Install Time on Hooker LT's for the LS1
 

Hey I just won a set of Hooker Super Competition LT's on ebay. First off all, how long is the install time of a typical install and second of all, Can I do this? I am mechanically inclined and have your basic tools but will I need anything special and I DO NOT WANT TO BREAK ANY BOLTS ON MY HEADS!!! Should I just pay the money for a professional install? Let me know about your experiences and if its worth your time to install them yourself...thanks in advance...Josh. :)

TTT...no help with this one guys?

have you ever installed a set of LT's before? that'll help people guesstimate.

this would be my first go...i was thinking anywhere from 5-12 hours on install time but wasn't sure

I say do it yourself, takes most people about 5 hours. I'm sure you could round up some of the CS guys in the Texas forum to come help out. I hear they are biting pretty good on 12-packs of budlight. :D

Nice title Choco! :jest:

lol...this is true...i mean im definetly willing to save myself the 300 or so for install charges if i can just get a guy or two to help that know what they are doing and help out a rookie...my main fear is breaking those damn bolts when i back them off...i did that when i disconnected the y from the stock headers and it was hell drilling out those bolts...j.g.

Do it yourself and while your under rip off the flowmaster or put a cutout on as the flowmaster sucks, even compared to the stock pieces, unless you have a 1 series muffler.

It can take about 5-8 hours doing it yourself and have the proper tools. You can also reuse your stock gaskets on the headers- save ya a little bit of money.

My 98 bolts came out no problem. Just make sure you clean them up and use some anti-sieze on them for the re-install.

You could soak down the bolts w/ PB blaster the night before or something before you try removing them.

Well I think I'm convinced to tackle this head on. One other question I have is I've heard horror stories about sorry gaskets that aftermarket headers come with. Ive heard that they'll leak and then need to be replaced...any recommendations on the gaskets to use or like one guy up top said can I just re use the old gaskets with no probs?

reuse the stockers, or if you have higher miles you can get stock replacements from GM for I think 14 per side. Someone else come chime in on this.

have fun

Man I broke a header bolt off in my LT1 once. That really sucked. Actually one was already broke with the stock manifolds on it. Just be careful. You can do it!

we installed my pacesetters in a few hours last weekend...it took longer for me to hook up the emissions stuff than it did for us to drop the manifolds and put the headers in!

Mine's a '98 w/ 51k on it and has not been garaged...I sprayed the bolts w/ some pb right before we broke 'em loose, and they came out like butter!

good luck with the install and make sure you take your coil packs off to free up some room and may want to consider removing your plugs since it's your 1st install