Kooks LT Headers Installed - Now Squeaky Noise - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

TocaSeries · 11-19-2012, 03:48 PM

So after I got my Kooks LT headers installed I started hearing a squeaking noise. I asked the shop that installed, they said you hear more of the valve train now. I wasn't sure how that equals squeaking, but anyways I took it to the dealer today to get a 2nd opinion, thinking it was a belt, or something. My dealership has a mechanic who is into racing, and without letting them know what the other shop said, they told me its because of the headers and hearing the valve train now! I was shocked. Does anyone else have this? Also is there a fix?

TXM62SS · 11-19-2012, 03:51 PM

I have Kooks LTs and hear the valve train a little more than stock. Doesn't bother me though.

molsonbrador · 11-19-2012, 06:54 PM

Google "sewing machine" sounds, unless you know the sound. Is that what you hear? Normal.

stikSS · 11-19-2012, 07:05 PM

I just swapped headers and had that same sound... it was a header gasket leak... sound like a popping squeak sound.... have you check ur header bolts since the install? Recheck those and if it doesn't stop, you may wanna buy new gaskets.. go OEM.. i think they're around 12 or 15 each.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

axis · 11-19-2012, 07:08 PM

If it is the valvetrain, all headers will sound this way. They are made of thinner metal than the cast manifolds so you'll hear more of the valvetrain noise. It's always been that way. A tune will quiet it down considerably, if you don't have one. Cats will quiet it down even more, but you'll never get rid of it completely.

litle88 · 11-19-2012, 07:23 PM

It's all in your head taco!

TocaSeries · 11-19-2012, 09:06 PM

Car did get tuned. Its definitely a squeak, not sure how hearing valve train sounds like squeaking though

MarylandSpeed · 11-19-2012, 10:04 PM

Valvetrain noise sounds like ticking. If it is squeeking...does it happen constantly, or over bumps? If it is over bumps, a connection could be loose, or a hanger needs to be sprayed with WD40. Also check the tunnel brace and do forth.

If it is a real complaint, not related to the normal sounds a header system makes, a good performance shop should be able to sniff it out fast.

TocaSeries · 11-19-2012, 10:48 PM

car can be in park and u really hear it when the engine is decellerating.

MarylandSpeed · 11-19-2012, 10:56 PM

I would have an exhaust shop look it over. If the place used the gaskets that came with the headers, that could be the issue. It's been posted here a lot, and most shops know to reuse, or get new OEM gaskets. The gaskets included with most aftermarket headers are cheap, and don't work well. However a leak at the gasket would also be kind of obvious as there would be some kind of exhaust streaking around the flange.

Before I did that though, I would check all the slipfits, and the ball and socket connection and make sure stuff is tight.

litle88 · 11-20-2012, 05:08 PM

Straightline won't use the kooks gaskets, I know that for a fact.

If its a squeak it had nothing to do with a header install. Check your belts and pulleys.

less2010 · 11-21-2012, 07:20 PM

Ihad the same thing happen to me on install and it was an exhaust leak at the headers,I would really hear it on deceleration and would go away under 1200 rpm.Just replace your hearder gaskets.

litle88 · 11-21-2012, 08:07 PM

It was a brand new car, those GM exhaust gaskets are pretty damn good, maybe you need to give it one more pass if it is leaking, they do back up a lil SOMETIMES after a few heat cycles and that is NORMAL just part of the modding maintenance.

11-19-2012, 03:48 PM	#1
TocaSeries Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 143	Kooks LT Headers Installed - Now Squeaky Noise So after I got my Kooks LT headers installed I started hearing a squeaking noise. I asked the shop that installed, they said you hear more of the valve train now. I wasn't sure how that equals squeaking, but anyways I took it to the dealer today to get a 2nd opinion, thinking it was a belt, or something. My dealership has a mechanic who is into racing, and without letting them know what the other shop said, they told me its because of the headers and hearing the valve train now! I was shocked. Does anyone else have this? Also is there a fix?

