Big Block Sidepipes/Headers
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 175
Likes: 11
From: Omaha ne
Big Block Sidepipes/Headers
I was wondering what the current offerings are for a big block vette and welcome any comments. I have a customer who is putting in a 502 crate and wants side exhaust/ Headers. I know form first hand experience that hooker was having some real issues with the big block sidepipes about 2 years ago and am not sure if they have gotten it right yet. At the time I wound up going with a set of Stahls which fit perfectly. However, this customer likes the design of the hookers with the 4 tubes snaking out at the front. Any updates or recent experiences?????
Any other sources out there????
Thanks in advance
Tim
Any other sources out there????
Thanks in advance
Tim
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,240
Likes: 1,013
From: Watkinsville, GA and Glen Cove, NY
I have Hookers on my 502. Work great but depending whether you are using raised exhaust port cylinder heads, you could have some clearance problems. I certainly did with my AFR's. Every car is different as well. Well worth it in the end though. Whatever you do, make sure to run the JCL baffles as mufflers. Best flowing out there and sound great.
Bill VO
Bill VO
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
Originally Posted by TJP440
I know form first hand experience that hooker was having some real issues with the big block sidepipes about 2 years ago and am not sure if they have gotten it right yet.
I have the bigblock setup (not installed like all my parts) and a lot of other people on here are satisfied. I also have the STS turbo baffles and am psyched to hear the engine come to life.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 175
Likes: 11
From: Omaha ne
The Hooker headers would not fit PERIOD. When trying to bolt them up to the heads they were too wide and the down tubes were interfering with the frame rails and steering.
A 6 week circle jerk ensued with Hooker, during which time they repeatedly said that the problem had to be on this end as the headers were newly redesigned on a "KNOWN ORIGINAL" big block car. After a lot of BS I spotted a post on this very site in which Hooker was looking for an "ORIGINAL BIG BLOCK CAR" to test their desgn on.
After a lot more BS and finger pointing on their part, they finally admitted that there was a problem and took all THREE sets of headers back and compensated me a measly 700.00. I say measley because I had over 40 hours of time in the mess and at 65.00 an hour I lost my ---.
OK so fast forward, I am now dealing with another big block vette in which the customer likes the Hooker design. I am hoping that someone on this board can say yes they've fixed the problem or No they haven't. And if not is there another comapny other than Stahl that makes a header similiar to the Hooker with the pipes snaking out the front that fits.
Thanks again
Tim
A 6 week circle jerk ensued with Hooker, during which time they repeatedly said that the problem had to be on this end as the headers were newly redesigned on a "KNOWN ORIGINAL" big block car. After a lot of BS I spotted a post on this very site in which Hooker was looking for an "ORIGINAL BIG BLOCK CAR" to test their desgn on.
After a lot more BS and finger pointing on their part, they finally admitted that there was a problem and took all THREE sets of headers back and compensated me a measly 700.00. I say measley because I had over 40 hours of time in the mess and at 65.00 an hour I lost my ---.
OK so fast forward, I am now dealing with another big block vette in which the customer likes the Hooker design. I am hoping that someone on this board can say yes they've fixed the problem or No they haven't. And if not is there another comapny other than Stahl that makes a header similiar to the Hooker with the pipes snaking out the front that fits.
Thanks again
Tim
Last edited by TJP440; Oct 17, 2006 at 07:52 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
I ordered my hooker pipes in Feb or March of this year.
They are the big block pipes and I bolted them up to my aftermarket 454 that was in the car and they fit perfectly. I never started the car so I can't say for sure that they sealed perfectly...but they did bolt up without any trouble. Since then I have pulled the body and entire drivetrain out of the car. Won't go back on till early 2007.
I bought my pipes right from JetHot, they sent them to me uncoated so I could test fit. I then sent them back for coating and received them back maybe 2 weeks later. Hope this helps.
They are the big block pipes and I bolted them up to my aftermarket 454 that was in the car and they fit perfectly. I never started the car so I can't say for sure that they sealed perfectly...but they did bolt up without any trouble. Since then I have pulled the body and entire drivetrain out of the car. Won't go back on till early 2007.
I bought my pipes right from JetHot, they sent them to me uncoated so I could test fit. I then sent them back for coating and received them back maybe 2 weeks later. Hope this helps.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 10
From: Big Pine Key FL
Hookers coated from jet hot fit fine on my 502 ramjet transplant in a 71 original small block car. Watch the bottom headbolts on GMPP/Edel heads, you'll need to put ones with shorter heads to clear or grind the header flanges.
see my corvette photos
Also search the archives as the ARP part numbers are listed.
