I just got AR Headers installed with cats and x pipe. When I am on the freeway at a constant speed and I just barely add a little throttle to speed up or go over a small grade, it sounds like pinging but I know it is not detonation because the car was tuned after the install. It isnt very noticable around town either. I have looked under the car and listened carefully and do not seem to hear any leaks either. Its a "tinging" sound and seems to disappear or doesnt happen when throttling harder--or so it seems. Is this exhaust pulses I am hearing in the header system? I cant imagine what else it could be. I have never had a car with headers before so not sure what is what.

 

The headers are MUCH thinner and made of stainless steel, not cast iron like the stockers. The noise you hear is the valvetrain and it is perfectly normal. Get used to it, or downshift
You have nothing to worry about.

 

I love the "tinging" sound under power. It normal. If its too loud it's an exhaust leak, but it's hard to describe the difference over the internet. If you see soot around any connections after a few days you've got a leak. I had to torque my collector connections on the AR headers (there are only two of them on each side) after driving a couple of days.

 

Same here.

 

You guys know your stuff-Thanks

 

Right on

I though the same thing when i first installed my headders.

 

Yes, more than likely. Either that or valvetrain noise as CYA-Vett describes. I doubt its pinging though if it was tuned.

 

I am feeling a heck of a lot better guys THANKS

 

Thats a good sound, Enjoy it!!

 

I have a question for you, and others in this thread, and I'm not that knowledgeable about tunes, so here goes. Why do you think it may not be detonation because the car was tuned? I've heard some tuners reduce the amount of retard from the timing on their tunes.
The end result would be some detonation, I believe.

 

How much do you think the headers save in weight over the cast iron parts?

 

I think it was Robert Duvall who said "I love the sound of headers tinging in the morning!"

 

none. They are big and they aren't light.

 

I've never heard of anyone hearing knock in an LS2, the knock sensors are quite sensitive and work very quickly. I've seen knock retard while tuning and I sure couldn't hear it (and I know well what it sounds like)

 

I think you have the wrong movie in mind Glenn...

 

My LG pros were around 10lbs apiece if I recall correctly. The stock maniflods definitely seemed a bit heavier.

 

Actually Joe, with very much respect, my car did knock before I did anything to it. When STOCK it would knock when I moderated the pedal somewhat hard at 40-50 mph. It wasnt a lot but I heard it and my wife asked what the heck that was every time it happened. Here I am in a great 50K sports car and it knocked and my wife is asking me what is wrong her Lexus 430 doesnt make that noise. But the car is trying to pull at 1500 rpms in 6th gear on crap 91 oct Calif gas. I took it to Rick at Synergy and he tuned it and adjusted the shift points (A6 obviously) and the knock was gone and the car was holding the rpms a bit higher at the shift points so it wasnt so bogged down. IOW it wasnt in 6th gear at 40mph! Car became a blast after the tune. Guys get tunes done on your A6's its worth every penny! I think Joe would agree. Loved what Rick at Synergy did so much, I had him put headers and the Honker on.

Blackops, I didnt think it was detonation because: First, I trust Rick(he did 10-12 pulls on his dyno to get things right) 2nd, it was so consistant in rythm and tone and could be heard while modulating the pedal slightly going DOWNHILL( no load) and I kind of hear it all the time under the exhaust note. I think the guys that responded are spot on.

Glennhl, you were exact on your responses to my questions regarding loudness, drone ect.. Thanks!

Thanks again to everyone: Ramona, DSOM, CTA, JoeG, Glenn, I am a bit OC about my vette and you guys helped me sleep tonight. Poor Rick at Synergy. He has to deal with me.

 

i too get the 'noise' on occassion.

it's not something i like and will never get used too.

imo, it tells me something is amiss.

why would valvetrain noise be louder during different circumstaces if something wasn't causing it.

i know, i know, some folks will call bs but try a bottle of lucas fuel system treatment and see if it reoccurs.

edit: the only time i heard something similiar in my non-computer controlled headered car (warmed over '74 camaro) was when i would float the valves or was too lean.

if you're coasting along the computer may have adjusted for gas mileage and be a tad lean for the increase in throttle opening.

 

Let me ask you this - how well could you "hear" the valvetrain prior to putting the headers on?

So what is it that you are comparing the current noise to?

How about you ride in someone elses car with headers and listen. I believe you are going to hear the same exact thing

 

valdeztke
if your speaking to me, I never heard my valve train before the headers. Now I hear the sound almost all the time but mostly on the freeway with a slight throttle modulations uphill or downhill