Hooker Blackheart 1967-72 C10 Truck LS/LT Swap System Info Thread

[Jason Banks]

Hey Todd,

Just a little product feedback. I got my BHS511 motor mounts and 71222024HKR Crossmember today. Everything fits great. The only thing strange is the bolts provided for the motor mounts have a very small head. I'm not using them anyway but they are definitely not appropriate for the job. I do appreciate the flange nut and bolt, but the flange on the 3/8-16 x 1 bolts is too small.

[toddoky]

Originally Posted by Jason Banks

Hey Todd,

Just a little product feedback. I got my BHS511 motor mounts and 71222024HKR Crossmember today. Everything fits great. The only thing strange is the bolts provided for the motor mounts have a very small head. I'm not using them anyway but they are definitely not appropriate for the job. I do appreciate the flange nut and bolt, but the flange on the 3/8-16 x 1 bolts is too small.

I appreciate you taking the time to provide your feedback. I'm going to have someone look into the specific hardware as I don't believe that is what is called for on the BOM for those brackets. Update: I've confirmed that the type of bolts packaged with the kit you received are not what was intended to be used by Holley engineering and the supplier has been notified that a correction is needed on future production runs.

[Davidf]

Originally Posted by toddoky

I appreciate you taking the time to provide your feedback. I'm going to have someone look into the specific hardware as I don't believe that is what is called for on the BOM for those brackets. Update: I've confirmed that the type of bolts packaged with the kit you received are not what was intended to be used by Holley engineering and the supplier has been notified that a correction is needed on future production runs.

My engine stand kit came with the same bolts. Will source 3/8-16x1 grade 8 replacements and use washers. I think it would dangerous to use the bolts as supplied.

[EddyC]

For those who have installed the kit, does the taller extension pipe between the H pipe and muffler go on the driver or passenger side? The instructions say there is a notch on the drivers side extension, but I don't see it.

Thanks!
Eddy

[Davidf]

Originally Posted by Jason Banks

Hey Todd,

Just a little product feedback. I got my BHS511 motor mounts and 71222024HKR Crossmember today. Everything fits great. The only thing strange is the bolts provided for the motor mounts have a very small head. I'm not using them anyway but they are definitely not appropriate for the job. I do appreciate the flange nut and bolt, but the flange on the 3/8-16 x 1 bolts is too small.

Meant to quote this post...

Also, forgot to mention, one bolt was smaller than all the rest (5/16")

[Jason Banks]

Thought I would update with some pictures of my test fitting. This is a stock 5.3 as pulled from a 2003 suburban with the truck oil pan and stock AC brackets. I thought it was interesting that the pan and ac compressor fit. I'm not using the factory AC brackets but the main part was still on the motor so I thought I would throw the compressor on to look. You would have to cut out part of the frame for the lines to be able to hook up as I have seen others using the low factory bracket have done.








This last photo shows how I had to cut a tab off the Anchor 3064 rubber mounts. I only had to cut it on the drivers side.

[Spun Bearing]

Jason - can you post a picture of the pan in relation to the crossmember?
I'm interested how low, if at all, it hangs below the crossmember.

[Jason Banks]

Originally Posted by Spun Bearing

Jason - can you post a picture of the pan in relation to the crossmember?
I'm interested how low, if at all, it hangs below the crossmember.

I'm kicking myself because I knew someone would ask this. I didn't take any pictures of it and took the engine out right after I took these pictures. It hung down 2 to 2 1/2 inches below the crossmember. It had plenty of clearance everywhere else on the crossmember.

[Spun Bearing]

Originally Posted by Jason Banks

I'm kicking myself because I knew someone would ask this. I didn't take any pictures of it and took the engine out right after I took these pictures. It hung down 2 to 2 1/2 inches below the crossmember. It had plenty of clearance everywhere else on the crossmember.

Good to know - need to use a shallow pan.

[toddoky]

Originally Posted by Spun Bearing

Good to know - need to use a shallow pan.

