Azshios84

Right now Im running open headers because funds ran out on the end of the engine build. Anyone have experience on just running open headers? My area does not require any smog test, so thats not an issue for me. Im just wondering how detrimental it is to run just open headers, and maybe some piping, to running a full exhaust regarding HP and mpg. Any adive is greatly appreciated. Any ideas?
Thanks

Im running a pretty hefty 350, thats been bored and honed with a large cam if that makes any difference.

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

Unless you wear ear muffs its the worst thing you can do. Do everyone a favor and park car and wait

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

I ran mine for a while (less than a year) with open headers and turn downs coming straight off the collector. My engine is under my pic, it sounded pretty sweet, but if you don't put some kind of turn down on it then your floorboards will get REALLY hot, and melt the backside of your carpet or worse.

You also run the risk of letting CO fumes into the cabin since your exhaust ends right under your feet.

It won't hurt anything to run open headers, not any different than having a cutout. But I recommend getting some piping under there soon, the loudness can get old after a while.

red rock

iTrader: (2)

Your neighbors will hate you and the cops will love you. It's a love hate thing. Save the open headers for the race track.

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

Truth.

It should be pointed out that while my car had open headers it was driven (at most) 2-3 miles from the house...in a rural area.

jrhaus76

Your car will run like **** without back pressure. In my 2010, with the cutouts open (LTs dump right out) it's runs like *** and is crazy loud. Fun to scare women and children, not so much fun driving open.

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

I could be wrong but the backpressure is caused by the headers/manifolds themselves and the actual piping just carries "the goods" away.

Having cutouts or open headers doesn't affect backpressure, it does affect the exhaust tuning though, but this guy is just doing it until the $$ comes in to finish his exhaust, at least that was my understanding.

Azshios84

Thanks for all the replies,
Yeah, Ive ran out of funds on this build (broke college student that dove headfirst into a project without thinking) and just finishing the transmission this weekend. But Ill have to run open headers for a bit, I dont mind the sound but I was just wondering about all the other problems that could occure. Ill definitely get a turn down or something for them, never even thought of the fire hazzard in all honesty.

The cops already love me in my area and I havent even started driving this car yet.

red rock

iTrader: (2)

The cops already love me in my area and I havent even started driving this car yet. How are you going to afford an exhaust system and a ticket?

redneckjoe

man, i'd at least throw some cheap header glasspacks on there. way cheaper then a ticket and you wont go deaf. if you lived closer i'd hook you up. i've got a pair of used 2 1/2" flowmaster super 44s i was thinking about selling.

Azshios84

Yeah, Ive been talking to a mechanic lately and hes quoting me about 350 for full exhaust and glasspacks. Is that a pretty decent deal or should I get quotes from other places?

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

It doesn't sound terrible, I'd buy the parts yourself and see what he'd quote you to just put them all in.

JacobIroc

Where is this exhaust ending? I'm looking to do the same thing, have some exhaust made coming off my headers and i'm trying to figure out what the cost would be for mufflers + exhaust dump at the rear axle.

Azshios84

Yeah, right at the rear axle. Thats with glasspacks, but no turndowns. I was going to get those myself and attach them. But Im fumbling around the idea of running duals to right in front of the rear tires on each side. Is that an idea worth looking at?

redneckjoe

call a few different muffler shops for a quote.
i would do it right or your gonna pay for it again. run the exhaust up and over the rear. you can fit dual 2 1/2" pipes no problem.

JacobIroc

And if they weld it you have to cut it out to do anything back there.

Azshios84

So, youre saying running side pipes wouldnt be worth it? And the guy im going to has done exhaust for some friends and it looks very well done, and they havent had any complaints, or any troubles from what they told me.

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

Main complaint I've seen from side pipes, or dumping in front of the rear tires, is that it will eventually burn paint off. I have mine straight back and dumped in front of the rear axle and it works great, sounds great. But a muffler shop might be able to set you up with something.

redneckjoe

so request that it be able to come apart before the rear axle. no big deal.

if its a street car, i'd want the exhaust exiting after the rear in about the stock location. JMO.
not saying that i havent done it different ways over the years.
under the car,...loud, lots of echos.
side exit before the rear wheels,...sounds like an old pickup truck, burns paint, can rub on bumps. i actually had a bad experience like this many years ago. i went over a big bump at slow speed, it caught the exhaust, bent it backwards, and the tire ran it over, ripping it off.

a well planned out exhaust will save you money in the long run because you wont have to keep re-doing it when your not happy.

Azshios84

The transmission is taking longer than I expected. Keep running into problems. so hopefully I can start into the exhaust here soon. I still havent decided on what I'm going to run. How badly does it burn paint with side pipes? Like I said its a project car. Im not expecting everything that I'm putting into it now being completely permanent. So idk. Thanks for the replies.