Borlas supposed to sound Raspy?

Ghomer1 · 12-09-2002, 08:49 AM

I just installed my borla gen 4 and I was just wondering if they are supposed to sound anything like a lawnmower. You know kinda raspy.....the way it sounds if air is seeping by there?

I reused the stock gaskets on this, and I'm wondering if I have a leak somewhere. Sounds good otherwise, I'm just not happy with the raspy sound. What's the best way to check for a leak? Baby powder.

Garret

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RaceCarRiot · 12-09-2002, 09:12 AM

i reused my 9 year old gaskets on my car when i installed them this weekend, and i don't have any leaks...if i rev it at WOT at a standstill, i can hear a bit more metallic noise coming from the front of the car; the exhaust pulses are a lot 'sharper' sounding. check it again for leaks, but keep in mind that the factory piece is made of a thicker, heavier metal (steel or cast iron or whatever), and has additional shielding around which all helps to help soak up noise. also, have someone else mechanically inclined listen to it before you go to all the trouble to spot a leak...when you're used to all the little subtleties of your car, you hear little things that make you paranoid and turn out to be nothing.

Ghomer1 · 12-09-2002, 10:13 AM

You're probably right. It's not a huge deal, but it doesn't sound as "mean" as people say it does. I'm not sure if I like the raspiness of it...sounds kinda R ICE.

G

RaceCarRiot · 12-09-2002, 11:03 AM

yeah, when i first put them on, i was kind of offset by the metallic 'hissy-ness' from the front of the car when i leaned out the window to hear how it sounded when i revved it up and make sure nothing was leaking, but it only seems to be really noticeable when there's no load on the engine (i.e. revving it up in neutral). in normal driving, i don't hear it. we put a couple sets of gt-spec headers on a pair of WRX's that morning, and they noticed the same thing, even with all the brand new gaskets included in the kit; you hear a lot more metallic noise from the engine bay.

but yeah, revving it up doesn't sound exactly like you think it would...it sounds mean, but like a louder version your exhaust before the headers went on. it sounds much better under load.

awdwagon · 12-09-2002, 11:36 AM

the different sound is just from the different metal of the headers, instead of the heavy cast from the factory manifold. the way i look for leaks is i jack the car up when its the motor is cold and get someone to start it and feel around where the flanges are, you'll feel the air pulsating out of the gaskets if theres a leak. i really doubt you have a leak, its just a different sound.

Ghomer1 · 12-09-2002, 12:55 PM

Not sure if I really like it or not. It really does resemble the sound from a riding lawn mower. Not the mean image I want to put out there.

Garret

AustinSTi · 12-09-2002, 03:45 PM

when i put my borla header on..i went ahead and got new head gaskets..they were like 7 bucks each..and went to pepboys and got some copper sealant to put inbetween the gaskets and header....i like the way mine sounds, but mine doesnt sound like a lawn mower though.

Bob O · 12-09-2002, 04:30 PM

Ghomer, I have gen3's and am in Towson everyday. If you want to meet up to hear mine to compare, let me know. I don't hear anything that I would call "raspy". Mine are more "throby" or "throaty"

bob

six6sicks · 12-09-2002, 05:41 PM

I put my Bolra header and cat back on last weekend and notice the same sound. I think it was just an exhaust leak cuz when I put my new hi-flow cat. on yesterday I noticed the gasket was leaking pretty bad and since I was going to have everything apart I replaced every gasket. The sound went away and I don't think it sounds like a lwan mower nor does it sound like RICE. Sounds like it has more balls to me. I like it way more than stock or ricey.

Ghomer1 · 12-09-2002, 06:57 PM

I'll have to buy some new gaskets then.......any one else...I am semi-seriously considering taking them off and selling.....

Garret

Bob-O...where in Towson are you? I'd love to meet up sometime..

Garret

rhdude · 12-09-2002, 08:26 PM

You finnaly picked up the headers from Brian?