As a point of reference, the bottom of the Holley 302-2 and 302-3 oil pans reside about 1.5” above the bottom of the engine crossmember when they are used with the Hooker Blackheart engine mounting brackets.
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[LS short box]

Toddoky,

Can I ask why you kept your oil pan 1.5 inches off the front cross member? The reason I ask this question because when I was running a T56 magnum to keep the engine angle to a minimum I had to trim the upper trailing cross member pass thru hole to clear the drive shaft.
Seems to me the engine could be lower maybe an inch? I am running 6" drop in the back. On my 68 C10 LS I'm running a F-body oil pan. With just using my calibrated eye ball (and a tape measure) the drag link is a bit higher than the top of the cross member.
Not saying your engineers haven't done their home work just asking.

[toddoky]

Originally Posted by LS short box

Toddoky,

Can I ask why you kept your oil pan 1.5 inches off the front cross member? The reason I ask this question because when I was running a T56 magnum to keep the engine angle to a minimum I had to trim the upper trailing cross member pass thru hole to clear the drive shaft.
Seems to me the engine could be lower maybe an inch? I am running 6" drop in the back. On my 68 C10 LS I'm running a F-body oil pan. With just using my calibrated eye ball (and a tape measure) the drag link is a bit higher than the top of the cross member.
Not saying your engineers haven't done their home work just asking.

If you are referring to my previous post, you misinterpreted the reference to the 1.5”. That is the amount by which the bottom of the sump area of the Holley 302-2 and 302-3 oil pans tuck up above the bottom surface of the engine crossmember, it is not the distance between the front ends of the oil pans and the top of the cross member. The Hooker Blackheart engine mounting brackets and transmission crossmember keep both the engine oil pan and a 4L60e or 4L80E trans pan tightly tucked to the underside of the frame rails. The bulbous rear extension housing of a T56 transmission dips slightly below the bottom frame plane. If you are lowering a vehicle by 6” and need to trim a stock part of the vehicle to make possible, I would consider that an acceptable requirement. I've added the attached image so those interested can see the height of the front of the engine relative to the steering center link with the Holley 302-2, or 302-3 oil pan being used.
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[LS short box]

Thanks for the reply. I did misunderstand. Thanks for the for pic.

[72MARIO]

Ahhh I hope my ctsv pan will clear the front crossmember and center link. Should have my parts next week.

[Snowman34]

Our son and I are working on a '72 C10 Fleetside that we've completely redone virtually all of the front end on, Wilwood disc brake conversion, RideTech StreetGrip install, and new steering set-up incl. a new Borgeson steering box. Next up will be a new exhaust system once we get a few wiring items straightened out.

Our present set up is a 1st gen 350 w/TH350. Has a carb w/headers. Exhaust comes out directly in front of the rear wheels. Gas tank has been relocated to the rear. Previous owners put Cherry Bomb Extreme's on. The drone is excessive and wears on us after 10 minutes or so.

Our eventual goal is a daily driver. An exhaust system is next up for us. Just found the Blackheart system and we're very interested & looks like this could very well be a potential option for us. Since we have a 1st gen SBC w/headers, we are uncertain if this set up would be compatible with what we have. We are interested in the Borla S-Type exhaust as well, due to presumably having "no drone". We'd prefer to have the exhaust come out the back, but be nearly hidden, perhaps just seeing the tips below the rear bumper.

Do these mufflers have any drone?
How do they compare to the Borla S-Type?
Are you able to purchase this system, if it could work with our 1st gen set-up, without the mufflers that come with it?

Two pics included which are from when we originally purchased the truck in October.

Appreciate any input you all might have!
Ryan D.
Orlando, FL

[toddoky]

Originally Posted by Snowman34

Our son and I are working on a '72 C10 Fleetside that we've completely redone virtually all of the front end on, Wilwood disc brake conversion, RideTech StreetGrip install, and new steering set-up incl. a new Borgeson steering box. Next up will be a new exhaust system once we get a few wiring items straightened out.

Our present set up is a 1st gen 350 w/TH350. Has a carb w/headers. Exhaust comes out directly in front of the rear wheels. Gas tank has been relocated to the rear. Previous owners put Cherry Bomb Extreme's on. The drone is excessive and wears on us after 10 minutes or so.

