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

[toddoky]

For those who have been waiting for the Hooker Blackheart engine mounting brackets for the 1963-67 wide frame rails, they have been released and posted on the Holley website along with the new Hooker Blackheart trailing arm crossmember for lowered trucks.

[Pythonater]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/member.php?u=157703, we're considering the 3" Blackheart Exhaust system for a 68 SWB we're building, however there are very few good pictures of the rear exit version of this system. Even the installation instructions on your website show only side exits in the pictures. We would like to see some more pics, specific to the 3" rear exit as we are using an aftermarket panhard bar and coilover conversion that will require modifying your tailpipe locations and we'd really appreciate a good look to help us determine how much modding it may take. Cheers

[toddoky]

Originally Posted by Pythonater

toddoky, we're considering the 3" Blackheart Exhaust system for a 68 SWB we're building, however there are very few good pictures of the rear exit version of this system. Even the installation instructions on your website show only side exits in the pictures. We would like to see some more pics, specific to the 3" rear exit as we are using an aftermarket panhard bar and coilover conversion that will require modifying your tailpipe locations and we'd really appreciate a good look to help us determine how much modding it may take. Cheers

I'll post a couple of images of the prototype tips of the rear exit system as I don't have any installed shots of production parts at this time. The over-axle tube assemblies are the same for the side exit and rear exit systems.

[1971Stepside]

I purchased this kit (2.5") and wanted to give my thoughts for those thinking about it. My set up is a little different than all of the Holley parts recommended as they were not available when I was installing everything. I have a 6.0 sitting on POL stands. 4L80e trans with Dirty Dingo cross member. Speed Engineering Long Tube headers. I had already cut the holes in my trail arm cross member and they are not exactly where Holley have theirs as mine sit closer to the frame rails, but are 4" holes.

The kit fits amazingly well from the rear bumper to the h-pipe. The quality of the kit and the brackets are top notch. I highly recommend the kit over having a shop build you a stainless system.

The downside, if you want to call it that, is hooking up the H-pipe section to the headers. The headers sit lower than what the pipe is. I ended up having a local shop fabricate up some pipe to make the connection. I wasn't too bad to have done, but I could not find a local shop that could do mandrel bends, so I had to go with the old press bends. At some point I will put cut-outs in and have mandrel bends installed.

If anyone wants pics of my install let me know.

[toddoky]

Originally Posted by 1971Stepside

I purchased this kit (2.5") and wanted to give my thoughts for those thinking about it. My set up is a little different than all of the Holley parts recommended as they were not available when I was installing everything. I have a 6.0 sitting on POL stands. 4L80e trans with Dirty Dingo cross member. Speed Engineering Long Tube headers. I had already cut the holes in my trail arm cross member and they are not exactly where Holley have theirs as mine sit closer to the frame rails, but are 4" holes.

The kit fits amazingly well from the rear bumper to the h-pipe. The quality of the kit and the brackets are top notch. I highly recommend the kit over having a shop build you a stainless system.

The downside, if you want to call it that, is hooking up the H-pipe section to the headers. The headers sit lower than what the pipe is. I ended up having a local shop fabricate up some pipe to make the connection. I wasn't too bad to have done, but I could not find a local shop that could do mandrel bends, so I had to go with the old press bends. At some point I will put cut-outs in and have mandrel bends installed.

If anyone wants pics of my install let me know.

Feel free to post up all the pics you want of your exhaust system here in this thread as your photos may be as valuable as your written feedback to some other C10 owners.

[chad64chevy]

Originally Posted by 1971Stepside

I purchased this kit (2.5") and wanted to give my thoughts for those thinking about it. My set up is a little different than all of the Holley parts recommended as they were not available when I was installing everything. I have a 6.0 sitting on POL stands. 4L80e trans with Dirty Dingo cross member. Speed Engineering Long Tube headers. I had already cut the holes in my trail arm cross member and they are not exactly where Holley have theirs as mine sit closer to the frame rails, but are 4" holes.

The kit fits amazingly well from the rear bumper to the h-pipe. The quality of the kit and the brackets are top notch. I highly recommend the kit over having a shop build you a stainless system.

