Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009

Headpipe color & Engine tuning



This is not an accurate way to determine headpipe or exhaust gas temperature. Use this as an indicator to check the temperature by a more accurate method.

Steel exhibits different oxidation and incandescent colors depending it's temperature. Below 800°F, it will have oxidation coloration. Above 800°F it will display incandescent (glowing) coloration.

If your pipe is blue or bluish grey when it is cold (the hotest oxidation colors), it may actually be much hotter when running. After the pipe cools from glowing hot, the oxidation color will remain.

A good exhaust gas temperature at the exhaust port is 1250°F (Blood to Cherry Red). In general, glowing is acceptable for the first 6-8 inches after the exhaust port. When cool, the head pipe shouldn't be blue more than 10 inches from the exhaust port.

No part of a slip on exhaust should ever be blue.

If your exhaust is displaying of the above conditions, your engine is running extremely lean. You most likely need to richen your jetting/fuel map. If this does not fix your problem, you should look for a air leak after the carburetor/throttle body.

If you need help with anything of the information in this article, please contact our tech dept at
(866) HMF-PIPE.

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