Roush Strange tapping noise?

[Yellow99Saleen]

So before I go to the dealer, I would like to hear some peoples opinions on what may be wrong with my car. Basically when I give it gas at low rpm's, and when I let off I hear a tapping noise, almost like that of a snare drum. I cant tell if it happens any higher than 3k because of the loudness of the exhaust. A few people have told me it may be an exhaust leak which I hope it is, and not an engine problem. Only thing is, I have had a loose exhaust manifold before and it sounded way different and i knew what it was that time. Its been happening for about a week and has only gotten louder. I have an appointment with the ford dealer that i work for. They are not an authorized saleen dealer, and untill now I have bascially gotten all major service done at saleen dealers for future resale and whatnot. So secondly, should I have the work done at a saleen dealer if its a major problem with saleen parts? Any opinions would be helpful, i am extremely busy and have no time to work on the car myself?

 

[Mstng2]

Were you running it hard just prior to the noise starting?

 

[Yellow99Saleen]

No, besides regular alanta traffic, I have not launched hard, burned out, redlined etc... It just started happening out of nowhere.

 

[Saleen Mike]

Could be the manifold, or the gasket is burnt in a spot and there is a leak.

This is one of those shop visits where the cost of the labor hours is far greater than the cost of the parts portion.

Or it could be a bad lifter...

 

[Yellow99Saleen]

Mike you were correct, apparently my bottoming out so much in atlanta has ruined one of my manifolds. Where as last time it was just loose. I am Just glad it is nothing to serious.

 

[saleen065]

Where in Atlanta do you live and what dealership do you work at? I live near Bleakly Ford.