good servicable stands levle platform, good wheel chocks and a good shake before beginning work then you are fine
the problem arises when these basic precautions are not followed. dont know your gentleman friend but a statement like i know a guy who something terrible happped to is of littel value.... did he exceed the weight of the stand, did he not have the car level, did he not have wheel chocked?
there in lies the lessons to be learned
the problem arises when these basic precautions are not followed. dont know your gentleman friend but a statement like i know a guy who something terrible happped to is of littel value.... did he exceed the weight of the stand, did he not have the car level, did he not have wheel chocked?
there in lies the lessons to be learned
Properly set up, good jackstands won't fail, short of an earthquake or something.