Originally Posted by
Dudeman258 So can anyone explain the myth that a large exhaust is "bad" for some motors?Somewhere along the line the information related to header tech (smaller pipes are better for low end power all else being equal) got improperly placed on the entire exhaust. This may have gained popularity in the V8 world as back-to-back dyno sessions with and without an exhaust after the headers can show loss of low end power without an exhaust, or with a larger exhaust connected. This is due to the fact that most V8s (non flat plane V8s) see low end gains with an "X" pipe coupled with a smallish exhaust as scavenging effects take place all the way until you finally completely merge the exhaust. This does not translate at all to flat plane crank (all inline cylinder engines and some rare "V" configuration engines) header/exhaust design but that didn't stop the information from being carried over.
This of course is my own theory, and there's probably more to it.
Originally Posted by
Dudeman258 I realize it is untrue, but I remember hearing back when I was in highschool "large exhausts can hurt your valves" Where did this come from?I've sort of heard something similar. I've heard that running an engine with no exhaust manifold connected at all can cause damage (possible bending?) of the exhaust valves. I don't know if this is true or not, but the theory goes that if there is absolutely no exhaust back pressure, your valve could be damaged. I've seen videos of people on youtube running SR20s without exhaust manifolds on and revving them pretty high. I don't have an answer or even a theory for this one.