[toddoky]

Hey guys. I'm getting far enough along in the development of the Hooker 64-67 A-body LS swap system components to be able to begin share more technical information, as well as CAD images and photographs of the products that will be coming.


Two sets of engine brackets and the transmission crossmember have been designed and installed on a 67 Chevelle and a 65 GTO to validate their fitment geometry as the first step in the process.


The engine brackets are designed to be used with 4th-gen F-body engine mounts (rubber or aftermarket poly) and bolt to the stock holes in the frame with no drilling required.


The crossmember will include mounting angle brackets for each frame rail that neutralize the crossmember mounting frame differences between the 64-66 and 67 frames and fit all the non-boxed A-body frames. They also pull double-duty as frame stiffeners as an extra bonus. You will be able to install a T56/T56 Magnum, 4L80/4L85, 4L60-4L70, TH400 or 2004R behind an LS in your car using this crossmember and either of the Hooker engine mounting bracket sets.


I will be starting on the design work of the headers (mid-length and long-tubes) and exhaust systems (2.5" and 3") next week, which will take me through the end of the month to complete.

 

[senna]

Thanks for the update. Nice looking cross member!

 

[toddoky]

Thanks for the update. Nice looking cross member!

Thanks senna, we're giving this project our typical level of attention to detail and problem solving for the user's benefit.

 

[1967 chevelle malibu]

I'll be watching this thread closely.

 

[toddoky]

I'll be watching this thread closely.

Great, glad to have you aboard gathering information.

 

[rocket66]

Todd, this new information sounds great and the timing should work well for me also. I have a question about the motor mounts. I assume you are building the geometry around the 302-2 oil pan, have you experimented with different front drive fitments? The reason I ask is because I would like to use a stock 5th Gen Camaro front drive with an LS3 in my '66, mainly because I want to mount the AC compressor low on the passenger side. I really don't like to open a hood and the first thing I see is an ugly-ass AC compressor staring at me. Paint it, plate it, incorporate it into a $3k billet front drive system, it's still ugly. So I would like to keep it in the stock position low and virtually out of sight. Even if the motor mounts will not allow for this, an adapter plate for the compressor would also get the job done. This would be very beneficial for those of us using a used pull-out engine assembly.

Keep up the good work, I should be ready for those motor mounts whenever you can get them to market!

 

[toddoky]

Todd, this new information sounds great and the timing should work well for me also. I have a question about the motor mounts. I assume you are building the geometry around the 302-2 oil pan, have you experimented with different front drive fitments? The reason I ask is because I would like to use a stock 5th Gen Camaro front drive with an LS3 in my '66, mainly because I want to mount the AC compressor low on the passenger side. I really don't like to open a hood and the first thing I see is an ugly-ass AC compressor staring at me. Paint it, plate it, incorporate it into a $3k billet front drive system, it's still ugly. So I would like to keep it in the stock position low and virtually out of sight. Even if the motor mounts will not allow for this, an adapter plate for the compressor would also get the job done. This would be very beneficial for those of us using a used pull-out engine assembly.

Keep up the good work, I should be ready for those motor mounts whenever you can get them to market!

Yes, I have done preliminary fitment testing of the various FEAD components I have with the stock Saginaw power steering box and can tell you two things relative to using your LS3 with these new Hooker engine brackets. 1.) the mounting brackets will allow you to install/use a low-mount AC compressor and 2.) your stock low-mount alternator will more than likely not be compatible if is shares the same fitment envelope as the 4th-gen F-body alternator/bracket, which I have tested. I will be going through the motions again on Monday to check the compatibility of the truck, F-body and Holley (same as Corvette) FEAD set-ups with the newer Delphi 600 box that is popular with a lot of guys...maybe that will hold some promise for you.

 

[rocket66]

Thanks Todd, now I'm REALLY getting excited!

 

[Cdn Chevelle]

FYI.....in case of curiosity, have Blackheart stainless long tube headers on my LS3 swapped Beaumont A body and they
fit without incident. Thanks

 

[toddoky]

FYI.....in case of curiosity, have Blackheart stainless long tube headers on my LS3 swapped Beaumont A body and they
fit without incident. Thanks

That's great to hear, what year is your Beaumont?

 

[toddoky]

Thanks Todd, now I'm REALLY getting excited!

This photo will give you the general idea of fitment of the low-mount AC compressor with the Hooker engine brackets...the compressor shown is the Denso truck compressor.

 

[Tom Mobley]

This thread was reported as a parts for sale ad, but no parts are being offered for sale. Todd is the product engineer for LS stuff at Holley/Hooker/whatever. I don't see this as a for sale ad, I'm leaving it.

 

[toddoky]

This thread was reported as a parts for sale ad, but no parts are being offered for sale. Todd is the product engineer for LS stuff at Holley/Hooker/whatever. I don't see this as a for sale ad, I'm leaving it.

Thank you Tom. I'm merely here to offer technical information and answer questions pertaining to this system of components that will be released in the near future. I do not solicit sales of products as it's not part of my job description at Holley.

 

[Mikes64]

I'll be following as well, thanks Todd

 

[senna]

Todd

I'm looking for a little more specific info on running a T56, Any idea of tunel modification in a 66? I just picked up my Trans today. :grin2:

 

[AZ66Malibu]

I'm excited about the engine mounts and exhaust, but disappointed us convertible guys don't get a crossmember. Since I'll have to figure out my own solution for a crossmember that works with all the Holley parts, will you at least offer a reference drawing with basic dimensions. I want to be sure to get the right driveline angles and that the exhaust bolts up properly.

 

[toddoky]

Todd

I'm looking for a little more specific info on running a T56, Any idea of tunel modification in a 66? I just picked up my Trans today.

The amount of effort required for you to install a T56 will be much less using the forward-bias engine bracket set than the rear-bias set. I have mocked-up a T56 install with the foreword-bias brackets and believe I could get that set-up functional through heat/hammer forming at the front of the tunnel and cutting/rebuilding the tunnel around the shifter housing only. This is with new body bushings in place, so keep that in mind. Using the rear-bias engine brackets will require the need to cut/rebuild the entire tunnel over the trans and the base of the firewall.

 

[toddoky]

I'm excited about the engine mounts and exhaust, but disappointed us convertible guys don't get a crossmember. Since I'll have to figure out my own solution for a crossmember that works with all the Holley parts, will you at least offer a reference drawing with basic dimensions. I want to be sure to get the right driveline angles and that the exhaust bolts up properly.

Hey AZ66Malibu. Depending on the transmission you plan on using, you will be able to use your stock convertible crossmember to enable you to get your powertrain installed. We will eventually develop a crossmember for the boxed frame cars, but it will be done as a separate effort. If you tell me what trans and which set of engine brackets you would be using I'll be happy to provide you some point of reference.

 

[toddoky]

I have an update for those hoping to use the truck FEAD system as part of their swap... the Hooker forward-bias engine brackets + the truck FEAD system + a 1993-95 3.4L V6 F-body PS pump pulley = a successful install with the Delphi 600 series PS box.

I previously tested the same set-up with the stock Saginaw PS box and found that although it fits, you'll have to provide some extra clearance between the steering box and the truck PS pump reservoir by grinding the casting of the box, or the reservoir housing itself. The first photo depicts the 600 series box mock-up and the last photo depicts the OE Saginaw PS box mock-up

 

[toddoky]

...and the fitment of the Holley accessory drive set-up (spaced out to the truck FEAD spacing) with the same forward-bias Hooker engine brackets and the Delphi 600 PS box.