Any gain for open headers?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,381
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
Any gain for open headers?
I know I've asked this before, but will agian.
I am thinking of modifying my catback so that it can be dropped at the front of the rear y-pipe approximately 4.5" with little effort. This would allow me to run the exahust completely open. (headers, and 3" pipe in place of the cat).
Would there be a significant gain to make it worth the effort? This would be strictly for Sat/Sun at the track when you can run open exhaust. How much (if any) risk of burning up my exhaust valves would there be?
I am thinking of modifying my catback so that it can be dropped at the front of the rear y-pipe approximately 4.5" with little effort. This would allow me to run the exahust completely open. (headers, and 3" pipe in place of the cat).
Would there be a significant gain to make it worth the effort? This would be strictly for Sat/Sun at the track when you can run open exhaust. How much (if any) risk of burning up my exhaust valves would there be?
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 27,818
Likes: 8
From: CT
Re: Any gain for open headers? (scorp508)
JMHO
That is a thing of the past. Todays systems are very efficient. I don't think you'll gain that much. Unless you're looking for every little hundredth...or you like the loud noise! :) Corked up wouldn't be a bad thing.
JD
That is a thing of the past. Todays systems are very efficient. I don't think you'll gain that much. Unless you're looking for every little hundredth...or you like the loud noise! :) Corked up wouldn't be a bad thing.
JD
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 7
From: San Diego CA
Re: Any gain for open headers? (scorp508)
I don't think there is any danger of burning up your exhaust valves. There seems to be a bunch of members here that have removed or gutted their cats. I don't recall any "SHOOT, I burned up my exhaust valves after gutting my cats" posts.
A friend with a 92 Camaro (I don't recall which engine), and an exhaust setup as you described, dyno'd his car several years ago. He said he only saw about 5peak HP difference and no change in torque without the cats.
He ran one auto-x with it and got DQ'd because he exceeded the local 93db sound limit.
He claimed it's only good for making more noise.
A friend with a 92 Camaro (I don't recall which engine), and an exhaust setup as you described, dyno'd his car several years ago. He said he only saw about 5peak HP difference and no change in torque without the cats.
He ran one auto-x with it and got DQ'd because he exceeded the local 93db sound limit.
He claimed it's only good for making more noise.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 32,782
Likes: 11
From: Former NCM Drag Racing coordinator, National director Corvette Challenge Spring Hill, Tennessee: Whiting, New Jersey
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Any gain for open headers? (scorp508)
You may see a small gain but only if you tune for open headers. You can't tune for both at the same time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 46
From: Elizabeth City, NC
Re: Any gain for open headers? (mackeyred96)
There may be a gain in peak HP, but across the board you will suffer. You will be lacking TQ. And like Mackey said, it must be tuned for that particular setup to be effective.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,381
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
Pretty much what I expected. So unless I had a 2nd chip tuned for them, it's pointless. A little less torque MIGHT be worth it if it picks up on the top end. I'm probably going to have too much down low to begin with. :) I'll play it by ear once she's up and running around.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
