Hooker Header Side Pipe Questions?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,909
Likes: 26
From: Clymer PA
Hooker Header Side Pipe Questions?
I have a set of Hooker Header Side Pipes that I will be installing once I get the big block dropped into my car.
I purchased the pipes used but they did not come with any mounting hardware. Is there some place that I can purchase this mounting hardware, or should I make a trip to Lowe's and create my own mounting setup (would probably be cheaper). Does anyone have a photo of the mounting hardware that is needed to install these side pipes?
The Hooker Header Side Pipes that I purchased came with the crappy reverse flow muffler inserts (they would actually probably be useful if I ever took my car on a long trip to help quiet the pipes down). I would like to purchase a set of "glasspack inserts" but the ones that Hooker sells are kind of pricey. Has anyone found a cheaper way to get glasspack mufflers into their Hooker Side Pipes?
I can't wait until spring when I can take the 'Vette into town with the BB. I will be pulling the inserts and running on open headers the first night I take it into town
I purchased the pipes used but they did not come with any mounting hardware. Is there some place that I can purchase this mounting hardware, or should I make a trip to Lowe's and create my own mounting setup (would probably be cheaper). Does anyone have a photo of the mounting hardware that is needed to install these side pipes?
The Hooker Header Side Pipes that I purchased came with the crappy reverse flow muffler inserts (they would actually probably be useful if I ever took my car on a long trip to help quiet the pipes down). I would like to purchase a set of "glasspack inserts" but the ones that Hooker sells are kind of pricey. Has anyone found a cheaper way to get glasspack mufflers into their Hooker Side Pipes?
I can't wait until spring when I can take the 'Vette into town with the BB. I will be pulling the inserts and running on open headers the first night I take it into town
Racer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 487
Likes: 1
From: Aloha, OR, USA
Re: Hooker Header Side Pipe Questions? (bence13_33)
I don't know about the hookers, but for the stock units, there is a bolt (carriage bolt), some washers, a metal sleeve, and some flat rubber donuts that all go together to hold the pipes up. The carriage bolt slips into the keyway on the bottom just below the backof the door. Take a look at one of the catalogs and you can see what it all is. I considered building a set, and decided to buy a set of hardware.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 8
From: San Jose California
Re: Hooker Header Side Pipe Questions? (bence13_33)
Bence,
For all the work and $$ you are putting into your new engine, saving $300 on good mufflers to let your engine breath the way it needs too is kind of short sided. You wouldn't consider bolting up a set of skinny 78 series tires just because they are cheaper, would you? The JCL spiral baffles will give you more of the power you are trying to build into the motor and still keep it somewhat quiet. But, any glass pack that is less than a 3.80" outside diameter can be put inside the tubes. You get what you pay for! Keep the fantasy, make it into what you really want. Max power that is quiet enough to use!
Chuck
For all the work and $$ you are putting into your new engine, saving $300 on good mufflers to let your engine breath the way it needs too is kind of short sided. You wouldn't consider bolting up a set of skinny 78 series tires just because they are cheaper, would you? The JCL spiral baffles will give you more of the power you are trying to build into the motor and still keep it somewhat quiet. But, any glass pack that is less than a 3.80" outside diameter can be put inside the tubes. You get what you pay for! Keep the fantasy, make it into what you really want. Max power that is quiet enough to use!
Chuck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,563
Likes: 2
Re: Hooker Header Side Pipe Questions? (bence13_33)
The side pipes mount with two rectangular-headed 3/8" carriage bolts to slots in the sides of the frame rails. They are also isolated by rubber or neoprene washers on either side of the mount brackets. It's capped with a 3/8" fender washer and hex nut. Don't cheap out on exhausts! Chevrolet says that the secret to Big Block H.P. lies in its ability to breathe freely! The guys are right.
JCL is the way to go.
:chevy :chevy :seeya :chevy :chevy
JCL is the way to go.
:chevy :chevy :seeya :chevy :chevy
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,909
Likes: 26
From: Clymer PA
Re: Hooker Header Side Pipe Questions? (bence13_33)
I'm sorry, I don't know what JCL is...could someone please elaborate? Hooker offers two types of mufflers for their side pipes (reverse flow and glasspack). The reverse flow -as I have been told from numerous forum members- holds you back big time when it comes to horsepower. I guess I'll spend the extra money and just get the Hooker glasspack muffler inserts.
The loudness of the exhaust won't bother me. I'll keep the reverse flow mufflers in case I ever take my car on a trip where I would like to keep the sound down.
