Hypothetically speaking... does anyone have any idea about how a V8 engine would run if each of the 8 exhaust ports was fitted with a short link-pipe (2-3 inches) and an aftermarket (Micron, etc.) bike can?

My engine is a 4200cc and 420bhp, so each can is dealing with 525cc and 52.5bhp... not a lot, so no great concerns about longevity of the silencers.

Just wondering how well it would breathe really.

Only reason I'm asking is that I can do this myself and it will cost / weigh a damn sight less than a bespoke 4-1 system.

Appreciate it's not an 'everyday question' but would welcome any comments!

8 exhausts?!
or did i get the wrong end of that?

For a start you loose all scavenging, you'll experience a sizeable drop in power...
Plus the cost of all those cans!

James

scootz - Thats not the jag engine you were trying to sell a while back is it?

Blake... yes (hypothetically speaking)

Cloudy... tell me more about the loss of power theory - this is the stuff I'd like to know about. Noticed a lot of drag cars had short straight pipes directly from the exhaust-ports. PS - Cost of cans is not a problem... I have a supply!

SpeedyXJS... nope - that sold a while back

Exhausts are normally designed so the low pressure area behind the previous cylinders expulsion is used to help draw the exhaust of another cylinder out....

Ah... so basically a non-starter then!

Most drag cars are boosted which do not require the same level of care when it comes to scavenging. They also make 600 to 6000+hp so other factors are often more important.

Where exactly would you fit 8 mufflers on a locost?

I've plenty of room Cory... I'm not building a 7-type.

you're building 'a thing'
i like how people only see 7's being built lol

Indeed... t'was once a Spyder kit - has now mutated into a thing!

Bugger... so, I'm going to have to fork out loads of dosh for 2 custom manifolds!

Well you are on a locost forum after all.
For your manifolds you may be able to do what I've done. Buy a cheap, commonly available header kit like this http://www.speedwaymotors.com/SMALL-BLOCK-CHEVY-HEADER-KIT,3843.html
And then make or get flange made up to bolt to your heads. $170 or so and a lot of your own time should get you some nice headers.
Cheers.

Cheers Cory!

^^^ wot they say.

on drag engines, thosethings are running at such high pressures and high rpm that scavenging does not matter, hence the short and individual pipes.

Does the compression ratio come into it... the engine I'm using is pretty high at 12.5:1

no, you really need the scavenging effect on a non forced induction engine

You could stick a supercharger on it and run the 8 cans though!

[Edited on 24/11/08 by NS Dev]

Okay dokay... hint taken - 2 manifolds it is!