Impressions of Edelbrock LT's + Hooker Catback
 

*I installed Edelbrock Victor series LT headers about a week ago, I opted for the Slip fit collector versions, and had them welded on. The reason I did this was for the HVMC and also to have the race version with no AIR/EGR. While I had this done, I had the O2 bungs welded on the Y-pipe, and a rear bung welded in for a Wideband O2 sensor. Coming from someone that has had various different header combos on multiple cars, including Pacesetter LT's on a F-body....The Edelbrocks Qualitly on these headers is top notch, very nice welds, thick flanges, and the Ti-tech coating(paint) is actually pretty decent. Even the welder commented when the Coating didn't burn off or look to bad when he was done. Install was a breeze, besides some issues I ran into with the car in the process. Fit was fantastic, the term "fits like a glove" comes to mind while trying to describe. I really don't know how to describe other then that. Very satisfied thus far.
*Edelbrock ORY for the these Headers is certainly one of the best Y pipes out there. 3"+ is the size, with a very nice merge...no crimps or flat spots either. Although a bit of a pain to install, definately not as bad as the Pacesetter Y pipe, on previous car. Once installed, fitment is also great. Tucks nicely, and doesnt hit the car anywhere. (please keep in mind that Poly motor mounts were also installed at time of header install.) DS clearance isn't bad at all, but it is less then the Pacesetter ORY due to not having any flat spots or relief to hug the frame rails. Again very satisfied with this product thus far.
*Hooker Aerochamber catback was the catback I chose. I replaced the 4" mufflex with spintech muffler. This is a nice catback for the price, about $340 through a sponser on here. I chose this catback because it sounded like a nice setup for me. Install was pretty easy. I had to have the I pipe flaired out to 3" I.D in order to mate up with the Edelbrock Y pipe. The hooker I pipe actually comes shrunk down to 2.75" O.D for the first few inches in order to hook up to stock Y pipe. Once the pipe was flaired it literally slid right together. Tailpipes could actually have used a slight flair to fit a bit more snug into the muffler, this would have made adjustments and clamping easier since it wouldn't have been as loose. The Tips, look like decent quality....they would look much better if they were a rolled tip with an angle cut but they will do for now, if down the road I decide to, I will go back to the oval tips from my Mufflex catback. However the tip inlets came ovaled pretty bad, which made getting them on the tailpipes a tough task. Alittle tweaking and they were on. They looked absolutely hideous as far as placement, they stuck out and looked mega gay. I removed them and took 3" off each tailpipe to get the desired look. Tightening the tips proved to be a pain, the little bolts on the tips for tightening do NOTHING except bend. Exhaust clamps(the horseshoe type) are what i ended up using until i can go ahead and get them welded on. Overall im happy with the fit of this catback, and with slight tweaking and some patience it looks very nice. First startup with this combo, sounds wonderful. Its a deep mellow tone, and it barks when you give it some gas. Not too loud, but for me the perfect volume. Very happy with the sound. Long post but wanted to give all impressions and what was needed to make it fit right. I hope this helps anyone looking at doing a the same setup.

any soundclips?

No soundclips yet, I have no way to record them. Pictures soon to follow though.

So you got the 65703 & 6571? Do they come with 3 O2 bungs? How is the power difference? Any leaks? Can you list your other mods? I can't make up my mind on headers. hehe

Hi

Sounds like you made out well. Any chane of a Y pipe clearane photo with a soda can?

the soda can test

Do you have a "before" dyno and plan to do an "after" dyno? Thx!

Yes, those are the part numbers I purchased. Actually the headers come with (2)O2 bungs, and the Y pipe also comes with (2)O2 bungs. I chose to have them welded in the y pipe rather then the Header collectors. Power difference, well its hard to tell right now actually. I will start driving the car tomorrow, but over the winter I did Headers/ORY, new head gaskets, Comp 26918 springs, Hardened pushrods, LS6 intake, Moser 9" with 3.90 gears. They don't seem to be leaking anywhere at all either. My other mods are SLP UD pulley,PCMforless tune and SLP lid. I can do the soda can test in the next day or two for everyone and post pics.

No I have not had the car dyno'd, it will be dyno'd on the third week of june before the cam swap, and then after the cam swap.

Damn 86Iroc and i just put that same set-up on my car last weekend :) I LOVE it!! Especially that "pop" when ya shift at about 3300 RPM :drool: I can REALLY feel a difference anything above 3500. That setup is perfect IMO. Not loud at all in the car, No drone what so ever yet when you want to make your presence known its right there....

No pics yet, I am gonna have to get some batteries for my digital camera. I did however do the soda can test on the DS of the y pipe(the lowest portion). It cleared with 2/3"-3/4" to spare. Also got some drive time, and I am still really liking the Hooker catback. This catback sounds like old school muscle, and the car definately got some looks because of it.

3/4" is really good.

I have the Edel's and their Y also--QUALITY PLUS---clearance on the dr.side is about 3-3-1/4 "..had to play with mine ....was going to flatten it a bit but didn't.

Wow thats not good, Im stock height- !isolators and have just over 5 1/2" of clearance on the DS. You should be able to adjust it for better clearance.

I have similar setup, Edelbrock 65653s and I welded a pair of magnaflow 59959s into the Y. Pass side clearance is top notch, dr side is bad. No way a can is getting under there. I plan on doing some adjusting this weekend, see if I can get it better, but the cat body is 4" OD and I placed it at where the dr side pipe would probably have hung the lowest anyway....

I also had trouble getting the Hooker I pipe to fit and seal since the hooker was too small. I am going to get that expanded this weekend and hopefully seal that up.

Since the collectors are 3.5" is the y-pipe also 3.5" where it meets the collectors then it reduces to 3" before the merge?

My car is lowered..... :judge:

My y was over 3-1/2" --fit over the headers...narrows after the merge to mate with c.back.... :judge:

Called Edlebrock today, they said the y-pipe will mate to the stock I pipe. Is this correct, or do they not know their own product.

So the Y goes over the collector not the other way around. Good to know. That's the biggest Y I know then. Tthe other brands have 3" collectors.

Yes, the Y-pipe goes over the collectors. It will mate to the stock I pipe but I do believe that the stock I pipe would either need to be expanded or slid inside the outlet of the Y pipe. This is because the stock I pipe is 2.75" I believe, and the Y pipe outlet is 3" OD. I had to expand the I pipe inlet on my Hooker catback to 3" ID to slide over the Y pipe, these catbacks come necked down to 2.75" ID to slide over the factory Y pipe.