Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

WTF is this ticking noise???

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 12, 2006 | 05:35 PM
  #1  
hurley711's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 730
Likes: 11
Default WTF is this ticking noise???

After cam swap my car developed a nice ticking noise. Thought maybe it was exhaust leak but after tightening headers real good it still persists. Hardened pushrods were installed, and spark plugs were put in 6 months ago during header install. Ticking is coming from the rear of the engine, can't tell if it's drivers or passenger side. It happens at all times while the engine is running, but intensifies loudly during acceleration. No noticeable power loss during everyday driving.
Reply
Old May 12, 2006 | 06:50 PM
  #2  
jub jub's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 535
Likes: 0
From: Warner Robins, GA
Default

A search of the word "ticking " produced 10 pages of excellent reading on the subject.

It's a fact that these engines like to tick. Some more than others. You might as well get use to it!
Reply
Old May 12, 2006 | 07:24 PM
  #3  
hurley711's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 730
Likes: 11
Default

Originally Posted by jub jub
A search of the word "ticking " produced 10 pages of excellent reading on the subject.

It's a fact that these engines like to tick. Some more than others. You might as well get use to it!

That search also produced diff situations then the specific one I explained. I figured with solid details of my SPECIFIC situation explaining the exact mods I did would MAYBE help narrow it down. I understand what the search button is trust me I use it several times a day. This ticking is loud and by no means normal.
Reply
Old May 12, 2006 | 07:28 PM
  #4  
joshp14's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 0
From: WDM, Iowa
Default

Is it consistent with crankshaft speed, camshaft speed, or vehicle speed? Since the crankshaft turns twice for every one time the camshaft turns...it will help diagnose it. More than likely its a valvetrain problem...but who knows.
Reply
Old May 12, 2006 | 07:37 PM
  #5  
hurley711's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 730
Likes: 11
Default

The higher up I spin the RPMs the louder and faster it gets....I will pay more attention tom. when I drive it again.
Reply
Old May 12, 2006 | 07:42 PM
  #6  
N01SS's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (24)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: san jose, ca
Default

check the bolts at your collectors, look for black streaks...and if you still have your AIR check that out to, after i got my headers it didn't want to seal all the way. might need a new gasket or something
Reply
Old May 12, 2006 | 08:02 PM
  #7  
hurley711's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 730
Likes: 11
Default

AIR and EGR both deleted...maybe AIR not blocked off all the way in the back?
Reply
Old May 12, 2006 | 08:09 PM
  #8  
Cop Car's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 0
From: Indy
Default

lifters
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-6

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
Old May 12, 2006 | 08:10 PM
  #9  
TAWSSIX's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Savannah, Ga
Default

Check the spark plugs...make sure they are tight!
Reply
Old May 12, 2006 | 09:31 PM
  #10  
hurley711's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 730
Likes: 11
Default

Should I be cautious about spinning this too high until I figure out what's going on here? How cautious should I be?
Reply
Old May 12, 2006 | 09:35 PM
  #11  
SHINER's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,192
Likes: 0
From: SW Houston
Default

dude u never know a may be an exhaust leak i got a ticking and its an exhaust leak.
Reply
Old May 13, 2006 | 10:06 AM
  #12  
hurley711's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 730
Likes: 11
Default

OK guys here is the update. The ticking is coming from the passenger side of the engine. It gets louder and faster during acceleration and slows while I slow down. Also forgot to mention that after cam swap I switched to Mobil 1 full synthetic for the first time, don't know if that factors in or not.
Reply
Old May 13, 2006 | 10:15 AM
  #13  
DarkblueTA's Avatar
TECH Resident
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 782
Likes: 0
From: North Las Vegas, NV
Default

check your spark plug wires. I had the same thing happen to the TA only to find out that one of the wires wasn't on quite all the way. If you check them and they are ok, I'd check elsewhere. Double check the rockers and make sure they're toqued down to 23ft-lbs.
Reply
Old May 13, 2006 | 12:04 PM
  #14  
hurley711's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 730
Likes: 11
Default

P0174 code just set, lean bank 2 the **** keeps piling on. Cam swap was biggest mistake I've ever made
Reply
Old May 13, 2006 | 12:33 PM
  #15  
Doc's Avatar
Doc
FormerVendor
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,573
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, Fl
Default

The 174 code seems to suggest further evidence of a leak on the passenger side dude. Rejoice in that for a few seconds...be absolutely certain this is not up top and or outside before you start pulling heads for the lifters... The sound is all the time? Hot, cold, high rev, idle... sounds more like a exhaust leak. What kind of exhaust set up do you have? What did you have to dismantle to do the cam swap? I know this sounds like my wife asking the stupid questions when I am franticaly hunting for my keys but...
Reply
Old May 13, 2006 | 12:59 PM
  #16  
hurley711's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 730
Likes: 11
Default

174 code just set this afternoon. Also had a little backfire yesterday for the first time in a long while. The car ticks all the time....idle, accelerate decelerate you name it. It is really loud and obnoxious when I hit the throttle though, and the higher up I go the worse it gets. It is extremely noticeable, sounds ghetto IMO and it is driving me nuts. My idle is also dipping down occasionally to 600 RPMs when I pull the car out of gear, but it recovers right back up to 900 RPMs. As far as exhasut setup I have Pacesetter LT along with a Hooker CB. Lt were installed with new spark plugs and O2 extensions back in Sept. Cam was installed in Feb./March.
Reply
Old May 13, 2006 | 02:48 PM
  #17  
Viper's Avatar
12 Second Club
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 4,909
Likes: 3
From: Cleveland, OH
Default

What springs with the cam? Retainers? As mentioned, check for loose rocker arms; did you use loctite on them?
Reply
Old May 13, 2006 | 03:01 PM
  #18  
camaro_five0's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 343
Likes: 1
From: Erin, TN
Default

I've heard of LS1's having a history of piston slap...nothing dangerous to the motor but annoying.
Reply
Old May 13, 2006 | 03:01 PM
  #19  
flippin's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Oak Lawn
Default

Its your o2's or your extentions, get the corvette o2's they have the longer wires already on them. The ticking is your spark plugs.
Reply
Old May 13, 2006 | 03:11 PM
  #20  
hurley711's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 730
Likes: 11
Default

Think it could be the plugs even if they were changed out during header install in Sept? Wires are still stock.......As far as cam titanium retainers and new 918 springs were installed too.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:20 PM.

story-0
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-1
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-3
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-6
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-7
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-8
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE