thunderstruck507

iTrader: (18)

Mine is noisy but it's not noticeable from inside the car at all.

It got noticeably more noisy when the Fast intake went on. It's almost a plunger like sound added to the slight sewing machine noise.

Doesn't bother me at all though.

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (6)

If your valvetrain is too loud, it just means your exhaust is too quiet.

ctd

iTrader: (1)

My previous 346 with CRL & XE-R lobes set up with correct preload & push rod length....sewing machine noise amplified by the Fast 92. Not annoying, just noticeable.

My replacement motor assembled by others with LSL lobes is very quiet valve train noise wise with LS7 lifters.

I'm currently replacing this camshaft & I want to be sure that noise level stays the same. I contacted the builder & he uses the 3/4 to 1 turn of preload. When I rx'd the new cam, LSK lobes I measured the base circled & compared.

Installed the cam & recalculated preload & push rod length. I needed .025 longer pushrod which matched the difference in Base Circle measurements.

Turns out Shane's method of 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 is working out as well. That is from zero lash to 22 lbs torqued down.

The LSL & LSK lobes close the valve the same...softly.

Nowhereman

You know, when I was a kid, we never had valve train noise in our motors.
We even ran gear drives instead of chain and had little noise.
I for one believe that the "lead" in the fuel back in the day did some good things to quiet valves, not just oxygenate the fuel.

Patrick G

iTrader: (14)

OK, just saw this post.

I have stepped up for this exact problem and Billy Godbold with Comp Cams accepted the challenge. The cause of valvetrain noise primarily comes from the sound of a fast closing valve, particularly on the exhaust. Headers amplify this noise like a megaphone. What's the solution? Slow down the valve close (to decrease valve clatter and sewing machine noise) while keeping the valve opening fast (to preserve power).

The rate of close is the problem. Here's some rates of valve closing for popular Comp Cams:
LSL/LSR lobes: .009" per degree close
LSK lobes: .009" per degree close
XFI intake: .0085" per degree close
XFI exhaust: .0075" per degree close
XE-R lobes: .008" per degree close
XE high lift lobes: .006" per degree close

So as you can see, the Comp XE lobes have the softest close and as most of you know, these cams are pretty quiet. The problem is, the XE lobes are fairly mild and relatively low lift (.560s).

I asked Billy Godbold to develop a line of lobes that would be fast opening like the LSL lobes, but slow to close like the XE lobes. Comp responded with the new LXL lobes. The X stands for exhaust as these lobes work best on the exhaust where the majority of the noise comes from. The LXL lobes have the fast opening and lift (.610s) of the LSL lobes, but with a .006" per degree closing rate. It's like having your cake and eating it too.

I have been using these lobes since February for many Patrick G custom cams and the results have been extremely positive. Not many shops know about them or use them yet, but I have spec'd over 100 of them and nobody have been unhappy with the sound.

Nowhereman

Just throw some lead substitute in her and she'll love ya for it and stay quiet.

SOMbitch

iTrader: (8)

Good post Patrick.

Now the question is do the make power like the LSL lobes with the faster closing.

Also, I know you cannot give away any secrets but I am curious how they would compare to Geoff's lobes???

speedtigger

iTrader: (16)

I would like to know is these new LXL lobes are quieter than the EPS endurance lobes

Patrick G

iTrader: (14)

EPS lobes close around .008" per degree. The reason why they tend to run quieter than XE-R and LSL lobes are because their endurance profile does not require as much spring tension as the other lobes.

When I spec'd a cam for Speedtigger, he had a .600" lift limit on his cam sheet which meant he could not run the quieter LXL lobes on the exhaust. A 230 lobe in LXL is .609" whereas the 230 EPS lobe is .600". He also did not mention anything about wanting a quieter valvetrain in his cam questionnaire. Had I known, I would have spec'd an EPS/LXL lobe combo.

30th t/a

iTrader: (51)

Hey Patrick - whats the closing rate for a stock LS1 or LS6 cam?

Ive been wanting a sleeper cam but I do not want the added valve train noise. Which cancels out the CHeaTR cam so Ive been thinking of a 02 LS6 cam.

I was wondering if the Lingenfelter cams (GT2-3) or the GT11 create a noisy valve train? Anyone know?

BMR Tech2

iTrader: (5)

Indeed...and this is why when you install a FAST intake you get an additional odd sound. The factory intakes do a good job of silencing valve events...stainless headers? Not so much. haha

speedtigger

iTrader: (16)

This worries might right here because I think the XR275H12 Comp Cam that I currently have has XE lobes. So if they are noisy then this new lobe would be noisy too unless I am missing something.

Also I spoke to Lunati about their lobes and the representative claimed that their "street strip" lobes would be quieter than my Comp Cam. But, I don't know anyone who has comparative experience with the Lunati cams.

hiltsy855

iTrader: (35)

speedtigger - As you may know I'm in the same boat as you (valvetrain noise) and I already have the EPS cam. I guess I'll look at the EPS/LXL design, new lifters, header wrap, etc. I'm beginning to think some people just have more tolerance for the noise than I do.

speedtigger

iTrader: (16)

I just ordered one, so I will let you know how it goes.

hymey

I have never had a noisy setup.Basic installs and never did anything out of ordinary but I run no more then half a turn preload, which is around .35 thou and the lsl lobes are super quiet No problems, I use EHT springs. Sometimes I have found more noise with more preload. I have never installed a xer lobe cam always xfi- or lsl comp.

thunderstruck507

iTrader: (18)

My eps/lxl is quieter than my old cam, but it still is noticeable with the hood open.

speedtigger

iTrader: (16)

When you drive by buildings or are next to cars in traffic can you hear the reflection of your valvetrain clatter off of those surfaces? Did you mill your heads? What pushrod length did you use?

Jim_PA

iTrader: (9)

I'm not getting any clatter like you describe out of mine.

OldCobraGuy

iTrader: (2)

Without a doubt, the best answer...and only correct answer...out there. Patrick got it straight from Comp as well. If you want a quiet valve train, use a milder camshaft, or OE camshaft. If you want to make power, "it ain't free" as they say. When was the last engine you ever saw that would allow you to run .600 + lifts, huge durations, and still drive it every day on the street? The engine design will allow that, but there isn't another engine out there that I know of that will do this so easily. But if you are going to lift the valve that far, leave it open that long, there is only so much "room" in a circle to do that. Something has to give so to speak.

Thanks Tony and Patrick for stating what I've felt all along.

P.S. by the way...my valve train was the quietest by using Comp's suggestion and running .035 preload in my lifters. Comp cam, Comp springs. With .100 preload, it was so noisy I wouldn't drive it.

ZeeOSix

180 degrees apart ... which one is it?