[Z06] LS7 bit the dust on the track the other day
04-11-2018, 07:13 PM
#1
LS7 bit the dust on the track the other day
I was accelerating in third gear approaching redline when I heard a sound that sounded like driving over gravel coming from the front of the car followed by lots of smoke from coolant.
The thing that is bothering me is this:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...tle-noise.html
I had been hearing that noise for several months. I checked the cats, I checked all around the wheel well where I heard the noise coming from, I checked the mufflers and the xpipe. Everything was totally fine, so now I am thinking that thise noise was actually an early warning from my valves/engine that was about to go.
Has anybody experienced a noise like that prior to their engine grenading?
The thing that is bothering me is this:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...tle-noise.html
I had been hearing that noise for several months. I checked the cats, I checked all around the wheel well where I heard the noise coming from, I checked the mufflers and the xpipe. Everything was totally fine, so now I am thinking that thise noise was actually an early warning from my valves/engine that was about to go.
Has anybody experienced a noise like that prior to their engine grenading?
Last edited by freaknbigpanda; 01-12-2020 at 09:43 PM.
04-11-2018, 07:18 PM
#2
Race Director
Member Since: Mar 2006
Location: Everywhere and Nowhere at all
Posts: 15,357
Received 1,679 Likes
on
1,135 Posts
Bro....
04-11-2018, 07:30 PM
#4
Supporting Vendor
Ya sorry to say it but that was definitely at least one valve dropping completely. I would venture to possibly say the pistons and combustion chambers are pretty chewed up as well.
04-11-2018, 07:31 PM
#5
I was accelerating in third gear approaching redline when I heard a sound that sounded like driving over gravel coming from the front of the car followed by lots of smoke from coolant.
The thing that is bothering me is this:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...tle-noise.html
I had been hearing that noise for several months. I checked the cats, I checked all around the wheel well where I heard the noise coming from, I checked the mufflers and the xpipe. Everything was totally fine, so now I am thinking that thise noise was actually an early warning from my valves/engine that was about to go.
Has anybody experienced a noise like that prior to their engine grenading?
Here is a video of the actual incident, is this the common valve problem with LS7s or is this something else?
https://www.facebook.com/FreaknBigPa...9870110263243/
The thing that is bothering me is this:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...tle-noise.html
I had been hearing that noise for several months. I checked the cats, I checked all around the wheel well where I heard the noise coming from, I checked the mufflers and the xpipe. Everything was totally fine, so now I am thinking that thise noise was actually an early warning from my valves/engine that was about to go.
Has anybody experienced a noise like that prior to their engine grenading?
Here is a video of the actual incident, is this the common valve problem with LS7s or is this something else?
https://www.facebook.com/FreaknBigPa...9870110263243/
Last edited by JesC6Z; 04-11-2018 at 07:35 PM.
04-11-2018, 08:13 PM
#7
that was hard to watch man. Was the engine stock? I’m assuming you weren’t aware of this issue or didn’t take it seriously? I feel for you bud it sucks losing such an expensive engine. Time to go 440ci or bigger. Like the man said above, nothing but great things from AHP. Their Moldstar guides are top notch from the information I’ve gathered and researched. Good luck
Ugh oh well. I'm going to save up and get another ls7 long block.
04-11-2018, 08:15 PM
#9
Pro
Yikes.. Sorry about your loss. 
That said, next time (hopefully never) pull off the track ASAP in case you vented the block. Oil and coolant on the track can be a catastrophe very quickly.
That said, next time (hopefully never) pull off the track ASAP in case you vented the block. Oil and coolant on the track can be a catastrophe very quickly.
04-11-2018, 08:20 PM
#10
Le Mans Master
Ouch. Hurts my heart to see another one go down. Genuinely feel for you bro. I only wish to comment on post grenading procedures if anyone in the community experiences the same unfortunate event...as soon as the engine lets go, PULL OVER ASAP! Obviously put it in neutral and coast as far as you must to get to a safe point on the track. But the fewer rotations the engine has to endure after a catastrophic event "usually" minimizes damage.
04-11-2018, 08:22 PM
#11
Team Owner
OP, sorry for your loss. In for details on what exactly failed...I hope it's something where the block is salvageable at least.
