Exhaust Leak - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

96ss1664 · 06-25-2015, 12:12 PM

I put a set of KOOKS on and re-used the factory clamps to the factory cat back. I tightened the mid-pipes once since installing them, but still sounds like a small leak coming from the factory clamps. Has anyone had problems with the factory clamps leaking?

Mechzl1 · 06-25-2015, 12:18 PM

Mine leak a bit until the system warms up and expands. Once heated the leak seals

96ss1664 · 06-25-2015, 01:20 PM

Mine leaks (ticks) when its warm and I never hear it at idle, only when I'm cruising with the windows down and im in second or third above 2300 rpm. I re-torqued the headers and I installed new GM gaskets when I put the headers on and the tick sounds like its coming from around where the mid-pipes are so that's why I assume its at the factory clamp.

Mechzl1 · 06-25-2015, 01:29 PM

Hmm have you retightened the clamps after a few heat cycles?

96ss1664 · 06-25-2015, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mechzl1

Hmm have you retightened the clamps after a few heat cycles?

Yep, I'm going to look at it tonight maybe I can fix it. Its driving me

jayno20 · 06-25-2015, 06:35 PM

Is this common when installing headers?

Z/28Dan · 06-25-2015, 07:19 PM

Thank you for this thread! I just installed headers a couple of weeks ago. Today I was out driving and the ticking was really noticeable at idle when warmed up. It has to be an exhaust leak. I re-used the factory clamps behind the Cats as well. Are there aftermarket clamps out there that are as good or better?

I'm going to get under there tomorrow and re-torque everything.

Mechzl1 · 06-25-2015, 08:14 PM

My engine has a "tick" at idle that is not related to the headers. You can hear it from the wheel wells and under the car decently. With the hood pope you can't hear it. Thought it was a lifter but honestly doesn't sound metal on metal nor is it that loud but it increases with rpm. it drives me up a wall. Honestly hate it, it's prominent on the driver side front wheel well towards the back of my motor. I talked to a few other people and said theirs make the same noise.... car has 4500 miles on it

ZL1Naboz · 06-25-2015, 08:45 PM

Injectors?

Mechzl1 · 06-25-2015, 09:27 PM

I can hear the injector clicks when I pop the hood something different.

96ss1664 · 06-26-2015, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZL1Dan

Thank you for this thread! I just installed headers a couple of weeks ago. Today I was out driving and the ticking was really noticeable at idle when warmed up. It has to be an exhaust leak. I re-used the factory clamps behind the Cats as well. Are there aftermarket clamps out there that are as good or better?

I'm going to get under there tomorrow and re-torque everything.

Do you hear it when your driving or only at idle? Mine is only noticeable when cruising above 2000 rpm or so. If you haven't re-torqued since you put them on that could be your leak. Also remember to re-torque your header bolts if you haven't already.

I think I found mine last night, the driver side clamp was crooked a little and I had to pull my cat-back over when I tightened the clamp. It sits better now, but taking it to Street Machine Nationals this weekend hope its fixed!

Z/28Dan · 06-26-2015, 07:53 AM

I'll be re-torquing everything today and I'll report back. I'm sure that's what it is.

Yes, I can only hear it ticking at idle. The exhaust is too loud to hear it while I'm driving.

angryBits · 06-26-2015, 11:31 AM

I had my headers done recently too and I definitely hear an exhaust leak sound. Its annoying but it gets a bit less noticeable when things warm up.

I had the same problem with my '13 GT500. It ended up completely going away after 3-6 months. I wonder if the soot creates a natural seal over time.

I hope it goes away in my Z. :/

KaBoom1701 · 06-26-2015, 12:06 PM

Anybody know what the torque specs on the header bolts are?

06-25-2015, 12:12 PM	#1
96ss1664 Drives: 1996 Z28/SS, 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Paducah, Ky Posts: 176	Exhaust Leak I put a set of KOOKS on and re-used the factory clamps to the factory cat back. I tightened the mid-pipes once since installing them, but still sounds like a small leak coming from the factory clamps. Has anyone had problems with the factory clamps leaking? __________________ 13 Camaro ZL1 IOM #3976 96 SS Camaro #1664, 04 2500 Dirtymax ZL1 Current Mods: KOOKS 2" w/orp, BTR Stage 3 Cam, LPE 2.55, LPE 9.1, ATI Damper, LPE Isolator Coupling, LPE CAI, Ported TB/Snout/Blower, JMS BAP, ID-850, 160 T, Ron Davis HX, D3 Reservoir, Elite Eng CC Gen2...

06-25-2015, 01:20 PM	#3
96ss1664 Drives: 1996 Z28/SS, 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Paducah, Ky Posts: 176	Mine leaks (ticks) when its warm and I never hear it at idle, only when I'm cruising with the windows down and im in second or third above 2300 rpm. I re-torqued the headers and I installed new GM gaskets when I put the headers on and the tick sounds like its coming from around where the mid-pipes are so that's why I assume its at the factory clamp. __________________ 13 Camaro ZL1 IOM #3976 96 SS Camaro #1664, 04 2500 Dirtymax ZL1 Current Mods: KOOKS 2" w/orp, BTR Stage 3 Cam, LPE 2.55, LPE 9.1, ATI Damper, LPE Isolator Coupling, LPE CAI, Ported TB/Snout/Blower, JMS BAP, ID-850, 160 T, Ron Davis HX, D3 Reservoir, Elite Eng CC Gen2...