The downside, if you want to call it that, is hooking up the H-pipe section to the headers. The headers sit lower than what the pipe is. I ended up having a local shop fabricate up some pipe to make the connection. I wasn't too bad to have done, but I could not find a local shop that could do mandrel bends, so I had to go with the old press bends. At some point I will put cut-outs in and have mandrel bends installed.

If anyone wants pics of my install let me know.

Please post up your pictures, I have speed engineering long tube headers, and 4l60e! I’m wanting to order the 2.5” kit rear exit kit
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[1971Stepside]

I'll post up some pics after it is all tightened down and adjusted. I did discover today that my kit is missing the 2.25" band clamp for the H-pipe. That will be a pain to take it all apart again for that clamp. I have a strap clamp I will use until Holley sends me the replacement.

[toddoky]

Those of you needing LS or LT engine mounting brackets for a 1967 model year truck with wide frame rails can now find them on the Holley website as part number BHS538. Here is an image of these mounting brackets installed on our 1964 C10 development truck (they work on all 1963-66 trucks and 1967 trucks with wide frame rails.). The brackets shown are pre-production samples, production parts are black powder coated.

[DaHos]

Originally Posted by toddoky

Those of you needing LS or LT engine mounting brackets for a 1967 model year truck with wide frame rails can now find them on the Holley website as part number BHS538. Here is an image of these mounting brackets installed on our 1964 C10 development truck (they work on all 1963-66 trucks and 1967 trucks with wide frame rails.). The brackets shown are pre-production samples, production parts are black powder coated.

Has there been any header/manifold fitment done for the 63-72 wide frames using the BHS538 mounts?

[toddoky]

Originally Posted by DaHos

Has there been any header/manifold fitment done for the 63-72 wide frames using the BHS538 mounts?

Yes, there is a set of headers that were prototyped specifically for use on that application (they haven't been released yet) and the Hooker cast iron exhaust manifolds fit as well as shown in these attached images. As far as stock exhaust manifolds are concerned, I can't say as it wasn't one of my projects.

[72MARIO]

Do you offer a rubber engine mount ? I bought the holley poly and think there transfering some unwanted engine harmonic vibiration thru the suburban.

[toddoky]

At this point we don’t offer rubber inserts, but if you want to run rubber mounts, you can use stock replacement motor mounts for a 1998-2002 LS1 equipped Camaro with the Hooker Blackheart mounting brackets. I would advise however that you use the mounts that GM sources and offers as many of the aftermarket versions we’ve come across are poor quality and will fail quickly when used on any engine with a power output that is greater than what a stock LM7 5.3L truck engine puts out.

[Mbeef61]

I am looking for info on the Holley trans crossmembers for 71 c10. I was looking into the new TREMEC TKX transmission. They are based on the TKO. I don’t see the TKO mentioned in any of the c10 trans crossmembers. Another company says theirs will work that modeled for 700r4. Any advice for the Holley system?

[toddoky]

Originally Posted by Mbeef61

I am looking for info on the Holley trans crossmembers for 71 c10. I was looking into the new TREMEC TKX transmission. They are based on the TKO. I don’t see the TKO mentioned in any of the c10 trans crossmembers. Another company says theirs will work that modeled for 700r4. Any advice for the Holley system?

We have not yet gotten a TKX transmission in here to be able to validate its fitment geometry, but if published reports of its mounting geometry being the same as the TKO are true, I can give you some guidance on what to expect.

The mount bolt holes/mating plane location on the TKO transmission is 1/4" further rearward than it is on a 700R4 and is 5/8" closer to the output shaft center line.

In theory, that means you could use a 700R4 crossmember with a 5/8" spacer under whatever mount the crossmember was designed to use to mount a 700R4 transmission. In practice however, this working out heavily depends on the design geometry of the crossmember in question as the mount pad on the TKO is located right up against the belly of the rear case and so may cause interference with some crossmembers, even though they fit fine with a 700R4.

The only way you are going to be certain is to roll the dice and try it, which is what I'll eventually have to do here with the crossmembers in the Hooker Blackheart swap systems. If the geometry of the current designs do not offer optimized installation geometry, then I will have to develop new specific crossmembers that will.