Bob lives in Felton, near octagon spares(

)

Use copper gasket material on the exhaust manifold side, thats what solved my problem...

~Brian

Ghomer1 · 12-09-2002, 08:29 PM

Yeah Brian, I drove my ass all the way down to Norfolk....3 hours minimum each way......

Where can I get these copper gaskets?

Garret

spshultz · 12-10-2002, 01:18 AM

I've had the Gen3's on for over 30,000 miles and the only time they sounded raspy was when I hit a big piece of wood in the middle of the highway and it put a hole in them. Other than that with the Stromung it has a very deep growl to it. 100% not RICE that's for sure.

rhdude · 12-10-2002, 03:04 AM

Copper gasket material, comes in a tube, buy it at any auto store, poissbly a super walmart.... use that on both sides of the gaskets on the manifold side, not the cat side.

Bob O · 12-10-2002, 08:48 AM

Garret, I work at Black and Decker, 701 East Joppa Road.

Let me know when and where.

Bob

Teamugi · 12-10-2002, 10:25 AM

I have SYMS headers and they are pretty raspy too when I open the car up. i guess it is part of the design of the subaru. What type of system are you running Ghomer after the cat? I am using a Greddy EVo and it is not the best sound, but it is livable. Might try an american muffler if all else fails.

Bob O · 12-10-2002, 11:01 AM

A'pexi N1 Can and rallispec piping. Stock cat pipe. It's stupid loud.

Bob

Ghomer1 · 12-14-2002, 11:47 AM

I think I'm going to take them off and sell them. The sound is getting worse, and even with the thermo tec header wrap, i'm still getting the CEL.

Boo.

rhdude · 12-14-2002, 01:36 PM

get a MIL eliminator...

take the headers off.. visually look for cracks, when they are still pretty warm(not hot) run warm water thru them to check for cracks...

Slack · 12-14-2002, 04:19 PM

Did you even think about your cat-section heat shields? They could be rattling. Just a thought.

Mick

Ghomer1 · 12-16-2002, 03:44 PM

It's definitely NOT a rattling. It's a leak of some sort. I just have to figure out if it is from a crack from Brians accident, or is it from bad gaskets.

Garret

Kostamojen · 12-17-2002, 01:44 AM

What muffler are you running? Yes, it does matter.

12-09-2002, 08:49 AM	#1
Ghomer1 Scooby Specialist Member#: 8091 Join Date: Jul 2001 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Near Annapolis, MD Vehicle: 2007 335i Monaco Blue Metallic	Borlas supposed to sound Raspy? I just installed my borla gen 4 and I was just wondering if they are supposed to sound anything like a lawnmower. You know kinda raspy.....the way it sounds if air is seeping by there? I reused the stock gaskets on this, and I'm wondering if I have a leak somewhere. Sounds good otherwise, I'm just not happy with the raspy sound. What's the best way to check for a leak? Baby powder. Garret * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

12-10-2002, 10:25 AM	#16
Teamugi Scooby Newbie Member#: 7771 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Atlanta, GA	I have SYMS headers and they are pretty raspy too when I open the car up. i guess it is part of the design of the subaru. What type of system are you running Ghomer after the cat? I am using a Greddy EVo and it is not the best sound, but it is livable. Might try an american muffler if all else fails. Last edited by Teamugi; 12-10-2002 at 12:01 PM.

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12-09-2002, 09:12 AM	#2
RaceCarRiot Scooby Specialist Member#: 6542 Join Date: May 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Vehicle: 1997 Ver IV silver	i reused my 9 year old gaskets on my car when i installed them this weekend, and i don't have any leaks...if i rev it at WOT at a standstill, i can hear a bit more metallic noise coming from the front of the car; the exhaust pulses are a lot 'sharper' sounding. check it again for leaks, but keep in mind that the factory piece is made of a thicker, heavier metal (steel or cast iron or whatever), and has additional shielding around which all helps to help soak up noise. also, have someone else mechanically inclined listen to it before you go to all the trouble to spot a leak...when you're used to all the little subtleties of your car, you hear little things that make you paranoid and turn out to be nothing.

