Hooker Header Questions
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Hooker Header Questions Hello all,
I recently bought my third F Body. This purchase was a 2002 Trans Am WS6 M6 with SLP tips. I want to install headers for better sound and maybe a slight boost in HP. However, my local mechanic told me headers would give me trouble and wouldn't be worth the investment. I'm looking at Hooker 1 7/8" LT headers right now. Anybody have these headers or recommend others? Any help would be great.
I recently bought my third F Body. This purchase was a 2002 Trans Am WS6 M6 with SLP tips. I want to install headers for better sound and maybe a slight boost in HP. However, my local mechanic told me headers would give me trouble and wouldn't be worth the investment. I'm looking at Hooker 1 7/8" LT headers right now. Anybody have these headers or recommend others? Any help would be great.
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Joined: Aug 2011
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From: Marengo, Ia
Regardless of brand buy 1 7/8s stainless steel headers. Texas Speed 1 7/8s have been around a long time and are known to fit well, Speed Engineering 1 7/8s are better deal but haven't been made for very long so fitment isn't as well known. If you want the best of the best then American Racing Headers or Kooks are the answer but cost big money. It doesn't matter what headers you get you're also going to need a new y pipe to match and you should install poly motor mounts with the headers. As for what your mechanic says some don't like modified cars because sometimes they're harder to work on, you may want to find a new mechanic for this car or better yet just start doing your own work.
Also I must be feeling generous because..
& 
Also I must be feeling generous because..
& Your local mechanic is wrong. If you had an older car with a SBC he might be right.
Loosening header bolts, blown gaskets, poor ground clearance, burnt plug wires, and cooked starter solenoids are a thing of the past.
Just make sure you use stock GM MLS manifold gaskets, stock manifold bolts, and MSD wires. Headers make spark plug changes MUCH easier.
As stated before, look at Texas Speed's stainless 1 7/8" headers. The Hookers ceramic coating will flake off and rust after several years if it's driven in wet weather.
Loosening header bolts, blown gaskets, poor ground clearance, burnt plug wires, and cooked starter solenoids are a thing of the past.
Just make sure you use stock GM MLS manifold gaskets, stock manifold bolts, and MSD wires. Headers make spark plug changes MUCH easier.
As stated before, look at Texas Speed's stainless 1 7/8" headers. The Hookers ceramic coating will flake off and rust after several years if it's driven in wet weather.
Your mechanic sounds lazy. Its not hard to install. I wouldn't hesitate twice about headers on an LS1. They sound much better and you will no doubt gain around 20-30hp.
You might look into a less expensive brand. Hooker are great and I have owned two sets. But there are others that perform just as well for less.
Based on my experience, go stainless and stay away from ceramic coating. Ceramic coating is junk. 1 7/8 or 1 3/4 will work well. Best of luck.
You might look into a less expensive brand. Hooker are great and I have owned two sets. But there are others that perform just as well for less.
Based on my experience, go stainless and stay away from ceramic coating. Ceramic coating is junk. 1 7/8 or 1 3/4 will work well. Best of luck.
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2014
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From: Superior, WI
Your mechanic sounds lazy. Its not hard to install. I wouldn't hesitate twice about headers on an LS1. They sound much better and you will no doubt gain around 20-30hp.
You might look into a less expensive brand. Hooker are great and I have owned two sets. But there are others that perform just as well for less.
Based on my experience, go stainless and stay away from ceramic coating. Ceramic coating is junk. 1 7/8 or 1 3/4 will work well. Best of luck.
You might look into a less expensive brand. Hooker are great and I have owned two sets. But there are others that perform just as well for less.
Based on my experience, go stainless and stay away from ceramic coating. Ceramic coating is junk. 1 7/8 or 1 3/4 will work well. Best of luck.
What would you suggest on a stock motor car just looking to open it up a bit
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From: Marengo, Ia
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Hello all,
I recently bought my third F Body. This purchase was a 2002 Trans Am WS6 M6 with SLP tips. I want to install headers for better sound and maybe a slight boost in HP. However, my local mechanic told me headers would give me trouble and wouldn't be worth the investment. I'm looking at Hooker 1 7/8" LT headers right now. Anybody have these headers or recommend others? Any help would be great.
I recently bought my third F Body. This purchase was a 2002 Trans Am WS6 M6 with SLP tips. I want to install headers for better sound and maybe a slight boost in HP. However, my local mechanic told me headers would give me trouble and wouldn't be worth the investment. I'm looking at Hooker 1 7/8" LT headers right now. Anybody have these headers or recommend others? Any help would be great.
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lol TECH Fanatic
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From: Marengo, Ia
Staging Lane
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From: akron oh
Have ceramic coated hooker headers and matching your pipe the fitment is terrible the driver's side is to close to the subframe and my you pipe didn't slip over the header and had to have the Y pipe expanded to fit. I don't recommend them but could have a bad set and also the ceramic is starting to look dull and surface rusting I would get stainless if I did it over
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FWIW, I'd go with Texas Speed. Always heard good stuff about their headers. Whichever headers you choose to go with, 1 7/8 is more than adequate enough for what you mentioned.
Last edited by nancygrl; Aug 15, 2014 at 10:41 AM.
I've had jet hots, TSP, and now Kooks.
Kooks is BY FAR the best set of headers I've put on the car. They were the easiest to install, the ONLY pair not to touch the K-member, provide the most clearance, and they come standard with an extra bung for a wideband
