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Hooker Headers & Side Pipes...

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Old Mar 29, 2006 | 09:48 AM
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Default Hooker Headers & Side Pipes...

Getting ready to buy a set of Hooker Headers & Side Pipes. Need some thought on whether polished stainless steel or chrome will hold up better. Mainly concerned with pitting than color changing.
Thanks.
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Old Mar 29, 2006 | 09:51 AM
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Originally Posted by sperkins
Getting ready to buy a set of Hooker Headers & Side Pipes. Need some thought on whether polished stainless steel or chrome will hold up better. Mainly concerned with pitting than color changing.
Thanks.
I'm gonna go with stainless... Chrome and painted are rusting
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Old Mar 29, 2006 | 09:53 AM
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Old Mar 29, 2006 | 10:10 AM
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You are going to get pitting right infront of the collectors because of rocks from the front front tires no matter which way you go. personally i say chrome but only because i like the way they look
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Old Mar 29, 2006 | 10:37 AM
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I've been looking at the same thing for my '79.

I'm going to go with stainless when I buy mine.

I don't have practical experience, but from what I've read stainless isn't as shiny as chrome and turns a blueish tint from extreme heat. On the plus side, it doesn't rust and I'm willing to bet will look better in the long run.

Where did you find the side pipes that go with them?
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Old Mar 29, 2006 | 11:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Victor
I've been looking at the same thing for my '79.

I'm going to go with stainless when I buy mine.

I don't have practical experience, but from what I've read stainless isn't as shiny as chrome and turns a blueish tint from extreme heat. On the plus side, it doesn't rust and I'm willing to bet will look better in the long run.

Where did you find the side pipes that go with them?
about stainless looking better in the long run. So far I have only checked with summit racing. Anybody know of a better supplier?
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Old Mar 29, 2006 | 11:46 AM
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Originally Posted by sperkins
Getting ready to buy a set of Hooker Headers & Side Pipes. Need some thought on whether polished stainless steel or chrome will hold up better. Mainly concerned with pitting than color changing.
Thanks.

I went with the british sterling ceramic coated form jethot very nice looking and 1079 to the door wiht the forum discount

tim
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Old Mar 29, 2006 | 11:52 AM
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Corvete Central, Eckler and Mid America Design (MAD) has them. Stainless exhaust systems usally carry a limited lifetime waranty, hard to beat that...

Audie
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Old Mar 29, 2006 | 12:01 PM
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Just received my sterling ceramic coated side exit hooker headers and 4 inch side tubes from Jet-Hot for about $1,100 to my door.
Ceramic coating looks awsome, not as shiney as chrome but not too far off. Jet-hot orders them from hooker when you place the order, then coats them and sends them to you. I had them send me the headers straight from hooker so i could fit them and dent them before they applied the ceramic coating. I've heard many stories of the headers bolt holes needing to be enlarged to clear head bolts and the tubes needing to be dented even more due to steering box clearance. I've got to say my slipped right on my engine with no problems at all. (I have a 454 with 427 heads, not sure if that helped) I was extremely impressed. Driver side header comes predented for steering box clearance. Headers bolted right up. Sending them back to Jet-hot in twenty minutes to get coated. $1,100 is a little pricey but well worth it IMO.
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Old Mar 29, 2006 | 12:04 PM
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Originally Posted by 68 NJConv 454
Just received my sterling ceramic coated side exit hooker headers and 4 inch side tubes from Jet-Hot for about
$1,100 is a little pricey but well worth it IMO.
if you check around, the other suppliers want like 1400 for the chrome set ups, this was a good deal. I have the small block, and they even coated the alt bracket in my case
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Old Mar 29, 2006 | 12:16 PM
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bought mine from summit racing last year. no problems installing them.
polished will definately be better in the long run. they do turn yellow / brown on the header but chrome discolors too. chrome pipes will rust and peel, stainless will not. as for not as shiny... you make the call

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Old Mar 29, 2006 | 01:01 PM
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[QUOTE=wnjlt1]bought mine from summit racing last year. no problems installing them.
polished will definately be better in the long run. they do turn yellow / brown on the header but chrome discolors too. chrome pipes will rust and peel, stainless will not. as for not as shiny... you make the call
[QUOTE]

one question for those who have them installed already, How do you guys get your car on a lift, or can you withthe header pipes where they are at?

will I be doomed to ramps and jackstands ???


tim

Last edited by sweethence; Mar 29, 2006 at 01:05 PM.
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Old Mar 29, 2006 | 01:36 PM
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"bought mine from summit racing last year. no problems installing them.
polished will definately be better in the long run. they do turn yellow / brown on the header but chrome discolors too. chrome pipes will rust and peel, stainless will not. as for not as shiny... you make the call"


Willie,
Did you have to modify yours in any way (denting) to have a good install? What about your rockers? Did you have to cut them?
Scott

Last edited by sperkins; Mar 29, 2006 at 01:41 PM.
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Old Mar 29, 2006 | 02:22 PM
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I originally bought chrome. After a few years they started to turn funky, sent them to Jet Hot for the sterling finish. I can see it won't be long until I not happy with the way they look. If I had it to do over it would be stainless...no ifs, and or buts
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Old Mar 29, 2006 | 02:23 PM
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Originally Posted by sperkins
"bought mine from summit racing last year. no problems installing them.
polished will definately be better in the long run. they do turn yellow / brown on the header but chrome discolors too. chrome pipes will rust and peel, stainless will not. as for not as shiny... you make the call"


Willie,
Did you have to modify yours in any way (denting) to have a good install? What about your rockers? Did you have to cut them?
Scott
Scott, i have read that some members had to dent the drivers header pipe for a steering box clearance issue. some also say they had to trim the fiberglass and or rockers a bit. i personally had no contact issues during install on my car.
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Old Mar 29, 2006 | 04:00 PM
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Thanks Willie. BTW - your Vette picture makes a great screensaver!
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Old Mar 29, 2006 | 04:11 PM
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Originally Posted by sweethence
one question for those who have them installed already, How do you guys get your car on a lift, or can you withthe header pipes where they are at?

will I be doomed to ramps and jackstands ???


tim
Not a problem. The ground clearance is limited by the oil pan. The side tubes are actually about level with the frame rails. Only the header tubes hang down, and since it's right behind the tire, they seldom get in the way.
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To Hooker Headers & Side Pipes...

Old Mar 29, 2006 | 05:45 PM
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I think those sidepipes look great. However, is there any issue with them hitting the ground on bumps, potholes, etc.? I really want to get some, but would be hesitant if they cvould be damaged by a pothole or bump in the road as there are plenty of those in new orleans. Thanks.
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Old Mar 29, 2006 | 08:18 PM
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Originally Posted by xxVETTExx
I think those sidepipes look great. However, is there any issue with them hitting the ground on bumps, potholes, etc.? I really want to get some, but would be hesitant if they cvould be damaged by a pothole or bump in the road as there are plenty of those in new orleans. Thanks.
i've had my hookers for 16 yrs and never had a problem w/potholes or bumps and i live in detroit thats known for their chitty roads although new orleans roads are definetly the worst roads i've ever seen.
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Old Mar 30, 2006 | 07:50 AM
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Originally Posted by CGGorman
Not a problem. The ground clearance is limited by the oil pan. The side tubes are actually about level with the frame rails. Only the header tubes hang down, and since it's right behind the tire, they seldom get in the way.

cool thanks for the heads up, definately a releif
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