How hard on a motor are open headers

**RaSMG** · 10-09-2002, 06:48 PM

I just got my Super comps in from Summit .. and I don't quite have the funds to redo my exhaust yet, and I've gotta wait til november for my free crossover junction from a friend anyways. I'm so anxious, I know my crappy cracked manifolds are what's holding my car back, and I just wanna try these out. I've heard different things from different people about running open headers .. I know it'll be loud, I don't care though, I'll enjoy it. What are the effects of open headers, and how long could I run it "daily" driving to work/school without messing up my new engine. THANKS!
[addsig]

**Brian M** · 10-09-2002, 07:01 PM

From what I know, running open will change the a/f ratio, so you probably have to tune the carb. If they are shortie's I would think that you would run the risk of a burned valve or something. Long tube's should be able to be run without problems. Driving to work? Open headers? You must be crazy or something, I drove my torino around for a couple days without mufflers, and it was unbearable going to work after the 2nd day. Not to mention the noise pollution tickets you open yourself up to.
[addsig]

**RaSMG** · 10-09-2002, 07:06 PM

I live literally 2 lights from my work .. less than 5 minutes, I'm not worried about getting pulled over on the way there. School is another story, kinda far away but I take backroads anyways cause I can't stand slow traffic. Noise? LOL, I'm young, and if I could run single chamber flows or no mufflers at all, I would. Just my parents and neighbors and the cops might not like it.
[addsig]

**faithwalker** · 10-10-2002, 05:43 AM

lol you brought tears to my eyes
[addsig]

**ckelly** · 10-10-2002, 10:17 AM

That's ma' boy! I drove my Falcon for years with 15" Thrush header mufflers at the end of my headers and no other exhaust, carpet or A/C. Drove it every day, it was my only car. FWIW - I'd whack up a set of collectors about 14~18" long with a couple of header flanges and some scrap pipe from the muff shop. Should be able to do that cheap. That will tune the headers a little allow them to work properly. You can also pop for some Dynomax bullets - sell your radio because you'll like the sound. Watch the jetting on the carb - if you do not have a performance intake system, you will lean it out bad and start burning exhaust valves. Look at your plugs now, put in a fresh set and watch them. If the car pops when you let off and/or surges at light throttle you are lean or sucking air around the gaskets. Use FelPro composition performance exhaust gaskets for a good seal and throw the ones in the box away.
[addsig]

**pedal2themetal45** · 10-10-2002, 10:35 AM

Hi
Like Brian M say's as long as there not shorties. you'll be oK. As long as your Ears hold out [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img] and the cops, neighbors, MOM and DAD leave you alone [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_mad.gif[/img] NO ONE LIKES TO BE WOKEN UP IN THE EARLY MORNING BY A LOUD CAR.[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_mad.gif[/img] [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_mad.gif[/img]
Just my .o2
Tim
[addsig]

**Beoweolf** · 10-10-2002, 10:49 AM

They are telling you good stuff. Open headers are fun, for a very short while. Besides, I have not met any women that appreciate riding around in a loud car. They may put up with it to make you feel good about it, but they can't stand the competition [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img]. And the cold air going back up the open header pipe will seriously warp, crack a hot exhaust valve. Even the Big rigs have, at the very least, a flapper valve at the end of the stack. Take their advice, cobble something together until you can get what you want, you will be happier.

**kid vishus** · 10-10-2002, 12:31 PM

If you are in a cold climate, capping the headers may be necassary after a trip. Otherwise, if the carb is adjusted right, that stuff about it hurting the motor is an old wives tale that dates back a long ways. Unless you plan on running it without any headers or exhuast manifolds, you wont hurt any valves.

My opinion, it wont hurt anything to drive it with the headers uncapped, but it may get hard on your wallet after the neighbors start complaining and the cops start waiting for you every day.

**Beoweolf** · 10-20-2002, 12:39 PM

I usually won't get into a difference of opinion over who has the "best" or fastest...that's on any given day subject to change. However, "wives tale" is not true,when it comes to open headers and warped valves, cracks in the seats... seen it happen. Granted, it usually won't happen the first time but it will happen, especially if you have a streetdriven car. Take it for what its worth, in the end I expect most guys will do whatever that feel, since it is his car.....

**dacofa** · 10-20-2002, 02:46 PM

Headers cool down much quicker then the valves do. So as they cool they actually pull cooler air into them. So when that air that's only maybe 150 degs hits your valves that are still 900 degs, they cool to fast and warp. The colder the air the quicker it'll happen.
Just hook up some mufflers for now to get to the final system. Besides it'll keep the locals off your back and on your side. Keep the open headers for on the track. Everyone will be happier.
I know they do sound "Bad to the Bone", or just rig up a cutout.



All content © FordMuscle, LLC. \| Ford® is a registered trademark of the Ford Motor Company. \| FordMuscle.com is not affiliated with the Ford Motor Company.