Odd: Muted engine on hard lefts
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 144
From: Miami
Odd: Muted engine on hard lefts
Hi folks,
I think this kind of odd but maybe it's just an exhaust leak that I never noticed before. Under normal conditions, my engine and exhaust sound awesome (for me at least). Not too loud but noticeable, along with noticeable valvetrain noises that resemble a sowing machine. I've never noticed an exhaust leak or hiss. Anyway, under a hard left turn when I start to really pull some G's, my engine noises mute incredibly. As soon as I reduce the cornering force, engine and exhaust sound unmuted again.
Could this be just a leak I had all the time and I never noticed? My thoughts is that maybe under high lateral load the header flanges flatten against the block or maybe it's something else. Thoughts?
PS: I have a JEGS .585/.585 228/230 cam, and exhaust is Texas Speed offroad Long Tube 1-3/4 headers with X pipe, mated to Magnaflow XL mufflers.
FYI: I used Mahle MLS gaskets for the headers, along with ARP header bolts, and I torqued to spec when I installed my headers.
I think this kind of odd but maybe it's just an exhaust leak that I never noticed before. Under normal conditions, my engine and exhaust sound awesome (for me at least). Not too loud but noticeable, along with noticeable valvetrain noises that resemble a sowing machine. I've never noticed an exhaust leak or hiss. Anyway, under a hard left turn when I start to really pull some G's, my engine noises mute incredibly. As soon as I reduce the cornering force, engine and exhaust sound unmuted again.
Could this be just a leak I had all the time and I never noticed? My thoughts is that maybe under high lateral load the header flanges flatten against the block or maybe it's something else. Thoughts?
PS: I have a JEGS .585/.585 228/230 cam, and exhaust is Texas Speed offroad Long Tube 1-3/4 headers with X pipe, mated to Magnaflow XL mufflers.
FYI: I used Mahle MLS gaskets for the headers, along with ARP header bolts, and I torqued to spec when I installed my headers.
Last edited by turabo87; Mar 21, 2019 at 08:57 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 145
Likes: 8
From: Nashville, TN
If you had an exhaust leak....you would know! It much louder that when its properly bolted together.
How does your engine/throttle feel when pull this hard turn? Are the RPM's dropping significantly? Maybe the motor is starving for air/fuel. If its normal, than safe to say that's not the problem.
Not trying to get personal, but maybe something with you. Like an inner ear issue, fluid in the ear, etc. I would have someone else ride in the car with you and perform the same type of turn to see if they notice it.
How does your engine/throttle feel when pull this hard turn? Are the RPM's dropping significantly? Maybe the motor is starving for air/fuel. If its normal, than safe to say that's not the problem.
Not trying to get personal, but maybe something with you. Like an inner ear issue, fluid in the ear, etc. I would have someone else ride in the car with you and perform the same type of turn to see if they notice it.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 144
From: Miami
If you had an exhaust leak....you would know! It much louder that when its properly bolted together.
How does your engine/throttle feel when pull this hard turn? Are the RPM's dropping significantly? Maybe the motor is starving for air/fuel. If its normal, than safe to say that's not the problem.
Not trying to get personal, but maybe something with you. Like an inner ear issue, fluid in the ear, etc. I would have someone else ride in the car with you and perform the same type of turn to see if they notice it.
How does your engine/throttle feel when pull this hard turn? Are the RPM's dropping significantly? Maybe the motor is starving for air/fuel. If its normal, than safe to say that's not the problem.
Not trying to get personal, but maybe something with you. Like an inner ear issue, fluid in the ear, etc. I would have someone else ride in the car with you and perform the same type of turn to see if they notice it.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 144
From: Miami
No, I’m actually a bit paranoid on that fact. This was a close 90 turn. Maybe lasted 1-1.5 second the turn. I didn’t take it at high RPM either. Maybe at around 3k RPMs
Racer
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 335
Likes: 139
When I turn left in my C5, lateral forces push the catless x-pipe into the passenger side of the tunnel. This completely changes the tone of my exhaust in the cabin. I need to create some clearance between the exhaust and the inside of the tunnel. It's annoying. Do you have aftermarket exhaust?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 144
From: Miami
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 144
From: Miami
When I turn left in my C5, lateral forces push the catless x-pipe into the passenger side of the tunnel. This completely changes the tone of my exhaust in the cabin. I need to create some clearance between the exhaust and the inside of the tunnel. It's annoying. Do you have aftermarket exhaust?
I don't know, maybe that is what's happening. Only happens in serious cornering G's for me. Yes, aftermarket exhaust: Texas Speed Offroad Long Tube 1-3/4 headers with X pipe, mated to the OEM style Magnaflow XL mufflers. I did this install recently when I did my cam build. My exhaust sounds normal otherwise; it doesn't sound like I have any leaks.
PS: We're friends on IG. I'm the one who got the Aully Park steering wheel cover, but I put it with the Alcantara side out and with blue stitching.
Last edited by turabo87; Mar 22, 2019 at 01:06 PM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 324
Likes: 2
From: Rogersville TN
After much thought.
Hi folks,
I think this kind of odd but maybe it's just an exhaust leak that I never noticed before. Under normal conditions, my engine and exhaust sound awesome (for me at least). Not too loud but noticeable, along with noticeable valvetrain noises that resemble a sowing machine. I've never noticed an exhaust leak or hiss. Anyway, under a hard left turn when I start to really pull some G's, my engine noises mute incredibly. As soon as I reduce the cornering force, engine and exhaust sound unmuted again.
