For a time, there was little interest in 1982-92 thirrd-gen F-body cars. These Camaros and Firebirds were sort of the red-headed step child of the now 50-year run of the Camaro (35 for the Firebird).

The LS engine line has changed all that. There is a resurgence of interest in these cars, because the idea of tossing the legions of wheezing 305s and 3.4 liter V6s that came in them into the dumpster (or turning them into a boat anchor) and often more than doubling the power by simply substituting an LS3 in place of said 305 has huge appeal.

Hooker Headers (which is now a division of Holley) is down with the whole thing, too, and has thus created a complete kit out of its of LS swap components for ’82-’92 F-body cars.

Its 3rd-gen F-Body-specific swap system includes engine and transmission mounts, BlackHeart headers and exhaust systems, and swap accessories. The platform-designed LS swap system ensures direct bolt-in fitment and correct driveline angles to ensure LS-swapped 3rd-gens work on the drag strip, at the autocross or on the street.

The engine and transmission mounts eliminate the guesswork of an engine swap. The engine mount brackets are built of plate steel for a durable and cost effective solution. Engine placement has been optimized and all factory accessories clear. The mounts also leave plenty of space to use factory amenities like air conditioning and power steering. In fact, any GM or Holley LS accessory drive can be used. The mount brackets are designed to work with Hooker’s transmission crossmember, providing the correct driveline angles. The crossmember features a divorced, adjustable torque arm mount that allows installation of a 4th-gen F-body T56 or Tremec Magnum six-speed manual. As for automatics, a 4L60-E, 4L70-E, 4L80-E, 4L85-E, TH400 or TH200-4R can be fitted behind an LS. The Holley LS retrofit oil pan (PN 302-2) has to be used in conjunction with the engine-mount brackets.

The exhaust system includes long tube headers and header-back exhaust systems ready to bolt in, which take even more guesswork out of the equation. The Hooker BlackHeart headers are constructed of 304 stainless steel and feature either 1 3/4- or 1 7/8- inch primaries that feed into a 3-inch merge-style collector. These headers mate up to the 2.5-inch BlackHeart dual-path crossover exhaust system, which is available in either 304- or 409- stainless-steel. The fabricated merge-style crossover helps create more power through exhaust scavenging and provides an aggressive exhaust note exiting through a pair of polished mufflers and tips that are laser-etched with the Hooker logo. The system’s bend geometry is optimized to provide the best available ground clearance for lowered cars and compatibility with driveshafts up to 3.5 inches in diameter.

Finally, two heat shields are available. One keeps the stock fuel and brake lines cool and away from the exhaust system. Another one protects the starter from exhaust heat and it can be used on various LS applications.