[HotRod63]

is running open headers on a sbc really as bad as people say it is? people say it will burn the valves.

[SlammedC10]

I just put some hedman tork steps on my truck, and other than the loss of power from open exhaust it appears that there is no harm (at least in california weather) to running them open, if it was really windy out of really cold out I would suggest stuffing rags in the collectors after shutting it off to keep out really cold air, which is what warps valves..thats what everyone told me. But I had to start my truck a few times to turn it around and such with no exhaust on it, and now that it's all put back together and running there are no ill effects from running it with the open headers, and a hell of a lot more power than with the manifolds.

[mustang66maniac]

Engines actually make more hp and torque with collector extensions and a balancing pipe. Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords did a dyno test on a 5.0 mustang with long tubes, and long tubes with off road H-pipe. Made like a 14hp difference. Also, with the extra piping you wouldn't need to worry about burning a valve.

[SlammedC10]

I think that with my exhaust back on the gain that I got from the headers was the most noticable of any bolt on i have installed so far. I've been kicking around the idea of the flowmaster scavenger collector extensions.

[1BAD80]

I put some Warlock mufflers on my Vette. They have a header type close-off cap on them.
Take it off and your open from the rear of the muffler. You can put an extension on it and you cant tell its an open muffler. The sound level is that of a 2 chamber Flowmaster with a real low rap tone, sounds great.

[TurboS10]

I think that old myth about burning valves may come from the fact that the motor will breath better and will tend to lean out which can cause more than valve problems. It just needs to be tuned to run open.

Chris

[78 monte]

Open headers will increase Hp but decrease response.At least on my mid compression motors thats what allways happens.But there now is no benifit to open headers,evan the tracks got out the vasoline and bent over the racers and made um buy exhuast systems to quite things down.
Open headers are nice to scare little rich communitys with.Ever year at the end of the year I uncork it for the last day.i go into this little college town were a couple friends of mine live and well take a guess.