4th Gen F-body Hooker Blackheart True Dual Exhaust Install

[JOATMON]

I though I would share some photos of this installation. This is a very exciting upgrade to the car for me. I think the original exhaust was nearly choking the engine and was not the sound I like being an old hotrodder. It also marks the near completion of a troublesome 1 1/2 year upgrade project on the car.
I bought the lowest priced Hooker system just after Christmas on a 20% off sale with free shipping. $719.99. Keep in mind this is an LT1 car with Hooker full length competition headers which Hooker DOES NOT offer a custom dual system for, DUH. You have to order an LS1 system which fits great from the cross over back and you're on your own with the tie in to the LT1 headers.

[JOATMON]

Photos of new system mocked up on shop floor. Long story but the funny photo of me was to send to my honorary grandson. His Daddy said he cracked up laughing when he saw it.381373813838139381383814038141

[JOATMON]

The last photo is with the exhaust tips correctly orientated, I had slipped them on reversed L to R.

[JOATMON]

Out with the old system, a Magnaflow all stainless, nice stuff, but not my cup of tea. I did really like the scavenger look of the tailpipes.38142381433814438145

[JOATMON]

The fit is good, supplied hardware is high quality. The clearance over the axle is good but I'm gonna have to massage the heat shields in that area just a bit.
Passenger side alignment with the header collector is good, drivers side is about four inches off. Keep in mind this system is for an LS1 with mid-length headers. I'm planning on a no torch, no weld approach to do the tie in to the collectors. My car is missing the catalytic converter hanger bracket and hanger, I wish I had it because the front section of pipes was designed to hang from that bracket. After trying to find one new they are obsolete. After further reading it appears that because this is an SLP car it was likely removed when the car was modified by them with the original SLP exhaust system.381463814738150

[JOATMON]

That didn't upload381513815238153

[JOATMON]

Finally got the exhaust finished up. I ran it for a while to burn out the new pipes and mufflers. I'm gonna go back over all the joints and re-tighten. Sounds great, alot quieter than the old system, but still sounds sassy. Engine actually seems to run smoother and the throttle response is sweet. I used Pypes header collector reducers and AP Exhaust braided stainless exhaust flex joints. 3817438175

[JOATMON]

With regard to the factory exhaust hanger which is obsolete, I found a solution in my junk pile. I still had and old stock torque arm front mount, I mounted it on the opposite side of the transmission than it would have been for the stock torque arm. I fabricated a metal hanger bar out of an old garage door opener bar, basically just had to bend one end 90* and drill one hole for an attachment bolt to the exhaust pipe bracket. I didn't get a photo of it yet.

[Mystery Bird]

Nice job. I love this system on my Camaro.

[JOATMON]

I finally got around to posting a sound clip of the new exhaust. It sounds pretty quiet on the video, but once I got it off the stands and on the ground it seems a bit louder??? I drove it around for awhile and it sounds good. Nolan
Sound clip here;
https://youtu.be/kUfZb8qReXY

[Cathead]

Finally got the exhaust finished up. I ran it for a while to burn out the new pipes and mufflers. I'm gonna go back over all the joints and re-tighten. Sounds great, alot quieter than the old system, but still sounds sassy. Engine actually seems to run smoother and the throttle response is sweet. I used Pypes header collector reducers and AP Exhaust braided stainless exhaust flex joints. 3817438175That really looks good, looks like it tucks up real nice. Good job!

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[popo8]

That sound clip sounds great amd the system looks amazing! Comgrats!!!

Btw, u should sell the parts u removed... it looks to be in good shape and u can recoup some of the money from what u spent on the new system.

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[JOATMON]

I was thinking on craiglisting the old exhaust. The muffler is greasy from a leaking pinion seal but after cleaning it will shine. I think the system sells for around $580 new, maybe I could get $200 for it?

[popo8]

I was thinking on craiglisting the old exhaust. The muffler is greasy from a leaking pinion seal but after cleaning it will shine. I think the system sells for around $580 new, maybe I could get $200 for it?Give it hell man. Cant hurt, and u have no use for it anymore...

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[popo8]

You can also post it on here if ur willing to ship it.

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[myltwon]

That's awesome, I wish this system was available when I was searching for the "perfect" exhaust. I got lazy and gave up now my money is tied up in other things.

Thanks for all the pics and video.

[Fastbird]

I know it's hard to truly capture how an exhaust sounds on video, but that sounded EXCELLENT.