Is My Car Missing?

90lxcoupe

20+ Year Stangneter :roc</strong><span class=
Oct 7, 2003
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I have had my car out for a few days now and i noticed that sometimes when i am in 3rd and 4th gear and at WOT it sounds like the car might be pinging... it only does it sometimes in second gear(could be doing it all the time but i have no idea cause everything happens so fast). also i'm not sure if I have an exhaust leak... it's definitly ticking but also sounds like a lifter.

so basically what i need to know is can a small exhaust leak make the car sound like it is missing up top?

im gonna go check the plugs and tighten up the header flanges and see if that does the trick, but i wanted some opinions and ive never heard my car miss/ping/detonate and i dont think i want to