Installed headers and I hear a tick

JJR11 · 11-28-2022, 11:21 PM

Yesterday I installed my speed engineering headers on my 21'SS today I got home from work and heard a more noticeable tick coming from the passenger side area header from what is sounds like. I know these engines have direct injection and from what ive heard are very loud! Especially once u add headers that are made from thinner material compared to stock ones that use way thicker material. Have any of yall had or heard tick after header install? And ive made sure this is not an exhaust leak 100% I checked all the bolts and they were all good.

FlukeSS · 11-29-2022, 10:26 AM

Sounds like Timing. Have you tuned the car yet?

You should tune after header install. And you should not drive on it untuned for any extended amount of time, 1-3 months or more.

Things can and do break when not tuned.

musclesbmf · 11-29-2022, 01:24 PM

Valve train and injector noise you're hearing through the long tubes.

USAFS197 · 11-29-2022, 01:27 PM

As mentioned above, I can almost guarantee that you can now hear injector noise through the headers. Most of those headers are thinner walled than their cast counterparts and will transmit more noise through them. Sometimes it can be loud enough to trigger your knock sensors.

FlukeSS · 11-29-2022, 02:22 PM

Also I don't hear ticking in my engine with my headers.

laynlo15 · 11-29-2022, 03:01 PM

I'm guessing he has a small exhaust leak. Look for any black soot around the clamping areas. Mine had that and I went to a larger 3" stainless band clamp. The little clamps that come with them don't always seal up very well. I agree, you may be hearing noise from the header itself since they are very thin compared to the stock manifolds and cats. You need a tune for sure.

easttxss · 11-29-2022, 03:21 PM

Best way to locate an exhaust leak is to use 3'-4' of vacuum hose. One end in your ear, the other to listen around all sealing areas.

Spaceme1117 · 12-01-2022, 06:39 AM

Some ticking is normal but if its loud and very noticeable, its likely an exhaust leak.

You may only need to re-torque the head bolts as they can get a little loose after a heat cycle on a new install.

Bob RS · 12-01-2022, 07:57 PM

More then likely you have an exhaust leak

11-28-2022, 11:21 PM	#1
JJR11 Drives: 2021 Chevy Camaro ss Join Date: May 2022 Location: Rgv Posts: 19	Installed headers and I hear a tick Yesterday I installed my speed engineering headers on my 21'SS today I got home from work and heard a more noticeable tick coming from the passenger side area header from what is sounds like. I know these engines have direct injection and from what ive heard are very loud! Especially once u add headers that are made from thinner material compared to stock ones that use way thicker material. Have any of yall had or heard tick after header install? And ive made sure this is not an exhaust leak 100% I checked all the bolts and they were all good.

11-29-2022, 10:26 AM	#2
FlukeSS Drives: 2020 Camaro 2SS A10 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Here Posts: 1,809	Sounds like Timing. Have you tuned the car yet? You should tune after header install. And you should not drive on it untuned for any extended amount of time, 1-3 months or more. Things can and do break when not tuned. __________________ 2020 Camaro 2SS A10 \| Rebuilt by: CBI Street Cars \| 2" SE LT Headers \| 3" SE X-Pipe \| 3" MBRP Axle-Back \| Pri & Sec Cat Deletes \| Roto-Fab CAI \| LT2 Ported \| 95mm ZR1 TB \| LSA crankshaft conversion w/modified crank gear \| LS1 thrust bearing \| Gen V Hinson Plug Wire Set \| BTR 220 Stage I Cam \| ARP Rod Bolts \| Delphi Lifter set \| NGK LTR6IX-11 spark plug set \| DOD Delete \| VVT Limiter \| ECM, TCM & E85 \| Retuned by: Justin L. \| Dyno: 510 rwhp 472 rwtq \| Best 1/4 Time: 11.639

11-29-2022, 01:27 PM	#4
USAFS197 Drives: 2018 Audi TT RS Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 1,915	As mentioned above, I can almost guarantee that you can now hear injector noise through the headers. Most of those headers are thinner walled than their cast counterparts and will transmit more noise through them. Sometimes it can be loud enough to trigger your knock sensors. __________________ 2018 Audi TT ▊RS 2.4X 0-60, 1.6X 60', 120+mph 1/8th, 4.XX 60-130, 150+mph traps on 255/35/18 R888R tires on the street (unprepped). 2019 Audi RS3 About as fast as the TT RS 2019 Camaro ZL1 1LE Sold 2018 Camaro SS 1LE Sold 2019 Corvette Z06 Sold 2021 Charger Hellcat Redeye Widebody Sold

11-29-2022, 02:22 PM	#5
FlukeSS Drives: 2020 Camaro 2SS A10 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Here Posts: 1,809	Also I don't hear ticking in my engine with my headers. __________________ 2020 Camaro 2SS A10 \| Rebuilt by: CBI Street Cars \| 2" SE LT Headers \| 3" SE X-Pipe \| 3" MBRP Axle-Back \| Pri & Sec Cat Deletes \| Roto-Fab CAI \| LT2 Ported \| 95mm ZR1 TB \| LSA crankshaft conversion w/modified crank gear \| LS1 thrust bearing \| Gen V Hinson Plug Wire Set \| BTR 220 Stage I Cam \| ARP Rod Bolts \| Delphi Lifter set \| NGK LTR6IX-11 spark plug set \| DOD Delete \| VVT Limiter \| ECM, TCM & E85 \| Retuned by: Justin L. \| Dyno: 510 rwhp 472 rwtq \| Best 1/4 Time: 11.639

11-29-2022, 03:21 PM	#7
easttxss Drives: '16 2SS M6 Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Hughes Springs, TX Posts: 329	Best way to locate an exhaust leak is to use 3'-4' of vacuum hose. One end in your ear, the other to listen around all sealing areas. __________________ David '16 2SS M6 black on black, SW long tube full exhaust, NPP, Roto-fab CAI, ported stock TB '16 2SS M6 black w/Metallic black stripes, Kalahari, 6 piston front (totaled 1/22/20) '14 Fusion Titanium 2.0T '83 Jeep Wagoneer

11-29-2022, 01:24 PM	#3
musclesbmf Drives: 2020 ZL1 1LE A10 Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Lutz, FL Posts: 79	Valve train and injector noise you're hearing through the long tubes.

11-29-2022, 03:01 PM	#6
laynlo15 Drives: 2022 Lt1 A10 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: clark, mo Posts: 8,882	I'm guessing he has a small exhaust leak. Look for any black soot around the clamping areas. Mine had that and I went to a larger 3" stainless band clamp. The little clamps that come with them don't always seal up very well. I agree, you may be hearing noise from the header itself since they are very thin compared to the stock manifolds and cats. You need a tune for sure.

12-01-2022, 06:39 AM	#8
Spaceme1117 Drives: 2017 Camaro SS, 2011 Corvette GS Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Erlanger, Kentucky 41018 Posts: 856	Some ticking is normal but if its loud and very noticeable, its likely an exhaust leak. You may only need to re-torque the head bolts as they can get a little loose after a heat cycle on a new install.

12-01-2022, 07:57 PM	#9
Bob RS Drives: 2019 Camaro RS 1LT Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 214 View My Garage	More then likely you have an exhaust leak

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