The quality of Hooker products: Where did it go?
02-03-2011, 05:20 PM
#83
actually sounds good amazingly 
i was really wanting some stainless hookers, i am still asking around and not giving up the dream haha. once you want something..you want it.
02-03-2011, 05:31 PM
#84
we have addressed this issue with holley/hooker directly and have worked closely with them to get these issues resolved since we have had issues as well. From what we have been told the move from mexico back to mississippi has been a battle to get quality back where it was. we just inspect the product before it goes out so there are no issues when the customer recieves it. But they are definitely aware of the problem and seem like they are trying to fix them. just playing devils advocate
02-17-2011, 10:21 AM
#85
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Had to bump this thread...
With the money I saved building my subframe connectors I went ahead and purchased the Hooker catback...even with what I've read here because it's the only sound I truly like with longtubes/ORY and a cam.
From what I can see and tried out, all the slip fits work fine and the intermediate/OTA section is expanded properly and fits together. The only issue I see so far is that when they sprayed the muffler (I'm guessing it's just Hi-Temp paint?), they forgot to spray one edge, as it is almost completely bare metal.
With the money I saved building my subframe connectors I went ahead and purchased the Hooker catback...even with what I've read here because it's the only sound I truly like with longtubes/ORY and a cam.
From what I can see and tried out, all the slip fits work fine and the intermediate/OTA section is expanded properly and fits together. The only issue I see so far is that when they sprayed the muffler (I'm guessing it's just Hi-Temp paint?), they forgot to spray one edge, as it is almost completely bare metal.
02-17-2011, 11:43 AM
#86
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Had to bump this thread...
With the money I saved building my subframe connectors I went ahead and purchased the Hooker catback...even with what I've read here because it's the only sound I truly like with longtubes/ORY and a cam.
From what I can see and tried out, all the slip fits work fine and the intermediate/OTA section is expanded properly and fits together. The only issue I see so far is that when they sprayed the muffler (I'm guessing it's just Hi-Temp paint?), they forgot to spray one edge, as it is almost completely bare metal.
With the money I saved building my subframe connectors I went ahead and purchased the Hooker catback...even with what I've read here because it's the only sound I truly like with longtubes/ORY and a cam.
From what I can see and tried out, all the slip fits work fine and the intermediate/OTA section is expanded properly and fits together. The only issue I see so far is that when they sprayed the muffler (I'm guessing it's just Hi-Temp paint?), they forgot to spray one edge, as it is almost completely bare metal.
03-06-2011, 05:43 PM
#89
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see my thread and the nightmare I've been having installing long tubes.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...gine-help.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...gine-help.html
03-12-2011, 01:33 PM
#90
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thought I'd add this pic from the second set of Longtubes I got..they came without the o2 holes and still hit the K member. I have to o major grinding of it to try and make them work. 
03-14-2011, 08:41 PM
#91
However, as of late I'm extremely disappointed with their drop in quality. Just within the last 6 months I've had 2 Hooker mufflers fall apart on the inside, and now they're shipping catbacks without flared ends on the over-axle pipe?!? I'm not sure how Hooker expects people to install the catback when both mating pipes are the same size
03-28-2011, 01:48 PM
#93
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Another bump to an old thread...
Finally got my car home and installed the Hooker Aerochamber catback. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, fit EXACTLY like it should. I had a few pieces cut to make room for a QTP cutout, but we mocked it up before we did that and everything was perfect.
The sound. The sound is absolutely amazing. Fairly quiet at idle, but still lets you know I have a cam. The ****** absolutely SCREAMS (in a good way) at WOT. There is no drone whatsoever when cruising. Makes it fun to drive my car once again lol.
Everything about it was exactly what I wanted in a catback. My .02
Finally got my car home and installed the Hooker Aerochamber catback. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, fit EXACTLY like it should. I had a few pieces cut to make room for a QTP cutout, but we mocked it up before we did that and everything was perfect.
The sound. The sound is absolutely amazing. Fairly quiet at idle, but still lets you know I have a cam. The ****** absolutely SCREAMS (in a good way) at WOT. There is no drone whatsoever when cruising. Makes it fun to drive my car once again lol.
Everything about it was exactly what I wanted in a catback. My .02
04-16-2011, 06:38 PM
#94
The latest one I had trouble with was being installed on an LT1 T/A as a matter of fact. Look for these things:
-Over axle pipe won't be flared to fit (f-cking morons
)
-Driver side pipe coming out of the muffler has the incorrect hanger. I had to tack weld it to the stock hanger to make it work
-Pass side pipe coming out of the muffler did not line up with the hole in the T/A bumper one bit. Not even close. Had to heat it up with a torch and bend it to fit.
Good luck. That'll be the last Hooker CB I install until they get their heads out of their asses.
-Over axle pipe won't be flared to fit (f-cking morons
)-Driver side pipe coming out of the muffler has the incorrect hanger. I had to tack weld it to the stock hanger to make it work
-Pass side pipe coming out of the muffler did not line up with the hole in the T/A bumper one bit. Not even close. Had to heat it up with a torch and bend it to fit.
Good luck. That'll be the last Hooker CB I install until they get their heads out of their asses.
04-20-2011, 01:56 PM
#95
Just had THREE more catbacks come back to the shop with mufflers falling apart. Guess Hooker/Holley and I will be talking (again) about more replacement mufflers, and me eating the labor (again) for a failed product.
I will never install or recommend a Hooker product AGAIN.
I will never install or recommend a Hooker product AGAIN.
04-20-2011, 04:37 PM
#96
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Sucks to hear. I used to run a Hooker Aerochamber catback on my LT1. Loved the sound quality, but just wasn't loud enough. Never had any actual issues with it though. Even aside from all these Hooker failures lately, I had no intentions of buying any other Hooker products, but this definitely backs that up.
04-24-2011, 10:14 AM
#97
Just had THREE more catbacks come back to the shop with mufflers falling apart. Guess Hooker/Holley and I will be talking (again) about more replacement mufflers, and me eating the labor (again) for a failed product.
I will never install or recommend a Hooker product AGAIN.
I will never install or recommend a Hooker product AGAIN.
Not to be an "azzhat", but I bought a set of the Hooker "sidemount" headers in the spring of 1977 (yes, THAT far back!!) for a '77 Trans Am that I had. Those headers were in the scrap pile within 2 summers of driving (stored the car in winter), because the collectors rusted out and fell off, right where the primary tubes and the collectors met. That set up cost me $700 back then!
Did I contact them? You bet!!! I sent them two letters, and they ignored both. NEVER bought another Hooker product
04-24-2011, 11:35 AM
#98
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wow it really does seem like those cheap china made headers will work better. Terrible to hear such a quality branded name putting out sub par quality product
i will not buy a hooker product bc of this thread
i will not buy a hooker product bc of this thread
05-16-2011, 10:35 AM
#100
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Did I mention I tried 2 different sets of Hooker 1 3/4 headers...wasted countless hours taking a huge chunk out of my passenger side K-member and 3 weeks downtime ordering and both sides headers wouldn't fit? 
Got a set of Pacesetter that fit like a glove and went right up on the passenger side the driver side I only had to grind down the engine tab which took all of 10 minutes.
Got a set of Pacesetter that fit like a glove and went right up on the passenger side the driver side I only had to grind down the engine tab which took all of 10 minutes.