[GT-ER]

I recently did OBX headers and, while they have been working great, they have a light ticking sound to them that I think is comming from within the header and through the metal. I put it on a life and from both above and below I can't find a single exhaust leak. Is this normal for headers? And, if so, would wrapping them fix it? Or what else should I try?

[mdmoore23]

It's probably noise from the direct injection.

[BMWM.D.]

I’d say it’s pretty normal with headers. The Kooks I have on the ZL1 created a small amount of minor ticking sounds, but nothing that bothers me or is even noticeable unless the car is running up on a lift or I stick my head in the engine bay. I’ve had headers on a few LS3 motors that really increased the valve train noise those motors tend to have.

[SJFGTO]

A slight ticking sound can be normal. Headers are much thinner than a stock exhaust manifold and some valve train or injector noise is not unusual.

[GT-ER]

I can't hear it inside the car, but if my windows are down and I'm next to a wall or another car I can. I know it's not the DI because it wasn't like this before. I'm kind of surprised more people aren't bothered by it.

[BMWM.D.]

Originally Posted by GT-ER

I can't hear it inside the car, but if my windows are down and I'm next to a wall or another car I can. I know it's not the DI because it wasn't like this before. I'm kind of surprised more people aren't bothered by it.

You likely weren’t hearing it before because the cast manifolds mask a lot of the noise. I’d say both injection and valvetrain noise is amplified by the thin walled headers.

[laynlo15]

Yep and the stainless steel has a tendency to make the ticking more noticeable with the DI. I guess put louder muffs on it or big cam to make more noise to drown out the ticking in my head. Oppps this is about your car not my head.

[777Jackpot777]

Darn I’m getting my TSP 2” catless headers installed this week I hope this isn’t a huge problem for me...

[Bryanh24]

Was just about to order headers but now this is kind of scaring me not gonna lie!

[Revalot]

Guys come on ! Metal when hot increases, when cold it shrinks, the ticking is the headers shrinking from cooling down ! Listen to any motorcycle when cooling down, the headers will tick, and pop !
Rev it at night, and which the headers glow they inlarge.

[Bryanh24]

Originally Posted by Revalot

Guys come on ! Metal when hot increases, when cold it shrinks, the ticking is the headers shrinking from cooling down ! Listen to any motorcycle when cooling down, the headers will tick, and pop !
Rev it at night, and which the headers glow they inlarge.

I think he means when the car is on and just sitting at idle. Not when it is off. But not sure OP is gonna have to clarify.

[Stealth7]

Headers always make cars less drivable from a sound standpoint vs. OEM (may sound more bada@@ but also have more drone and noise).

[Bryanh24]

Can you posr a vid of the noise?

[GT-ER]

Originally Posted by Bryanh24

I think he means when the car is on and just sitting at idle. Not when it is off. But not sure OP is gonna have to clarify.

Yes, correct. While idling.

Originally Posted by laynlo15

Yep and the stainless steel has a tendency to make the ticking more noticeable with the DI. I guess put louder muffs on it or big cam to make more noise to drown out the ticking in my head. Oppps this is about your car not my head.

Originally Posted by BMWM.D.

You likely weren’t hearing it before because the cast manifolds mask a lot of the noise. I’d say both injection and valvetrain noise is amplified by the thin walled headers.

You may be right. I see you point.

Originally Posted by Bryanh24

Can you posr a vid of the noise?

Cel phone doesn't seem to pick up the sound like I can in person. It's just a very high pitch ticking that comes from the bottom of the car near the front wheels while the car is idling. Sounds like an exhaust leak, but isn't.

Does anyone know if wrapping them fixes it?