Header rattle noise, please help!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 408
Likes: 19
From: NJ
Header rattle noise, please help!
I just had ECS install American racing headers on my 08 c6 z51 manual tranny npp exhaust coupe. About a month earlier ECS installed a tvs2300 blower on the car and I have had no problems.
I am noticing that when the car is cold and I start up the car, I hear a noise coming from underneath the car where I believe the headers are. It's like a wobbling or rattling noise. I am sure it isn't valve train noise because when the car is parked I don't hear any noise, only when moving slowly after a cold start and even when I put the car in neutral and am coasting and go over rough surfaces.
The weird thing is that once the car is fully warmed up, the rattling noises go away completely... Could it be due to expanding/contracting of the steel due to the temp differences and something coming into contact? Do you guys think something is loose under there? Unfortunately I don't have access to a lift to take a peak. Just odd the noise goes away after the car is fully warmed up. I know the noise is due to the headers because I didn't have this problem before.... Car runs great otherwise! Thanks for any suggestions guys!!
I am noticing that when the car is cold and I start up the car, I hear a noise coming from underneath the car where I believe the headers are. It's like a wobbling or rattling noise. I am sure it isn't valve train noise because when the car is parked I don't hear any noise, only when moving slowly after a cold start and even when I put the car in neutral and am coasting and go over rough surfaces.
The weird thing is that once the car is fully warmed up, the rattling noises go away completely... Could it be due to expanding/contracting of the steel due to the temp differences and something coming into contact? Do you guys think something is loose under there? Unfortunately I don't have access to a lift to take a peak. Just odd the noise goes away after the car is fully warmed up. I know the noise is due to the headers because I didn't have this problem before.... Car runs great otherwise! Thanks for any suggestions guys!!
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: TX
Mine does the same thing on ocassion. But mine is more like the cammed engine vibration causing the headers to hit the underside. Not sure if yours is the same problem. Have the car put on a lift and check all the fssteners and bolts. Cold engine idles rougher and has more vibration. My shop told me they can put some type of buffer between my headers and the point of contact to stop the noise.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,164
Likes: 103
what you are hearing are the exhaust gasses scavenging out the pipes, totally normal sound with long tube headers, you will always hear it, more on a cold morning. could sound like a rattle or leak, but wont hurt to check underneath to be safe..
Last edited by 1320IN9; Nov 15, 2011 at 07:52 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,984
Likes: 16
From: Amityville New York
I just had ECS install American racing headers on my 08 c6 z51 manual tranny npp exhaust coupe. About a month earlier ECS installed a tvs2300 blower on the car and I have had no problems.
I am noticing that when the car is cold and I start up the car, I hear a noise coming from underneath the car where I believe the headers are. It's like a wobbling or rattling noise. I am sure it isn't valve train noise because when the car is parked I don't hear any noise, only when moving slowly after a cold start and even when I put the car in neutral and am coasting and go over rough surfaces.
The weird thing is that once the car is fully warmed up, the rattling noises go away completely... Could it be due to expanding/contracting of the steel due to the temp differences and something coming into contact? Do you guys think something is loose under there? Unfortunately I don't have access to a lift to take a peak. Just odd the noise goes away after the car is fully warmed up. I know the noise is due to the headers because I didn't have this problem before.... Car runs great otherwise! Thanks for any suggestions guys!!
I am noticing that when the car is cold and I start up the car, I hear a noise coming from underneath the car where I believe the headers are. It's like a wobbling or rattling noise. I am sure it isn't valve train noise because when the car is parked I don't hear any noise, only when moving slowly after a cold start and even when I put the car in neutral and am coasting and go over rough surfaces.
The weird thing is that once the car is fully warmed up, the rattling noises go away completely... Could it be due to expanding/contracting of the steel due to the temp differences and something coming into contact? Do you guys think something is loose under there? Unfortunately I don't have access to a lift to take a peak. Just odd the noise goes away after the car is fully warmed up. I know the noise is due to the headers because I didn't have this problem before.... Car runs great otherwise! Thanks for any suggestions guys!!
Call Doug and tell him you started a thread asking for help about a noise under your car, I have never had an issue with my headers and I don't think anyone else ever had that problem.
The problem you are having can be cause by your tune, before the car is warm up properly it idles rough and with a good tune those issues don't occur. Call the shop because a good shop leaves no stone unturned.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 12
From: OH
when I installed my headers on my GS, the passenger header rattled the tranny coolant lines. I don't know if the lines are the same in my GS as your z51. something to look into.
Had the tranny lines bent around the header to fix the problem.
Had the tranny lines bent around the header to fix the problem.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,599
Likes: 1,225
From: Providing the most proven supercharger kits for your C5/6/7 609-752-0321
Raj, you know your welcome to stop down anytime if you wish to have it looked at though.
Thanks for the compliment Mario, that was very nice of you.