Someone figured this out long ago and saved me a ton of work... For just a little reading.... This forum ROCKS
see my corvette photos
Also search the archives as the ARP part numbers are listed.
Someone figured this out long ago and saved me a ton of work... For just a little reading.... This forum ROCKS
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
While your at it you may want to upgrade the header bolts.
I have read on here that under normal operation, the bolts that bolt the header flange to the heads will "walk" their way out.
ARP has new header bolts that bolt in and turn an inner hex bolt to spread the threads into the head locking the bolt in place.
I thought they were ARP but I searched Summit quick and didn't see them. If interested let me know and I'll look thru my stuff.
I have read on here that under normal operation, the bolts that bolt the header flange to the heads will "walk" their way out.
ARP has new header bolts that bolt in and turn an inner hex bolt to spread the threads into the head locking the bolt in place.
I thought they were ARP but I searched Summit quick and didn't see them. If interested let me know and I'll look thru my stuff.
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HOOK-EM HORNS
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,517
Likes: 842
From: Port Aransas, Texas Tx
St. Jude Donor '08
I have the Hooker side mount and side pipes cerm. coated. Installed last week. There is a video
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...2&postcount=26
on one of my post. When welding the hanger bolts on for the side pipes make sure to put something to protect the fiberglass above the weld as well as something on the side pipes. On the 502 you have to notch them for the head bolts. Matching to engine before installing is the way to go. Very easy install. I am running the new glass pack insert with 2.5 inch clear through on the inside. THEY ARE LOUD, I mean LOUD. My wife will not ride with me. I can drown out a whole gang of harley riders. I am looking for a different insert for normal driving.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...2&postcount=26
on one of my post. When welding the hanger bolts on for the side pipes make sure to put something to protect the fiberglass above the weld as well as something on the side pipes. On the 502 you have to notch them for the head bolts. Matching to engine before installing is the way to go. Very easy install. I am running the new glass pack insert with 2.5 inch clear through on the inside. THEY ARE LOUD, I mean LOUD. My wife will not ride with me. I can drown out a whole gang of harley riders. I am looking for a different insert for normal driving.
Last edited by TEXASRANGER; Oct 18, 2006 at 05:15 AM.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 687
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I have had them on my '70 BB for about 2.5 yrs. I had terrible fitting problems. Went through 3 sets, none of them fitted (interferance with the fiberglass just below and in front of the eggcrates). I ended up cutting the headers apart and welding in pieces to get them to fit. It was alot of work but worth it. I beleive the problem then was they are designed for '68 and '69 BB cars (no fender flares). I recall Hooker (Holley) asking for a doner car to make revisions after I had mine completed; don't know if they ever fixed the problem. At the time I was the only one with a '70 or later BB that had hooker side mounts. See my posts in the archives.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Leander TX
I have a set of ceramic coated Hedman headers that fit beautifully under the hood of my 75 with a 427 with late 60s cast iron heads. I'm going with the 68 factory side-pipe look. This is one alternative to the hookers.. They seem to fit well on the heads and I didn't detect any leaks while they were on the motor running on the test stand, but I have not run them in the car as of yet. The bummer here is you have to buy the side pipe covers ($$$ for the aluminum ones) or the cheaper fiberglass ones... which is what I'm doing with a flat black paint scheme for now until I can ante up for the aluminum ones. 
-Frank
-Frank
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 10
From: Big Pine Key FL
Originally Posted by 68 NJConv 454
While your at it you may want to upgrade the header bolts.
I have read on here that under normal operation, the bolts that bolt the header flange to the heads will "walk" their way out.
ARP has new header bolts that bolt in and turn an inner hex bolt to spread the threads into the head locking the bolt in place.
I thought they were ARP but I searched Summit quick and didn't see them. If interested let me know and I'll look thru my stuff.
I have read on here that under normal operation, the bolts that bolt the header flange to the heads will "walk" their way out.
ARP has new header bolts that bolt in and turn an inner hex bolt to spread the threads into the head locking the bolt in place.
I thought they were ARP but I searched Summit quick and didn't see them. If interested let me know and I'll look thru my stuff.
Stainless and saftey wired.
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,929
Likes: 156
From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by Z-man
From what I know, the Stahls are a much better product than the Hookers (if you can get them). You can put the Hooker sidepipes on them...
I think the Stahls are 3" diameter tubes and might fit under factory covers.