12-09-2002, 10:13 AM	#3
Ghomer1 Scooby Specialist Member#: 8091 Join Date: Jul 2001 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Near Annapolis, MD Vehicle: 2007 335i Monaco Blue Metallic	You're probably right. It's not a huge deal, but it doesn't sound as "mean" as people say it does. I'm not sure if I like the raspiness of it...sounds kinda R ICE. G

12-09-2002, 11:03 AM	#4
RaceCarRiot Scooby Specialist Member#: 6542 Join Date: May 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Vehicle: 1997 Ver IV silver	yeah, when i first put them on, i was kind of offset by the metallic 'hissy-ness' from the front of the car when i leaned out the window to hear how it sounded when i revved it up and make sure nothing was leaking, but it only seems to be really noticeable when there's no load on the engine (i.e. revving it up in neutral). in normal driving, i don't hear it. we put a couple sets of gt-spec headers on a pair of WRX's that morning, and they noticed the same thing, even with all the brand new gaskets included in the kit; you hear a lot more metallic noise from the engine bay. but yeah, revving it up doesn't sound exactly like you think it would...it sounds mean, but like a louder version your exhaust before the headers went on. it sounds much better under load.

12-09-2002, 11:36 AM	#5
awdwagon Scooby Newbie Member#: 6585 Join Date: May 2001 Location: Wits End,PA Vehicle: 1997 acura integra champion white	the different sound is just from the different metal of the headers, instead of the heavy cast from the factory manifold. the way i look for leaks is i jack the car up when its the motor is cold and get someone to start it and feel around where the flanges are, you'll feel the air pulsating out of the gaskets if theres a leak. i really doubt you have a leak, its just a different sound.

12-09-2002, 12:55 PM	#6
Ghomer1 Scooby Specialist Member#: 8091 Join Date: Jul 2001 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Near Annapolis, MD Vehicle: 2007 335i Monaco Blue Metallic	Not sure if I really like it or not. It really does resemble the sound from a riding lawn mower. Not the mean image I want to put out there. Garret

12-09-2002, 03:45 PM	#7
AustinSTi Scooby Specialist Member#: 9386 Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: H-Market, VA & JMU Vehicle: 2000 2.5rs sedan silverthorn	when i put my borla header on..i went ahead and got new head gaskets..they were like 7 bucks each..and went to pepboys and got some copper sealant to put inbetween the gaskets and header....i like the way mine sounds, but mine doesnt sound like a lawn mower though.

12-09-2002, 04:30 PM	#8
Bob O Scooby Specialist Member#: 1502 Join Date: May 2000 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Felton, PA, USA Vehicle: 2000 2.5RS & SV1kS BRP	Ghomer, I have gen3's and am in Towson everyday. If you want to meet up to hear mine to compare, let me know. I don't hear anything that I would call "raspy". Mine are more "throby" or "throaty" bob

12-09-2002, 05:41 PM	#9
six6sicks Scooby Newbie Member#: 28876 Join Date: Nov 2002 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Arlington, Wa Vehicle: 2000 Impreza 2.5 RS Blue Ridge Pearl	I put my Bolra header and cat back on last weekend and notice the same sound. I think it was just an exhaust leak cuz when I put my new hi-flow cat. on yesterday I noticed the gasket was leaking pretty bad and since I was going to have everything apart I replaced every gasket. The sound went away and I don't think it sounds like a lwan mower nor does it sound like RICE. Sounds like it has more balls to me. I like it way more than stock or ricey.

