It's the gear. I'm fully aware the specs get you in the ball park and you tweak the pattern afterward. The new products are not the same quality as the old gears is my point. A good name was bought out by a huge company to make shareholders more money IMO. I got 15 quiet running years out of the old Richmond 3.91 until it broke a ring gear tooth off launching at the track. I will try another brand after this set fails or wears out. I can't hear the whine at the track with the headers uncapped.