Hooker headers opinions?
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 117
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Hooker headers opinions?
Been shopping for a set of headers for my '96 F-250 460 and there's three brands available- Hookers, Thorley and Banks.
The Banks are stainless steel, but by far the most expensive at around $1,000, the Thorleys will run around $850 and the black hi-temp painted Hookers are half that at around $400.
Anyone with opinions on the construction quality differences between the manufacturers? Tendency to warp or leak? Fit and finish? Thickness of tubing? Weld quality?
I know the paint on the Hookers is probably going to scorch off after a year or two...
Any opinions on any performance differences-RPM, torque peaks? The Thorleys and Banks are both tri-Y and the Hookers are a long tube 4 into 1 design.
A long time ago I put a set of Hookers on a Chev 396 and I was pleased with them, but that was 20 years ago and companies change.
The Banks are stainless steel, but by far the most expensive at around $1,000, the Thorleys will run around $850 and the black hi-temp painted Hookers are half that at around $400.
Anyone with opinions on the construction quality differences between the manufacturers? Tendency to warp or leak? Fit and finish? Thickness of tubing? Weld quality?
I know the paint on the Hookers is probably going to scorch off after a year or two...
Any opinions on any performance differences-RPM, torque peaks? The Thorleys and Banks are both tri-Y and the Hookers are a long tube 4 into 1 design.
A long time ago I put a set of Hookers on a Chev 396 and I was pleased with them, but that was 20 years ago and companies change.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,100
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From: Durham
Hooker headers opinions?
I have Thorley's on my '82 351W and love 'em. The Tri-y's are great for low end torque and they sound good to boot. What I like most is the fit...first, they fit the engine compartment perfectly...I can even get my starter out without loosening or removing the headers...also, they have a thick flange with an excellent gasket (Bison Gaskets, I believe) and I've had no problems with leakage or warping. Oh, the chrome on the Thorley's will discolor and start to turn black over the years. I've had mine on for 3 years and they have turned bluish in some areas, but they still shine up pretty good when I put the elbow grease to 'em.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,024
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From: Elon, NC
Hooker headers opinions?
I just put a set of Heddman Elite headers on my 351W. I cant say about performance yet but for looks and fit they are awesome. And $255 at Jegs. They have the jet hot coating that is supposedly good to 1300 degrees. My truck is an 85 F150 4x4. I was sceptical about them working because of the front driveshaft, but all I had to do was take the driveshaft loose, bolt the headers up and then hook the driveshaft back.
Ron
Ron
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 807
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From: -
Hooker headers opinions?
I have Gibson Tri_y's on my rig. I love em. They were SOOOO easy to install, and I have not had a single prob with them in 20K miles. The chrome plating has even turned this really neat tempered blue. 
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 117
Likes: 2
Hooker headers opinions?
Rabidranger, I'd like to ask you about those Gibson headers.
The Gibson catalog shows a 'shorty' header design with maybe 12" pipes that bolts to the factory pipes that leave the engine compartment. The factory crossover is still used, the Gibson headers replace only the exhaust manifolds, the rest of the pipes are stock up to the inlet of the catalytic.
They're not the full-length design of the Hookers, Banks or Thorleys and I'm trying to compare their effectiveness.
In any event, can you elaborate on how those Gibsons worked for you? Can you compare pulling power, do you tow a trailer, and most impoortant on a 460, does the engine pull any stronger as you wind it up at higher RPMs?
I'd appreciate anything you can add. Thanks.
The Gibson catalog shows a 'shorty' header design with maybe 12" pipes that bolts to the factory pipes that leave the engine compartment. The factory crossover is still used, the Gibson headers replace only the exhaust manifolds, the rest of the pipes are stock up to the inlet of the catalytic.
They're not the full-length design of the Hookers, Banks or Thorleys and I'm trying to compare their effectiveness.
In any event, can you elaborate on how those Gibsons worked for you? Can you compare pulling power, do you tow a trailer, and most impoortant on a 460, does the engine pull any stronger as you wind it up at higher RPMs?
I'd appreciate anything you can add. Thanks.
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