I have a strange noise, and I am trying to figure out what it is. This engine is noisy as hell when even everything is normal, and I'm a bit lost, so wanted to ask your opinions. It's a 2019 Z06 Z07 M7 at ~ 7K miles.

First, the regular engine ticking noise. This owner was worried about it and made this video, but I think this is the normal direct injection / valvetrain ticking that we're used to.

Second, this is my car. Notice the ticking noise is similar to above video's on passenger side, but there's a clear low pitch noise on the driver's side. Due to the low pitch noise, I really think it's exhaust leak, but not sure.

Last, this is from the outside of the car:

I checked out the header bolts, and indeed the bolts were a bit loose, especially the front-most bolt. I tightened them all, but still had noise. A friend of mine stated that the gasket might have gotten damaged since I drove with possibly loose header bolts during track day(s). I'd think the noise would still be gone even with leaky gaskets, but I digress. I suppose it could make this noise if the header was cracked, but my friends stated it would be very loud if the header was cracked. I should also point out that I can't hear it when I give the slightest gas.

So what do you guys think? What could this be? I will stop by my friendly neighborhood race shop tomorrow to get them to listen as well.

• If the header is cracked, then I wonder if it would happen again even if I replace with a new OEM unit. That said, the OEM header is likely the toughest built header out there among all options, and it's a bit hard to think it's cracked.
• I could also replace the gasket, but I have a feeling that it will not solve it, since even a bad gasket would work enough at idle pressures.
• I could also get ARH mid-length headers with cats to avoid tune, but not even sure if those cats would melt after many track days, let alone engine bay temps with the OEM shield removed. Anyway, I would much rather keep it OEM..

 

Hopefully it’s not a broke rocker or something like that.

 

FYI, it turned out that the cat is cracked. Dealer will have the replacement parts delivered on Monday, and I will hopefully get my car back early next week, in time to attend the event happening during the following weekend.

 

Thanks for the follow-up. Much appreciated.