Borla headers

[darknight]

I had some Borla headers installed in my 94
and I am not happy at all with the sound or the performance "gain". The sound which is being produced is a sputter type of noise.I've taken it to two mechanics and they both said that it is normal. But I've never heard headers sound like this. Has anybody had any experiences with the Borla headers? Thanks in advance for any insight.

 

[CHH777]

I installed Borla headers on my 94 Navajo and they are great; by far the single best mod I have performed.

It sounds like you have an exhaust leak somewhere. Gently cover the exhaust pipe with your hand (with the engine cold) and listen for a hissing sound.

As far as performance gains you will hardly notice a difference with the stock exhaust system...

 

[danny]

Kind of a "tickish" noise? Mine made a noise that sounded about half way between an exhaust leak and a lifter tick for about the first 2 weeks I had them on. As for performance, if you have a good cat-back system it should be the biggest and most noticable gain you will get from any of the bolt-ons. Unless you count a blower as a bolt-on Dead Link Removed.

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Danny
93SHO
91EB
www.hit.net/~danny/explorer.html

 

[CHH777]

I still have the "ticking" noise when I first start off. It occurs every time I start the truck and drive off (even with the engine hot). It goes away in less than a mile. Weird...

 

[danny]

I read an article about it being a resonant frequency causing the noise and adding weight makes it go away. Not to sure I buy into it, but I have header wrap on mine and the noise went away fairly quick. I personally would like a concrete explanation for things, but as long as it stopped, I'm happy! How long have you had yours on chh777? Mine have been on for a little over a year now.

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Danny
93SHO
91EB
www.hit.net/~danny/explorer.html

 

[CHH777]

I installed them Labor Day weekend. They're wrapped all the way to the cat-back.

I'm quite happy too. I just don't understand why I still have the "ticking" sound...

 

[danny]

Did you re-torque the bolts after a few hundred miles? You might want to watch the set at the back of the Y-pipe, I've already had to replace the gasket once. Even with the locking bolts on it! And removing those are a pain in the butt!!

------------------
Danny
93SHO
91EB
www.hit.net/~danny/explorer.html

 

[Brett]

CHH777
Check your spark plugs. You may have a hairline crack in one of them. This will cause the spark to arc on the head - causing a "ticking" sound. I had this problem once on my mustang. It drove me nuts trying to locate it.

Just a suggestion

Brett

 

[CHH777]

Just re-gapped my plugs last week and they were fine.

Here's what I don't understand: This ticking occurs EVERY time I start the engine (even if I just shut it off after miles of driving). It ONLY occurs for about a mile or so, and then it's gone.

The only thing I can think of is I have an exhaust leak at one of the gaskets and it expands enough to block the leak after a little driving.

danny, I'll check the gaskets this weekend, thanks.

Brett, thanks for the input just the same...

[This message has been edited by CHH777 (edited 11-19-1999).]

 

[KyleC]

This is a little off base but same sort of thing. My other car is an '89 Mazda MX-6 with the 2.2L Turbo and it has an exhaust leak where the manifold meets the engine and when you first start it up it ticks so bad it sounds like a diesel. When it starts to heat up the metal expands and seals off the leak and it is quiet again. I would fix this problem but last time I tried one of the manifold bolts broke off in the head and one of my friends tried to drill it out. Well to make a long story short I ended up with a huge, jagged hole in the motor that no bolt in the world would fit into and with all the drilling that was going on this hole was now connected with the cooling system. The aluminum head was finally repaired with a lot of epoxy and a big bolt that I was told "never to touch or it will never go back in and you will need a new head". It kinda makes me nervous to operate that car.

 

[Phantom]

Has anybody tried calling Borla for an explanation?

 

[CHH777]

My header gaskets were leaking.

I met an old retired exhaust pro over the weekend that gave me some tips on header installation:

1) Install the headers and torque all bolts to spec.
2) Start the engine and run until completely warmed up
3) Let the engine cool COMPLETELY
4) Re-torque all bolts to spec.
5) Start and warm up the engine again...

Repeat this step three times. You'll be surprised how much more the bolts will tighten after the engine is warmed and cooled.

No more leaks...