milosav2

Hi all. I am new to the LS7 and was wondering if the clicking sound you hear in my video below is just normal idle sound of the lifters or something totally different?

Sorry for the dark video, but at least the sound translated over well enough to hear.

Thanks much for any input.

VIDEO:

Dan_the_C5_Man

The majority of what you are hearing is the fuel injectors cycling. The light tapping is typical, within the normal range of an LSx motor.

milosav2

Thank you for clearing that up for me. So would you say the actual "clicking" sound comes from the plunger in this gif:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped.../Injector3.gif

?

Dan_the_C5_Man

The light metallic, less-frequent "tapping" is most likely a lifter. The more frequent, lower-pitched clicks or "sewing machine sounds" are the fuel injectors, with a small amount of valve seat closing tossed in for good measure. The injectors are surprisingly noisy.

Yes, I would assume it's the snapping shut of the plunger that makes the most noise.

Get a mechanics stethoscope and poke around - you can learn a lot about which components are loud or soft, the different types of noises, use that information for later diagnosis if something changes.

milosav2

I've always been wanting to add one just because it might come in handy one day for diagnosis. Found this one on amazon with good reviews https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-52500-M...cs+stethoscope

Anyways, thanks for all the help and insight.

Dirty Howie

Sounds normal and good to me.


DH

User Omega

I see you are new around here. Have you gotten your heads fixed yet?

milosav2

I haven't, but maybe one of the previous two owners has. Either way, I'll be getting the heads checked to see if they have been upgraded this winter.

Trust me, I knew about the dropped valve issue way before I bought the c6z, and it will be addressed along with a nice cam upgrade .

Landru

Good to hear, must protect your investment, and the sooner the better.

If mine weren't covered by a GMEPP my '08 would be parked until heads were thoroughly inspected and/or refurbished. Period.
Love my LS7 like no other, but also believe there's a potential flaw/weakness capable of really spoiling a day. Not all. Some.
Absent warranty coverage, now's the time to be proactive concerning this matter.

Welcome aboard.

milosav2

Looks like you're a fellow Wisconsinite! Any shops in the SE WI area you'd recommend to perform this job?

There are quite a few recommended shops in the Chicago-land area that I've been looking at and the one that pops out at me the most is Speed Inc.

I'm not looking at spending the extra ~ $1,300 for a totally new head swap from AHP, just valves/valve guides and associated parts. The extra ~ 10-20 whp/wtq is not nearly a big enough gain to justify considering everything else on the oem heads is perfectly fine.

Landru

Living ~60 mi N of Milwaukee, 35 mi E of lake...3 mile off 41.
Where you located?
Reason I ask is I just went through this issue w/ my '08 w/ 52K last Summer.
2nd & last GMPP was expiring, had to either have heads rebuilt or find suitable extended coverage. One or the other.

Only place out here in the sticks is West Bend Dyno: http://www.westbenddyno.com/
They claim expertise w/ LS series engines.
Maybe, maybe not...they've sure a nice shop way outside WB off H in the country.

Turns out GM got into the extended service contract business for GM cars/trucks. IIRC any GM vehicle w/ <120K and/or <10 y/o qualifies.
I guessed about $3K for head job, more using AHP/WCC etc.
GMEPP coverage OTOH cost <$3K,good up to 80K 'til '19.

Since I'm stock and intend staying so a GMEPP made financial sense, for me. Next time though, it's a rebuild and WBD is the closest, they'll probably get the job. No real choice, here.

In Milwaukee there have to be several solid shops to choose from, and w/o going to Chicago. Just guessing, though.

IF going to any Chitown shop, perform your due diligence.
FWIW...last week or so a member living in Chicago area posted a horrendous experience w/ an allegedly well known/respected shop.
His gripe was he ordered specific parts be used on his build, paid for it and now there's [ample] evidence shop used junk.
Not saying it was SI, just the shop in question's a well known builder in Chicago. Betting guy's post was deleted, unfortunately.

$1,300 for any heads sound pretty cheap, must be doing labor yourself.
Whatever you do w/ heads, just make sure it's done right first time. This is not the place to be penny-wise and dollar foolish.

Many members have done H/C/I upgrades to their LS7s since shortly after '06 when they came out.
I'm perfectly happy w/ my LS7's performance as-is, hate the idea of MPG taking a hit anyway.

milosav2

Would you mind sending me a personal message of the shop name? By the way, I am in Milwaukee.

Landru

Sorry, can't...I believe the post was deleted.
There was MUCH speculation based on the invoice OP posted, several members claimed they'd recognized the form. Would not want to slime any outfit based on speculation, but, the name you cited *sounds* familiar.

Milwaukee?
I recall several shops when I was researching, they're there.
I just didn't want to take my car all the way into the city.
Now CF has regional forums, try posting your questions there, might get lucky & catch a couple referrals. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/great-lakes-43/
G/L, post whatever place you land on.

KM177122

LSx motors make a lot of noise. Sounds normal.