12-09-2002, 06:57 PM	#10
Ghomer1 Scooby Specialist Member#: 8091 Join Date: Jul 2001 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Near Annapolis, MD Vehicle: 2007 335i Monaco Blue Metallic	I'll have to buy some new gaskets then.......any one else...I am semi-seriously considering taking them off and selling..... Garret Bob-O...where in Towson are you? I'd love to meet up sometime.. Garret

12-09-2002, 08:26 PM	#11
rhdude Scooby Guru Member#: 6637 Join Date: May 2001 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Manassas Vehicle: 2009 Acura MDX Sport	You finnaly picked up the headers from Brian? Bob lives in Felton, near octagon spares( ) Use copper gasket material on the exhaust manifold side, thats what solved my problem... ~Brian

12-09-2002, 08:29 PM	#12
Ghomer1 Scooby Specialist Member#: 8091 Join Date: Jul 2001 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Near Annapolis, MD Vehicle: 2007 335i Monaco Blue Metallic	Yeah Brian, I drove my ass all the way down to Norfolk....3 hours minimum each way...... Where can I get these copper gaskets? Garret

12-10-2002, 01:18 AM	#13
spshultz Scooby Specialist Member#: 1415 Join Date: May 2000 Location: Anytown, USA Vehicle: 2005 OBS 3.0R '12 SantaFe	I've had the Gen3's on for over 30,000 miles and the only time they sounded raspy was when I hit a big piece of wood in the middle of the highway and it put a hole in them. Other than that with the Stromung it has a very deep growl to it. 100% not RICE that's for sure.

12-10-2002, 03:04 AM	#14
rhdude Scooby Guru Member#: 6637 Join Date: May 2001 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Manassas Vehicle: 2009 Acura MDX Sport	Copper gasket material, comes in a tube, buy it at any auto store, poissbly a super walmart.... use that on both sides of the gaskets on the manifold side, not the cat side.

12-10-2002, 08:48 AM	#15
Bob O Scooby Specialist Member#: 1502 Join Date: May 2000 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Felton, PA, USA Vehicle: 2000 2.5RS & SV1kS BRP	Garret, I work at Black and Decker, 701 East Joppa Road. Let me know when and where. Bob

12-10-2002, 11:01 AM	#17
Bob O Scooby Specialist Member#: 1502 Join Date: May 2000 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Felton, PA, USA Vehicle: 2000 2.5RS & SV1kS BRP	A'pexi N1 Can and rallispec piping. Stock cat pipe. It's stupid loud. Bob

12-14-2002, 11:47 AM	#18
Ghomer1 Scooby Specialist Member#: 8091 Join Date: Jul 2001 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Near Annapolis, MD Vehicle: 2007 335i Monaco Blue Metallic	I think I'm going to take them off and sell them. The sound is getting worse, and even with the thermo tec header wrap, i'm still getting the CEL. Boo.

12-14-2002, 01:36 PM	#19
rhdude Scooby Guru Member#: 6637 Join Date: May 2001 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Manassas Vehicle: 2009 Acura MDX Sport	get a MIL eliminator... take the headers off.. visually look for cracks, when they are still pretty warm(not hot) run warm water thru them to check for cracks...

12-14-2002, 04:19 PM	#20
Slack Scooby Specialist Member#: 17548 Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Atlanta, Ga	Did you even think about your cat-section heat shields? They could be rattling. Just a thought. Mick

12-16-2002, 03:44 PM	#21
Ghomer1 Scooby Specialist Member#: 8091 Join Date: Jul 2001 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Near Annapolis, MD Vehicle: 2007 335i Monaco Blue Metallic	It's definitely NOT a rattling. It's a leak of some sort. I just have to figure out if it is from a crack from Brians accident, or is it from bad gaskets. Garret

12-17-2002, 01:44 AM	#22
Kostamojen Scooby Guru Member#: 2272 Join Date: Sep 2000 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: haha XD Vehicle: 95 L AWD LIFTED!!! 1970 Subaru FF-1 Coupe	What muffler are you running? Yes, it does matter.