[Z06] ZO6 Engine noise
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 36
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ZO6 Engine noise
I have just bought a 2003 ZO6 2800 miles.It has a little bit of tapping noise at startup,and after it is warm it still seems to have a little bit of noise--- is this normal?? Sitting at a red light you can feel a slight rocking of the motor it seems like?
Also the replacement Michelin tires, what's their name and are they noticably quiter yet still handle good?
Also the replacement Michelin tires, what's their name and are they noticably quiter yet still handle good?
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 640
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From: Orange County CA
As far as the tapping noise and engine rocking (without actually hearing it first hand) sounds like it could be normal. The valve train in the LS6 makes some noise and the stock cam has a slight lope when idling (that's why they call it the LS6 cam and that's how GM got it to 405hp 
).
The LS6 has been known to break valve springs (on rare occaisions). I presume you have fresh oil in it, check the level (they take 6 1/2 quarts) and you may want to add 1/2 quart (taking it to 7 quarts) as if you were tracking the car. With that said, it's normal to hear a little noise from the valve train even when its warm and even under hard acceleration.
Don't know anything first hand about the Michelin tires but I can tell you the Nitto Extreme 555 RII's are great dry weather tires compared to the OEM GY F1s. If you don't have a partition you may want to consider one, it really helps quiet the road noise that resonates from the trunk.
Congrats on your new car
Did you get it for MSRP? (just kidding
).The LS6 has been known to break valve springs (on rare occaisions). I presume you have fresh oil in it, check the level (they take 6 1/2 quarts) and you may want to add 1/2 quart (taking it to 7 quarts) as if you were tracking the car. With that said, it's normal to hear a little noise from the valve train even when its warm and even under hard acceleration.
Don't know anything first hand about the Michelin tires but I can tell you the Nitto Extreme 555 RII's are great dry weather tires compared to the OEM GY F1s. If you don't have a partition you may want to consider one, it really helps quiet the road noise that resonates from the trunk.
Congrats on your new car
Did you get it for MSRP? (just kidding
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 4,847
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From: Bartlett, IL
Cruise-In XI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Normal noises you are hearing, keep in mind the Z06 has less in the way of sound damping to save weight so you tend to hear every little noise from the driveline. Also as mentioned above the LS6 has a more aggresive camshaft so it will give the symptoms of one, slight lope/shake at idle
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
Likes: 7
From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
It's all normal... most people are used to sedans. As mentioned this car has very little sound deadening insulation and a rather agressive cam for a factory offering.
Thus, you get a motor that sounds like sewing machine... adding long tube headers just makes this more pronounced.
If it truly bugs you find some other Z06 owners around you and listen/look at their cars. It is possible you could have a noisly lifter or an exhaust leak, but that would only present itself under load.
I'm 99% sure that your issues are normal because posts like this are quite frequent. The slight rocking/shake at idle is completely normal. Many here put an agressive aftermarket camshaft in to enhance that rock (cam lop) and add power.
Thus, you get a motor that sounds like sewing machine... adding long tube headers just makes this more pronounced.
If it truly bugs you find some other Z06 owners around you and listen/look at their cars. It is possible you could have a noisly lifter or an exhaust leak, but that would only present itself under load.
I'm 99% sure that your issues are normal because posts like this are quite frequent. The slight rocking/shake at idle is completely normal. Many here put an agressive aftermarket camshaft in to enhance that rock (cam lop) and add power.
Former Law Dawg Moderator
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 29,434
Likes: 96
From: Eads, Tennessee
CF St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '24
Originally Posted by MVR 155
Normal noises you are hearing, keep in mind the Z06 has less in the way of sound damping to save weight so you tend to hear every little noise from the driveline. Also as mentioned above the LS6 has a more aggresive camshaft so it will give the symptoms of one, slight lope/shake at idle
Advanced
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 66
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From: Monaca Pennsylvania
Engine noise when cold
I am not sure, but I think that most of the GM (Chevy) motors have some piston slap that you hear when cold. They were supposed to have corrected it several years ago when the LS1's first came out. Lots of guys with the trucks complained, especially the 6.0 motors.
My 04 Z06 has a slight bit of piston slap when it is cold (I have worked on cars my entire life and I listen to every noise or vibration - especially when I am flying behind my old Continental.) It goes away when the engine is warm.
As far as the slight rock at idle, I am sure that all do it. All you need is to set behind the wheel of one of the big block 427's with the mechanical lifter cam and you will feel what a rough idle is!!
Just enjoy the ride - it is a blast. Love my car.
My 04 Z06 has a slight bit of piston slap when it is cold (I have worked on cars my entire life and I listen to every noise or vibration - especially when I am flying behind my old Continental.) It goes away when the engine is warm.