Could this be just a leak I had all the time and I never noticed? My thoughts is that maybe under high lateral load the header flanges flatten against the block or maybe it's something else. Thoughts?
PS: I have a JEGS .585/.585 228/230 cam, and exhaust is Texas Speed offroad Long Tube 1-3/4 headers with X pipe, mated to Magnaflow XL mufflers.
FYI: I used Mahle MLS gaskets for the headers, along with ARP header bolts, and I torqued to spec when I installed my headers.
I think this kind of odd but maybe it's just an exhaust leak that I never noticed before. Under normal conditions, my engine and exhaust sound awesome (for me at least). Not too loud but noticeable, along with noticeable valvetrain noises that resemble a sowing machine. I've never noticed an exhaust leak or hiss. Anyway, under a hard left turn when I start to really pull some G's, my engine noises mute incredibly. As soon as I reduce the cornering force, engine and exhaust sound unmuted again.
Could this be just a leak I had all the time and I never noticed? My thoughts is that maybe under high lateral load the header flanges flatten against the block or maybe it's something else. Thoughts?
PS: I have a JEGS .585/.585 228/230 cam, and exhaust is Texas Speed offroad Long Tube 1-3/4 headers with X pipe, mated to Magnaflow XL mufflers.
FYI: I used Mahle MLS gaskets for the headers, along with ARP header bolts, and I torqued to spec when I installed my headers.
It's gotta be one or both of these two reasons why you can't hear your loud exhaust. Tire squeal from hi-G cornering or the Police sciren. My advice is either slow down or better yet run straight pipes.
Always glad to help solve weird problems.
Curt
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 144
From: Miami
After much thought.
It's gotta be one or both of these two reasons why you can't hear your loud exhaust. Tire squeal from hi-G cornering or the Police sciren. My advice is either slow down or better yet run straight pipes.
Always glad to help solve weird problems.
Curt
It's gotta be one or both of these two reasons why you can't hear your loud exhaust. Tire squeal from hi-G cornering or the Police sciren. My advice is either slow down or better yet run straight pipes.
Always glad to help solve weird problems.
Curt
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 144
From: Miami
Reviving this old thread because I noticed the "muted engine" yesterday and today. The problem is still there and happens even on U turns. Only when I turn left. Doesn't even have to be a high G left anymore; a semi-sharp U turn will do it. I think I'm gonna take the Vette to my go-to exhaust shop and see if maybe there's excessive left/right play on the exhaust sections somewhere.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 335
Likes: 139
As noted above, this was the same problem I had (have). It got much better when I built some clearance into my X-pipe and floor pan/tunnel. But it's still there. Need more clearance.
Here's one of my earlier YouTube videos showing the problem (Skip to 4'10").:
.
Here's a video of the sound:
Here's one of my earlier YouTube videos showing the problem (Skip to 4'10").:
Here's a video of the sound:
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 145
Likes: 8
From: Nashville, TN
As noted above, this was the same problem I had (have). It got much better when I built some clearance into my X-pipe and floor pan/tunnel. But it's still there. Need more clearance.
Here's one of my earlier YouTube videos showing the problem (Skip to 4'10").: https://youtu.be/in1_QItpFz4.
Here's a video of the sound: https://youtu.be/YIE2p7FamCk
Here's one of my earlier YouTube videos showing the problem (Skip to 4'10").: https://youtu.be/in1_QItpFz4.
Here's a video of the sound: https://youtu.be/YIE2p7FamCk
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 144
From: Miami
As noted above, this was the same problem I had (have). It got much better when I built some clearance into my X-pipe and floor pan/tunnel. But it's still there. Need more clearance.
Here's one of my earlier YouTube videos showing the problem (Skip to 4'10").: https://youtu.be/in1_QItpFz4.
Here's a video of the sound: https://youtu.be/YIE2p7FamCk
Here's one of my earlier YouTube videos showing the problem (Skip to 4'10").: https://youtu.be/in1_QItpFz4.
Here's a video of the sound: https://youtu.be/YIE2p7FamCk
Last edited by turabo87; May 29, 2019 at 02:55 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 335
Likes: 139
There was a recent post on fb about ill fitting Texas Speed headers and x-pipes, so I'm apparently not alone here. Not saying they're all bad, but some of us have a batch with interference issues. My resolution is to "massage" my x-pipe rather than the tunnel. I had to massage my header away from my steering shaft too. I hate putting a dent in these things, but I don't have any other way to solve the issue (short of buying another one).
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 144
From: Miami
There was a recent post on fb about ill fitting Texas Speed headers and x-pipes, so I'm apparently not alone here. Not saying they're all bad, but some of us have a batch with interference issues. My resolution is to "massage" my x-pipe rather than the tunnel. I had to massage my header away from my steering shaft too. I hate putting a dent in these things, but I don't have any other way to solve the issue (short of buying another one).
Racer
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 335
Likes: 139
Yes, the goal is to massage the X-pipe first. I'm afraid that once the shop builds the clearance, my exhaust might sound really quiet for me until I get used to it again. On the plus side, it might lower the volume on some of my valvetrain noises that are channeled directly into the cabin like this.