do headers and full exhaust systems ruin bigger engines?

Question

1350cc zx 1400

Answer 1

I'm curious where you heard this from.

Regardless - to the original question... no - not in any sense.

With any bike, regardless of displacement, a change in exhaust or intake usually mandates a change in fueling (fuel maps or jetting) in order to achieve maximum performance and driveability. But in most cases, even if you don't change anything but the exhaust, you'll see slight HP gains over stock just from reduced backpressure and better high-rpm breathing. You'll also, more than likely, get some lean stumble off a closed throttle. Regardless, you're not hurting the engine.

I suppose there is a possibility that if you were already running a bit on the lean side of power, and added an aftermarket exhaust that leaned your bike out even further under heavy load, it could result in unacceptable combustion temps. But in practice, even with full racing exhausts, I've never seen this happen.

Answer 2

You may be referring to the fact that if you install ONLY headers or an open exhaust system you may ruin your engine. Yes, it's possible but not likely. When you do something like that you need to most likely re jet your carburetor/s. The thing is, when you open up the exhaust system the engine can run too lean and THAT is what can cause the damage if it gets very lean. The thing needs to be dyno checked after the modification and re jetting and adjustments done before you put it back into use.

Answer 3

a bike comes stock with a full exhaust system. stock exhaust tho is typically quite restrictive, and the engine doesnt breathe very well to most riders' thinking; in some ways they're right.
what will ruin an engine very quickly: running it too low of oil...or running out of oil, and having the air/fuel mix too lean. best example of too lean: current models of harleys rolling off the line right now.
because of epa reg's, hd's bikes are set extremely lean. any leaner would cause engine damage. they're set so lean, the engines is generating an extreme amount of heat. if ur plugs are paper white, the mix is too lean. this will also cause pipes to turn blue as well.

Answer 4

as long as you remember to rejet the carb (or remap it if it is fuel injected) so that it richens up the airfuel mix, you won't hurt a motor. However, changing over to headers or full exhaust will cause your motor to run much leaner than stock. This causes the motor to run much hotter, and in some cases can burn down the motor. The cure is, like I said, to richen up the airfuel mix to make it run right. I change the exhausts on all my bikes (all 26 of them over the years) including my '07 Harley "ultra classic" that I bought in july. I had to dyno tune it to get the airfuel mix right. But I gained 27 horsepower, brought the torque up to 90 ft pounds and it runs and sounds great!!

Answer 5

fools and their money are soon parted, but I wouldn't have that guy work on my ride, anyhow every motor has exhaust pressure rating which helps with horsepower,but less exhaust wont hurt you car, it actually is better for the car and environment,

Answer 6

Nope. that do not damage an engine, if....you dyno the engine and make other proper modifications.

Answer 7

1350 is a very small motor..
but headers help all motors