Hi. I wanted your opinion whether the sound I''m hearing is just the long tube headers or an exhaust leak. So I just installed my long tubes and when I start the car I get a ticking sound that quickly disappears (Different from standard engine sound). Is this just the headers heating up or is it a slight leak.

Thanks.

 

Did you install the headers/system-- let the car warm up to operating temperature, then retighten all the bolts?

 

I'm thinking of just taking it to an exhaust shop like Midas or something. I don't really want to crawl under my car when everything is hot anyway.

 

It doesn't need to be completely hot. Drive the car, let it sit for 1-2 hours, jack the car up, start it, and check for leaks. I would NEVER take my car to Midas (at all) but for something simple that you can do yourself. A good way to check is to just put your hand NEAR conjoining parts of the exhaust (where the collector and H or X pipe meet, where the mid pipe meets the catback portion, etc). Feel for any type of exhaust hitting your hand, you will be able to notice.

 

Alright you convinced me. I'll try and test it myself first.

 

Great! Just keep us posted!

 

If you have an assistant, have them push some rags up against the muffler tips while you're under the car. Even at idle any leak should be much more apparent by doing this.

 

Hey that's a good tip. I also heard of putting soap on the connections will make a leak more visible. I'll try both tips and hopefully have my exhaust leak proof.

 

My LT\'s give off more valve train noise, but it is just from the type of metal and thickness of the primaries. Sound will travel through SS like water, the thick cast iron factorie header allow little/no noise to transfer through them. Mine have a sound that could be mistaken for a leak from the outside of the car, but pop the hood and everything sound perfect.