BY WES DUENKEL
PHOTOGRAPHY: WES DUENKEL- VOLUME 43, NO. 11, [72] SEPTEMBER 7, 2017 -
Ready to Rumble
Looks, Power,
and Sound for a
’15 Silverado With
Hooker’s BlackHeart
Cat-Back System
Source:
HOOKER’S BLACKHEART SPEED EXHAUST
hookerheaders.com- First, we had to get
the OEM system off our
truck. Hooker’s Bobby
Riddle loosened the
ball joint clamp ahead
of the flex joint.
T
he best trucks are durable, purposeful, and well
engineered. So are the best exhaust systems. That’s
why when Hooker’s BlackHeart Speed Exhaust team
set out to create a cat-back exhaust for the ’10-’16Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra, the design goals included fit, finish,
power, and sound.
For ultimate durability, the BlackHeart cat-back is con-structed of 100-percent stainless steel, and is offered in two
configurations: a single outlet in the OEM location, or a dual
rear outlet. The single-outlet system features 3-inch tubing
throughout, while the dual system features a 3-inch inlet and
dual 2 ½-inch outlets to maintain exhaust velocity and engine
torque. The system is finished off with 4-inch rolled-edge
resonator tips with laser-etched Hooker’s BlackHeart logos.
Besides offering excellent ground clearance and OEM-style
fitment, the BlackHeart cat-back delivers additional power and
better sound. The thumping melody from the polished dual
exhaust tips sounds powerful without being annoying, which is
important for family harmony while towing the camper on that
long-distance vacation.
To see how the system was installed, we travelled to Hooker’s
research and manufacturing facility in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
After installation, the test truck matched its newfound aural
authority with 11 more rear-wheel hp and 12lb-ft of torque. Not to
shabby for an hour or two of wrenching.