Okay, I installed a single-port Borla header onto my 2.2 wagon last night. I had to re-drill the holes on one of the header-to head flanges cause the holes on the header flange were too far apart. Seems like that would be ONE thing they could get right (the distance between the holes) I mean, all they had to do was buy a gasket and use those dimensions.

Well, that's all kind of beside the point, as I am now concerned with the sound it is making. I have stock cat-back and a high-flow intake (and auto trans.). I didn't notice much of a difference at all with the sound-no harley rumble, it's just alot 'hissy-er.' (Although you can hear the individual engine pulses more easily.) Is this all to be expected? Also, it seems like there is a metallic vibration noise- like the two pipes vibrating together. This is probably correct, because the pipes touch one another where they run parallel with one another. At first, after I revved the engine, there would be a 'psst' sound coming from under the car (it seemed) as the rpms dropped. I havent noticed this same noise yet today. What could explain this noise? What would an exhaust leak sound like if I had one?

If it contines to sound weird to me (most likely), my plan is to wrap the section of the header that is vibrating, or simply put something between the pipes to dampen the sound. I hope that this is what is causing the odd sound. Beyond that, I don't know if the sound can be 'tightened up' anymore, because I'm not sure what the headers are supposed to sound like when running properly, or how to check for or diagnose an exhaust leak.

Maybe I should just take it to a local muffler shop and have 'em take a gander...

Any thoughts?

Another note: When I started my car this morning (probably something like 45 degrees F), I was late for class as usual, and tried to take off with no warm-up. Before, no problems.. but this time, it seemed like my car was asleep or something. It wouldn't really respond to the gas, but it drove... after a block or so it was fine. (?????) Should I reset my ECU again?

 

the sound comes when you mate a cat-back to it. the sound probably wont change that much, if at all w/o it.