Spark Arrestors

[Hogback Fabrication]

Anyone run one? I kinda wonder if I should run a couple of them. I'm redoing the exhaust in my truck (headers, 2.5" pipe straight through 2.5" mufflers) and I'd like to keep from starting any fires.

Now, it has occurred to me that I ran for many years with essentially this same setup with no issues (well, it had Flowmaster 40 series mufflers on it for most of the last decade but they're still pretty much straight through).

There have never been any catalytic converters on this truck, 49 state cats didn't start until '79 for trucks with a GVWR over 5200 IIRC.

Any comments or ideas?

 

[tRustyK5]

I don't see it being an issue with the length of your exhaust. More of a bike ATV thing with short exhaust and very hot exit temps.

I'd say keeping your truck well tuned should prevent any real problems.

Rene

 

[Jason4x4]

A local made his removable, so he just puts it on when he goes into fire restricted areas.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Thanks for the input Rene.

Now, I'm not spinning 9K on race fuel or making 900 hp, but I see race cars shoot flames out of their exhaust all the time and my exhaust is not longer than theirs.

I've never seen flames from my exhaust and its tuned well. But, it makes me wonder if that potential is there.

 

[cdoggwsu]

I'm with Rene on this one. Like you said I've seen a few track cars (we're talking BIG HP turbo'd/super'd Nova & Camaro types) with exhaust so hot you couldn't hold your hand over the end of the pipes but nothing ever close with these kinds of trucks.

If anything I'd be more worried about stopping in tall, dry grass or something and having the cat start a fire - i've heard of that happening on more than one occasion from loggers I used to work with.

Without a cat I still wouldn't imagine your exhaust would get unreasonably hot or any hotter than most rigs...enough to warrant worrying about a spark arrestor anyway.

 

[apache]

The actual heat from the exhaust can be an issue if its pounding out the HP and spewing raw fuel on decell which id imagine yours will never do, however typically with bikes/buggies at least the concern if small fragments of carbon or metal shooting out the muff lighting off brush. Theres guys running everything from Supertrapp ends to a simple cone shaped screen insert thats USFS legar here in Ca. Inspections on USFS land look for a "USFS approved" sticker or plate and typically will stick something up the tailpipe to see if it passes thru the muffler. Ive never seen them check a vehicle unless its obviously uncorked and loud as hell. The fines here can be staggering if nailed,if you are linked to a fire your likely gonna be held liable for supression costs.

 

[chulisohombre]

depending on the type of mufflers,you shouldnt have any problems.the muffler itself should trap any flames and unless you are spewing raw fuel out your tailpipe,it will not catch fire.if you are,you have a lot more problems.byproduct of combustion is water and carbonmonoxide,so it should just be that coming out the end of your pipes.even with 4 ft of exhaust and cherry bombs with downpipes i didnt have flames coming out.just loud as hell.if you go into high fire areas,you could make removable tips for the ends of your exhaust as was stated already.then you are fully covered and dont have it in the back of your mind nagging you that you may cause a fire.