Open Headers

[martyb]

Other than being loud as hell, any issues driving the car with open headers for about 6 miles? I just installed some TNT 1 3/4 headers on my Roe gen 1, and they came without the turnouts, so I need to have those built for me. The muffler shop is about 6 miles away. Avoiding cops will be a priority, but didn't know if I needed to worry about anything related to the engine. Obviously, I will drive easily.

martyb

 

[dave6666]

Carry a fire extinguisher and have someone follow you watching for smoke and funny smells.

 

[DrumrBoy]

I don't think its a problem for the engine, but as Dave suggests, could be a problem for your paint. Where is the exhaust dumped into the atmosphere? At the collector, or along the sill somewhere before the turnout?

 

[99 R/T 10]

Just bolt up a 2' straight pipe to the headers to extend the exhaust gases and heat away from the car and paint. It will look funky, but will work to get it to the muffler shop.

 

[martyb]

i don't think paint will be an issue, the collector flange ends up just inside of the opening of the frame, so the exhaust should shoot straight out the side of the car. The side sill will not be on of course.

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

You might want to put some foil on the most exposed metal frame - even that has some kind of coating, I think. It will also leave a sooty covering. Open collectors will also show "flames" so drive in the daytime.

Call the shop ahead of time, just in case the nice officer wants to know what you're doing.

 

[got one]

will be EXTREMELY LOUD...definately will attract attention. I was once told that it was actually bad for the motor to have it open...but can't remember why...it was for cruisig though that it was bad.

Marty, sorry I couldn't get the videos uploaded...doubt it would have steered you away from the headers though ENJOY!!!!!

 

[dave6666]

I was once told that it was actually bad for the motor to have it open...but can't remember why...it was for cruisig though that it was bad.

Warp the valves?

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

It's bad in the long, long run because the exhaust pulses draw fresh air back into the port and more rapidly oxidize the exhaust valve. Nothing to worry about for 6 miles of driving while trying to go unnoticed.

 

[martyb]

burnt valves is what I was told many years ago, that is why I asked. Sounds like I should be fine though.

Tom, thanks for the tip on the foil. I am thinking of getting some header wrap to wrap the collector and just leaving it on anyhow, I figured it can't hurt. I will try to get some video of the car running with open headers, should wake the neighbors!!

 

[SNKEBIT]

You HAVE to get somebody to take pics of the fire coming out the sides!!!!!!



Crap, just realized I'm gonna have to change my avatar soon.

 

[martyb]

Mitch, you warned me about installing these, holy christ!! I finally got everything bolted up tight on the passenger side, and low and behold, the #6 runner is touching the frame on the bottom of the runner. I may have a friend heat it up and put some pressure on it for clearance with the headers on the car, I just can't think about taking the ******** off yet again! sip sip sip............................

 

[SNKEBIT]

Mitch, you warned me about installing these, holy christ!! I finally got everything bolted up tight on the passenger side, and low and behold, the #6 runner is touching the frame on the bottom of the runner. I may have a friend heat it up and put some pressure on it for clearance with the headers on the car, I just can't think about taking the ******** off yet again! sip sip sip............................

Now ya know why us installers charge what we do. Unlike alot, I'll tell ya what works and what doesn't.
Get pics of the FIRE!!!!

p.s. I've used fire on those type of headers also, every one of these cars are different. Espeacially the gen.1's.

p.s. you need more beer.

 

[martyb]

Now ya know why us installers charge what we do. Unlike alot, I'll tell ya what works and what doesn't.
Get pics of the FIRE!!!!

You aren't kidding Mitch! The bottom of the #6 runner is just touching the frame, and on the other side(which bolted up in about 20 min!!) the collector at the #5 is also touching the frame. I am going to try to heat up both trouble spots, and try to dimple them for clearance with the headers on the car. The #6 should be easy, its just the runner, but the #5 is the collector with the runner in it. Bloody Mary is about gone, time to head to the garage!! Go Bears.

marty

 

[Camfab]

Before you go torching the pipes, you might want to change your motor mounts. It sounds like they are sagging. Stock mounts do not last long, as in 10,000 miles.