As far as the slight rock at idle, I am sure that all do it. All you need is to set behind the wheel of one of the big block 427's with the mechanical lifter cam and you will feel what a rough idle is!!
Just enjoy the ride - it is a blast. Love my car.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Tallahassee FL.
Originally Posted by Cobra4B
adding long tube headers just makes this more pronounced.
I too can attest to to this. I just bought an 03 and put long tubes on. I can hear and feel it more than ever.
Last edited by Zo-Sic; Oct 4, 2006 at 05:55 PM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,205
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From: Jupiter FL
Originally Posted by briann510
My 03 does the same thing, seems to be normal.
My '03 Z does the same thing, and same for the "lope" at idle. Chill out and enjoy the car. But nothing wrong with doing a little routine maintenance on the car, changing oil, etc., especially if you don't have documentation as to when it was last done.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Hi BLW -
Normal -
I would add that the fuel injectors can be heard ticking on my Z sometimes, and since the block is aluminum, I feel that the block transmits more mechanical noise than would a cast iron block.
The shaking at idle - I have likened it to the car being hit with a strong side-wind while sitting still - it rocks the car slightly.
I kinda like that and the slightly cammy exhaust sound of an idling LS6.
Good advice above from Cobra - listen to other Z's in your area to determine if your car is making an abnormal noise.
best regards -
mqqn
Normal -
I would add that the fuel injectors can be heard ticking on my Z sometimes, and since the block is aluminum, I feel that the block transmits more mechanical noise than would a cast iron block.
The shaking at idle - I have likened it to the car being hit with a strong side-wind while sitting still - it rocks the car slightly.
I kinda like that and the slightly cammy exhaust sound of an idling LS6.
Good advice above from Cobra - listen to other Z's in your area to determine if your car is making an abnormal noise.
best regards -
mqqn
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,748
Likes: 250
From: NJ
I also love the lope. If this car wasn't so much fun the lope would rock me to sleep. But when I am sitting at a light, the anticipation of blowing away from anyone there gets my adreline pumping so I couldn't possibly fall asleep. The Michelin Pilot sport 2s are a great replacement for the Goodyears. They are not nearly as noisy and they handle much better in the wet.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,529
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From: Rehoboth MA
Congratulations on the purchase of your Z06.
The LS6 is a little more beefier in the camshaft department than the LS1. The fuel injectors ticking a little bit at idle is not out of the norm. Also your glass is thinner and there's is alot less sound insulation in your car than a coupe. (sound insulation is just dead-weight anyways) This amplifies that effect. It also normal to hear noises from the drive line, you will hear parts working when you're shifting gears..It is absolutely 100% normal to hear the clicks and clatters of the powertrain. The volume control on the radio remedies the scituation. It also normal to have a little bit of engine heat come up from the floorboards (most noticeable on hot days) and it is not unusual for the center console to be quite warm inside after a long drive. The marbles in a can noise you hear when you shut the engine off is normal, BUT if you shut it down with your foot on the clutch, it won't do it. I've been in a few of these cars,and they all made the same noises.
Remember, it is a race car that makes a good street car.
Good luck with the new ride. Trust me, it doesn't get old.
The LS6 is a little more beefier in the camshaft department than the LS1. The fuel injectors ticking a little bit at idle is not out of the norm. Also your glass is thinner and there's is alot less sound insulation in your car than a coupe. (sound insulation is just dead-weight anyways) This amplifies that effect. It also normal to hear noises from the drive line, you will hear parts working when you're shifting gears..It is absolutely 100% normal to hear the clicks and clatters of the powertrain. The volume control on the radio remedies the scituation. It also normal to have a little bit of engine heat come up from the floorboards (most noticeable on hot days) and it is not unusual for the center console to be quite warm inside after a long drive. The marbles in a can noise you hear when you shut the engine off is normal, BUT if you shut it down with your foot on the clutch, it won't do it. I've been in a few of these cars,and they all made the same noises.
Remember, it is a race car that makes a good street car.
Good luck with the new ride. Trust me, it doesn't get old.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Another reason you hear more noise is because the cowl extends over the top of the engine which allows more engine noise to be transmitted into the cabin. The lope just enhances the aura of the car, reminding you that you're driving a hot rod. It also tells others you are driving a bad *** car. The Z06 even has more shake than the motor in my street rod.
As for tires, Michelin PS2's are a great improvement over the stock tires in every category you can think of. I'm even getting great wear out of them, which is a surprise to me, considering how well they stick.
As for tires, Michelin PS2's are a great improvement over the stock tires in every category you can think of. I'm even getting great wear out of them, which is a surprise to me, considering how well they stick.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,824
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From: Middleboro Massachusetts
Originally Posted by Flybob
I am not sure, but I think that most of the GM (Chevy) motors have some piston slap that you hear when cold.
Most of the noises will go away as the oil pressure builds anyway.
