Some exhaust issues - Please help

[TREKER]

Did bassani's and JMB catless mids. Yesterday, started truck and sounded horrible. Sounds like I have a few exhaust leaks near the headers and maybe the mid connection to the headers. Truck sounded great last time I pulled it into the garage a week ago. I noticed that one of the header bolts was very loose and I had some black soot on the bottom of the valve cover / top of the header. Not alot, but when you are used to it being spotless, you notice these things .

Another thing I notice is that my magnaflow now has two huge holes, one on each side. I was so angry yesterday after listening to the truck I wanted to drive it into the water.

Questions...

1. Does this all sound lie just loose headers that need to be tightened up? Can it cause such a bad sound? Truck would hesitate a bit too. Engine light came on too but I reset and it was fine. I noticed a higher idle when this was happening too but at a complete stop, it dropped back down.

2. I've had it with the magnaflow. I still have the stock muffler. Does it line up with the magnaflwo tips? I dont have the stock tips.

3. Is it common for the headers to loosen up so fast after install? It was fine for a week and now I was able to see one bolt out about 1/4". Maybe we just missed tightening it when we did install. :dontknow:

Ideas, options, etc...

Much appreciated.

 

[SRTINCT]

Scott,

Stage 8's may solve the header bolts loosening issue for you. If you need some stock tips let me know. Not sure if 05 QC tips would match up with 06 RC?

Todd

 

[TNVIPER]

Did you use OEM exhaust gaskets or the ones that came with the Bassanis?....if you didnt use the OEMs you need to pull the headers off and throw the Bassani gaskets away and use the OEMs...

 

[moparracing]

what he said !!!

headers have a reputation for leaks........ after i installed my LT B&B's, i retightened after 500 miles & i was good to go....

as far as the muffler thang, you might consider those powersticks stinker sells that seem to be popular......:dontknow:

http://www.vtcoa.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32992&highlight=powerstick

personally, i love my B&B catback da best, but it ain't cheap....

 

[TREKER]

I used new OEM gaskets. I used bolt that came with the bassani's. Does the sound change so drastically from loose headers? Maybe muffler being blown out is adding to it. Just sounds horrible. Oil change due so when in air I will swap out muffler too.

 

[JimTeTe]

Scott

I used the stage 8 bolts as well .... I used the Gaskets that came with the Bassini's against the block and the OEM metel gaskets against the header, sandwich them between header and head .... No leaks.

I also had to have a couple connections welded mids to exhaust kept loosening up and coding out, all better now.

Jim

 

[TNVIPER]

In regard to the loose bolts..yes they can change the sound...but you should not have any loose bolts if you tightened them to begin with...the bolts would normally work loose over time not at startup.....I have 17K miles since installing the Bassanis and have never had to tighten the bolts on the heads...the bolts where the mids meet the headers are a different story..:argh:

 

[TREKER]

In regard to the loose bolts..yes they can change the sound...but you should not have any loose bolts if you tightened them to begin with...the bolts would normally work loose over time not at startup.....I have 17K miles since installing the Bassanis and have never had to tighten the bolts on the heads...the bolts where the mids meet the headers are a different story..:argh:

Well, I think we missed one bolt during the install and only hand tightened it. I know the mid bolts had to be a little more snugged up but this is crazy.

I want to tear the whole thing out and bury the truck in 12 feet of solid concrete they way I feel right now. The more mods, the more headaches even when you take the time to do it right. :dontknow:

I blame the entire thing on Carlo... I think he just didn't have enough strength to turn a wrench. I think the torque wrench almost broke his arm. :marchmellow:

So, I need to get under this thing again and tighten it all up and see what happens. Does anyone know if the stock muffler exhaust side lines up with the magnaflow exhaust tips?

 

[King Kong]

sounds to me that your muffler is definitely your #1 issue causing the bad sound. Probably why it started sounding bad all of the sudden. I've seen a few people complain about magnaflow mufflers taking damage, so maybe they're prone??? Anyway, can't tell you if the stocker will match up, but definitely consider the Powersticks as a replacement...you could definitely find a pair of those with the right dims to fit

 

[blackviper]

I used jam nuts where the headers meet the mid pipes. No problems since.

 

[Powerstick]

TREKER, just WHERE did the Magnaflows split open? I have never heard of this scenario before. The only way I've ever heard of a muffler "blowing out" is from a massive exhaust backfire. When I was with Dynomax/Walker, our warranties on mufflers did not cover damage caused by backfire. Did they come open at a seam, or side??? See if you can get a photo & post it. I thought Magnaflows were straight-through & could take a backfire. also, were these stainless or aluminized steel?