11-19-2012, 03:51 PM	#2
TXM62SS Drives: 2012 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Pearland, TX Posts: 388	I have Kooks LTs and hear the valve train a little more than stock. Doesn't bother me though. __________________ Victory Red 2012 2SS/RS LS3 Camaro Pat G. Spec Cam from Cam Motion 228/236 .599/.599 112+2LSA Kooks 1-7/8" LTs w/ Cats Roto-Fab, Bo White TB, Borla Touring Catback 3.91 1LE Gears, MGW Tuned by Pat G

11-19-2012, 07:05 PM	#4
stikSS 9691 & 97586 Drives: 2010 SS, 1999 SS, 1993 Z28 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sanford, NC Posts: 2,814 View My Garage	I just swapped headers and had that same sound... it was a header gasket leak... sound like a popping squeak sound.... have you check ur header bolts since the install? Recheck those and if it doesn't stop, you may wanna buy new gaskets.. go OEM.. i think they're around 12 or 15 each. Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2 __________________ http://www.camarosouth.com camarosouth@hotmail.com

11-19-2012, 07:08 PM	#5
axis Search Ninja Drives: 2010 Black 2SS/RS A6 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Central Ark Posts: 7,183	If it is the valvetrain, all headers will sound this way. They are made of thinner metal than the cast manifolds so you'll hear more of the valvetrain noise. It's always been that way. A tune will quiet it down considerably, if you don't have one. Cats will quiet it down even more, but you'll never get rid of it completely. __________________ 2010 Black 2SS/RS A6 Halltech CF 102 fed GPI modded intake manifold Bo (knows) White ported TB Kooks LT's/ Dynomax VT Pfadted (springs/sways) Dyno tuned by Rhino and GPI I once parallel parked a train.

11-19-2012, 07:23 PM	#6
litle88 V8 Lounge member #2 Drives: 2001 Ws6 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Burbank,IL Posts: 6,373	It's all in your head taco! __________________ 2001 ws6, 40k miles, Ls3 416 stroker, short block built by PER the rest by me. LPE Ls3 heads milled to 12-1 comp, FAST 102, NW 102, kooks 2", dual DMH cutouts, Magnaflow C/B, BTR cam + springs. Full UMI suspension.

11-19-2012, 06:54 PM	#3
molsonbrador Drives: 2010 Camaro SS, 2018 Colorado Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NC Posts: 2,207	Google "sewing machine" sounds, unless you know the sound. Is that what you hear? Normal.

11-19-2012, 09:06 PM	#7
TocaSeries Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 143	Car did get tuned. Its definitely a squeak, not sure how hearing valve train sounds like squeaking though

11-19-2012, 10:04 PM	#8
MarylandSpeed Account Suspended Drives: 2012 ZL1 & 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,378	Valvetrain noise sounds like ticking. If it is squeeking...does it happen constantly, or over bumps? If it is over bumps, a connection could be loose, or a hanger needs to be sprayed with WD40. Also check the tunnel brace and do forth. If it is a real complaint, not related to the normal sounds a header system makes, a good performance shop should be able to sniff it out fast.

11-19-2012, 10:48 PM	#9
TocaSeries Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 143	car can be in park and u really hear it when the engine is decellerating.

11-19-2012, 10:56 PM	#10
MarylandSpeed Account Suspended Drives: 2012 ZL1 & 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,378	I would have an exhaust shop look it over. If the place used the gaskets that came with the headers, that could be the issue. It's been posted here a lot, and most shops know to reuse, or get new OEM gaskets. The gaskets included with most aftermarket headers are cheap, and don't work well. However a leak at the gasket would also be kind of obvious as there would be some kind of exhaust streaking around the flange. Before I did that though, I would check all the slipfits, and the ball and socket connection and make sure stuff is tight.

11-20-2012, 05:08 PM	#11
litle88 V8 Lounge member #2 Drives: 2001 Ws6 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Burbank,IL Posts: 6,373	Straightline won't use the kooks gaskets, I know that for a fact. If its a squeak it had nothing to do with a header install. Check your belts and pulleys. __________________ 2001 ws6, 40k miles, Ls3 416 stroker, short block built by PER the rest by me. LPE Ls3 heads milled to 12-1 comp, FAST 102, NW 102, kooks 2", dual DMH cutouts, Magnaflow C/B, BTR cam + springs. Full UMI suspension.

11-21-2012, 07:20 PM	#12
less2010 Drives: 2010 2ss camaro Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NC Posts: 70	Ihad the same thing happen to me on install and it was an exhaust leak at the headers,I would really hear it on deceleration and would go away under 1200 rpm.Just replace your hearder gaskets. __________________

11-21-2012, 08:07 PM	#13
litle88 V8 Lounge member #2 Drives: 2001 Ws6 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Burbank,IL Posts: 6,373	It was a brand new car, those GM exhaust gaskets are pretty damn good, maybe you need to give it one more pass if it is leaking, they do back up a lil SOMETIMES after a few heat cycles and that is NORMAL just part of the modding maintenance. __________________ 2001 ws6, 40k miles, Ls3 416 stroker, short block built by PER the rest by me. LPE Ls3 heads milled to 12-1 comp, FAST 102, NW 102, kooks 2", dual DMH cutouts, Magnaflow C/B, BTR cam + springs. Full UMI suspension.