06-25-2015, 07:19 PM	#7
Z/28Dan Drives: 2013 HWSE Indy Festial #26 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 2,670 View My Garage	Thank you for this thread! I just installed headers a couple of weeks ago. Today I was out driving and the ticking was really noticeable at idle when warmed up. It has to be an exhaust leak. I re-used the factory clamps behind the Cats as well. Are there aftermarket clamps out there that are as good or better? I'm going to get under there tomorrow and re-torque everything. __________________ There are only so many days in your lifetime. So get out and drive your Camaro... Dan

06-25-2015, 08:45 PM	#9
ZL1Naboz ZL1Naboz Drives: '13 ZL1, ‘53 Chevy Pickup, ‘22 GMC Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Winston Salem, NC Posts: 337 View My Garage	Injectors? __________________ Rotofab CAI, Big Gulp & Washer Bottle Relo, MGW, Kook's w/Hiflo Cats, SCT4, Jannetty, 35% tint, Oracle Side Markers, MTX Sub, Escort 9500ix - Blendmount, 18% Lower, ATI Super Damper, ID850 Injectors, Moroso Catch Can, MSD BAP, AFCO Heat Exchanger Pre-Pulley Dyno 559.92 RWHP 519 RWTQ

06-26-2015, 07:53 AM	#12
Z/28Dan Drives: 2013 HWSE Indy Festial #26 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 2,670 View My Garage	I'll be re-torquing everything today and I'll report back. I'm sure that's what it is. Yes, I can only hear it ticking at idle. The exhaust is too loud to hear it while I'm driving. __________________ There are only so many days in your lifetime. So get out and drive your Camaro... Dan

06-25-2015, 12:18 PM	#2
Mechzl1 Drives: 2013 Black ZL1 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: California Posts: 118	Mine leak a bit until the system warms up and expands. Once heated the leak seals

06-25-2015, 01:29 PM	#4
Mechzl1 Drives: 2013 Black ZL1 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: California Posts: 118	Hmm have you retightened the clamps after a few heat cycles?

06-25-2015, 06:35 PM	#6
jayno20 Go fast, please. Drives: 2019 Corvette ZR1 Join Date: May 2014 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,471 View My Garage	Is this common when installing headers?

06-25-2015, 08:14 PM	#8
Mechzl1 Drives: 2013 Black ZL1 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: California Posts: 118	My engine has a "tick" at idle that is not related to the headers. You can hear it from the wheel wells and under the car decently. With the hood pope you can't hear it. Thought it was a lifter but honestly doesn't sound metal on metal nor is it that loud but it increases with rpm. it drives me up a wall. Honestly hate it, it's prominent on the driver side front wheel well towards the back of my motor. I talked to a few other people and said theirs make the same noise.... car has 4500 miles on it

06-25-2015, 09:27 PM	#10
Mechzl1 Drives: 2013 Black ZL1 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: California Posts: 118	I can hear the injector clicks when I pop the hood something different.

06-26-2015, 11:31 AM	#13
angryBits Drives: ZL1 1LE A10 Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: CA Posts: 1,093	I had my headers done recently too and I definitely hear an exhaust leak sound. Its annoying but it gets a bit less noticeable when things warm up. I had the same problem with my '13 GT500. It ended up completely going away after 3-6 months. I wonder if the soot creates a natural seal over time. I hope it goes away in my Z. :/ __________________ Current: 2019 ZL1 1LE A10 Mods: MPS4s Tires \| Borla Atak \| CF Steering Wheel Previous: 2018 ZL1 1LE M6 \| 2017 Z06 Z07 M7 \| 2017 GS A8 \| 2015 ZL1 M6 \| 2013 GT500

06-26-2015, 12:06 PM	#14
KaBoom1701 KaBoom1701 Drives: 13' ZL1 Red M6 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: I.E. SoCal (Yucaipa) Posts: 8,630	Anybody know what the torque specs on the header bolts are? __________________ Mods: Roto-Fab Intake, WW Res. kit & Big Gulp Air Scoop, Elite Catch Can, ATI Super Damper & 18% OD Pulley, LF Idler pulley bracket, Metco CC breather, ID850 Injectors, Stainless Power Headers w/ ceramic coating, TR71X Spark Plugs, JMS Fuel Pump Booster, Bo White TB, Tuned by Ted @ Jannetty Racing, Ron Davis HX, D3 Reservoir, Pfadt 1" Springs, Moreno Camber Plates, ZL1 Addons Splitter guard washers, Tow Hook kit & rock guards, Hurst Shifter Billet Plus 6 Speed Short Shifter, ZL1 DRL lighting harness, ZL1 Recaro Seats.