New Hooker 1968-72 A-Body LS Swap System Preview
#1
TECH Junkie
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New Hooker 1968-72 A-Body LS Swap System Preview
Hey guys, this will be the landing spot for all information/photos related to the new Hooker 1968-72 A-body LS swap system components I'm currently developing here at Holley. Feel free to ask any questions along the path of development and I'll be glad to answer them. At this point in time I don't have any part numbers or projected release dates to share, so please keep those questions until we get another 30 days down the road from now. The pic attached here shows the mock-up engine and attached header prototypes sitting in the car we borrowed from a member here on ls1tech last week. I'm working on digitizing the engine bracket geometry now and producing the CAD models of mounts so I can cut out samples next week and get them mounted in the car for test fitting. After that, it's onto the prototyping of the full 2.5" and 3" exhaust systems. I'm going to install an aftermarket rear sway bar into the car before I prototype the exhaust systems and would like input from you A-body guys as to which bar seems to be the most popular...Hotchkis maybe?
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chevymec (06-24-2020)
#3
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I'm not sure on that at this point Andrew, that will be up to the management team to tell me if they want to accommodate that GTO specific feature or not.
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Sleeper 71 lemans (08-03-2020)
#4
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I assume a T56 crossmember is part of the plan? If so, a pre-made tunnel would be very cool too since that's require for an A-body.
As for the sway bar, Hotchkis (that's what I have) is popular, so is RideTech, so is Hellwig. I can't remember how far the sway bar is from the balancer on my GTO. I have Corvette accessories and balancer. I can go to the storage unit and snap some pictures if that will help.
Andrew
#5
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At the very least it would be wise to take measurements while you have the car there, just in case later on there is expressed demand. I'd buy one...LOL
I assume a T56 crossmember is part of the plan? If so, a pre-made tunnel would be very cool too since that's require for an A-body.
As for the sway bar, Hotchkis (that's what I have) is popular, so is RideTech, so is Hellwig. I can't remember how far the sway bar is from the balancer on my GTO. I have Corvette accessories and balancer. I can go to the storage unit and snap some pictures if that will help.
Andrew
I assume a T56 crossmember is part of the plan? If so, a pre-made tunnel would be very cool too since that's require for an A-body.
As for the sway bar, Hotchkis (that's what I have) is popular, so is RideTech, so is Hellwig. I can't remember how far the sway bar is from the balancer on my GTO. I have Corvette accessories and balancer. I can go to the storage unit and snap some pictures if that will help.
Andrew
#6
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i am running hellwig bars f & r. are you going to make a crossmember for the el camino and convertible frames? i have the holley kit in my camaro so its good to see that your doing A body kits now. need some headers that will clear the valve on the drivers rail and that will not be to low. hope to see lots of pics of development of the kit.
thanks toddoky and holley !!
thanks toddoky and holley !!
#7
Wow its nice to see my car with the LS mock up engine! In regard to Andrews comment on the pre made tunnel Todd has free reign to cut anything necessary to make that part (wish I had removed the seats and carpet prior to dropping the car).
I will be using the Helwig sway bars and would be happy to have a sent to the shop if you want to check fitment/clearance.
The plan for the rest of the chassis is an SC&C AFX suspension package, Helwig frame stiffener kit (I will have to mod the trans X-member), C6Z brakes and a Ford 9 inch. Can't wait for the kit to be completed so I can get started building my GTO.
Thanks again to Todd and Holley for allowing me to provide my car for this development.
I will be using the Helwig sway bars and would be happy to have a sent to the shop if you want to check fitment/clearance.
The plan for the rest of the chassis is an SC&C AFX suspension package, Helwig frame stiffener kit (I will have to mod the trans X-member), C6Z brakes and a Ford 9 inch. Can't wait for the kit to be completed so I can get started building my GTO.
Thanks again to Todd and Holley for allowing me to provide my car for this development.
Last edited by 968ls1; 10-17-2015 at 10:10 PM.
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#8
TECH Junkie
Thread Starter
i am running hellwig bars f & r. are you going to make a crossmember for the el camino and convertible frames? i have the holley kit in my camaro so its good to see that your doing A body kits now. need some headers that will clear the valve on the drivers rail and that will not be to low. hope to see lots of pics of development of the kit.
thanks toddoky and holley !!
thanks toddoky and holley !!
#9
TECH Junkie
Thread Starter
Wow its nice to see my car with the LS mock up engine! In regard to Andrews comment on the pre made tunnel Todd has free reign to cut anything necessary to make that part (wish I had removed the seats and carpet prior to dropping the car).
I will be using the Helwig sway bars and would be happy to have a sent to the shop if you want to check fitment/clearance.
The plan for the rest of the chassis is an SC&C AFX suspension package, Helwig frame stiffener kit (I will have to mod the trans X-member), C6Z brakes and a Ford 9 inch. Can't wait for the kit to be completed so I can get started building my GTO.
Thanks again to Todd and Holley for allowing me to provide my car for this development.
I will be using the Helwig sway bars and would be happy to have a sent to the shop if you want to check fitment/clearance.
The plan for the rest of the chassis is an SC&C AFX suspension package, Helwig frame stiffener kit (I will have to mod the trans X-member), C6Z brakes and a Ford 9 inch. Can't wait for the kit to be completed so I can get started building my GTO.
Thanks again to Todd and Holley for allowing me to provide my car for this development.
#14
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#15
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Progress update 10/23
I've gotten the geometry worked out for the rear set-back engine brackets and readied the car for the prototyping of the exhaust system next week.
Last edited by Toddoky; 10-23-2015 at 01:28 PM.
#17
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Andrew
#18
TECH Junkie
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I suspect that the headers will bolt onto an LS engine in the early cars, but I'm not anticipating that any of these components will provide optimized fitment in those applications.
#20
TECH Junkie
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The transmission in place in the last photos was a 4L60; I cycle through mock-ups with all the GM auto transmission cases we plan to accomodate in the swap application as well to validate that the desired engine inclination angle can be acheived regardless of the transmission used. Yes, the floor will be cut in the T56 fitment validation phase.