I had my TopSpeed headers installed a week ago and now I have this clunking sound from underneath the car. I think that is where it sounds like it is coming from. I was told that the test pipes were removed for this install. I am not able to get underneath it to see if anything is loose due to it being soooo low to the ground. I also dont really want to drive 75 miles 1 way to the shop that installed the headers.

Has anyone else experienced this problem and if so, what did you do to remedy it? Thanks in advance.

Zach

 

It could be a number of things, but I would guess that part of the exhaust is either hitting the underbody of the car or another part such as the steering column. Does it happen all the time, sometimes, going straight down the road, or on cornering?

 

It does it all the time while Im driving. I think it is exhaust related, but I am not sure what. Like I said, only the test pipes were removed.

So maybe if the flange off the headers is not in the exact location as the OEM ones, it would pull up the test pipes and maybe cause them to hit the chassis. Does this sound logical or do you you think the headers are actually hitting something?

Damn, modding a car is a PITA!!! Makes me not want to *** with it.

SO does anyone else that has installed the TopSpeed headers have a problem like this??

Zach

 

It sounds like the bracket that goes between the cats and trans, but I'm not sure if your TPs have provisions for the factory bracket.

 

I have the Helix TPs and no they dont have any provisions for the OEM bracket. I didnt have the sound prior to the headers. I have had the TP for about 10k miles.

 

A guy that I track with frequently got in on that super cheap header pricing error deal this summer. I forgot which brand, but they were like $200 bucks or something. Well recently he put on cat pipes in addition to his already installed headers and they made a similar noise as to what you are describing. The noise was caused by the lack of factory oem bracketing on the cats AND the fact that the s/s headers flexed more than the factory cast manifolds. He took the cats off. I think you have to have a bracket welded to your tp's, take them off or live with it.

 

Man, you are having all kinds of bad luck it seems.

 

Got mine installed yesterday. Only about 25 miles so far, but no problems...

 

Yeah tell me about it. It all started with this header thing. I think I need to geta 350evo TB and a reflash and I will hopefully remedy some of my problems.

 

I hope so.

 

i think you merely have a rubbing problem somewhere. jack your car up, get a friend to rev the engine, get under there, find where its rubbing, bang the heat shield back where its rubbing. problem solved.
are the topspeeds the same length as the stocks? if not, you're right, it will pull things out of whack, and can cause rubbing.

 

The only thing I can think might cause the banging is the cross brace that connect to the Cats. I noticed the brace came closer to the driver's side cat. If that's the case take the four brace bolts loose, then try to push it in a more suitable position (if possible, it doesn't have much give and you don't want much pressure on the cats) and re tighten.

Z Boy - the Top Speeds are nearly identical to the stock manifolds in length from our observations this weekend...

 

if you're talking about that u-shaped bracket that connects to the frame and stock cats, i removed it when i installed the aftermarket cats.

 

zach,
did you fix the problem? when's your reflash?

 

Havent fixed the problem yet. I am trying to get a GB together for the AAM ECU reflash, but I am not getting the interest needed.

 

why is this the first i am reading about your gb? you know what a gb whzore i am! . pls pm me with all details. if you check my thread entitled "who does the best reflash" (or something like that), apparently there is a discrepancy btwn what aam and tc offer.
here's the thread:
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....hreadid=102518

 

Best I can tell, the main diff between the 2 is that the TS corrects timing issues whereas the AAM does not. I think.

 

I'm all over a GB reflash. Where are the details?????

 

I have your fix!!!!!

There is a cross member under the middle of your car. Look under the back and you will see it. I have the INJEN SES 1985 and guess what? It was banging on the cross member right after I put in the crawford cats. Not the cats that caused the problem but the install required some muscle and that caused a sag in the exhaust. Maybe your having the same problem. I have the fix. You will be unable to cut or bang dents in this material. Very strong and it is structural. There are many bolts in this member but they are reachable with the side jacked up. You need to put some spacers in there to give your exhaust more clearance. I used four washers at each of the four bolts. I have my car on jack stands right now replacing brakes. I will try and get a pictures and show you. PM me if you would like some pics and instructions sent to you. It took me months to figure out the fix. Actually a good friend is a technical specialist V-engine engineer at Ford corporate and gave me the idea. He gives me grap every time we talk about my car. I guess he likes the new ford 500 (junk) over classy rides. hehe

 

MZack, hook me up with some pix and stuff. Thanks man.