side pipes question
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
side pipes question
I am a new vette owner and just recently picked up a 79 small block. I want to throw some side pipes on it and was wondering what recommendations you all had for me. I was looking at the hooker setup, but please let me know what you all think.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,908
Likes: 10
From: Charleston SC
There's a guy here who sells an alternative to the Hooers, by the name of "Superpowers." You could hit him up if you want..
He didn't have any in stock before I had to decide (so that I had some pipes for my R&R back to the states) so I went with the more expensive Hookers. They look GREAT.
I also went with the STS baffles (google STS baffles). They are a spiral type baffle that I think sounds much better than glasspacks.
And requisite picture (sorry, I have already posted this one today, but it shows the pipes the best (closest I've got, and in best lighting):
He didn't have any in stock before I had to decide (so that I had some pipes for my R&R back to the states) so I went with the more expensive Hookers. They look GREAT.
I also went with the STS baffles (google STS baffles). They are a spiral type baffle that I think sounds much better than glasspacks.
And requisite picture (sorry, I have already posted this one today, but it shows the pipes the best (closest I've got, and in best lighting):
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,382
Likes: 6,401
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
I assume you have read my post about Hooker SuperComp Sidemounts and that's why you want to give the installation a try...?
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...t-quality.html
Lars
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...t-quality.html
Lars
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,908
Likes: 10
From: Charleston SC
Sorry about your case Lars...
As for me, I had not read your post as you assume we all do, and went ahead and bought them. Had no problems at all. The pipes looked great (or maybe I'm a noob that will never win a car show, not that I care). Mounted on fine. No interference with chassis or engine components. Welds might not be "seam-less" but they look fine to me.
As for me, I had not read your post as you assume we all do, and went ahead and bought them. Had no problems at all. The pipes looked great (or maybe I'm a noob that will never win a car show, not that I care). Mounted on fine. No interference with chassis or engine components. Welds might not be "seam-less" but they look fine to me.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
Here's another option.
http://www.sweet-thunder.com/corvett...pes_68_74.html
They are the same style I have. Mine are stainless steel.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...ew-wheels.html
http://www.sweet-thunder.com/corvett...pes_68_74.html
They are the same style I have. Mine are stainless steel.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...ew-wheels.html
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 131
Likes: 4
From: Perth western Australia
After reading a lot of Threads on the subject and doing the maths, I have decided to go with Josh from Superpowers.
I live in Aus and have to make sure what I get is value for $$$$, having all my emails and questions anwsered quickly by Josh, has made the choice easy.
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
The Hooker system looks very good when mounted – don’t get me wrong. The point is that the installation, “tweaking” and mounting can be a tedious process requiring more than a few wrenches and a screwdriver. I used a Port-a-Power, concrete floor anchors, a chainfall, floor jack, hammers, a drill press, tap-and-die set, and a ton of patience and fabrication ability to remove and install the headers 5 times before they fit right. The sidepipe mounting hardware supplied was junk and did not allow alignment of the sidepipes, so I fabricated all new mounting hardware including thick, ¼” stainless threaded frame inserts and adjustable stainless mounting studs to interface with the supplied rubber cushion mounts. Here are the final results:
Here are the headers mounted to the engine after being “tweaked” a bit:
The sidepipes were mounted on custom made standoffs to make the pipes run level and parallel to the frame rails:
I was lucky to be working on this with the body off the chassis – I can’t imagine doing this amount of work from the bottom of a complete car:
With the system mounted to the chassis, I then lowered the body back on the car – pipes and headers now look and fit well, but I wouldn’t want to do it again:
Here are the headers mounted to the engine after being “tweaked” a bit:
The sidepipes were mounted on custom made standoffs to make the pipes run level and parallel to the frame rails:
I was lucky to be working on this with the body off the chassis – I can’t imagine doing this amount of work from the bottom of a complete car:
With the system mounted to the chassis, I then lowered the body back on the car – pipes and headers now look and fit well, but I wouldn’t want to do it again:
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
That car is a work of art, Lars. 
I really want sidepipes, but I don't like the looks of the stock(ish) pipes. More specifically, I love the way the Hooker sidemount headers bring the primaries all the way out to the side of the car. I haven't seen any other setups that do that. Do they exist?
