Can I run just headers?

[Pender1]

I'm wanting to put long tube headers on my engine. There's a good chance it'll be a little while before I can get the exhaust built for it though. Other than it being god-awefully loud and probably killing my torque rating, is it going to hurt anything to drive it that way? This isn't my DD, but it gets driven fairly often.

 

[Old77]

I'm no exhaust expert but I've heard that running just headers for an extended period of time can wreak havoc on valves and such. If you do run open headers for long you may want to think about wearing ear protection.

 

[Pender1]

I'm no exhaust expert but I've heard that running just headers for an extended period of time can wreak havoc on valves and such. If you do run open headers for long you may want to think about wearing ear protection.

That's what I'm worried about. It probably won't be but a couple of months, but I'm nervous about tearing something up in the meantime.

I ride a Harley. I'm used to wearing ear plugs.

 

[jblegg83]

I had to run my '79 30 miles down the highway with open headers to the exhaust shop. It was insanely loud, there is no way I would ride around like that unless it was to the shop to have a system welded up.

 

[DoubleDingo]

I'm no exhaust expert but I've heard that running just headers for an extended period of time can wreak havoc on valves and such. If you do run open headers for long you may want to think about wearing ear protection.

What he said. When I was 15 and got my '56 Chevy Sedan running with the fresh rebuild, we ran it with straight headers for the first run, and it was extremely loud. And yes, I've also heard the headers allow cool air in after shut down which warps the exhaust valves.

 

[crazy4offroad]

Sounds like snake oil to me, if it were true every racecar/truck out there would be fixing warped valves after practice and races. I've ran open headers for a few mud races, it sounds good for the spectators but does nothing for your power unless you have an extremely built engine.

 

[Georgeb]

I would wait until you have the funds to do the whole exhaust job at once.

 

[Green79Scottsdale]

I would at least try to rig up some type of muffler immediately after the headers. Even if it means using your old mufflers. At least kill some of the noise.

 

[MikeB]

Although it may be true for open cast iron manifolds w/o head pipes, I seriously doubt that open long tube headers will damage valves. And I've read that the highest performance exhaust system past a header collector is NOTHING. I mean, have you ever heard of buying a more restrictive exhaust system to increase power?

 

[bucket]

Depends on where the headers exit, you might get something cooking hot. Besides that, you'll just hurt your ears, piss off bystanders and really get the attention of your local fuzz.

 

[v2500burb]

Any suggestions on headers for my 90 3/4 ton suburban


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[GTME94]

I've seen glass packs that bolt right up to the headers, no exhaust pipes required. Should make it tolerable to drive.

 

[HotRodPC]

I've seen glass packs that bolt right up to the headers, no exhaust pipes required. Should make it tolerable to drive.

Yes, those work just to get legal and to shops and such. Buddies and I used them for temp use to get to the track, then uncork. Yes, you can run open headers. And bucket is right too, depends where they exit. I would not run shorties or block huggers but if you're running a full header, it'll be fine. We've done it for years.

 

[Green79Scottsdale]

You can always buy the headers, but wait to put them on until you can also afford to do the complete system in one shot. It will suck having new parts laying around that you want to put on, but it will also be great motivation to save faster to get it completed.

 

[68post]

I've seen glass packs that bolt right up to the headers, no exhaust pipes required. Should make it tolerable to drive.

This is what I did to be able to drive my '94, no room for duals easily and I was taking too long to get them (duals) built. So just glasspacks for now.