parvo99

I purchased some megan headers, and installed them, and it sounds like it's leaking, but Megan says a lot of people think it's leaking, but it's just the normal sound.

Here's what happens. When I'm just crusing, everything sounds normal, and as soon as I accelerate a bit, it starts producing a metallic hissing sound. I can definitely feel the power increase, and it revs to redline no problem. But, when I rev it when it's parked, it revs like normal to about 5500rpm, and then it starts making a puffing sound and won't rev any further. If I'm in neutral, it'll get to about 6500 and start "puffing". If I remember correctly, when I had the stock headers, I could rev freely to redline.

I contacted Megan about getting a replacement because I think it's leaking from the flex pipe, and this is what they said.
"Hi,
When having a exhaust leak, when you accelerating, you can feel significatly power lose..we heard and tested this set up before, it does sound like exhaust leak when reving..but it actually not, we had a few cases like this before, all sound leaking, but actualy now, when exhaust leak, not only losing power, you can also smell something is burning under the motor from the header."

Those that have the megan headers, or any aftermarket headers, do you hear any unusual sounds, and can you freely rev to redline when parked or in neutral?

They said they will warranty it if it's really leaking, but it seems like they are trying to deny that it's leaking.

Pure Adrenaline

iTrader: (2)

If you're hearing a "pff, pff, pff, pff" noise consistently, then there's a leak. As for the hissing noise, it's most likely from the exhaust gas travelling through the pipes; remember that these pipes are a lot thinner than the stock manifolds, so there will be an increase in noises.

parvo99

I understand that the hissing sound may just be increased noise from the thinner pipes, but how about the "pff, pff, pff" I get when I rev it in park or neutral? I get no hissing sound in park or neutral, but when I hit 5500 rpms, it just starts going "pff, pff, pff" liked pressure is building up and then releasing when it hits 5500 rpms.

soccerbenk

well you do know in park there is a rev loimiter at 5,500 rpm right?

parvo99

Is there? I could have sworn that in either park or neutral I was able to rev it to redline before I changed the headers. Right now in park it gets to 5500, and in neutral it gets to 6500. It would be nice if I don't have a leak, but the hissing sound is a little annoying.

ou sig

yup that is the rev limiter at 5500 RPM - mine also have a more metalic sound, but like PA said (and Megan also) you will have that sound with aftermarket headers vs. the stock manafolds. Now it wont be near as loud as if you have a leak, if you have a leak, you can really hear it all the time - just go to a muffler shop and they can help you if you have a leak. I saw a guy use a stethoscope to listen more closely.

fsttyms1

the tl has a soft limiter at 5500 or so rpm in park and neutral (unless moving, then in neutral it will rev to redline) the soft limiter in park and neutral is different from the hard limiter at redline

parvo99

Ok, I just tried again. My numbers were just slightly off. I recorded it. First one is in park and hits about 5250. Second one is rolling in neutral and hits about 5750. I know I'm barely rolling, but even when rolling at 60mph, it still does the same thing. You guys think this is normal or not? Maybe I'm being paranoid, I just want to make sure everything seems ok.

http://s30.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1...D3K5EYVRQHXAJI
http://s30.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1...M1TFI4AE7H78L7

keepingitclean

I just sent you a pm back regarding the warranty issue. I hope everything goes fine. Just to let everyone know, the car will not sound the same with any aftermarket mods.

parvo99

Just to clarify, I'm not knocking Megan headers. The power gains are definitely noticeable. The quality looked good, and the fitment was perfect. The hissing (which may be perfectly normal), and rev limit when rolling in neutral just worried me a bit.

samkws

stop bitching consider you got a steal for the headers

if you are that anal then get the comptech

parvo99

Bitching??? When did I bitch? I'm just asking if what I'm experiencing is normal or not. If you can't answer any of my questions, why post?

Can anyone with headers confirm that they can rev to redline when moving and in neutral?

Pure Adrenaline

iTrader: (2)

Adding headers will NOT change the rev limiter setting. The O2 sensor will most likely notice the new parameters, but it's not going to change the rev limiter settings.

Mine's the same way -- in park, I can only rev to just above 5,000 RPM, and just under 5,500 RPM. Draw your own conclusions as to where the limiter is set at. In neutral (while rolling), I can rev to redline. I don't remember the last time I revved in while I was in neutral standing still, so I can't say anything about that.

samkws

we can't tell you over the internet that you have a leak or not with just a brief description

the best way is to find a mech you know and bring it to him, check if there's any leaks

the headers are going to make some noise due to a higher flow, even at idle it has some low deep grone and that's normal

i have comptech headers and they are absolute fine and the gain is noticable

me and pure adrenline's rides are the later models, so only can rev up to 5000rpm and it cuts off at park or neutral

fsttyms1

Headers WILL NOT change the redline in park or neutral. having them on WILL NOT make the computer change the redline. that redline is the same as before the headers

jeff m 02 tl

The hissing (which may be perfectly normal),

as far as I know the hissing noise is NOT normal, I had installed a Stone header on my TL-S about 3 months ago as soon as I left the shop the hissing started from about 2500rpm's all the way up to the redline, I went through the motions of tightening the nuts and bolts and still hissing. Long story short I bit the bullet and bought the Alphawerks header took off the Stone and installed it myself and I have to tell you that the fit is better than the Stone and wala the hissing is gone. I did notice that the o2 sensor bung on the Stone was alot closer to the flex pipe than on the Alphawerks however I'm not sure about the Megan, I hope the info helps
Peace, Jeff