Phoenix79

Before I put on the headers, I wanted to know what it would sound like to drive with open exhaust. Currently the car has the stock exhaust manifolds. Will it hurt if I drive with just the exhaust manifolds on? I've heard you can crack your block...etc...etc, wait when the day is hot then you won't have to worry about it...etc...etc. I'm curious. Currently the entire piping has been dropped along with the mufflers. I started it up once and the sound was awesome at idle. Wanted to drive it for say a few minutes up and down the street to get a feel of it then take back into the garage, but I wasn't sure if it was wise to do so.

Can I drive the Vette?!

Stingy74

I can't see why it would hurt your engine. You ears maybe. The only thing I can think of is it creating a lean condition. I had cutouts on my 79 that I used to uncap just for fun.

Pete79L82

The only thing you will have to be careful of is that the exhaust doesn't blow against any wires or hoses that could melt. Also any old grease buildup that could catch fire from the hot exhaust.

Sleper

Only your ears. :cheers: :cool:

78pace

and your wallet if you get stopped for running open headers :yesnod:

ED DINAPOLI

It may run leaner with the open headers.
Ed

427V8

Yep, it'll hurt your ears!!

Start it up in the driveway and see if you want to drive it like that!

MikeC

And remember when the engine is under load its going to get LOUDER!

JCL

Phoenix79. I tried that with my Vette, in the drive, in the middle of 12 acres, and the closest neighbor at about 1000'. Did a dba test with and without baffles. With baffles 81 dba's. Sounds like a Vette. Without baffles 97 dba's. Thats about 3.5 times as loud. Sounded like a DRAGSTER. It sounded great, BUT for about five minutes. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to drive it for any distance on the road. My 2 cents. JCL :cool: :cool: :chevy " Sidepipes are the way"

Garys '68

Look below the manifold outlet. If you put a load on the engine, the hot exhaust gasses will burn or melt everything within a foot. Other than that, you only have to worry about CO poisioning and a noise ticket.
My $0.02
Gary

Budman68

I drove 20 miles to the friendly muffler shop and my ears didn't stop ringing for 2 days. Bring ear plugs and had them to fellow motorist. :lol:

jerryp58

I don't know if the thread is still out there or not, but when I asked this question last year I had one warning (if I remember correctly) that I could cause head damage by running the car with manifolds (actually I left about 6" of pipe attached to the manifold to point the exhaust to the ground) because of cool air getting sucked up into the system when the car is shut off.

It turned out not to be a consideration for me though because when I started up the car with just manifolds (to see if it would move after my transmission work), it was very LOUD, but it could also barely get out of its own way. I'm convinced that the lack of back pressure gave me NO power at all.

It cost $40, but I just had a flat bed bring it to the muffler shop.

My $0.02 Good Luck.

Corey_68

You'll lose back pressure along with some bottom end torque.

Ganey

Note the location of your fuel pump. Make sure it doesn't leak & go for it !

427V8

A friend of mine raced a 900 hp blown 350 with open headers....

He uncapped them for me once :eek:

SleekLines

Just be sure to let off the gas if you pass a cop or happen to drive through a well populated area. And I too would advise some earplugs :D It's fun for about the first 5 minutes, but ringing ears and a headache may follow. :)

-Sleek