The loudness of the exhaust won't bother me. I'll keep the reverse flow mufflers in case I ever take my car on a trip where I would like to keep the sound down.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,281
Likes: 6
From: NC USA
Re: Hooker Header Side Pipe Questions? (bence13_33)
JCL's website is:
http://www.spiralturbobaffles.com/
The way I understand it, these baffles are the least restrictive ones you can put into the Hookers. I'm considering doing this as well and agree with the others that the inserts from Hooker suck as far as being restrictive on higher HP applications. :nonod:
http://www.spiralturbobaffles.com/
The way I understand it, these baffles are the least restrictive ones you can put into the Hookers. I'm considering doing this as well and agree with the others that the inserts from Hooker suck as far as being restrictive on higher HP applications. :nonod:
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 1
From: Wylie TX
Re: Hooker Header Side Pipe Questions? (Marks69BB)
Regarding the sidepipe mufflers:
I, too have looked long and far for some free-flowing mufflers for the Hooker side pipes. I am going to put in some Car Chemistry inserts, but I'm not going to use the 4" inserts (which don't do much, if any, for noise reduction) which would slip right in. I'm going to get the 3" inserts and put them in a short 3" peice of pipe. I'll then cut off the disks on the ends of my current Hooker glasspack mufflers, enlarge the holes to 3" and weld them on my new 3" muffler whith CC insert. Sure, I'll be doing a little fabrication, but total cost will be around $150. I may also talk to CC to see if they are interested in making a Hooker sidepipe muffler and then I won't have to do any fabrication work at all.
I, too have looked long and far for some free-flowing mufflers for the Hooker side pipes. I am going to put in some Car Chemistry inserts, but I'm not going to use the 4" inserts (which don't do much, if any, for noise reduction) which would slip right in. I'm going to get the 3" inserts and put them in a short 3" peice of pipe. I'll then cut off the disks on the ends of my current Hooker glasspack mufflers, enlarge the holes to 3" and weld them on my new 3" muffler whith CC insert. Sure, I'll be doing a little fabrication, but total cost will be around $150. I may also talk to CC to see if they are interested in making a Hooker sidepipe muffler and then I won't have to do any fabrication work at all.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 8
From: San Jose California
Re: Hooker Header Side Pipe Questions? (Chris A)
Chris,
I would be very surprised if the combination of the multiple Car chemistry inserts fabricated to the hooker inserts would flow equal to the scavenging effect of the spiral baffles. I doubt even more that the sound reduction would be much less than open 3" pipes (which is about what the open area of the spiral baffles are, but quieter). Such sound levels make the power unusable at full throttle. Too many complaints, tickets, and personal hearing loss.
I too fabricated my own muffler inserts. They worked ok, but did not flow as well or as quiet as the sprial baffles. Click on my my signature URL to hear what mine sounds like. It is certainly not quiet, but not obnoxious either.
Chuck
I would be very surprised if the combination of the multiple Car chemistry inserts fabricated to the hooker inserts would flow equal to the scavenging effect of the spiral baffles. I doubt even more that the sound reduction would be much less than open 3" pipes (which is about what the open area of the spiral baffles are, but quieter). Such sound levels make the power unusable at full throttle. Too many complaints, tickets, and personal hearing loss.
I too fabricated my own muffler inserts. They worked ok, but did not flow as well or as quiet as the sprial baffles. Click on my my signature URL to hear what mine sounds like. It is certainly not quiet, but not obnoxious either.
Chuck
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,355
Likes: 0
From: Germantown Maryland
Re: Hooker Header Side Pipe Questions? (bence13_33)
I have had both the reverse flow and glasspack in my Hooker sidepipes. The reverse flow went in the trash after less than a week. You will loose 15-20% power in a smallblock, I can't image what you'll lose in a BB. The glasspacks are much better and I don't think they're that loud, no complaints yet... From what I have heard you will lose power just by using sidepipes at all.. Flowmasters would be better, but if you really want the sidepipes be prepared to put aloe on the burns and give warning to anyone in your car to step WIDE.
Mounting the pipes was quite easy, about an hour per side, hard to hold the bolds on chassis mount. As for taking the inserts in and out you'll find they become quite stuck after a month or so and you might give up on that thought. :flag
Mounting the pipes was quite easy, about an hour per side, hard to hold the bolds on chassis mount. As for taking the inserts in and out you'll find they become quite stuck after a month or so and you might give up on that thought. :flag
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Chesterfield VA
Re: Hooker Header Side Pipe Questions? (bence13_33)
As far as hardware goes, JCL has replacement hardware. Also I contacted Hooker and although they don't have a catalog number for the hardware pack. Customer service is shipping me one for $15. The only problem is it has to come from Mexico. It should be here in the next few days.
As far as the baffles, I bought the car with nothing in one side and half a burned out glasspack in the other. Needless to say it was loud, Had to idle past a cop in a small town while driving home. Got a set of reverse flow (because I didn't know better) and the car was guieter but became very constipated, started dirting up spark plugs and not performing like it should.
Have got a set of JCL spiral baffles that I had coated by Jet-Hot and in the process of installing. Should have everything back together to test run maybe next week. Should be an eyeopener.
If you have to stay with the Hookers anything other than the reverse flows is better. If anyone needs a set of reverse flow baffles I have a set, cheap...