 

[ViperTony]

I know that the Woodhouse engine mounts are much beefier than stock and will help with the clearance issues around the headers. They worked for me.

 

[martyb]

i have looked at the stock mounts and they look fine. Any way to tell if they are "sagging", and is it harder to change the mounts or dimple the header pipes??

 

[99 R/T 10]

You should go with the mounts first, can never go wrong doing it the right way first. If these are still the stock mounts, it's time to replace them anyway. Especialy with a S/C engine, plus you will get a better throttle response witn the Poly mount from Wouudhouse. Then if you need to dimple(90% chance you won't need to), do it then.

 

[treesnake]

Hey Martyb,
As far as driving with open headers... Do you know anybody with a trailer to haul your car to get the exhaust system installed? With all the possible problems I don't know if I would take the chance. Who is going to tune your car after the upgrades? Anybody we know???

 

[dave6666]

i have looked at the stock mounts and they look fine. Any way to tell if they are "sagging", and is it harder to change the mounts or dimple the header pipes??

A visual inspection of your mounts is useless. Put a jack under the oil pan and lift the motor a bit. Look for separation.

Here are some pics of my mounts that looked perfect from above...

Jack lifting engine:

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Duh!

You must be registered for see images

 

[treesnake]

Martyb
I would check the eng. mts. also. Remember the mysterious damage to your hood when your car was being worked on? I asked the tuner if there was a possibility that the mts. were broken and the engine was "torqueing" up and hitting the hood causing the damage. I don't know if he even checked them...

 

[martyb]

treesnake,

That was because a bracket was put on upside down, I discovered that the day the car was delivered. To his credit, he took care of everything in regards to that issue. I would like him to fine tune it, but I can't get in touch, so I will find someone else locally here in Chicago.

I will check the mounts tonight and see if I have any issues. How tough a job is it?

Thanks everyone for the tips and help!!

mb

 

[Camfab]

It's a super easy job if your exhaust is out.

 

[treesnake]

A bracket was put in upside down... I can't believe that

How long did it take to get taken care of.....literally over 1 year

You have been trying to get some basic info on the size of your cam for what, 6-8 mos.( after he originally had your car for over a year)
And the guy won't even pick up the phone...

And you are wanting to drop it off again...

Are you young enough to see it finished?

Good Luck with your build

 

[martyb]

The issue is finding a good VEC tuner anywhere in the midwest. I want to ensure that the tune is spot on, so if anyone has any suggestions, I am open to them!!

 

[ViperTony]

The issue is finding a good VEC tuner anywhere in the midwest. I want to ensure that the tune is spot on, so if anyone has any suggestions, I am open to them!!

Once you find a good dyno facility try getting Sean Roe to help you tune via phone. Email him the Dyno pull and he'll email you the vec tune and re-dyno. If Sean is not available, reach out to Joseph Dell. I know Joseph has helped many folks here over the phone and I plan on reaching out to him for same come april or so.

 

[martyb]

mounts are fine, no separation at all. Whats interesting is the clearance on the drivers side is about 1/8 inch on the top runner where it comes through the frame, and it is touching on the bottom, almost like the collector and runners are just a bit too large around??? Here is a pic of the bottom of the collector touching the frame.

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[uvbnbit]

The issue is finding a good VEC tuner anywhere in the midwest. I want to ensure that the tune is spot on, so if anyone has any suggestions, I am open to them!!

Isn't there somebody in the St. Louis area? PBJ?

 

[martyb]

Here is a vid my daughter shot of the car at idle with open headers, be sure you have the volume turned up. The neighborhood kids ran for cover


[media]http://img531.imageshack.us/img531/7004/idlefe3.flv[/media]

 

[dave6666]

How many broken dishes in the kitchen now?