I have pacesetter long tubes on my car, hooked into a hooker ory. I have a ANNOYING ticking coming from what seems to be the passenger side. If i get under the car..when its cold and start it..i dont see any exhaust fumes escaping anywhere. If i put my head down over the passenger side header, from the engine bay..i cant really hear it as much as i can from outside the car. If i crouch down and get right by the wheel..i can hear it the best. Does it sound like one of my bolts backed out? Or is my gasket bad? Any help would be appreciated ...as im looking to tear into this week.

 

Seems like you have an exhaust leak where the header goes into your Y-pipe on the passenger side. You can check by starting your car when its cold and just put your hand down by where the header and y-pipe meet. You should be able to feel the exhaust escaping. Hope this helps. I had a leak that made a loud ticking and this is where it was at.

 

Which gaskets did you use, the paper gaskets that came with the headers or the factory MLS gaskets? If you used the paper ones , that is more than likely your problem. You should buy the factory manifold gaskets or some "Percys" brand header gaskets which are re-usable soft metalic gaskets which is what I use. The Percys are a little expensive, about $50 a set , but I have had not one problem with leaks. A lot of people on this board use the factory gaskets with great success also and they are cheaper in price also. Hope this helps.

 

You know i knew i shoulda done that. There not actually paper gaskets but their not the metal gaskets either. I bet you that is the problem..i should try to see if i can find some stock manifold gaskets.

 

I tore into the car today..and a few bolts backed out a tad..but were still snug. I still got in there and tightend up up. I pulled the coil packs off and as i went to put the wires and everything back on..i figured id pull out a spark plug..i grabbed one and it was loose enough to turn with just my fingers! i have no idea how that happened..but i fixed that..and started it up..didnt sound like it was ticking...im gonna take it for a ride tomorrow and see if i hear anything. Hopefully that was it.

 

ive only been driving w/ the new headers and y-pipe for a little while now, and i noticed the same thing. ticking at idle, and almost a hissing at higher rpms. im just gonna buys some percy's and stage 8 bolts, and hope that works. also put some muffler sealer on the collector, inbetween the connection of the tubes, and clamp it up with band clamps.