Infamous Exhaust Leak?
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Infamous Exhaust Leak? 
Ok so a couple days ago i started my 98 Camaro and i noticed a very loud ticking on the drivers side. So i let it warm up and it quieted down but u could still hear it. So i drove it to work which is 4 miles from my house. I got off work and started it and it did the same thing. So when i got home i put my head under the car and it was louder down there than it was if u were standing by the car. It is noticable when driving if u gently accelerate. It sounds like a slow sprinkler. So is this a exhaust leak or a sticky lifter. Just some background the engine is a brand new 408 with all new everything even down to the bolts. So id like to know your opinions. And this is the stock exhaust so i guess it is most likely a exhaust leak. Oh i also did the old screwdriver to the valve cover trick and the ticking definitely isnt coming from there. Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
you're the only one who can check actually. it isnt so hard to detect. take a closer look at any joints and see. just out of curiosity why do you still have a stock exhaust with a brand new 408 
?
? I'd have to guess for emissions, that's the only logical reason I could see.
would not hurt to check your plugs for thightness too.... This is coming from a Lightning owner (heads only have 4 threads instead on 8) who has had to heli coil a couple of 5.4s in his day 
. Fortunately not my heads....I ALWAYS give em a check once a year
Just a thought
. Fortunately not my heads....I ALWAYS give em a check once a yearJust a thought
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Alright well i have since found several small exhaust leaks since i made this thread. And basically everything is leaking except for my cat back. To answer the question of why i have stock exhaust on a new 408 is because i didn't really have the money to do exhaust when i did the engine swap. So basically i have been replacing everything i tried to reuse because one old stuff on a new engine looks bad and usually doesnt mount right. So i have since replaced everything i reused and i just got my TSP 1 7/8" long tubes today. Any advice for installing them and since im using new O2 sensors do i need to calibrate them at all or are they just plug and play? Now as some one said earlier i tried to reuse the stock exhaust because of emissions but i have since found a loop hole so im good. Im just trying to make my small budget go as far as possible but that takes time. But im happy to say that i am one of the few 19 years old who has a car like mine that i paid for myself by working my *** off. Also how tight do spark plugs need to be because i have always been under the impression that u put them in finger tight then tighten them with a socket. Is that correct? Im also gonna run TSP True Duals with my headers
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Thanks for the heads up i new about the rear O2's and im gonna take it in to get my tune tightied up a bit after everything i have changed. So ive heard when installing headers u want to start torquing the bolts from the inside out is that true? Also who makes the best header gaskets i was thinking of felpro's
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
why the question about mileage? are your referring to the 408 swap or could an exhaust leak cause a drop?
i have a leak on my exhaust i believe where the header and y-pipe meet on the driver side, and i also see about 12 mpg's.
ive always just credited my mileage to the mods i have done, but if i can improve it even a little i'm all for it
(and yes, i know i need to get the leak fixed regardless of any mpg gains, its getting done soon anyway)
why the question about mileage? are your referring to the 408 swap or could an exhaust leak cause a drop?
i have a leak on my exhaust i believe where the header and y-pipe meet on the driver side, and i also see about 12 mpg's.
ive always just credited my mileage to the mods i have done, but if i can improve it even a little i'm all for it
(and yes, i know i need to get the leak fixed regardless of any mpg gains, its getting done soon anyway)
i have a leak on my exhaust i believe where the header and y-pipe meet on the driver side, and i also see about 12 mpg's.
ive always just credited my mileage to the mods i have done, but if i can improve it even a little i'm all for it
(and yes, i know i need to get the leak fixed regardless of any mpg gains, its getting done soon anyway)
