Installed Custom X Pipe Exhaust and Now Engine Overheats

vntned said

Years ago, I had an '84 Omni GLH that I converted to a GLH-T. When I put the engine, the only exhaust I had was the open 2.5" down pipe. I had an entire mandrel bent stainless 2.5" exhaust kit for it, but my muffler guy was about an hour and a half away. As soon as I got on the road it started running hot. So I kept stopping, checking the water level, constantly watching the gauges. Get to my buddy's shop, he installs and welds up the exhaust system for me, and it NEVER overheated again! Not even close, always ran super cold after that!

So long story short, Turbo Omnis are better with a full exhaust!

Click to expand...

Wow...so it could be possible it had an effect.

Yesterday, my son played around with swapping carbs from Holley to Edelbrock AVS, then he put the Holley back on and fiddled with it some more.

I took the Duster out last night, and it drove OK (I think I still need to fiddle with the carb because it wasn't' 100% right) and didn't overheat. The temperature stayed in the middle most the time. Drove it around town in circles trying to see if it would get hot. I even drove it on the freeway for about a mile. It would pretty much stay in the middle, go a little past, then go down just before the middle, then back to the middle again. It did that cycle. BUT...it was a cool evening (finally after it being hot and muggy) so maybe that had something to do with it.

Now to keep things on topic to exhaust, the exhaust sounds great. Looks great too. I should take some pictures and video. It's quieter while driving that's for sure. The sound at idle has mellowed out since the first day it was installed.

The shop I took it to is called Gene's Mufflers in Downey, CA. The do great work actually.

Here's a quick video.