Yet Another Muffler Question

[smallwwb]

1988 EA82 SPFI Wagon, s/r 5spd

 

My muffler crapped, so I took it off. Well, had to sawzall the mounting bolts actually.

Besides being bloody loudness, am I hurting my engine by driving around for awhile without a muffler? I've heard you can hurt exhaust valves with too little backpressure.

I'm saving up for an EJ swap, my motor has 211k and leaks, but I need it to run well for another half a year or so.

 

What should I do? Leave it be? Get another muffler? Is this affecting fuel economy?

[markjw]

It wont hurt a thing. 'cept the cops and your neighbors might not like it.

[DC493]

It wont hurt a thing. 'cept the cops and your neighbors might not like it.

 

Are you sure it wont do any harm??

 

I've been wondering the same thing

 

-493

[subynut]

If the rest of the exhaust is still in tact, then no, you will not harm the engine. Maybe your ears, but not the engine.

I've ran streight pipe for a few months, and the engine did not care.

[ShawnW]

Id just put a muffler on that you will like with the EJ swap. For mine I am just running the stock 84 muffler.

[3eyedwagon]

The problem you're referring to is only a problem when running VERY SHORT exhaust, or no exhaust at all. Even just a foot of pipe is often enough.

 

It isn't as much a problem with back pressure, but, more often a problem of heat. When the valves are exposed to open air, it raises the temperature of the combusted gasses, and heats the combustion chamber, that in turn cooks the exhaust valves. That is a simplified explanation, but, you should get it.

 

Many, many quarter mile race cars run with short, open headers. Also dry lake cars, and many traditional, and rat rod styled cars do it for noise, and looks.

 

 

While the valves in that Small block may be a bit more sturdy, your ea82 is still just fine muffler free. Heck, most of them have wicked exhaust leaks anyways.