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Also, what trans mount are you using with the T56?
Andrew
I prototype all cross members using the Prothane mount resting on a 3/16" shim that is included with the crossmember. That is done so that the Prothane or stock rubber mount can be used for the install, or the Energy Suspension mount by leaving the 3/16" shim out; the Energy Suspension mount was designed 3/16" taller than the stock rubber mount for some reason.
Thank you for the time you have put into this. I've gotten rid of my stock kmember. But would love to utilize your products. They have turned out awesome
Thank you for the time you have put into this. I've gotten rid of my stock kmember. But would love to utilize your products. They have turned out awesome
Thanks for voicing your approval, I appreciate it. Stay tuned for more information regarding compatibility with various aftermarket K-members. What brand are you using in your swap?
I know mine won't work. I currently have a aje, so I'll have to get another one.
I will eventually be getting my hands on one of those as well to see if I can come up with a set of engine brackets that will provide compatibility with the Hooker system components. It will happen sometime this year, but I can't say when at this point.
The exhaust system prototype work was finished this afternoon with the completion of the muffler/turn-down system. The final step in the development system will be to validate various aftermarket K-members to determine their compatibility with the Hooker components. The first two up will be those from Maximum Motorsports and UPR since I currently have them in my possession.
Here's a few images of the muffler/turn-down exhaust system; it will be available in 3" diameter
only.
Which MM k-member do you have for test fit? The 5.0 Windsor k-member or the 2.1 version mod motor swap k-member? I have the 2.1 in my car but honestly I wish I had bought the regular 5.0 k-member because it would be easier to deal with headers due to the smaller motor mount towers.
Which MM k-member do you have for test fit? The 5.0 Windsor k-member or the 2.1 version mod motor swap k-member? I have the 2.1 in my car but honestly I wish I had bought the regular 5.0 k-member because it would be easier to deal with headers due to the smaller motor mount towers.
I'm kind of waiting for your parts to come out since buying headers will expedite instead of building headers. I need to finish my project.
Yes, your thought process is in line with my approach to this application; I'll be using the 302/5.0 version of the Maximum Motorsports K-member to obtain the same installed crank centerline as was achieved with the stock K-member. I've already digitized the MM and UPR K-members and superimposed them over the digitized stock K-member geometry and know what to expect.
Even though the it extended the development time and difficulty of this project, there were three primary reasons for basing everything around the use of the 302/5.0 K-member engine pad mount geometry.
1.) Allows the LS crank centerline to be installed at the same height and inclination angle as the OE SB Ford engine.
2.) It's the only engine mounting scheme/geometry that is guaranteed to never change. Aftermarket K-member companies that use custom engine mounting schemes have and will make design revisions from time to time, which can render other once-compatible parts obsolete.
3.) There are many Fox Body cars out there equipped with perfectly functioning aftermarket suspensions based on the use of a 302/5.0 K-member, so it made no sense to us why they should they have to change out that K-member just to be able to perform an engine swap.
If someone is starting the swap with a bone-stock car and wants to use an aftermarket K-member, there are a couple of tubular K-members that replicate the stock 302/5.0 mounting pad geometry and will accept the primary Hooker engine brackets that will be getting released. Better yet, a used 302/5.0 K-member can possibly be found on the cheap to reduce the overall project cost.
As I stated earlier, I'm going to get an AJE K-member before all is said and done and will be investigating the possibility of developing a specific set of engine mounting brackets for it, as long as current Hooker headers clear it otherwise. The final decision will be made by product management based on my reported findings.
Very interested in the x pipe and back. Will this be available in sectional kits?
Also, I think I talked to the owner of this car at LSFest this year, single turbo 302 before it was swapped?
The exhaust systems will be available as complete systems from the header collectors back; the various section components will not be available separately. Yes, your recollection of the car is correct.
Update-3/16: I've previously mentioned that I will be validating various aftermarket tubular K-members for compatibility with the Hooker swap components for this application, so I thought I'd give you guys a peek at how I will be accomplishing that in a little more detail.
I spent this past week building the check fixture pictured to allow me to evaluate any existing K-member currently available, as well as any new ones that may come along, without needing to perform an entire mock-up in the car.
After I land a couple more datum points, I won't need a car to perform the evaluation and will even be able to develop specific mounting brackets for K-members that use non-factory mounting points (i.e. the AJE K-member).
I should be ready to begin evaluations of the K-members I have on-hand next week and will eventually get most of the popular ones through here over the next couple of months.
Pretty cool. Thanks for sharing whats involved in doing it this way. I'M SURE it will help persuade some people with a aftermarket k-member to join the Holley swap family.
Do you have a date yet when this will be for sale on the website?
Sorry Chuck, I just noticed this post from you. I can't put out any release dates for any of the parts in this system yet, but I should have a good estimate in a couple of weeks from now.
02-28-2017, 01:33 PM
