Hooker 73-87 GM truck LS swap system

[toddoky]

Hey folks. I just signed up here as a user last week for two specific reasons, one of which is to support my own squarebody addiction (I've owned 3 and currently am working on a 79 C20 project)and the other is to build a thread to provide information about the new Hooker LS swap system of components for these same trucks. I want tell you up front that I'm the design engineer at Holley who's responsible for developing all of the Hooker LS swap components, which will explain why I will only be sharing technical, operational, compatibility and fitment information here...I'm not very good at selling things, so I stay clear of that segment of the business.

I've been sharing the same information and pics you'll see me post here on another popular LS enthusiast website for quite a few months regarding this set-up and noticed that it was not trickling over here for the collective benefit of the members here, so I did some prodding within Holley management and convinced them sign-up as a sponsor here so that I could have the freedom to share information freely with anyone who is interested in reading or asking about it.

I think that's a good start to the introduction, so let me get the meat and potatoes listed for you that will give the basis for formatting questions and comments that you may want shared with other members here.

The direction behind the design of this Hooker LS swap system of parts was the same as it has been for all of the Hooker LS swap systems that have come out over the last 3 years, which is to say that every component is designed with the knowledge of how in would affect the fitment and function of every other part in the system.

An example of this would be the necessity of the transmission crossmember to have the highest exhaust passage clearance available in order for the headers and exhaust systems to be able to provide the best available off the shelf ground clearance under the truck.

I'm feel I'm getting a little too wordy, so here's what's available and some overall photos that show the components installed:


1. Specific factory clamshell style engine mounting bracket kit.
2. 1-3/4" and 1-7/8" long tube headers- in mild steel and stainless steel
3. Cast iron LS exhaust manifolds with available exhaust system adapters
4. Transmission crossmember compatible for installation of a 4l60-4L70,TH400 ,2004R, 4L80-4L85, T56 or T56 Magnum transmission in your truck
5. 2.5" and 3" stainless steel exhaust systems with rear exit or side exit tips

Remember that all the above components are bolt-in installable with one another in your driveway.
And the photos to come...
[IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG]

[BR3W CITY]

At least your up front about working for them. I don't mind reps as long as we know where the confirmation bias comes from

Anyway, I know the headers are an issue that gets a ton of attention around here. If you can help confirm deny their fitment on other years I know it would help us a ton. I'm in a 66, but with a 72 crossmember/suspension. Some here have used the 73+ stuff to great result, others say there are clearance issues. If you have input on that, I'd appreciate it personally.

[toddoky]

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

At least your up front about working for them. I don't mind reps as long as we know where the confirmation bias comes from

Anyway, I know the headers are an issue that gets a ton of attention around here. If you can help confirm deny their fitment on other years I know it would help us a ton. I'm in a 66, but with a 72 crossmember/suspension. Some here have used the 73+ stuff to great result, others say there are clearance issues. If you have input on that, I'd appreciate it personally.

Thanks for posting. Yeah, I see no reason to hide my employment with Holley and have found that by disclosing that fact up front that it helps me to develop a good report with other users and makes any threads I put up a more active source of information for all involved.

As far as fitment confirmation of these headers on any earlier model year of Chevy/GMC truck is concerned, I'm afraid I'm not much help on that one either way as I've not had the opportunity to test fit them on anything other than multiple year squarebody trucks. I feel in time we will get around to developing parts for the earlier trucks, but I don't know when that will be.

[mongocanfly]

Welcome aboard..are those just teaser shots of your truck? How about some whole truck pics..it looks good...I had heard holley was working on headers that required no frame cutting..most of us had to cut the frames on our square trucks.I know a big issue I had was clearing the manual clutch z-bar linkage when looking for headers and wound up with a set designed for a hummer..I still had to mod a bunch to make it work ..my next 2 projects will be the ad chevy trucks so don't forget about us either.

[toddoky]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Welcome aboard..are those just teaser shots of your truck? How about some whole truck pics..it looks good...I had heard holley was working on headers that required no frame cutting..most of us had to cut the frames on our square trucks.I know a big issue I had was clearing the manual clutch z-bar linkage when looking for headers and wound up with a set designed for a hummer..I still had to mod a bunch to make it work ..my next 2 projects will be the ad chevy trucks so don't forget about us either.

Thanks for the welcome, truly. The headers and exhaust system shown together in the bottom-up shot are prototype parts that were built at the end of last year, but the engine brackets, crossmember and the stainless headers shown in the under-hood shots are all off the shelf production parts. Everything is now available, so I will get around to taking some new photos of the exhaust in the near future. As long as you use the Hooker engine brackets and crossmember to mount your powertrain, there is nowhere that the clearance becomes tight with the headers. This is speaking only in terms of 2WD applications, since these parts are not 4WD compatible. There was no attempt made to make these headers compatible for use with a Z-bar/mechanical linkage set-up, so it's doubtful that by luck they would be. The truck shown belongs to an engineering lab tech who works for Holley and there are four others of us who work on the Hooker development team who own squarebodies also.

[Hart_Rod]

Thanks for posting! How about some prices, .

[toddoky]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

Thanks for posting! How about some prices, .

Pricing will depend on where you buy the parts from, so there is no black/white answer to that popular question. The C10 truck LS swap application is highlighted on the home page of the Holley website currently, so it's real easy to browse through all the available parts and get part numbers that you can use to check pricing from various sources.

[toddoky]

For those of you who like to read or crave more info, here's a PDF that covers the technical and compatibility characteristics of the components...

