96gt4.6

iTrader: (5)

Recently traded in my '96 Mustang for a '00 Z28. The Z is way faster, Mustang had cams, exhaust gears and tune and still can't hang so it had to go. Anyhow, I noticed that the Camaro has some engine noise at idle, kinda sounds like a knock, but oil pressure is good and steady and it goes away when you rev it off idle. Does it the same hot or cold. Car has 80K on the clock, and runs great. Any ideas or is this just a characteristic of the LS1's? It's a noticeable noise, you can hear it plainly when you are beside another car or are standing outside the car.

SSmokin99

iTrader: (7)

Is it a ticking noise? If so, then it might be a bent pushrod. When I had bent pushrods I had a ticking noise.

1994Z28Lt1

iTrader: (1)

hmm i guess doing it both hot and cold would rule out the piston slap

are you sure its just not the valvetrain? they tend to be louder and more pronounced on ls1's

turbowhistle86

iTrader: (7)

don't worry newbie....I've been into Turbo Buicks for a long time and recently picked up my LS1 car. I thought it had some bad valvetrain components, but its just a characteristic of the LS1 motor I guess. Mine goes away after she warms up....just step on the gas or turn the radio up!

JohnnyC

It is hard to say without actually hearing it for myself. Not much you can do about it - just keep an eye on your oil level and pressure and run it! If it is a genuine problem, then the noise level will get noticeably worse with time.

ICEMAN 31

I think he is talking about ethe mythical LS1 ticking on cold start, if it goes away after it warms up than you have no worries.

96gt4.6

iTrader: (5)

no, it stays. It isn't a tick, it's a knock, a light one. goes away if you revv it above idle and don't hear it while driving, just at idle. You can hear it plainly about 10 feet and closer to the car. It's not a deep knock, just a light rap, rap, rap. Stays the same hot or cold. I also have a friend who has a Yukon and it does the same thing, only not quite as loud. Must be normal?? To me it sounds like a rod knock, but doesn't get louder if I run the RPM's up in neutral. so, guess i'll just drive it, if something is going to happen it should get worse with time.

LS1>girlfriend

iTrader: (19)

its ls1 trickery, ls1's tick/knock to sound weak to get people to race for cash


mine did the same thing and ran like a raped ape

bene

iTrader: (16)

I have the knock sound at cold and warm starts but it goes away when it hit warmer/hotter temperatures.

99camarosupersport

iTrader: (6)

Could be an exhaust leak, check this especially if it has any after market headers, exhaust etc.,

Snowman2K1

iTrader: (1)

had to click on thread..i was also a former mustang owner now a ls1 owner..couldnt be prouder of my decision

96gt4.6

iTrader: (5)

lol, yea, i raced both cars against each other, as I still own the Mustang, and the Z beats it by around 4 every time. The Mustang has Comp Cams, Full exhaust from the headers back, gears and computer programming. It's an Auto also. The Z is bone stock cept for a K&N.

Anyhow, back to the issue. The knock doesn't disappear, it's the same be hot or cold. still runs good though~

COD02SS

You sure it's not just piston slap?

96gt4.6

iTrader: (5)

I thought it might be, as it seems there is an issue with that on these motors, but it doesn't disappear with heat, does it the same hot or cold.

Greggy

I have piston slap when cold, and it has gotten a little worse in 95k miles.

Also, sometimes when it's hot out and idling a lot in traffic, I can hear exactly what you describe. It has not gotten any worse and seem to lessen with a thick oil. I like to use a 10w-30/10w-40 mix. The newest SM oils out are on the thin side for their rating.

I wouldn't worry about the noise if the oil pressure is >35psi at warm idle.

vodas00ss

iTrader: (14)

you think your valvetrain is loud now, wait until you put a big nasty cam in the beach. Sounds like a damn sewing machine.

5301113

iTrader: (18)

I say piston slap. Check the sound on other F-body's, some piston slap is louder then others but it's normal. My piston slap is louder then normal, I took my car to the dealership several times thinking it was a bent rod or a loose value spring or broke spring. Change the oil see if it helps try Mobil 1 or royal purple.

desertLS1

iTrader: (8)

i say its just valvetrain noise, mine does the same thing warm or cold its just there, cant really describe it, sounds like a mini sewing machine i guess. my car runs great like a bat outta hell! i wouldnt worry about it at all unless your car starts running like crap which i doubt it will. Just maintain it, and enjoy what a real enigine sounds and runs like JMO.

fccs

iTrader: (26)

yea start it nd come check on the car in 10min i bet the noise is gone mine does that somtimes to..idk why but once it warms up its gone

germeezy1

Yeah when I had my Cobra and Vette at the same time, I though something was wrong with the Vette. Damn LS1's have alot of valvetrain noise and they like oil especially with alot of high rpm driving.