How much power does hooker headers and sidepips add. Is it worth spending $500 on black sidepipes. I can't afford the crome.

 

It all depends on what your current exhaust setup is. Personally, if you are looking for a nice power increase side pipes aren't the way to go. You really have to love side pipes to run them (which I do). If you want to see a nice power increase (assuming you have a small block) I would go with headers into a 2.5" exhaust and a crossover pipe.

 

I think it has factory exhaust and it has L-82 350.

 

Zeek,

Hooker side pipes won't give you any appreciable power over a free flowing factory system if you are funning a stock L82. They will reduce weight and make the inside of the cooler along with allowing the transmission and rear end to run cooler too. More ground clearance and greater ease on working under the car are the other benefits.

The black pipes look great in my opinion. I ran them on mine when it was a small block. But, I needed to freshen up the paint on a regular basis to keep them looking new. Wire brush the pipes, stick cardboard behind pipes on a windless day and spray with high temp paint. Either satin or gloss looks best, not the flat black. The black is more discreet. Many people don't even notice the pipes. A very subtle racy look.

I went with the Jet Hot silver because of the heat properties of the Jet Hot coating. I probably would have gone with black, but they only have a flat black. Maybe it could be over painted with semi gloss high temp, but I don't know for sure.

If you do go with the Hookers, I strongly recommend the JCL baffles. They will give you more power without a noise penalty. Headers make a much bigger difference you go up the ladder on power. A set of Flowmaster 50 Delta series (or equivalent) would give you as much power with a 2.25" or 2.5" true dual exhaust. 40 series Flowmasters will be louder, but not give you any more significant power.

Chuck

 

I to was looking at the Hooker side pipe but was wondering how hot the pipes are with no heat sheld on are they hot to burn getting in and out of the car :confused:

 

I think someone has a pick of a burned leg. :yesnod: The worst is a women in panty hose, the pipe is so hot it melts it to your womans's leg!! :eek:

 

The pipes are no problem for me as long as you are wearing jeans. My daughter got a very bad 2nd degree burn her first time out. JCL's shields, now on, work very well and are highly recommended!

Chuck

 

YES THey are hot enought to burn...as my calf can attest. I have 69 original style. (still waiting on covers)....but hookers definitly burn. If all your after is a performance gain, you'll spend a lot more going the sidepiple route, than just adding say hooker super comp cerma coated headers, cross over pipe, and 2.5"-3" exhaust. Cheaper and better performing. I do love my sidepipes though.

 

Hi
Hookers are ok with heatshields. No more burning when entering the car.
The header front section is still hot, some danger to kids when playing around, but impossible to burn your legs when getiing out or in to your car.
Gunther

 

Where did you find them for 500 bucks?

 

Gunther,
I was wandering were you got your pipes and heat shields, I really like the way they look.
:cool:

 

Hi
The pipes and shields where installed when I got the Vette.
I saw this shields in a wholesale catalogue in different lenght.
The 4 bolt studs are welded onto the pipes.
The shields are chromed and yes, I agree, they look fine.
I have 3 kids and I don't want them to burn legs. Kids don't wear long trousers in summer, so the danger is big.
The shields stay very cool and only slightly warm up when the car stopps, no danger. Not so the collector part of the header, that's hot. :cry
I keep on warning people and kids approaching my car , and this is often enough. :cool:
I will try to locate this catalogue and post details about this shields.
Gunther :seeya