Magnaflow basically did a Dynomax Race Welded knock-off, for less $$. I wunner if they are made in the USA also? The Chinese mufflers are light-duty garbage.

 

[FerrariTruck]

TREKER, just WHERE did the Magnaflows split open? I have never heard of this scenario before. The only way I've ever heard of a muffler "blowing out" is from a massive exhaust backfire. When I was with Dynomax/Walker, our warranties on mufflers did not cover damage caused by backfire. Did they come open at a seam, or side??? See if you can get a photo & post it. I thought Magnaflows were straight-through & could take a backfire. also, were these stainless or aluminized steel?

Magnaflow basically did a Dynomax Race Welded knock-off, for less $$. I wunner if they are made in the USA also? The Chinese mufflers are light-duty garbage.

actually is starting to become a common issue, its seems like they are corroding from the inside out . So far mine has developed a small crack towards the rear of the muffler next to the edge where its welded

 

[JTS VENOM PERFORMANCE]

exactly the first sets of magnaflows were great , still a ton of them out there, actually mine still looks new and strong after 5 years and 20,000 miles

but the ones that folks have bought lately seem to blow out after a few years, i think they may be outsourced

 

[JRSVIPR]

exactly the first sets of magnaflows were great , still a ton of them out there, actually mine still looks new and strong after 5 years and 20,000 miles

but the ones that folks have bought lately seem to blow out after a few years, i think they may be outsourced

Put mine on in 04, It has about 50,000 miles on it. I can't roll my fat ass under there to look at it, But last time it was on the rack it looked great.

 

[Scrambler1]

These recent Magnaflow issues are interesting. The system that was on my truck has 20+k miles on it and no cracks or other issues. Course like Stinker's system mine is one of the early kits, bought in late 04.

That said, Treker, I'll sell you the magnaflow that just came off my truck. If you want pictures send me a PM and I'll send you some pics.

 

[TREKER]

Gonna post some pics but its the same as the others that have had issues. Two rectangular holes (one each side) a little bigger than an OREO double stuff size.

Only noticed one until recently and now its shot. No such thing as a free lunch...


Anyone know if stock muffler sounds good with bassani's and catless mids? Also does the stock muffler work with the magnaflow tips?

 

[King Kong]

Gonna post some pics but its the same as the others that have had issues. Two rectangular holes (one each side) a little bigger than an OREO double stuff size.

O
nly noticed one until recently and now its shot. No such thing as a free lunch...


Anyone know if stock muffler sounds good with bassani's and catless mids? Also does the stock muffler work with the magnaflow tips?

It will sound better than it sounds now...Any decent muffler shop can make it work with the Magnaflow tips, if you can't get them on yourself.

 

[TREKER]

It will sound better than it sounds now...Any decent muffler shop can make it work with the Magnaflow tips, if you can't get them on yourself.

How do you like those power stick mufflers? Do you have a soundclip? Looks like an easy install. No hangers for them? They the same length as stock muffler? I may just go to Midas that did the original install but without cats, I may have an issue. My local mechanic will do anything for me though

 

[Slitherbeast]

You just need to take acouple deep breaths, If you have done headers before you will know that they can be difficult to get perfect. with every mistake comes "experience" . Get some new gaskets and start again , making sure the header flange is flat on the ports and "pattern" the boltup so as to maintain a flat header flange. make sure they are all tight. Then tighten them again!! The holes in the muffler is another story.!!see if you can , at least install the stock muffler so you can see if you get all the header and collector leaks under control ,then get a new muffler. Never give up!!! It is all good learning and "character building" good luck and keep posting updates.

 

[TREKER]

You just need to take acouple deep breaths, If you have done headers before you will know that they can be difficult to get perfect. with every mistake comes "experience" . Get some new gaskets and start again , making sure the header flange is flat on the ports and "pattern" the boltup so as to maintain a flat header flange. make sure they are all tight. Then tighten them again!! The holes in the muffler is another story.!!see if you can , at least install the stock muffler so you can see if you get all the header and collector leaks under control ,then get a new muffler. Never give up!!! It is all good learning and "character building" good luck and keep posting updates.

Thanks for the support. Much appreciated... The gaskets are brand new and have not moved so I think I should be okay. I think I just need to tighten the bolts up and spend a little time doing that first.

The frustrating part is that I kinda did take my time. I let Carlo do the install in front of me and it seemed pretty simple. The mids were the difficult part but once they went on, it was perfect. I will get to it. I am going away on weds for a week so I will tackle it when I get back. I need an oil change so while its on the lift, I will hit all the bolts. Maybe I can salvage this thing. The stock muffler might sound okay with no cats. :dontknow: