TKO Shifter Not Clearing Tunnel on 1969 Camaro with Hooker Engine Mounts

frog7151 · Mar 27, 2016

toddoky said:
I'm glad you're satisfied with the way the 2288HKR headers have worked for you John, I realize that good fitment is a relative term that means different things to different people. An good example of this would be spark plug wire clearance, which to me means that you can use the stock GM large boot wires with the metal heat shields still attached to them...to others it means that there is an aftermarket set of wires available with small diameter flexible boots on them that can be installed (of course that's an extra $100 to $150 dollars out of your pocket).

For steering box clearance, it means to be able to insert your hand in between the box at any place to two come close the each other whan using an 1-7/8" primary header set...the 2288HKR's are only 1-3/4" primaries.
In terms of ground clearance, it means being able achieve under car clearance like what is shown in the first of the four photos below, which is the Hooker 2276HKR headers and the Hooker 3" full exhaust system.

I am hopeful that you are attempting your install of the 2276HKR headers while using the 12618HKR Hooker engine mounting brackets and 12625HKR or 12616HKR transmission crossmember, or you will never obtain the fitment they were designed to achieve.

Vega$69 said:
Keep the 2276s you'll be good

Thanks John. I will give them a try.

Titan Uranus · Mar 28, 2016

toddoky said:
I truly appreciate you sharing your experience and giving your support of the Hooker products John...I am also just trying to make a point for others that are following, which is that the new 2276HKR headers are designed/built to far more exacting specifications than the 2288's were/are.

Using them with the complete new Hooker LS swap system also allows users to step off of the universal parts merry-go-round and all the miss-purchased/returned parts that many people suffer through (especially those new to the swap game).

If you get a chance to ever use the stainless versions of the 2276's you will really be impressed as the upgrade at the component level is very noticeable and impressive (merge style collectors, investment cast collector spears and TIG welded and hand finished ports). The stainless versions have been transferred over to our Hooker Blackheart line and are made in Bowling KY by individuals with very high welding skills.

Hi Todd, Can you verify I have the correct PN 70101308-RHKR for 1969 1 7/8 stainless headers? It seems the PN's have been changed around recently. I want to make sure I order the correct part. They are no longer on the Holley website under the LS section.

Vega$69 · Mar 28, 2016

Titan Uranus said:
Hi Todd, Can you verify I have the correct PN 70101308-RHKR for 1969 1 7/8 stainless headers? It seems the PN's have been changed around recently. I want to make sure I order the correct part. They are no longer on the Holley website under the LS section.

Here you go

https://www.holley.com/products/exh.../products/exhaust/headers_and_exhaust_manifolds/all_headers/parts/70101308-RHKR

toddoky · Mar 28, 2016

Titan Uranus said:
Hi Todd, Can you verify I have the correct PN 70101308-RHKR for 1969 1 7/8 stainless headers? It seems the PN's have been changed around recently. I want to make sure I order the correct part. They are no longer on the Holley website under the LS section.

Yes, that part number is correct.

frog7151 · Mar 28, 2016

Vega$69 said:
Keep the 2276s you'll be good

John you seem to have more LS swap experience than most anyone on here, so do you have any header install tips? Install from the bottom, jack the driver side motor up, put the headers in the engine bay then the motor?

I put the car on a lift and tried to install from the bottom but could not get past the PS box. Slide the motor all the forward, mid and all the way back. I didn't have enough time to jack the motor up or pull it out. Thanks in advance for any help.

dondb · Mar 28, 2016

frog7151 said:
John you seem to have more LS swap experience than most anyone on here, so do you have any header install tips? Install from the bottom, jack the driver side motor up, put the headers in the engine bay then the motor?

I put the car on a lift and tried to install from the bottom but could not get past the PS box. Slide the motor all the forward, mid and all the way back. I didn't have enough time to jack the motor up or pull it out. Thanks in advance for any help.

