LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

Open headers --- Anyone have this issue running them open

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-29-2015, 12:29 AM
  #1  
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
 
detroit_903's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 636
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post

Default Open headers --- Anyone have this issue running them open

Okay well recently i had to take one of the headers off the car to replace a gasket since I had the y pipe off after i installed the header back on the engine --- i decided to start my car up to see for the hell of it what it would sound like with open headers before i had put the y pipe back on. It was awesome... shook the whole garage... so i for the hell of it i wanted to run it around the block... car was idling fine too it around the block got on it alittle ran okay... kept driving it staying close to the house got on it again and it started missing on mid rpm... seem like the idle was acting up as well after i got on it and slowed down... drove it back to the house... started it back up again and the idle was fine again... rev it up didnt seem like it was missing.... this was with longtube open headers.... Im thinking could it be the o2 sensors causing this since there close to the end of the header... anyone have this problem...??? The car is a 95 z28 built 383 supercharged longtubes.... i already have a borla exhaust with a cutout installed by the inlet but its no where as loud as todays start up... Reason i ask is because i wanted to run dual cutouts near the the front off the headers... i really hate to spend the money if this is always gonna perform like that when driving with the cutouts open.. i just want the cutouts for like car shows,,, and maybee getting on it here and there on the road...i read it might be because 02 sensors, backpressure needed,,, needs to be tuned for open headers,etc,etc please let me know
Old 06-29-2015, 05:48 AM
  #2  
TECH Enthusiast
 
stevo9389's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Clearwater
Posts: 682
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 6 Posts

Default

Yes, the problem is that the O2s are too close to the opening of the exhaust.

The sound of the inevitable exhaust leaks from having cutouts will get old faster than the novelty of open headers.
Old 06-29-2015, 07:25 AM
  #3  
12 Second Club
iTrader: (3)
 
bufmatmuslepants's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Hampstead, NC
Posts: 3,266
Received 46 Likes on 32 Posts

Default

Don't need back pressure.
Old 06-29-2015, 07:30 AM
  #4  
Man-Crush Warning
iTrader: (1)
 
Shownomercy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,150
Received 119 Likes on 88 Posts

Default

Backpressure is needed in order for the blower hot air to mix properly with the hot exhaust gasses. Otherwise it will never spool and hit VTEC.
Old 06-30-2015, 11:20 AM
  #5  
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
 
detroit_903's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 636
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post

Default

So there is no way I can run open headers without having my car act up... not gonna run them all the time.. like I said just here and there for car shows or cruises... but like I mention it was acting up like it wanted to stal out on me last time after driving for a couple mins
Old 07-02-2015, 08:16 PM
  #6  
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (5)
 
94FBIRD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Highlands Ranch, CO
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

Burnt plug wire for the miss and get cutouts.
Old 07-02-2015, 10:09 PM
  #7  
TECH Resident
iTrader: (5)
 
94LTZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 750
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

When I was younger and had no money I ran long tubes with 6 inches of pipe welded to them and honestly never had any issues.
Old 07-03-2015, 09:04 AM
  #8  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (7)
 
Blackbirdws6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Piscataway, NJ
Posts: 2,161
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts

Default

As mentioned, it's likely your O2s are too close to the outlet of the header flange so it's going to mess with the fueling. If you want the sound you are looking for, just do a single cutout before the muffler and be done with it. There is a good spot on the I pipe before it goes over the axle.
Old 07-10-2015, 01:27 AM
  #9  
8 Second Club
iTrader: (2)
 
fex77k's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AR
Posts: 1,668
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

I ran open headers on methanol for 2 years, like others have said the O2's won't work if they are too close.
Old 07-10-2015, 10:43 AM
  #10  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (13)
 
sweetbmxrider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: jersey shore
Posts: 2,768
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Open headers are super ******* annoying anywhere but the strip. There, you better have a decent setup to be making all that ******* noise.
Old 07-10-2015, 07:56 PM
  #11  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (1)
 
myltwon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Palm Harbor, FL
Posts: 2,969
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider
Open headers are super ******* annoying anywhere but the strip. There, you better have a decent setup to be making all that ******* noise.
yup

get a cutout. Your neighbors, passengers, cops, general traffic, and the rest of the world will thank you. Don't get me wrong I love the sound of open exhaust, but I love being able to choose when it's open much more.
Old 07-10-2015, 11:28 PM
  #12  
11 Second Club
iTrader: (8)
 
SS SLP2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: SILSBEE TX
Posts: 1,782
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

You need 15-18 " of pipe from the 02 s and opening be it open headers or open cutout to allow the 02s to read rite.

On my car I needed to lower the shift point on the 2-3 shift. down to 500 rpm ( to 6300) below the limiter ( 6800) 1-2 shift set at 6500 as it wrapped up a little faster when open exh.
my 02 Johnny
Old 07-11-2015, 01:21 AM
  #13  
Banned
 
steitnifols's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I mention it was acting up like it wanted to stal out on me last time after driving for a couple mins
Old 07-11-2015, 04:24 AM
  #14  
On The Tree
 
4K+Converter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

I ran cutouts after the long tubes for about a year with e-cutouts. It was awesome to dial up the noise any time I wanted. The downside is that they hung super low to the ground and the e-cutouts can break if you tap one of them on the ground. If you don't plan on running e-cutouts, removing the plates by hand is even less fun. Clearance is tight and I couldn't get the top most wing-nut on the driver side, so you'll probably have to carry a wrench or socket to get them off.

In the end, I went with homemade true duals. I didn't lose anything in the 1/4th - comparing open LT runs vs true dual runs. IMO, you get a better sound quality out of true duals and have 90% of the volume.



Quick Reply: Open headers --- Anyone have this issue running them open



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:24 AM.