Just purchased on 01z and I just noticed a ticking noise when in gear. If I'm in neutral I don't hear it, but when I put it into first I notice it. I thought maybe it was a rattle because of the exhaust, but I figured I would hear it when idling. Any ideas? Here is the engine build that was done:



2001 z06 corvette 61000 miles on it had a fresh motor at 40 ish Block honed
new GM pistons/rings & rod bearings
PRC 5.3 stage 2.5 heads
PRC 228r cam
PRC hardened pushrods
PRC dual valve springs
36lb Bosch fuel injectors (46000 miles) it was retuned after the injector install by Texas Speed.
LS2 timing chain
Centerforce Dual Friction clutch
GM Master cylinder (not needed, just did while they were in there)
GM Slave Cylinder (same as above)
CCA oil catch can
Tick performance remote clutch bleeder
Dynatech powercats
Vette Doctors dyno tuned 426rwhp/408rwtq (DD dyno)
Dynatech stainless LT headers & x-pipe w/hi-flow cats
Borla quad-tip Stingers
Vararam 2B CAI
CCW SP500 Wheels 19x10 Front, 19x11 Rearshorty antenna
ZO6 Partition
ZO6 trunk liner
Just tinted the windows
RSD Snap Shifter (46000 miles)
New NGK plugs (46000 miles)
GM hot wires (46000 miles)
C6 Shift ****
AC Delco drilled and slotted rotors and AC Delco DuraStop pads on at (46000 miles)
Tinted tail lights
Lowered on stock bolts
Optima Red Top battery
Switched fluid in the differential to Amsoil severe gear 75w-90 with slip lock limited additive. (46,400 miles)


Switched fluid in the transmission to Amsoil torque-drive. (46,400 miles)

 

It could just be normal valvetrain noise. What range of engine RPM is it most noticeable? Is it a rhythmic ticking that varies with RPM? You only mention 1st gear, but is it also present in other gears?

 

Present all gears and goes up with revs. I read it could the cam combined with the long tubes.

 

Yeah, that's most likely what it is - mine ticks noticeably, too. Aftermarket cams have higher ramp rates than oem (1), so they require stiffer valve springs (2), and also steel exhaust manifolds transmit more sound than cast iron (3). So we've got three factors working against us in the valvetrain noise department. Some people with stock engines even complain about the "sewing machine" sound.

If your oil level and oil pressure are OK, and the engine feels strong, then you probably don't have anything to worry about. It couldn't hurt to find a local LS-engine guru to take a quick listen, though.

 

Runs like a beast. Oil pressure sitting a little above 40 psi when idling. I didn't think I had anything to worry about, but I figured I'd ask. Already thrown a evap code, so I'm kinda on the edge.