As far as the baffles, I bought the car with nothing in one side and half a burned out glasspack in the other. Needless to say it was loud, Had to idle past a cop in a small town while driving home. Got a set of reverse flow (because I didn't know better) and the car was guieter but became very constipated, started dirting up spark plugs and not performing like it should.
Have got a set of JCL spiral baffles that I had coated by Jet-Hot and in the process of installing. Should have everything back together to test run maybe next week. Should be an eyeopener.
If you have to stay with the Hookers anything other than the reverse flows is better. If anyone needs a set of reverse flow baffles I have a set, cheap...
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,909
Likes: 26
From: Clymer PA
Re: Hooker Header Side Pipe Questions? (bence13_33)
I know side pipes are restrictive, but I love the look and sound of them (especially on a C3).
I'll probably just save up the money and get the Hooker glasspack muffler inserts. I don't think the town cops will bother me. My buddy with the Camaro has a 3.5" dual exhaust. His exhaust runs from headers into mufflers (gutted and can hardly be called mufflers) and into about 2' of straight pipe...his exhaust doesn't even exit out from under the car and he drives his daily through town. I should also note that he has a 7" cowl induction hood that is halfway up his windshield
I'll probably just save up the money and get the Hooker glasspack muffler inserts. I don't think the town cops will bother me. My buddy with the Camaro has a 3.5" dual exhaust. His exhaust runs from headers into mufflers (gutted and can hardly be called mufflers) and into about 2' of straight pipe...his exhaust doesn't even exit out from under the car and he drives his daily through town. I should also note that he has a 7" cowl induction hood that is halfway up his windshield
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 1
From: Wylie TX
Re: Hooker Header Side Pipe Questions? (Chuck Harmon)
Chuck,
Have you used the CC inserts already and didn't like them? If so, let me know if you still have them and want to sell them (if they are 3 disk 3" inserts). They have advertised on their web site the sound levels produced with their inserts and they are lower than the spiral baffles (<60db idle at 50 ft vs. 70 db idle at 50 ft). I'm not here to say that the CC inserts are better than the spiral baffles, but just here to point out an alternative. Without actual flow tests, I'm not going to comment on that aspect.
No offence to JCL or anybody else, but I'm not going to pay $300 for a pair of mufflers.
Have you used the CC inserts already and didn't like them? If so, let me know if you still have them and want to sell them (if they are 3 disk 3" inserts). They have advertised on their web site the sound levels produced with their inserts and they are lower than the spiral baffles (<60db idle at 50 ft vs. 70 db idle at 50 ft). I'm not here to say that the CC inserts are better than the spiral baffles, but just here to point out an alternative. Without actual flow tests, I'm not going to comment on that aspect.
No offence to JCL or anybody else, but I'm not going to pay $300 for a pair of mufflers.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 4,795
Likes: 1
From: Regina Saskatchewan, Canada.
Re: Hooker Header Side Pipe Questions? (bence13_33)
I don't know about where you guys live but if the cops give you a hard time you had better keep 'em quiet. Around here they have these stop checks you are forced to drive through where they do these mini inspections as well as catch guys with no license's. If the cop doesn't like you (what cop doesn't like a young person in a loud bright red Corvette!) he'll pick your car apart and the first thing to go will be the noise makers. It would be a shame to spend all the money and do all the work only to have him issue you a ticket stating you have 1 month, or maybe less to fix the so called problem:rolleyes: Heck, he could even tow it away depending on how you guys get along! If it were me, i'd keep 'em loud and hope not to get pulled over. Or maybe say it's not your car...maybe that'll work :lol:
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 1
From: Wylie TX
Re: Hooker Header Side Pipe Questions? (Clink69)
Clink,
The problem with the Hooker glasspacks is that the pipe used is only 2" in diameter. This is a big restriction for a modded engine. I'm sure the spiral baffles offer much improvement over them.
The problem with the Hooker glasspacks is that the pipe used is only 2" in diameter. This is a big restriction for a modded engine. I'm sure the spiral baffles offer much improvement over them.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,355
Likes: 0
From: Germantown Maryland
Re: Hooker Header Side Pipe Questions? (1979toy)
"Those glasspacks are free flowing compared to the reverse flow mufflers. I just measured
mine at 1.475 in and 1.65 out. Choke, choke, gag!"
Can you explain those numbers to me? what did you measure?
mine at 1.475 in and 1.65 out. Choke, choke, gag!"
Can you explain those numbers to me? what did you measure?
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 398
Likes: 0
From: De Pere WI
Re: Hooker Header Side Pipe Questions? (Chris A)
I have been following the post form Bence that he wanted to install side exhaust, the last time I checked he was looking to install factory style type, now he is switched to Hooker type. Then you are talking about side exhaust being restrictive? What type of baffleing does the factory type side exhaust have? And how can this be more restrictive than factory type under the car exhaust? My 69 when purchase had under car exhaust, and it was quiet but just seemed to be a turd, the first thing I did was to install side exhaust with headers, and it seemed like a new engine was installed, so how can this be detrimental? Also the sounds well you guys who have them know :smash: :smash: