Very Funny, last time I try to help anyone..
Nah, when I had a cracked manifold, could be the gasket as well, it would tick on idle and then make a rubbish noise under load...
An a large amount of POP POP POP when letting off the throttle.
This was on a MK1 Capri though, so was nice and easy to change..
Almost as loud as when I drove up the M11 with no exhaust as the mounting bracket had snapped off.
Stopped on the hard shoulder, took the exhaust off and put it in the car (This was with a full lenght pipe, split where it went over the rear axle.) and drove to my mates in Chingford.
That was fun and v v v v nosiy on trailing throttle..