hooker vs borla
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 148
From: Central California
Borla is stainless steel. I don't know how critical that is for us here in SoCal, but looks and longevity are factors when paying extra for stainless steel. Obviously, since others here have verified that the Hooker system is not stainless, it'll fade out and rust. Yes, there are coatings, etc you can do to the Hooker that'll help, but by the time you do all that, how far off the price of a stainless system are you really? Factor in your time, materials, and the uncertainty if your coatings will work like a true stainless setup....
Now, if you're not bothered that everything behind your exhaust tips is faded and rusty (so long as it works, right!), then I'd say go for the Hooker system and save the $$. Personally, I go for the "sleeper" angle (ie, why show off what ya got, let them find out the hard way!). I believe in leaving the showy "hey ain't I cool, look what my car's got" routine for the Fast & Furious enthusiasts. We don't have to dress up our rides, we've already got it where it counts!
Daryl
PS - NOTE: is the Hooker system C.A.R.B. approved? is the Borla system C.A.R.B approved? Also, smog checks check sound levels in CA, so buyer-beware!
Now, if you're not bothered that everything behind your exhaust tips is faded and rusty (so long as it works, right!), then I'd say go for the Hooker system and save the $$. Personally, I go for the "sleeper" angle (ie, why show off what ya got, let them find out the hard way!). I believe in leaving the showy "hey ain't I cool, look what my car's got" routine for the Fast & Furious enthusiasts. We don't have to dress up our rides, we've already got it where it counts!
Daryl
PS - NOTE: is the Hooker system C.A.R.B. approved? is the Borla system C.A.R.B approved? Also, smog checks check sound levels in CA, so buyer-beware!
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 321
From: Texas
The hooker is aluminized steel, and will probably last longer than most of the cars we drive - though admittedly not as long as a stainless steel catback would last. My hooker catback on my 99 was on there for 3 years, daily driven, and the pipes were very dirty, but not rusted for sure...
The hooker sounds awesome - especially with headers & ORY. It fills up the TA exhaust openings nicely too (which obviously only matters to those who have TAs).
Good luck!
Shane
The hooker sounds awesome - especially with headers & ORY. It fills up the TA exhaust openings nicely too (which obviously only matters to those who have TAs).
Good luck!
Shane
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 156
From: portland, OR
Originally posted by CamaroBoy96Z28
I know a kid with Borla on his 02 Z28. Sounds horrendous. SLP LTs, ORP, to open Borla is what he has. I had the same on my LT1 except my LTs are Jet-Hots and it sounded almost as bad. I switched to Hooker. To combat rust I painted the inside of my cat-back as best I could with high temp engine paint. IMO the Borla isnt worth it and I believe the kid I mentioned changed his Borla out too.
I know a kid with Borla on his 02 Z28. Sounds horrendous. SLP LTs, ORP, to open Borla is what he has. I had the same on my LT1 except my LTs are Jet-Hots and it sounded almost as bad. I switched to Hooker. To combat rust I painted the inside of my cat-back as best I could with high temp engine paint. IMO the Borla isnt worth it and I believe the kid I mentioned changed his Borla out too.
You're crazy....Borla is the only way to go. Unless you got a little more money to spend and I'd go with Corsa!
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 156
From: portland, OR
Originally posted by TXZ28LS1
from what ive been seeing hooker catbacks are pretty good. forget borla. its too friggin expensive. and besides borla has some of the ugliest tips ive ever seen....
from what ive been seeing hooker catbacks are pretty good. forget borla. its too friggin expensive. and besides borla has some of the ugliest tips ive ever seen....
.....and youre from san antonio, what do you know?
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