Our eventual goal is a daily driver. An exhaust system is next up for us. Just found the Blackheart system and we're very interested & looks like this could very well be a potential option for us. Since we have a 1st gen SBC w/headers, we are uncertain if this set up would be compatible with what we have. We are interested in the Borla S-Type exhaust as well, due to presumably having "no drone". We'd prefer to have the exhaust come out the back, but be nearly hidden, perhaps just seeing the tips below the rear bumper.

Do these mufflers have any drone?
How do they compare to the Borla S-Type?
Are you able to purchase this system, if it could work with our 1st gen set-up, without the mufflers that come with it?

Two pics included which are from when we originally purchased the truck in October.

Appreciate any input you all might have!
Ryan D.
Orlando, FL

Nice truck. I can't offer you a direct answer to your question as I've not evaluated this particular exhaust system installed on a SB Chevy powered C10 at this point in time. I can however say that I personally use the similar Hooker Blackheart 1973-87 C10 exhaust system on my SB powered 1979 Chevy truck and get zero drone from it. I don't know anything about the Borla mufflers you mentioned, so I can't make a comparative assessment of them compared to the mufflers used in the Hooker Blackheart system. The systems are only sold complete with mufflers.

[clay68c10]

Originally Posted by 72MARIO

Ahhh I hope my ctsv pan will clear the front crossmember and center link. Should have my parts next week.

Did your V pan end up clearing? I’m thinking of going this route.

[toddoky]

For those following this thread, the Hooker Blackheart long-tube LS swap headers shown above in post #102 have been released and are listed on the Holley website.

[72MARIO]

Originally Posted by clay68c10

Did your V pan end up clearing? I’m thinking of going this route.

I just got the mounts installed. The CTSV pan does clear. The bottom of the pan is flush with the crossmember. The holley mounts dropped the engine just over 1" compared to my dirty ding sliders. The stock fan shroud fits with 1.5 removed from the circle. I am using the stock 6.0.cooling fan.

[toddoky]

Originally Posted by 72MARIO

I just got the mounts installed. The CTSV pan does clear. The bottom of the pan is flush with the crossmember. The holley mounts dropped the engine just over 1" compared to my dirty ding sliders. The stock fan shroud fits with 1.5 removed from the circle. I am using the stock 6.0.cooling fan.

That's some good comparative information that I'm sure others will find useful.

[toddoky]

The truck that was used to develop the parts from the Hooker Blackheart swap system is being assembled as a project vehicle and I thought some of you might be interested in seeing how it comes together. Here's a few shots I took today.

[Trucknut57]

Toddoky,

Can you give me a few details on which engine, accessory setup, headers you guys used for the test mule?

Or did I miss it somewhere in this thread?

Thanks.

[toddoky]

Originally Posted by Trucknut57

Toddoky,

Can you give me a few details on which engine, accessory setup, headers you guys used for the test mule?

Or did I miss it somewhere in this thread?

Thanks.

The development process is carried out using non-specific LS and LT mock-up engines that I’ve assembled for the purpose. They are used for the foundation from which to cycle through all the transmissions that have been chosen to be accommodated in the swap system and that is followed up by the fitment validation of the accessory drive systems (stock and Holley).
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[toddoky]

Originally Posted by Trucknut57

Toddoky,

Can you give me a few details on which engine, accessory setup, headers you guys used for the test mule?

Or did I miss it somewhere in this thread?

Thanks.

The development process is carried out using non-specific LS and LT mock-up engines that I’ve assembled for the purpose. They are used for the foundation from which to cycle through all the transmissions that have been chosen to be accommodated in the swap system and that is followed up by the fitment validation of the accessory drive systems (stock and Holley).
Posted via Mobile Device

[derotoreut]

Are you able to explain to me why this system, or others might not require the use of flexible exhaust joints (i.e. short braided stainless couplings) at or near the headers? Systems with "X" or "H" pipes seem awfully rigid to me. It appears that they might benefit from using some type of flexible couplings. Curious to know. Thanks.