Buzzing after new hotshot header install

stevja1 · Jul 22nd, 2004, 04:41 PM

I installed a hotshot header on my car about a month ago, and at certain RPMs there is a really loud buzzing noise that is extreamely annoying. I've gone over the car a few times, and the only thing I can think of is the bracket that holds the header pipe next to the car. It is right before the resonator/catalytic converter, (depending on your car.) Has anybody else had any problems with this?

James · Jul 22nd, 2004, 04:44 PM

yes its been covered before. search and you'll find previous discussions.

stevja1 · Jul 22nd, 2004, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

yes its been covered before. search and you'll find previous discussions.

I ran a search and found one thread that talked about this, (trust me, I've seen what you guys do to non-searchers).

I saw one post where someone described some kind of cricket noise, (follow the link below). Mine frankly doesn't sound like a cricket. It sounds like some piece of metal is vibrating against something else. It only kicks in at certain RPMs also, almost as if there are certain engine tones that key up certain harmonics in the metal.

http://www.nissanforums.com/showthre...=Hotshot+noise

If this is a problem with the flex pipe, does HS just send a new secondary, or do you have to ship them the defective one?

James · Jul 22nd, 2004, 05:08 PM

You'd have to call them for that one. See if there is enough clearance between the oil pan and the header downpipe. That may be what is rubbing together and causing the buzzing. It happend with my downpipe and they sent me a spacer so it wouldn't do it any longer.

stevja1 · Jul 22nd, 2004, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

You'd have to call them for that one. See if there is enough clearance between the oil pan and the header downpipe. That may be what is rubbing together and causing the buzzing. It happend with my downpipe and they sent me a spacer so it wouldn't do it any longer.

I checked that out too. I actually took off the secondary, and pounded the oil pan. Now there is about 1/4 inch between the secondary and the pan. I'm pretty sure that's not what is causing the buzzing. I'm going to give them a call and see what they think. Thanks.

psuLemon · Jul 22nd, 2004, 05:59 PM

it might be your exhaust is getting raspy or its rusting out, check that out and see what you find

nastynissan · Jul 22nd, 2004, 06:16 PM

It could quite possibly be your Convertor rattling... The "Brick" inside has a tendency to break loose and rattle inside the housing.. This is especially true if youve bottomed out. Ive even seen it happen after a tailpipe job, when an impact was used on nuts/ bolts... Have someone rev up or put a load on the engine while your laying next to the car by the CAT... It could also be the heat shield around the convertor/ exhaust piping..

Nostrodomas · Jul 22nd, 2004, 09:40 PM

Is it a loud clunking sound? Can you feel it in the cars chassis? Also do you have a front sway bar? I had a problem with the downpipe hitting my sway bar, but it cleared the oil pan.

stevja1 · Jul 22nd, 2004, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nostrodomas

Is it a loud clunking sound? Can you feel it in the cars chassis? Also do you have a front sway bar? I had a problem with the downpipe hitting my sway bar, but it cleared the oil pan.

It's not a clunking sound, it sounds like metal vibrating on metal. It's more of a buzzing sound.

No sway bar. The cat is new. It might be the heat shield, I haven't checked that. Nissan Sentras, (at least the 97s) have stainless steel exhaust. (Atleast cat back anyway, I don't know about the rest.) I tried cutting the old resonator off, and bolting in a cat, but the freakin downpipe was stainless steel, and I had to get a muffler shop to do it. Anyway, it's not rust.

From inside the car, it sounds like it's coming from the back. I'm going to check the muffler tomorrow when it stops raining.

I read in another thread that it may be the flex pipe in the header. I've fired off an email to Hotshot to see if they have any ideas.

Thanks for the help so far.

Nostrodomas · Jul 22nd, 2004, 10:01 PM

Keep us updated. Im really interested in finding out what it is now............lol

stevja1 · Jul 26th, 2004, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nostrodomas

Keep us updated. Im really interested in finding out what it is now............lol

No problem. I called Hotshot and spoke with someone there, and he said that it shouldn't matter if the flex pipe is bent slightly. He said I could sent the thing to him, and he would check it out and send me a good one.

I took the car to a muffler shop, and they said that it probably isn't the flex pipe. (Now I'm really confused.) I'm having them install a catback exhaust today, with an 18" resonator. If that doesn't quiet things down a bit, I'm just going to send the header back and see if Hotshot can figure it out.

Is this buzzing sound typical for Hotshot headers? (From the sound of things it isn't, but I want to make sure.)

Neil · Jul 26th, 2004, 12:21 PM

I've heard people before complain that the header without a catback tends to make a high raspy noise and this tends to dissapate with the addition of the catback but I dont know firsthand.

psuLemon · Jul 26th, 2004, 12:53 PM

i have heard a lot of headers on a stock exhaust and it sounds like absolute shit.. once you get your new exhaust it should sound a lot better

jeffinbham · Jul 26th, 2004, 12:56 PM

check the heat shields. mine did the same thing, so i just took them all off, problem solved.

stevja1 · Jul 26th, 2004, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffinbham

check the heat shields. mine did the same thing, so i just took them all off, problem solved.

I did check them, and they seemed to be on there really tight, but I'll have the muffler guy take them off and see if there is any difference. Were you able to remove them without unbolting the exhaust system?