Adding performance to a Jeep Wrangler is a series of tiny steps. Each upgrade adds a small amount of positive gain until eventually, you meet your goal. Adding the Hooker Blackheart exhaust is a perfect example of small gains with other benefits. (This kit fits both 2 and 4 door JL Wranglers.)
Hooker Blackheart Performance Gains
I had written previously about upgrading our JL intake with the Holley iNTECH CAI. We saw modest performance gains with the intake and I was hoping for a similar measurable improvement with the exhaust.
If you came here looking for power level increases or some major max HP improvement keep looking. What I did get is smoother power delivery, the Jeep lost weight, and it sounds pretty damn good at the same time. My measurement equipment doesn’t have the fidelity to show the bottom end gains but the 0-60 time is .02 faster and the acceleration from a dead stop is much improved.
There has been no noticeable change to fuel economy. This is an upgrade for better ground clearance, better sound, and a minor performance bump.
How does it sound?
Listen to it for yourself!
Hooker Blackheart cost and value-added.
The cat-back exhaust kit runs $359.96 direct from Holley Performance. Considering the weight loss and the significant increase in ground clearance I consider this setup a solid buy. Having tested other manufacturer’s cat-back systems and getting similar performance gains the Hooker system really delivers in other areas. It is tucked into the chassis really high, the stainless steel construction is excellent, and once again the sound is really pleasant.
