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Stock vs hooker manifolds for my 5.3l

muddysub

muddysub

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So I'm putting a 5.3L in my suburban and I've got a question about the exhaust.

I like these new hooker cast iron manifolds and I know they flow better than stock, (hooker says they're good up to 500hp) I think they look cool, but I'm not sure if they're really worth the money. The manifolds along with the flanges and the gaskets and the hardware and everything adds up to damn near 400 bucks. I know right now it's easier to do it then it will be later on after everything is in stalled in the truck but I'm just wondering if that money is better spent elsewhere.

Either way, stock or hooker, I have to build all my exhaust, all the original exhaust is gone and it wouldn't match up to the new stuff anyway. The $400 or so it would cost to make them work only sets me back about two weeks as far as my truck allowance is concerned. From pictures and measurements I know they'll fit so that's not an issue. With a traditional set of headers, I'm not sure what would fit or what wouldn't that's the only reason I haven't really looked at those. It looks like all of the 5.3L swaps on here have used the stock manifolds. I'm not sure what kind of performance gain ill get out of these hookers so I figured I'd ask you guys.

I keep talking myself out of things because they're more money or more work when really they're probably worth doing it anyway. It took me a couple years and a couple bad decisions to finally decide on an LS swap as it is. I should probably just do it and stop overthinking.

So what does CK5 think?
 
Not sure about the Hooker manifolds.
I used headers from street & performance. They fit really nice with no issues.
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damn those are nice! ive spent most of the day staring at the computer looking for headers. ive found some hooker block huggers that'll fit just fine. i'll look around for those ones as well.
 
My brother runs them on his tuned 6.0 in a 90 Burb and they fit well without cutting or major headaches he says. His is a 4L80E and 241 if that matters to you.
 
Was there a big difference in performance? I am using the stock manifolds on my 01' 5.3. How well do these fit on your K5?
 
my biggest point I was finding on almost any aftermarket set was a lot of them choke it down to 2.25" collectors when the factory pipes that bolt up to the flange are 2.5"

I like cast manifolds my self for less heat and noise .
 
sweetk30 said:
my biggest point I was finding on almost any aftermarket set was a lot of them choke it down to 2.25" collectors when the factory pipes that bolt up to the flange are 2.5"

I like cast manifolds my self for less heat and noise .
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Hooker does claim that the cast manifolds reduce noises nod heat under the hood. I plan on wrapping these, I like the way it looks and it's functional. The headers I ended up buying have a 2.5" collector, I wasn't thrilled about the 2.25" collectors on the manifolds either.
 
Ceramic coated keeps all the heat in and going out the exhaust, not leaving heat underhood.

They also look like new forever...
 
Do they have a warranty? I assume that like everyone else I know of, wrapping them voids it.
 
Wrapping sure makes them rust/rot fast, plus they look UGLY!

Ceramic coated is where it's at!
 
There is a place here in Arlington Texas that does coating if you need a place. I can get you the name and number. They are the ones I used to do my whole exhaust system.
 
I think there's a ceramic coat place here in vegas. I like the look of header wrap and hate chrome so I'll probably just wrap them.
 
wrapping usually voids any warranty..

all ceramic coatings are not the same... JetHot is the best and comes in various finishes..
 
SO I know you bought a turnkey motor and it must have been tuned when it was broke-in. What did they use on it during break-in and tuning? I would use whatever they did unless you are making performance changes.
 
big pappa b said:
SO I know you bought a turnkey motor and it must have been tuned when it was broke-in. What did they use on it during break-in and tuning? I would use whatever they did unless you are making performance changes.
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It's not a brand new engine. It's a GM built engine from an 04 avalanche, it's had stock manifolds all it's life.

Oh and I found a place here in town that'll ceramic coat them in a few different finishes for $175.
 
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