The drivers side header is best installed when you install the engine. With that said i did not follow the Hooker instructions and installed the engine with out header. I was able to take the motor mount bolt out jack the engine to the passenger side and install the header.....but it was still a little difficult! I have a car lift and still had a bear of a time but it is do able. As stated in a previous post i have an lq9 bottom end with an ls3 top end in my car and utilized the whole Hooker set up and couldn't be more happier

frog7151 · Apr 24, 2017

I know this is an old thread but I am still having some issues with header fitment.

I used Hooker 2276-1HKR headers and Dirty Dingo mounts. The headers clear the steering box fine but I am having trouble with the exhaust hitting the crossmember. The headers fit nice and snug but the cut outs in the crossmember do line up with the exhaust. I am using the crossmember supplied by Silver Sport. Any help would be appreciated.

gphusker · Apr 24, 2017

Probably not what you want to hear but I can tell you that if you use all of Holley's parts everything will fit perfectly. It's tough when you are talking about 3 components and 3 different vendors working properly together on a setup that was never intended for your car.

frog7151 · Apr 25, 2017

gphusker said:
Probably not what you want to hear but I can tell you that if you use all of Holley's parts everything will fit perfectly. It's tough when you are talking about 3 components and 3 different vendors working properly together on a setup that was never intended for your car.

I am pretty sure in order for the Holley parts to fit "perfect" you have to be using a T56. I am using a TKO 600. I have the Holley mounts but I have the same issue with the crossmemer plus I have to modify the shifter hole.
Thanks

gphusker · Apr 25, 2017

frog7151 said:
I am pretty sure in order for the Holley parts to fit "perfect" you have to be using a T56. I am using a TKO 600. I have the Holley mounts but I have the same issue with the crossmemer plus I have to modify the shifter hole.
Thanks

True, but he was specifically referring to his headers hitting his cross member. What transmission you have it will have no effect on that.

frog7151 · Apr 25, 2017

gphusker said:
True, but he was specifically referring to his headers hitting his cross member. What transmission you have it will have no effect on that.

Greg,
Not try to start an argument, but the transmission type determines the crossmember being used. The Holley kit was designed to be used with their T-56 crossmember. I installed the motor using the Holley mounts and it actually made the issue with the exhaust hitting the TKO 600 crossmember worse because the Holley mounts position the engine lower and thus causing the headers to be higher/closer to the floor plans.

It looks like I am going to have to modify the crossmember or find one with the exhaust cuts outs closer to the subframe.

Thanks

Vega$69 · Apr 25, 2017

Just this past Sunday I dropped an LS3 in A 67 with Hookers. And DD Sliders.

Put the headers in from the bottom. Took about 10 minutes. The collectors line up and are in good position relative to the crossmember. The crossmember looks to be from either Hurst or Kiesler.

Cross was installed previously with a SBC and TKO600. The transmission choice has nothing to do with the raised area of the crossmember to allow for the exhaust. The only differences are how the cross is configured to locate the height of the tranny mount based on the transmission being used.

I just finished Steve's 68 with Holley mounts and a Hurst crossmember. He has a TKO600 and a Hurst cross. No problem.

Your issue may be your tranny mount is pushing the rear of the tranny too high causing the headers to hit the crossmember

frog7151 · Apr 25, 2017

Vega$69 said:
Just this past Sunday I dropped an LS3 in A 67 with Hookers. And DD Sliders.

Put the headers in from the bottom. Took about 10 minutes. The collectors line up and are in good position relative to the crossmember. The crossmember looks to be from either Hurst or Kiesler.

Cross was installed previously with a SBC and TKO600. The transmission choice has nothing to do with the raised area of the crossmember to allow for the exhaust. The only differences are how the cross is configured to locate the height of the tranny mount based on the transmission being used.

I just finished Steve's 68 with Holley mounts and a Hurst crossmember. He has a TKO600 and a Hurst cross. No problem.

Your issue may be your tranny mount is pushing the rear of the tranny too high causing the headers to hit the crossmember

I am not sure what the issue is. I am using the crossmember and trans mount supplied by Silversport.

