- Joined
- Jul 5, 2014
- Messages
- 2,776
Well here is bi-monthly update.
I ended up buying a set of hooker blackheart coated headers. Really nice headers, very heavy. Unfortunately they require a set of expensive hooker motor mounts as they won't clear standard ls swap mounts. And the hooker frame mount adapter plates didn't line up with the mounting holes in the frame. I'm still at a loss as to why they didn't line up. I have the hooker trans cross member and that sets the fore/aft engine/trans position. With the other swap mounts they have several positions to adapt to different applications and they fit well and used the same mounting holes on both sides. The left hooker mount was off .720 too far forward, and the right was .450 too far back. I was able to design a set of frame mounting plates that worked, but for the $200 I was stuck paying for the hooker mounts they should have fit. First pic shows just how far the left mount was off.
After making up new plates I got the engine mounted again and making up new power steering hoses (didn't clear the hooker engine plates) I tried to put the headers in. Right side was a piece of cake, left side wouldn't go from top or bottom. Had to pull the steering box out and hold the header halfway in place, and lift the heavy power steering box in with one hand. Was fun......not really. But the headers are in and they fit nicely, tuck up pretty well and look great. I got the x-pipe and mufflers on back to just in front of the rear axle. The tail pipe don't even come close to fitting, so I'm taking it to a muffler shop to have them modified to fit. Had to call several places to find someone that will modify the pipes I have because they are mandrel bent, and the other places just wanted to bend up new ones without a mandrel bender that crushes the pipes and decreases there ID drastically.
I started the car up today and I am disappointed in how it sounds. Sounds just like before, an engine with no exhaust, just the noise is coming from back further that it was without the exhaust on. The kit has chambered mufflers, don't like them at all. The sound may change after the tail pipes are on, but I doubt it. I have a magnaflow on my LS2 in my trailblazer SS and it sounds great.
I need to put the interior in and a few more things then I can hopefully drive it to have the tail pipes fitted and a front end alignment.
I ended up buying a set of hooker blackheart coated headers. Really nice headers, very heavy. Unfortunately they require a set of expensive hooker motor mounts as they won't clear standard ls swap mounts. And the hooker frame mount adapter plates didn't line up with the mounting holes in the frame. I'm still at a loss as to why they didn't line up. I have the hooker trans cross member and that sets the fore/aft engine/trans position. With the other swap mounts they have several positions to adapt to different applications and they fit well and used the same mounting holes on both sides. The left hooker mount was off .720 too far forward, and the right was .450 too far back. I was able to design a set of frame mounting plates that worked, but for the $200 I was stuck paying for the hooker mounts they should have fit. First pic shows just how far the left mount was off.
After making up new plates I got the engine mounted again and making up new power steering hoses (didn't clear the hooker engine plates) I tried to put the headers in. Right side was a piece of cake, left side wouldn't go from top or bottom. Had to pull the steering box out and hold the header halfway in place, and lift the heavy power steering box in with one hand. Was fun......not really. But the headers are in and they fit nicely, tuck up pretty well and look great. I got the x-pipe and mufflers on back to just in front of the rear axle. The tail pipe don't even come close to fitting, so I'm taking it to a muffler shop to have them modified to fit. Had to call several places to find someone that will modify the pipes I have because they are mandrel bent, and the other places just wanted to bend up new ones without a mandrel bender that crushes the pipes and decreases there ID drastically.
I started the car up today and I am disappointed in how it sounds. Sounds just like before, an engine with no exhaust, just the noise is coming from back further that it was without the exhaust on. The kit has chambered mufflers, don't like them at all. The sound may change after the tail pipes are on, but I doubt it. I have a magnaflow on my LS2 in my trailblazer SS and it sounds great.
I need to put the interior in and a few more things then I can hopefully drive it to have the tail pipes fitted and a front end alignment.
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