Is it possible that an engine can be damaged in any way if the exhaust system is too restrictive? Example: 383TBI with 305 stock exhaust.
Would it depend on how hard it's driven? I need headers but I need money too. Let's say I take it easy until I can afford headers, will the motor be adversely affected by having a sh*tty exhaust system?

[This message has been edited by speedlvr (edited March 10, 2001).]

 

the engine would run very rich. It would be fine at low load and part throttle but could actually be damaged at full throttle.

 

Don't quote me on this. But not only are you hindering the engine. The ehaust gases that wouls be created by the extra Cubes would get evacuated. So if there is left over gases after the exhasut stroke when the intake stroke occurs there will be less room fo clean air/feul mixture. So, it would then effect your induction. It will run extremely rich. You will probobly fowl your plugs out. In the long run, an overly rich condition could cause blow by, creating extar pressure in the crank case. Add some heat, Kabbom. You might even create a vapor lock situation, but I've only seen that a couple times.
I'f I splurged on building a 383, I would definetly want to invest in a free flow exhast to insure I wouldn't kill all the power I just bought.

 

I does run rich, the plugs get fouled quicky and some oil is around the threads of the plugs when I take them out. I'll literally be f*cking damned if the motor got screwed up the tailpipe (if you know what I mean) because I didn't take care of business and get the exhaust it needs. Thanks guys, I'm ordering the SLP headers through the GP today. I'll be tight on money for a couple of weeks but it's better than having my car f*cked up.

 

Good move with the SLP equipment. It's true about the exhaust gasses. Your engine is having to push the gas out through a small (coffee) straw. And in turn there is not going to be much velocity. The idea of a good exhaust system is to produce a little back pressure to keep torque. You want to have the better flow so the exhaust gas has a velocity out of the tailpipe (pulls the gas out of the exhaust manifolds instead of pistons having to do all the work), that puts less stress on the pistons and makes for a happier engine.
Just to show you how much I care about my car: I would honestly limit myself to $10 a day for food just to do stuff to my car. Drink LOTS of water and go to church (free grape juice/wine and snack), then maybe hit the local soup kitchen. Doesn't hurt to know some wealthy friends that could front you the money for a while. Back on subject: The headers are going to bring the engine to full power and you will be impressed with the difference. I'm betting near 40hp or more depending on your intake and the rest of the exhaust.

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, Jon (91 RS too many mods to list)

 

QUOTE: "Just to show you how much I care about my car: I would honestly limit myself to $10 a day for food just to do stuff to my car. Drink LOTS of water and go to church (free grape juice/wine and snack), then maybe hit the local soup kitchen."

LOL. EXACTLY how I feel. There has been a slight change in my plans, and because I've been snagged on the exhaust issue for about two weeks trying to decide and going insane, last night I began the process in which there's no coming back.

I called Jeg's last night and ordered 1 5/8" Hooker Comps for $160, which covers everything I need to install the headers on the engine. Then I am going to have the muffler/exhaust shop install true duals (no cats), 2.5" pipes with mini turbo mufflers that fit sideways by the drive shaft. He told me he would charge $150 for parts and labor to do that. That comes to $310. The SLP 1 3/4" header package was going to cost $455. Difference in cost is $145 less.

Another major difference: the SLP setup uses
a single exhaust pipe. With what I have chosen, true dual exhaust will be utilized. The primaries on the headers may be smaller (by a total of 1 inch for the whole engine), but the entire exhaust system will have more flow due to having dual exhaust.

The $145 difference will allow me to buy the serpintine belt I need for re-routing after smog pump removal and a few other extras that are needed, maybe MSD coil and wires.