Hooker Header Side Pipe Questions?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,909
Likes: 26
From: Clymer PA
Re: Hooker Header Side Pipe Questions? (bence13_33)
I have one question that I hope someone can answer for me. I am either going with Hooker glasspack mufflers ($100) or I will go with the JCL spiral baffles ($300).
Could someone please tell me which muffler performs better in terms of increasing power and decreasing back pressure? I will probably end up going with whichever one is less restrictive. Thanks :)
Could someone please tell me which muffler performs better in terms of increasing power and decreasing back pressure? I will probably end up going with whichever one is less restrictive. Thanks :)
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,708
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Re: Hooker Header Side Pipe Questions? (bence13_33)
glasspack muffles sound nice. I have some on my under car system at 2.5 inches. I can imagine 3 or 4 inch side pipes sounding a million times better. I vote for the 'pax
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 1
From: Wylie TX
Re: Hooker Header Side Pipe Questions? (bence13_33)
bence13_33,
The problem with the Hooker glass pack mufflers is that they are only 2" in/out with the "louvers" deflected in that 2" tube. For anything much more than a stock 350, this is a restriction.
I beleive you are going with a big block, so with the choices you have metioned, what I know about the Hooker glasspacks, and what I've read here about the JCL spiral baffles, the JCL spiral baffles are *much* better than the Hooker glasspacks.
The problem with the Hooker glass pack mufflers is that they are only 2" in/out with the "louvers" deflected in that 2" tube. For anything much more than a stock 350, this is a restriction.
I beleive you are going with a big block, so with the choices you have metioned, what I know about the Hooker glasspacks, and what I've read here about the JCL spiral baffles, the JCL spiral baffles are *much* better than the Hooker glasspacks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,240
Likes: 1,013
From: Watkinsville, GA and Glen Cove, NY
Re: Hooker Header Side Pipe Questions? (bence13_33)
Bence, I have the JCL baffles in my 69 with a 502 and although I have no dyno proof I can tell you that before I put the baffles in I drove my car around open headers a few times and when I put the baffles in I noticed very little difference. I believe Chuck Harmon said that there is 3 inches of open pipe in the tubes with the baffles in so that must be better than the 2 inch glasspacks. The sound is also incredible with the baffles as well. Just perfect in tone and volume in my opinion.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
From: Denville NJ
Re: Hooker Header Side Pipe Questions? (69ttop502)
Why are Sidepipes in general more restrictive than a regular system?
How would a 3" sidepipe system compare to a regular 3" system (assuming they're both mandrel bent and your using a 500+ horsepower BB setup)
What is lighter than SS that doesn't cost a fortune and is still durable? (ie. NOT titanium... i don't have $6000 for an exhaust system)
How would a 3" sidepipe system compare to a regular 3" system (assuming they're both mandrel bent and your using a 500+ horsepower BB setup)
What is lighter than SS that doesn't cost a fortune and is still durable? (ie. NOT titanium... i don't have $6000 for an exhaust system)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,240
Likes: 1,013
From: Watkinsville, GA and Glen Cove, NY
Re: Hooker Header Side Pipe Questions? (Bifkin)
Bifkin, I believe the reason that the side exhausts are thought of as being so restrictive is the lack of availability of a suitable muffler for them. Hooker has 2 mufflers and from earlier posts you can see how small a diameter tube they come with. Now if you run them open or with the JCL spiral baffles that is no longer the case.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,130
Likes: 99
From: Nova Scotia
Originally Posted by bence13_33
I know side pipes are restrictive, but I love the look and sound of them (especially on a C3).
oops, just saw the post 2 posts up, but I'm curious if theyre still restrictive with the jcl baffles. Also Ive heard some people have to trim the rocker panels, is this common, and how much has to be trimmed? does it only need to be trimmed on big blocks, or small blocks too? thanks
Last edited by hubes; Oct 8, 2004 at 07:45 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: B'Ville NY
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
Is this a post from the past or is Bence visitiing again, haven't seen him around these parts in sometime 
Anyways, yes the hooker sidepipes are much more restictive than the spiral turbo specialities (JCL) inserts. You will feel the difference which is more than I felt by going simply to headers
Anyways, yes the hooker sidepipes are much more restictive than the spiral turbo specialities (JCL) inserts. You will feel the difference which is more than I felt by going simply to headers
Team Owner
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From: Smile, it's just the internet.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
BTW - Shane actually ended up doing the right thing.. Running no mufflers at all.. That's what I'm doing.. Any type of mufflers will cost you at least 20 - 30 RWHP.. some of them even up to 80 RWHP...
STS Baffles without the caps will cost you only about 10 HP.. but unmodified - they'll still cost you over 20 HP...
STS Baffles without the caps will cost you only about 10 HP.. but unmodified - they'll still cost you over 20 HP...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,362
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio TX
Here ya go . The reason Side Pipes tend to loose more HP than Normal headers with large exhaust pipes is in the bends. The Side Pipe Headers have more bends and longer tubes than conventional Headers.
. The reason Side Pipes tend to loose more HP than Normal headers with large exhaust pipes is in the bends. The Side Pipe Headers have more bends and longer tubes than conventional Headers.
Advanced
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Salisbury Md
Let me start by saying that I also fully intend to buy jcl's when I get a new set of pipes and have the money to spend on them. In the mean time I bought a set of moroso spiral flow mufflers for $47 each. I took a grinder and cut off the casing, slid them into the pipe with the help of a rubber mallet, and had them tack welded into place for good measure. I get compliments on the sound all the time and I noticed a definite increase in power and that it runs smoother when compared to the old reverse flows that were in it. This is with an L88 spec 427.
Last edited by buzzkill; Oct 9, 2004 at 04:31 PM.
Advanced
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Salisbury Md
I forgot to mention that I also tack welded a small round piece of steel on one end of the straight-through pipe. They are loud but not obnoxious. I've had them on the car since this past May. People will tell you that they can hear you from a good distance away and so far the cops haven't bothered me.
