how far can i drive with open headers?

[miller]

I'm planning on getting exhaust put on my car this friday, but one of the shops is 20 miles away, aside from it being very loud and kind of annoying, will it hurt the motor to have pretty much zero back pressure for that long of a drive?

[Ghoste]

I've done it, I don't know that it means it's harmless only that I've done it and didn't notice any ill effects.  It has the effect of leaning it out a bit so if you are already on the thin side of your carb that isn't good but for a 20 mile jaunt I wouldn't worry too much.  The road race and stock car crew do it for hundreds of miles. 

[mopar_nut_440_6]

No worries, give er!!

[mally69]

i just unhooked my exhaust just to cruise town for a few hours in my car, damn it sounds great like that, almost sounds like a race car    hasnt hurt anything yet and i do that a few times a summer just for the fun of it.

[Tilar]

If it were just straight manifolds or no exhause at all I'd be careful because when you decelerate cool air can actually come back and warp a valve. With headers you should be ok.

[flyinlow]

You can drive until the law pulls you over. 

[440charger68]

i agree you can go till the man pulls you over, but i have been running straights for two years and all highway patrol and el dorado county police have taken a liking to it hahaha you might get more compliments then complaints haha

[devilgear]

I drove with no exaust for about 5 years in one of my cars...ahahahha.I had nothing from where the muffler was on back...I lived in Downtown Minneapols too and I never heard a complaint...You should be fine...

[ChgrSteve67]

You may have a heat problem where your headers end.

Just check and make sure if the area gets hot you don't set something on fire.

I drove mine across town to get exhaust installed. Didn't pass any cops thankfully.
Scared the hell out of a guy working in a trench along side the road.

[440charger68]

keep the windows down so you dont pass out from the fumes haha

[tan top]

i just unhooked my exhaust just to cruise town for a few hours in my car, damn it sounds great like that, almost sounds like a race car    hasnt hurt anything yet and i do that a few times a summer just for the fun of it.

[mikesbbody]

Miller, I drove about the same distance as you one time with open headers no problems  I even drove past about 3 cops (eased off the gas when I saw them) you should be fine.