Just installed Hooker Catback, my thoughts...
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
Just installed Hooker Catback, my thoughts... Well, I installed my Hooker Catback today, and just got back from a test drive. I have LT's and ORY and was running a stock SS exhaust, the main reason for the change was the stock catback sounded terrible with the ORY, no tone and very raspy. First off, the install was fairly simple, everything fit like it should. I had to cut a couple inches off the y-pipe where the intermediate attaches, it was to far back and was putting everything in a bind, I have it back more than normal to try and miss the tranny crossmember. That was the only problem I had. Did it myself on rhino ramps. I have the same system on my Grand National so I knew the Hooker was a quality piece for the $$$. Now for the sound, it is louder than I expected. Its funny, it idles quieter than my stocker and is quiet on the highway until you get in it then its fairly loud to me. Sounds nice though, fairly deep tone and a lot less rasp than the stock. Car also feels a little stronger. Ok here's my only complaint with the system, the tips. I'm not crazy about the dual tips provided with the kit, you have to take a couple inches on the tailpipes to make them look right or else they stick out to far. As soon as I find some I like there coming off 
. So overall I'm happy with the system, its definately worth $350.
pat
'00 NBM SS
Pacesetter LT's, ORY, Hooker Catback, Prokit, Chrome Z06's
. So overall I'm happy with the system, its definately worth $350. pat
'00 NBM SS
Pacesetter LT's, ORY, Hooker Catback, Prokit, Chrome Z06's
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,216
Likes: 236
From: Wichita KS / Rancho San Diego
I found that the Hooker alone couldn't kill the rasp with an ORY. I ended up going with a catted Y and that took care of it.
I like it, but to me it is too quiet. Not enough deep tones. I miss that about my old GMMG, but once LT's were installed, it was too loud, and the rasp was insane with the ORY. So I went with the Hooker. At least I don't have to feather the throttle in my neighborhood anymore.
A number of guys have commented that their car felt torquier after installing the Hooker. It feels that way to me. Overall, I'm happy with it.
I like it, but to me it is too quiet. Not enough deep tones. I miss that about my old GMMG, but once LT's were installed, it was too loud, and the rasp was insane with the ORY. So I went with the Hooker. At least I don't have to feather the throttle in my neighborhood anymore.
A number of guys have commented that their car felt torquier after installing the Hooker. It feels that way to me. Overall, I'm happy with it.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
Yeah, i've read a lot of posts about hooker catbacks and no rasp, but mine is still there, just not as bad. Guess thats just the nature of the beast . Maybe i'll put a bullet in the i-pipe someday and see what that does. I'm scared of cats because of the prokit.
. Maybe i'll put a bullet in the i-pipe someday and see what that does. I'm scared of cats because of the prokit. i have no complaints about the sound of my Hooker CB either. I also had some fitment issues with the Y-I placement and it all lining up over the axle. i also had to cut the tail pipe length to get it to look right. i think alot of ppl that say there is no rasp with the hooker just changed from a really raspy catback. like you, i used to have a GMMG on my car, so i know what it sounded like with LT's, and ORY. when i changed to the Hooker the rasp was so much less that i initially though it was gone, but over time and getting used to the hooker i can hear some as well. but the rasp is much, much less. its not bothersome at all. its a nice catback for sure. it really tamed the sound of my cam at idle, but like you said, at WOT its loud!
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Verdad Gallardo Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,216
Likes: 236
From: Wichita KS / Rancho San Diego
It really softened the sound and completely took away the rasp. I went on the warpath against rasp. I wanted it completely gone; I couldn't stand it.
First, the Hooker. Then I had the exhaust shop completely redo the Y by adding cats and a Flowmaster merge. I used the older style Magnaflow/Carsound ceramic cats after Tim at EAD told me the newer metallic core ones wouldn't do as much to kill the rasp. The result is a quiet exhaust system except at heavier throttle.
I also bought a powerpack to install in the I-pipe, but I didn't need it after the cats.
First, the Hooker. Then I had the exhaust shop completely redo the Y by adding cats and a Flowmaster merge. I used the older style Magnaflow/Carsound ceramic cats after Tim at EAD told me the newer metallic core ones wouldn't do as much to kill the rasp. The result is a quiet exhaust system except at heavier throttle.
I also bought a powerpack to install in the I-pipe, but I didn't need it after the cats.
I love mine, I installed pacesetters lt's, tsp catted y, and its great. I also had to trim up the tails to tuck the tips under the bumper, no big deal, I would rather have the tail to long and trim them to my taste. The sound is great, soft at idle and on the highway, but nasty at WOT, deep, no rasp with catted y. I like my hooker.
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 133
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From: Milford, CT