[AliB]

Did any managed to install the 3" or 2.5" exhaust system? would love to hear it running before getting one. I plan on doing the whole system engine stands, trans cross member, and trailing arm cross memeber.

[Thealien]

Originally Posted by AliB

Did any managed to install the 3" or 2.5" exhaust system? would love to hear it running before getting one. I plan on doing the whole system engine stands, trans cross member, and trailing arm cross memeber.

A page or two back someone has pictures installed. I "believe" they have it running.

[rin68]

I've got a 5.3 build that was finished before these Holley parts were out. It has the GM muscle car pan on it. Will that work with the Holley LS swap parts or will I need to swap to a 302-2 pan?

(I've got the full Holley LS swap system going in my 69 Camaro and it's great stuff, thanks for the all the work that has gone in to these great systems)

[toddoky]

Originally Posted by rin68

I've got a 5.3 build that was finished before these Holley parts were out. It has the GM muscle car pan on it. Will that work with the Holley LS swap parts or will I need to swap to a 302-2 pan?

(I've got the full Holley LS swap system going in my 69 Camaro and it's great stuff, thanks for the all the work that has gone in to these great systems)

Hello rin68. Although I never attempted to installing an LS using the Hooker Blackheart swap components and that specific pan, my guess is you will experience interference between the front end of the pan and the steering center link if you try to do so. The Holley 302-2 and 302-3 pans are 1.25" tall at their front profile and the LH8/hot rod pan is 2.5" tall. There is about a 1" clearance gap between the 302-3 pan and the center link on our 64 project truck that I just took a look at and the 67-72 truck has a little more clearance, but not much.

[Marine15Z28]

I installed the Holley Black hearts mounts with a stock C10 trans crossmember and Speed Engineering headers. All fit well, driver side 1/8” grind on the bracket but didn’t need to. Stock truck pans fits fine just a little rub on the steering shaft and below crossmember, if you’re not lowering the truck you’ll be ok. I can shim the brackets up 1/8” to 3/16 and it’ll be fine. But I’ll probably switch to CTSV oil pan because I have it. The bolts that came with the brackets don’t even cover the brackets well. Heard someone here they now provide some diffrent mount bolts.

[87chevy.com]

Originally Posted by Marine15Z28

I installed the Holley Black hearts mounts with a stock C10 trans crossmember and Speed Engineering headers. All fit well, driver side 1/8” grind on the bracket but didn’t need to. Stock truck pans fits fine just a little rub on the steering shaft and below crossmember, if you’re not lowering the truck you’ll be ok. I can shim the brackets up 1/8” to 3/16 and it’ll be fine. But I’ll probably switch to CTSV oil pan because I have it. The bolts that came with the brackets don’t even cover the brackets well. Heard someone here they now provide some diffrent mount bolts.

Lol, little rub on the pil pan to a steeing component that moves constabtly and an engine that shakes fits fine must be a joke.. not to mention when the engine mounts wear out... smh

[Marine15Z28]

Just reference points to who ever was thinking about the truck oil pan. Plenty of room to shim up with the 4l80e. Don’t know about other transmissions. Still running stock low tunnel. Ditching the Tejas and other mounts. These look like the way to go for my personal LT5 setup as they work for LS/LT swaps. Even fitted the stock AC bracket and compressor.

[Marine15Z28]

Just reference points to who ever was thinking about the truck oil pan. Plenty of room to shim up with the 4l80e. Don’t know about other transmissions. Still running stock low tunnel. Ditching the Tejas and other mounts. These look like the way to go for my personal LT5 setup as they work for LS/LT swaps. Even fitted the stock AC bracket and compressor.

[clay68c10]

Stick your CTS pan on and all the clearance problems will disappear.

[Marine15Z28]

Engine angle 3 degrees back, truck pan clears with just about 1/2”. Still hangs below crossmember about 1.75”. If you have stock height truck you shouldn’t have a problem. Of course the CTSV plan will clear. I still have about 3/4” of tunnel clearance with the 4l80e.

[chad64chevy]

Toddoky- the instructions show the hanger for the mufflers bolting to the crossmember! Does this come in the kit? Along with the other hangers not show with the kit??
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