[rs74]

How does the factory LS A/C compressor work with all of this? Can it be retained in its factory location without cutting the frame if the Holley clamshells are used?

[toddoky]

Originally Posted by rs74

How does the factory LS A/C compressor work with all of this? Can it be retained in its factory location without cutting the frame if the Holley clamshells are used?

The engine brackets are compatible with the later factory truck compressor that does not have the rear sensor on it, but the edge of the front lip of the clamshell mounting brace on the truck will need to be trimmed slightly to clear the compressor.

[Advanced Design]

I really do like the system application with these parts. It saves a ton of research and fabrication time plus eliminates the frustration of having parts that don't fit...not to mention cost. Nice job toddoky!

Can you post more pictures of the red truck? Looks really nice.

[toddoky]

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

I really do like the system application with these parts. It saves a ton of research and fabrication time plus eliminates the frustration of having parts that don't fit...not to mention cost. Nice job toddoky!

Can you post more pictures of the red truck? Looks really nice.

Thanks for noticing the effort behind the design, we really did set out to remove a lot of headaches from this swap. More pictures, sure...[IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG]

[mongocanfly]

Good looking square...

[toddoky]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Good looking square...

Yes it is. The owner is an tech who works in the engineering lab here at Holley. He built the truck himself including the body and paint work.

[homemade87]

Originally Posted by toddoky

Thanks for noticing the effort behind the design, we really did set out to remove a lot of headaches from this swap. More pictures, sure...[IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG]

Toddoky , I am interested in one of the hi-ram intakes . I am wanting to run the holley 300-123bk . I see you have one on the the red truck . I cant tell if it is the mid rise or the hi-ram . Wanted to know if you have any info if the hi ram will fit under the hood . I have the flat plates on mine with stock stands . I could not fine any info here or else where . I know you have your mounts on this truck . It looks like it has good clearance if it is the hi ram .

[toddoky]

Originally Posted by homemade87

Toddoky , I am interested in one of the hi-ram intakes . I am wanting to run the holley 300-123bk . I see you have one on the the red truck . I cant tell if it is the mid rise or the hi-ram . Wanted to know if you have any info if the hi ram will fit under the hood . I have the flat plates on mine with stock stands . I could not fine any info here or else where . I know you have your mounts on this truck . It looks like it has good clearance if it is the hi ram .

The manifold on the project truck was the Hi-ram, you shouldn't have any problems fitting it with your mounts either.
Posted via Mobile Device

[homemade87]

Originally Posted by toddoky

The manifold on the project truck was the Hi-ram, you shouldn't have any problems fitting it with your mounts either.
Posted via Mobile Device

Toddoky , Just wanted to give a update on the hi ram intake . I have got my engine apart and decided to try to check clearence for the intake . I see the the intake is 12.3" tall at the highest point from the valley on the front . I stacked 2x4 on top of the valley cover to get 12" at the front . The hood would not close . Apparently the flat plates and stock stands and mounts must hold the engine up . I took one 2x4 off which made 11" tall and the hood would close with 1/4 to 3/8 clearance best I could tell . Just wanted to let you know for future reference .

I really wanted to run the high ram . The low rise is not a option for my engine upgrades and power level . The holley system was not out at the time I did my swap or I would have used it .

I look forward to getting my exhaust . I ordered the 3" system behind the rear wheels last month .

[Advanced Design]

Beautiful truck! Thank you. A bit off topic...I see two fuel tanks and was wondering what he used for a pump? Guessing one external Holley plumbed to both tanks?

[toddoky]

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

Beautiful truck! Thank you. A bit off topic...I see two fuel tanks and was wondering what he used for a pump? Guessing one external Holley plumbed to both tanks?

He's actually running in-tank pumps on both sides. I've asked him to monitor this thread so that he can answer specific questions you guys might have about his truck, so I'm sure he'll chime in and let you know more specifics about how he set up the fuel system.

[mongocanfly]

Well he did a dang fine job on it..I've seen "store bought" trucks that don't look that nice

[toddoky]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Well he did a dang fine job on it..I've seen "store bought" trucks that don't look that nice

Yes his truck is real nice...I don't park my squarebody anywhere near it as it makes mine look like a real POS when I do.

[Daaaanz67]

Sorry to Change the subject from trucks to cars, contacted you guys about a year ago anything happening with conversion for chevelles? Once again sorry guys but since your on here I don't have to go to ls1 tech.

[toddoky]

Originally Posted by Daaaanz67

Sorry to Change the subject from trucks to cars, contacted you guys about a year ago anything happening with conversion for chevelles? Once again sorry guys but since your on here I don't have to go to ls1 tech.

As a matter of fact, I'm getting ready to roll into the development of 68-72 A-body swap components in about a week, so the timing of your question is quite good. If your interest is in regards to the earlier A-bodies, they have not yet been put on the schedule.

[Daaaanz67]

70 chevelle for me been waiting for a while. That's awesome. Can't wait to get this car back on the road. My first car at 16 now 48 think it hasn't been on the road since 19. Will your cast iron exhaust manifolds be equated in with this package? I'm sure headers will be designed for this application. Just curious not all of us may want headers.

[toddoky]

Originally Posted by Daaaanz67

70 chevelle for me been waiting for a while. That's awesome. Can't wait to get this car back on the road. My first car at 16 now 48 think it hasn't been on the road since 19. Will your cast iron exhaust manifolds be equated in with this package? I'm sure headers will be designed for this application. Just curious not all of us may want headers.

This is good timing for you then for sure. Test fitment of the Hooker cast iron manifolds will certainly be part of the effort as will be a new set of long tube headers specific to that application.