Lowrider Tech Article at LowRiderMagazine.com

Help Your Engine Breathe Better

Improve airflow with Hooker and Hushpower II
By Dick DeLoach
0408Lrm Breathe 01 Z
1. This custom exhaust system tucks tight, sounds great and improves performance.
0408Lrm Breathe 02 Z
2. We close Hooker Competition series "shortie" ehaders with their special metallic ceramic thermal barrier coating to keep the headers cooler.
0408Lrm Breathe 03 Z
3. The new Hushpower II muffler from Flowmaster has a small case size, perfect for lowriders.
0408Lrm Breathe 04 Z
4. The muffler's stainless steel internal construction features Cool Shell Technology with a layered-laminar jet engine gas flow design and guided sound control with broadband sound cancellation.
0408Lrm Breathe 05 Z
5. Tom disconnected the battery first to prevent any short circuits.
0408Lrm Breathe 06 Z
6. Then he removed the sparkplug wires to make it easier to install the header.
0408Lrm Breathe 07 Z
7. Next the provided gasket and header was slipped into place.
0408Lrm Breathe 08Z
8. The header was hand tightened evenly starting with the outside bolts first.
0408Lrm Breathe 09 Z
9. The plug wires were then routed around the header and reconnected to the plugs.
0408Lrm Breathe 10 Z
10. The same steps were followed on the other bank.
0408Lrm Breathe 11 Z
11. The starter power wire was so close to header it had to be reshaped for clearance.
0408Lrm Breathe 12 Z
12. The provided connector pipe and "donut" were fitted to the driver's side header. Tom found the pipe to be too long for our purposes so he cut off about half of it.
0408Lrm Breathe 13 Z
13. The modified pipe and donut was then installed.14. A round file was used to remove the burrs left from cutting the pipe.
0408Lrm Breathe 14 Z
14. A round file was used to remove the burrs left from cutting the pipe.
0408Lrm Breathe 15 Z
15. Then Tom measured the length for the exhaust tube from the pipe to the muffler.
0408Lrm Breathe 16 Z
16. Aluminized steel tubing was cut to length and mandrel-bent to fit.
0408Lrm Breathe 17 Z
17. The flanged tube was then pressed onto the collector pipe.
0408Lrm Breathe 18 Z
18. Then the muffler was pressed onto the exhaust tube with the "inlet" side forward.
0408Lrm Breathe 19 Z
19. The passenger side exhaust pipe was installed next.
0408Lrm Breathe 20 Z
20. The collector pipes and mufflers were then "tacked" in place with a wire welder.
0408Lrm Breathe 21 Z
21. Then, with the muffler horizontal and supported at the tail end, a bead was welded around the pipes and mufflers, sealing them completely.
0408Lrm Breathe 22 Z
22 Cool turn down tips were welded to the outlet pipe of the mufflers and secured with hangers. Note the system ends before of the rear axle for better clearance.
0408Lrm Breathe 23 Z
23. Then all of the welds were sprayed with silver high-temp paint to prevent rust. The finished exhaust system looks very clean and produces a sweet '50s sound similar to cherry bombs.

Get Adobe Flash player

Article Photos

0408Lrm Breathe 01 Z 0408Lrm Breathe 03 Z 0408Lrm Breathe 05 Z
0408Lrm Breathe 02 Z 0408Lrm Breathe 04 Z 0408Lrm Breathe 06 Z
 
Gramp's Chevy
Check out this family heirloom that gets some lowrider love.... more
 
New Products for Lowriders
Check out these brand new spankin parts for your very own lowrider, whether you want to cruise, or... more
 
Serpentine System
Why add serpentine belts to your ride? How about because it looks good. That's the main reason why... more
 
The Next Episode
John Jauregui of Oxnard, California, has put together a few custom cars in his life, including a... more

 

Get Adobe Flash player