I'm going to have to drive my car open header to the exhaust shop; 15 miles away to have a S-pipe made, and another real quick section of pipe welded.

Any concerns with driving open header... As far as harming something under the hood? The starter is going to be pretty close to hot gases...

The reason the Y-pipe isn't going to be bolted up is because I don't want to put that much hanging weight on the headers. That would be a bad idea I think.

 

it would be a worse idea to run no y-pipe, then to run with it. The weight dont matter, i've driven to a muffler shop open y-pipe to get it welded to the intermediate pipe.

 

And you weren't worried about cracking a head, bolt or header flange?

I'm going to be going 15 miles, 6 of which are on the bumpiest section of Interstate 10 that exists. The car literally bounces up and down for 5 minutes straight on that stretch.

 

I would go open headers.

 

My friend drives his car w/ open headers to the track and back 20 times a year.

(45 mins round trip)

 

Don't be scared, go open headers

 

Heck, I drove my car with the same headers(TPIS) 75 miles with just the y pipe and I had no problems. I still haven't had a problem. I'd just put the y pipe on and drive to the shop.

 

I personally would not drive my headers without a Y-Pipe. Considering the passenger side doesn't fully dump the exhaust out of the way from everything, it wouldn't be a good idea. You are much better off running at least the Y-pipe and no that extra "weight" isn't going to do anything to your heads. I have had a sagging motormound resting the header on my K-member and it had not done anything. Keep in mind that your oxygen sensor for the passenger side is on the y-pipe.

 

Worse thing you could do is ruin your 02 sensors.

 

Alot of people do it, just take it slow and easy. As stated above, the worst that can happen is some drivability problems associated with the 02 sensors as air can possibly rush through the header and create some wacky readings. If you are that worried though, spend a little extra change and have it towed.

 

The problem with running no y-pipe is the O2 sensor is supposed to be in place. As long as the car runs well enogh, probobly in open loop you will be fine for fifteen miles.
Just dont be hammering on it and take your time.

 

If the RKSPort headers are like my AS&M's, as they are reputed to be, there will be no place to mount the passenger side O2 sensor without the Y-pipe. Leave the drivers side connector unplugged. So, since they aren't connected, the PCM would run in open loop and there would be no fuel problems. At least not for a short drive to the shop.

But, the drivers side is going to be dumping exhuast on the oil pan/filter, since the connection for the Y-pipe face that way, and the passenger side is going to be dumping exhaust on the starter and all the other stuff on that side. Why not just bolt up the Y-pipe? It isn't going to crack your heads or damage the flanges. If you are concerned, find a way to temporarily wire the Y-pipe up to chassis somehow.

 

Yeah, I was thinking all the hot gases puking on everything may be a problem... And I actually didn't even think about that O2 sensor. Oops.

Okay, I'll try to drive with the Y-pipe if you guys don't think the weight will do anything. Thanks for all your comments and suggestions. I just figured that the Y-pipe dangling on a less than flat and smooth freeway (that really does buck the car quite a bit) was going to put a lot of stress on everything at the head. That Y-pipe is a heavy bastard.

I was thinking about the tow truck myself actually. It's a hassle I prefer not to deal with, but I just may. The money thing isn't actually an issue, I get free 100 mile tows. It's just the waiting game for a truck, and I have a small window to do this before work tonight.

Anyway, thanks again everybody

 

Coat hanger mod!

 

I have the same headers, the y-pipe is not that heavy and would probobly be fine hanging on the headers alone. I seriously doubt you will damage anything.