C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

I killed an LT4

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Old Jan 10, 2002 | 11:21 PM
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Default I killed an LT4

While driving on Saturday night, just after two shifts a little below rev limit, the SES light start flashing. A couple seconds later there was a clanging noise, like a hammer on anvil. On Monday I took it to Austin Corvette. They said chunks of metal fell out when they removed the oil pan. The #6 bearing distintegrated. I have the stock rev limit, which I did not even hit. It was full of oil and the oil pressure gauge read normal. Only mods were headers, exhaust and K&N. I am the second owner. It had 39,000 miles.

On the bright side, I might never have chosen to build a stroker motor, but now it's the rational thing to do. I am going to a solid roller 396, built by Speed Demon Motorsports.


[Modified by Charles Klein, 9:22 PM 1/10/2002]
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Old Jan 10, 2002 | 11:27 PM
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Default Re: I killed an LT4 (Charles Klein)

sorry to hear it, but worthy of an atta boy on your future improvements!
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Old Jan 10, 2002 | 11:28 PM
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Default Re: I killed an LT4 (AS84)

I don't know whether to :sad: or :D for you. :crazy:
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Old Jan 10, 2002 | 11:29 PM
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Default Re: I killed an LT4 (scorp508)

I am trying to focus on the good part now. I can tell you that hearing that clanging noise was one of the most sickening experiences I have ever had.
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Old Jan 10, 2002 | 11:32 PM
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Default Re: I killed an LT4 (Charles Klein)

I've heard that thumping/clanging...once or twice....luckily not in the vette...but you never know.....as in your case.
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Old Jan 10, 2002 | 11:54 PM
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Default Re: I killed an LT4 (Charles Klein)

:U :U :U :cry :cry :cry
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Old Jan 11, 2002 | 12:02 AM
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Default Re: I killed an LT4 (Charles Klein)

That really sucks after only 39,000 miles. :(
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Old Jan 11, 2002 | 12:03 AM
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Default Re: I killed an LT4 (Charles Klein)

Any chance the previous owner had nitrous?
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Old Jan 11, 2002 | 12:08 AM
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Default Re: I killed an LT4 (Hammer)

Hammer,

There is no evidence of a nitrous setup that I have seen, but of course it would natural to remove any such evidence before he sold it to the car dealer.

Incidentally, does your car have the original bottom end?


[Modified by Charles Klein, 10:32 PM 1/10/2002]
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Old Jan 11, 2002 | 12:11 AM
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Default Re: I killed an LT4 (Charles Klein)

I would check for drill marks in the hatch area... the tanks had to be stored somewhere!
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Old Jan 11, 2002 | 12:19 AM
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Default Re: I killed an LT4 (bogus)

It had to be NITROUS! There is no other logical reason that the BEARING went out with such low miles. Give me a break.. Maybe it was supercharged? Maybe the last owner didn't change the oil filter or oil. Why oh why is nitrous the assumed culprit?
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Old Jan 11, 2002 | 12:23 AM
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Default Re: I killed an LT4 (ANTI VENOM)

It had to be NITROUS! There is no other logical reason that the BEARING went out with such low miles. Give me a break.. Maybe it was supercharged? Maybe the last owner didn't change the oil filter or oil. Why oh why is nitrous the assumed culprit?
I don't think it is the Nitrous that is blamed, per sa, but the moron's that don't know how to use the stuff, or, worse yet, use it all the time...
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Old Jan 11, 2002 | 12:38 AM
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Default Re: I killed an LT4 (bogus)

I'm not trying to flame anyone, I just think that there are too many people that are quick to blame nitrous for any problem. Nitrous has a bad enough rap as it is.
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Old Jan 11, 2002 | 12:43 AM
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Default Re: I killed an LT4 (ANTI VENOM)

It had to be NITROUS! There is no other logical reason that the BEARING went out with such low miles. Give me a break.. Maybe it was supercharged? Maybe the last owner didn't change the oil filter or oil. Why oh why is nitrous the assumed culprit?
Nitrous was brought up because a low mileage LT4 (very strong motor) was just killed. Nitrous would certainly make sense, it can be easily over used (200 shot) and than removed.

I'm not attacking nitrous (look in my sig) but it certainly would add some sense to this.

Charles, I am still on the stock bottom end. I am thinking very hard about a 396 when/if it goes.
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Old Jan 11, 2002 | 12:59 AM
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Default Re: I killed an LT4 (Hammer)

1K SPORT spun a bearing in his Grand Sport this year.It had like 38K and never any N20!! Maybe it's a LT4 thing?!?! :confused:
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Old Jan 11, 2002 | 01:08 AM
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Default Re: I killed an LT4 (jackyl)

jackyl,

Do you know if his situation was like mine -- no apparent explanation?
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Old Jan 11, 2002 | 01:17 AM
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Default Re: I killed an LT4 (Charles Klein)

Yup, sounds just the same!! here's Randy's email, maybe he can help ya out!! grandsport267@msn.com
He was driving along then outta no where it was like someone beat the hell outta the motor w/ a ball bat. Warranty bought him a whole new engine!! :yesnod: And he bought the old one back for like core of $400 or something. Hope this helps, sorry about your car!!
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Old Jan 11, 2002 | 01:27 AM
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Default Re: I killed an LT4 (Charles Klein)

The engine will be out tomorrow. I will look over it with my machinist and see if we can find exactly what the problem was. Really no reason for it. I wonder if your car was built on a Friday???

Anyway, just wait until you get it back. I will guarantee a smile from ear to ear! :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod:
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Old Jan 11, 2002 | 02:01 AM
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Default Re: I killed an LT4 (Chris@SpeedDemon)

Sorry about your luck :( Been there, done that. Good choice on the solid roller 396 and Speed Demon Motorsports.
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Old Jan 11, 2002 | 02:33 AM
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Default Re: I killed an LT4 (Thumper)

DEAR GOD!!! I have the same symptoms as you that just started happening a few days ago. There is a pinging noise coming from the engine and is consistent with the RPM's. The check engine light came on for a few days, but is now off. I took the valve cover off last night and it is coming from the #6 rocker arm, or some part from that cylinder. I know that GM had a recall on early LT4 rocker arms back in 1996. Hopefully that's all it is.
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