just for the record, anyone that tries to install HOOKER longtubes on their LT1 in their garage with 2 jack stands, 2 ramps, 2 jacks, and a bunch of bundles of shingles is crazy. me and 2 friends did just this on a 97 z28 convertible and it was HORRIBLE....worst experience modding a car i've ever been through. it was sooooooo easy to get longtubes into my truck, but noooooo the LT1 couldn't cooperate like that. NEVER try this install without a lift, better yet, pay the 300+/- a shop wants to install them and don't worry about it.

 

My install was a piece of cake. ...But then agian my motor was not in the car when i did it. :p

 

I have shorties for that reason

 

Sounds like some inexperience

I've done enough longtube installs on LT1's now that I could literally do it in about half a day depending on if the car has traction control or other crap. It's not that bad once you know the tricks of the trade...

 

shouldnt have been that hard. did you unbolt the motor and raise it up any?

 

When i did mine the first time the motor was out side the car getting new heads and bearing and studed mains. But if i had to do it again i would drop the motor anyways. I mean it only takes like maybe 4-5 hours to get the motor out. Then its clear sailing from there.

 

I agree with Bobby. Easy as can be. All I have to do is put a 1" thick eight inch square board on the foot of my floor jack and raise up the motor a bit with the motor mounts still intact and I have the clearance I need to get them in and out. I just removed and installed them recently for my cam/heads swap.

 

nope, didn't raise the motor at all, we just did it in the garage...didn't even pull it into the shop. we just jacked the car WAY up from where it sat and had it sitting on bundles of shingles. it was crazy

 

if you just unbolt the engine and raise it up some they go in a lot easier

 

When I dropped mine in I had my heads off the motor. torqueing down the head bolts on the passenger side was an excercise in patience, but I did it.

I have to admit I don't know how you'd ever install them with a fully assembled motor unless you could jack up one side of the motor. They're a TIGHT fit.