The headers are close to the subframe and do not line up with the cutouts in the crossmember.
Thanks

DT · Apr 25, 2017

Oh man, I will be using the Holley mounts with the Silversport trans X member as well as a TKO 600 too. I'm not that far along in the swap yet. Hmmmm.

Vega$69 · Apr 26, 2017

Here are pictures of Rob's 67 that we dropped the LS3/480 into Sunday.

Dirty Dingo Sliders with the engine in the stock position. Small block frame towers. Shifter comes up in original console and no change to driveshaft.

Headers are Hookers 2288 1HKR. I see you're using 2276 which are 1 7/8 tube. I have a set in the garage and it appears the collector should be in the same location as the 2288

The 2276 HKR are on the LS3 on the Engine Stand

Header Collectors are 21" Center to Center and 2" below floor pan

DT · Apr 26, 2017

frog7151 said:
Greg,
Not try to start an argument, but the transmission type determines the crossmember being used. The Holley kit was designed to be used with their T-56 crossmember. I installed the motor using the Holley mounts and it actually made the issue with the exhaust hitting the TKO 600 crossmember worse because the Holley mounts position the engine lower and thus causing the headers to be higher/closer to the floor plans.

It looks like I am going to have to modify the crossmember or find one with the exhaust cuts outs closer to the subframe.

Thanks

Shawn, please help me on this one, If the Holley mounts lower the engine, wouldn't the headers be lower as well ????
Here is my SilverSport X member:

Vega$69 · Apr 26, 2017

DT said:
Shawn, please help me on this one, If the Holley mounts lower the engine, wouldn't the headers be lower as well ????
Here is my SilverSport X member:

The Holley Motor Mounts and the clamshells lowers the front of the engine compared to other mounts that use the SBC frame towers.

If you lower the front and do not also lower the tranny mount by the same distance the header collectors will be angled slightly up and therefore closer to the floor pan, which in turn will put them too high relative to the raised area of the crossmember.

I believe the Holley Crossmember does just that.

If so you have a number of options

#1 Possible find a thinner tranny mount
#2 Modify you crossmember to lower the tranny
#3 Buy the Holley crossmember (the kit is set up for T56 don't know if they have one for TKO600)
# Use different swap mounts that utilize the SBC frame towers

Vega$69 · Apr 26, 2017

DT said:
Shawn, please help me on this one, If the Holley mounts lower the engine, wouldn't the headers be lower as well ????
Here is my SilverSport X member:

Yes the engine will be lower in the front but with your cross the headers will end up higher in the back

frog7151 · Apr 26, 2017

Vega$69 said:
Here are pictures of Rob's 67 that we dropped the LS3/480 into Sunday.

Dirty Dingo Sliders with the engine in the stock position. Small block frame towers. Shifter comes up in original console and no change to driveshaft.

Headers are Hookers 2288 1HKR. I see you're using 2276 which are 1 7/8 tube. I have a set in the garage and it appears the collector should be in the same location as the 2288

The 2276 HKR are on the LS3 on the Engine Stand

Header Collectors are 21" Center to Center and 2" below floor pan

John,
Thanks for the pictures and measurements. My collectors are approximately 23" center to center and 1 1/2 " below the floor pan. I don't understand why the difference. I used the 307 stands and DD sliders and I just simply bolted the headers on with supplied gasket and bolts. I guess I will have to try and find a shorter trans mount or modify the crossmember. Thanks again.

frog7151 · Apr 26, 2017

DT said:
Shawn, please help me on this one, If the Holley mounts lower the engine, wouldn't the headers be lower as well ????
Here is my SilverSport X member:

Danny that is the same crossmember I am using. For me the cutouts need to be closer to the subframe. My collectors are approximately 1 1/2" from the subframe.

TKO Shifter Not Clearing Tunnel on 1969 Camaro with Hooker Engine Mounts

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