I really want sidepipes, but I don't like the looks of the stock(ish) pipes. More specifically, I love the way the Hooker sidemount headers bring the primaries all the way out to the side of the car. I haven't seen any other setups that do that. Do they exist?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,382
Likes: 6,401
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
With products like this, you have to remember that everything you do is a compromise. The Hooker Sidemount system, although not cheap, is much less expensive than some of the custom products that we know fit bettter. Yet, I still paid about $1400 for the complete stainless steel setup, which is enough money that you would expect a reasonable fit with a reasonable level of quality. I could have sent it back (several times) and insisted on a good-fitting set. To me, this was not worth my time, because I'm quite used to reworking and repairing crap quality parts as part of this hobby that I've chosen to be involved with. So I spent a few evenings of my time reworking the parts until they met my expectations for fit and appearance - that was the best value solution for me, and I was able to get my car done in a short amount of time. Someone with less fabrication/repair skills & tools may not have been able to get this to fit at all, and would be in a serious predicament, so it's important that people know what they may be in for when tackling a project like this: You might get a set of headers and pipes that fit, and you might get something that will keep you frustrated for days...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Irving texas
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
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From: Rockledge FL
I wouldnt put an OBX gas cap on my car. In the import world OBX is the knock off brand. They take normal products and copy them. I have many import friends that buy OBX products and none of them have had a good experience with OBX. I even gave them a try for a new fuel rail for my turbo eclipse. The holes for the injectors werent even open. I would have had to drill out the holes to supply fuel to the injectors. I had it hanging in my wall for a wall as a reminder to not go cheap on car parts.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Thank you all for the input and advice. I think I am going to go with the hooker side pipes. What is a good price to pick up those bad boys? Also would I need anything else aside from the pipes to complete the setup? I am a novice and still learning which is quite fun I must say. Thank you again!
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,908
Likes: 10
From: Charleston SC
You will need the muffler inserts as well. You can usually get them from the same site that is selling the pipes, or sometimes they come with them already installed. You have glasspacks, reverse-flows (quiet), and max-flow? Not sure of the last one. I decided to get the STS spiral baffles instead and love 'em.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 403
From: Nashville TN
St. Jude Donor '09
I put the Hooker SS w/ STS baffle setup on mine a couple of years ago and have no complaints. I had more problems getting the rocker panels off -- rusted in, bolts snapped, had to drill out and clean threads, etc. 
For standoffs, I used the Hooker hardware, but used a set of sway-bar bushings/spacers instead of the cheap rubber ones that came with the kit. Also, because the primaries are so large, it was hard to get the header bolts started -- a lot and trial and error and experimenting with different bolt types . . . ended up using allen head bolts.
I don't remember really having any fitment issues, but I'm fairly new to wrenching and probably just don't know the difference. They sure look and sound good though.
EDIT: Just read your previous note . . . get some heat shields to protect your legs. I bought the steelshields.com "plain and simple" and are SS so they match the Hookers great if you go the SS route.
For standoffs, I used the Hooker hardware, but used a set of sway-bar bushings/spacers instead of the cheap rubber ones that came with the kit. Also, because the primaries are so large, it was hard to get the header bolts started -- a lot and trial and error and experimenting with different bolt types . . . ended up using allen head bolts.I don't remember really having any fitment issues, but I'm fairly new to wrenching and probably just don't know the difference. They sure look and sound good though.
EDIT: Just read your previous note . . . get some heat shields to protect your legs. I bought the steelshields.com "plain and simple" and are SS so they match the Hookers great if you go the SS route.
Last edited by redman76; Jul 1, 2010 at 07:33 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Maybe OBX is junk, but my guess is that the hookers are also made in china now and that is why there are issues. I just put a hurst shifter in my car--right on the box, made in china.
If I'm gonna have to break out the hammer and torch (I don't have a porta power, but I do have a hydraulic jack and a log chain) I will feel much better about it at half the cost.
If I'm gonna have to break out the hammer and torch (I don't have a porta power, but I do have a hydraulic jack and a log chain) I will feel much better about it at half the cost.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,382
Likes: 6,401
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
The Hookers are made in Mexico, that way they can say they're "Made in America" (Mexico is part of the American continent, for those who forgot their geography). So you can "tweak" some Mexican headers or "tweak" some Chinese headers - either way, you're likely to face a little work.
Lars
Lars
