TPIS or Hooker Headers???
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 644
Likes: 15
From: Clarksville Tennessee
TPIS or Hooker Headers???
I'm about to buy a set of headers. I'm not sure which one to go with TPIS or Hooker. The Hooker is a little cheaper than TPIS. Is Hooker worth it?? Is there anyone in the Forum that has used hooker headers. If so was it worth the price? Jegs part # 520-2149
Rsshen vette
Rsshen vette
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,167
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From: What did the 5 fingers say to the face? SLAP!!
I had a lot of trouble getting the Hookers to fit the first time I installed them. A LOT of trouble. However, once they heat cycle enough times they will be easier to reinstall if you ever need to. If I were to do it over again, I would probably spend the extra for the TPIS.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 637
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From: Perth Amboy N.J.
all headers are not made equal. if your going to spend hard earned money on headers, buy headers that give you the real performance that your looking for. EMs racing headers. they will be money well spent. if moneys a problem save up the difference and you wont be sorry. when it comes to headers you get what you pay for.
regards
regards
Last edited by bacardioil; Mar 27, 2006 at 11:14 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 8,683
Likes: 6
From: Phoenix AZ
Originally Posted by bacardioil
all headers are not made equal. if your going to spend hard earned money on headers, buy headers that give you the real performance that your looking for. EMs racing headers. they will be money well spent.
regards
regards
Hookers are a bit cheaper so if money is a concern go with them, but the TPIS and EM headers are almost identicle in price and the EM headers are a much better set.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,894
Likes: 3
From: Reading PA.
I have a set of Hooker #2150s no air pipes and only had minor fitment issues not major. But their ceramic coating has alot to be desired. Mine have only been on about a year and allready the coating is flaking off. The TPIS headers use the stock exhaust bolts and also have the standoff tubing to re mount the alternator brace and air conditioner brace. Both are good headers. GOOD LUCK WHICHEVER YOU CHOOSE 
Pipe
Pipe
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 10
From: Lufkin Texas
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by pipe
I have a set of Hooker #2150s no air pipes and only had minor fitment issues not major. But their ceramic coating has alot to be desired. Mine have only been on about a year and allready the coating is flaking off.
I had ZERO fitment issues other than the need to fab the Alt. brace thing.
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Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,749
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Originally Posted by skateparkdave
I've heard this but either they made an improvement or I'm lucky. Mine are a year and a half or so old and still look like this.
I had ZERO fitment issues other than the need to fab the Alt. brace thing.
I had ZERO fitment issues other than the need to fab the Alt. brace thing.
I agree. Mine are 2 years old, and looks brand NEW!! Well even in 2 years. Prob only 8000 miles on them.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,836
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From: Database Error Indiana
The only problems I had with TPIS were, 1- the Y pipe is not year specific, so it may need to be modified to fit your car. 2- They will lie to you and say they are in stock when it really takes 2 weeks to get them. I really do like the ability to use stock brackets and bolts (some grinding required on a couple heads) and the coating is still looking good after morethan a year on a DD. 
Pro
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 678
Likes: 0
From: Oslo, Norway
Hi.
I have TPIS headers . They were easy to fit. It was only two things that had to be "adjusted. One was the support for the alternator. I had to grind off one millimeter so that it cleared the primary tube on the header. Very easy with a file or grinder. Two was a bolt that was too broad so that the wrench did not enter. I changed it to a torxbolt and everything was ok.
I have an 85 with stock cast iron heads. Change of sparkplugs is easier than with stock manifolds. No obstruction with starter.
I have the coated ones and they look as the picture above after two years. The temp. in the engine room is good. people react on lhe low temp having headers.
I live in Norway and the delivery from TPIS was fast . I ordered it and one and a half week later they had arrived in Norway.
No problems with the Y tube if following installation instructions from TPIS. Look at their site.
Good luck
I have TPIS headers . They were easy to fit. It was only two things that had to be "adjusted. One was the support for the alternator. I had to grind off one millimeter so that it cleared the primary tube on the header. Very easy with a file or grinder. Two was a bolt that was too broad so that the wrench did not enter. I changed it to a torxbolt and everything was ok.
I have an 85 with stock cast iron heads. Change of sparkplugs is easier than with stock manifolds. No obstruction with starter.
I have the coated ones and they look as the picture above after two years. The temp. in the engine room is good. people react on lhe low temp having headers.
I live in Norway and the delivery from TPIS was fast . I ordered it and one and a half week later they had arrived in Norway.
No problems with the Y tube if following installation instructions from TPIS. Look at their site.
Good luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Redding Ca
The only problems I had with TPIS were, 1- the Y pipe is not year specific, so it may need to be modified to fit your car. 2- They will lie to you and say they are in stock when it really takes 2 weeks to get them.
Must be the luck of the draw. I ordered mine about 6-months ago and they shipped immediately.
The muffler shop that installed them was complimentary about the fit and installation.
Must be the luck of the draw. I ordered mine about 6-months ago and they shipped immediately.
The muffler shop that installed them was complimentary about the fit and installation.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,506
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From: Vancouver,Wa.
I have the hookers and have installed Tpis's. I would go with the TPIS. The bolts are easy to get to. There's a few things that you have to do to the hookers before you mount them. Reverse the motor mount bolts. custom wrench for that rear bolt on #8.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 6,252
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From: Silicon Valley Kalifornia
Originally Posted by vader86
TPiS is better in fitment, and allows reuse of stock bolts and braces (which are important).
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
TPIS and Hooker headers are about the only C4 headers that I have not handled and examined. But I have had other Hookers and always found them lacking, some were a pathetic joke. From all reports I've read here, the TPIS headers are probably the easiest for plug changes as well as for the simpler related installation details already stated here. The TPIS also have 3/8" flanges, the Hookers only 5/16". If you can swing them, they'd be my recommedation between these two choices.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Sharpsburg Georgia
GA Events Coordinator
Originally Posted by Corvette Kid NC
TPIS and Hooker headers are about the only C4 headers that I have not handled and examined. But I have had other Hookers and always found them lacking, some were a pathetic joke. From all reports I've read here, the TPIS headers are probably the easiest for plug changes as well as for the simpler related installation details already stated here. The TPIS also have 3/8" flanges, the Hookers only 5/16". If you can swing them, they'd be my recommedation between these two choices.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
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From: Indianapolis IN
I bought Hookers and ended up cutting two pipes out and welding in two new pipes to allow for more clearance on my AFR 210's,
The pipes were # 5 and # 4 that had close plug wires, but some of this is the result of the AFR's having poopy clearance
Or I would buy uncoated hookers, cut and re-weld them, then have them coated or maybe I would go TPIS next time.
The pipes were # 5 and # 4 that had close plug wires, but some of this is the result of the AFR's having poopy clearance
Or I would buy uncoated hookers, cut and re-weld them, then have them coated or maybe I would go TPIS next time.
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by blown87
I thought you were a Stainless Works man.