04-11-2018, 08:45 PM
#12
Yeah completely stock. I did take it seriously, I had the engine wiggle tested when I bought it and it was apparently in spec. I thought that since my engine was completely stock and since most people said that there was some early warning (sounds and whatnot) I could put it off until I heard something abnormal.. well I did hear something abnormal but I thought it was my exhaust Ugh oh well. I'm going to save up and get another ls7 long block.
Ugh oh well. I'm going to save up and get another ls7 long block.
04-11-2018, 10:21 PM
#14
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Jun 2005
Location: Rochester NY
Posts: 2,734
Received 1,678 Likes
on
878 Posts
2018 C6 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10, '17
Real sorry to see this. Did you notice if you lost oil pressure? There are any number of things that could have happened here. Drain the oil and pull the valve covers immediately and start looking for metal. I'm thinking that motor has to come out though.
04-12-2018, 12:24 AM
#15
I did loose oil pressure and there was oil leaking from my car when I towed it back home, I’m afraid the car is going to have to sit for awhile though - I don’t have the funds to fix it or a place to work on it right now. I’m going to spend the next while keeping my eyes open for long blocks on the forums hopefully I can get one cheap.
04-12-2018, 01:18 AM
#17
Burning Brakes
Aw f#(k ............. I feel for you ............ my last C6Z starved itself of oil, while setting my BEST LAP EVER of Mosport, and spun #3 & #4 main crank bearings. It was much quieter than your failure (mine never dropped a valve) ..... simply "low oil pressure" after the main bearings welded themselves to the crank. FWIW, I had the Aviaid oil pan baffle and oil reservoir inserts installed, but they can only do so much when the system is down over 2qts ...........
The fact that yours was leaking oil?? Good chance some shrapnel punched a hole somewhere ... ouch
.
At this point, my opinion is that for everyday "street driving", keeping a check of your valves (for excessive play) is probably fine, and the engine may run for miles and miles. But for track duty?? Nope. Too many failures. Maybe when they're brand new(ish), but that's it.
............. I feel for you ............ my last C6Z starved itself of oil, while setting my BEST LAP EVER of Mosport, and spun #3 & #4 main crank bearings. It was much quieter than your failure (mine never dropped a valve) ..... simply "low oil pressure" after the main bearings welded themselves to the crank. FWIW, I had the Aviaid oil pan baffle and oil reservoir inserts installed, but they can only do so much when the system is down over 2qts ...........The fact that yours was leaking oil?? Good chance some shrapnel punched a hole somewhere ... ouch
.At this point, my opinion is that for everyday "street driving", keeping a check of your valves (for excessive play) is probably fine, and the engine may run for miles and miles. But for track duty?? Nope. Too many failures. Maybe when they're brand new(ish), but that's it.
04-12-2018, 08:35 AM
#18
X2
I know it sucks to have happen but dont keep driving all over the track line. Very dangerous.
I know it sucks to have happen but dont keep driving all over the track line. Very dangerous.
04-12-2018, 09:59 AM
#19
Not to detract from the main thread here but do you mind briefly sharing what year your car was? As a fellow Mosport visitor, I'm wondering if it had the smaller dry sump or larger one.
And to the OP, thanks for sharing - that video/sound is tough to swallow but maybe it will help save someone else's engine by encouraging them to check/fix theirs. Best of luck with the rebuild, and put me down for a +1 on pull off track/off line as soon as safely possible - coolant and oil on the track can lead to an even bigger disaster in no time at all.
Aw f#(k ............. I feel for you ............ my last C6Z starved itself of oil, while setting my BEST LAP EVER of Mosport, and spun #3 & #4 main crank bearings. It was much quieter than your failure (mine never dropped a valve) ..... simply "low oil pressure" after the main bearings welded themselves to the crank. FWIW, I had the Aviaid oil pan baffle and oil reservoir inserts installed, but they can only do so much when the system is down over 2qts
............. I feel for you ............ my last C6Z starved itself of oil, while setting my BEST LAP EVER of Mosport, and spun #3 & #4 main crank bearings. It was much quieter than your failure (mine never dropped a valve) ..... simply "low oil pressure" after the main bearings welded themselves to the crank. FWIW, I had the Aviaid oil pan baffle and oil reservoir inserts installed, but they can only do so much when the system is down over 2qts
