Muffler chop?

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ODA13

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My muffler has an annoying leak! However I'm waiting to do my exhaust when I find a good engine to redo. The guy before me snapped two exhaust manifold bolts at the head. Nobody around here wants to touch it! So...if I chop the muffler, and just run pipe will it damage anything? Loss of power, take off, too end, anything I should worry about? Also would I need to adjust my carb?

1986 Dodge W150 5.2 318
 
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ODA13

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I was just going to cut out the muffler, and leave the standard exhaust pipe. I was just going to replace the muffler with exhaust pipe.
 

SilverStreak88

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You will loose your low end and it will probably be a **** off the line, but... she'll sound nice. The carb can be tuned up to better fit running a straight pipe, but you'll still lose your low end.
 
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ODA13

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Would I have any issues with stalking out due to loosing low end power? I don't mind her being slow off the line! I don't gun it around anyhow. My main concern was possible damage by taking away back pressure. I hope it won't crush my fuel economy! I get a whopping 10-12 mpg baby!!!! That's the same as my 05 Dodge 5.7 Hemi 4x4 lol
 

SilverStreak88

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I ran a strait pipe for several years without issue, ive heard of valves getting damaged, but never seen it personally. In East Texas all the rednecks are running strait pipes and have no issue. Fuel mileage will suffer from losing the low end, but not that much.
 
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ODA13

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Awesome thank you for your reply! I might get some back up vavles just incase! I do pretty good keeping my foot light. She doesn't go over 55 often!
 

crazzywolfie

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I ran a strait pipe for several years without issue, ive heard of valves getting damaged, but never seen it personally. In East Texas all the rednecks are running strait pipes and have no issue. Fuel mileage will suffer from losing the low end, but not that much.
i don't think you would do any damage. people run dual exhaust and all the time with no issues. plus he never mentioned anything about cutting the cat off so if it is still in place it would still likely have the same amount of back pressure as a stock setup since i doubt the muffler creates much back pressure. it just silences things.

i don't think it would effect fuel mileage or power. your still limited by how much air you can suck in and pump out. i have ran my truck with no cat or muffler at all for a week and really didn't notice any change in power or fuel economy. just made a lot more noise and could not sneak anywhere
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crazzywolfie

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Running a quality mid-grade fuel won't hurt either and she'll run better.
actually he should be trying to run better gas for his carbs health. my trucks sees premium gas only because around here the premium gas is ethanol free. the ethanol is usually what causes all sorts of issue when you let it sit long enough. even most small engines companies like lawn mowers recommend draining the tank if it is going to sit for more than 30 days just because of how crappy the gas with ethanol in it is.
 
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ODA13

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That's how she sounds now! My pickup doesn't have a cat! She seems to be running fine so far!
 

crazzywolfie

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should be. it is not like it is a race car that is running high rpm. also what engine are you planning on building? i wouldn't worry about 2 snapped manifold bolts as long as it is not leaking. it is also not too hard to get snapped bolts out. it can be a big pain with the engine in the truck and limited access to the engine but not impossible. you can usually use a reverse drill bill and maybe an extractor if needed. also if there is still something to grab onto you can usually hit them with some heat and they usually come out easy. just make sure to hit all the nuts and bolts with penitrating oil for a week or 2 in advance and i would spray them while the engine is hot so that the penitrating oil will hopefully seep in. it probably also does not hurt to tap on the bolt heads with a hammer after spraying them. it can help shock them and loosen them up. i have yanked quite a few manifolds and generally had pretty good luck with getting all the bolts out with no major issue.
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ODA13

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Oil

actually he should be trying to run better gas for his carbs health. my trucks sees premium gas only because around here the premium gas is ethanol free. the ethanol is usually what causes all sorts of issue when you let it sit long enough. even most small engines companies like lawn mowers recommend draining the tank if it is going to sit for more than 30 days just because of how crappy the gas with ethanol in it is.

I also read in a thread where you said 15w40 oil will help clean your engine. I live in Alabama, and it stays pretty warm here. How often and long should I run the 15w40?
 
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ODA13

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I also read where you said to run 15w40 to help clean the engine. I live in Alabama where it stays pretty warm. How often and how long should I run that oil to help clean my engine out?
 
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ODA13

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The exhaust manifold is leaking a little. I can hear the ticking!
 

crazzywolfie

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i usually just run the 15w40 like normal oil. change it every 3000 mile. it is not like the chemicals in the oil will have an immediate cleaning effect on the engine. it will slowly break things down
 
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