Valvetrain Noise! Does it ever go away?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
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From: NJ..."the way I saw it, everyone takes a beating sometimes."
Valvetrain Noise! Does it ever go away?
When I first drove my '07 I noticed the valvetrain noise right away. Quite annoying but you got somewhat used to it and over time it seemed as if it started to go away. Last week I had a set of Kooks headers and a cam installed. All the necessary valvetrain upgrades were installed along with new springs. Now it seems the valvetrain noise is even louder than before. Is this because of the new springs? Will it eventually get better as well? Do the headers make the sound more pronounced? To be honest with you it's pretty aggrevating. I have Borla Stingers, Kooks headers, and a cam and the noise from the engine actually overpowers all of them at times. It takes away from the enjoyment of driving the car. I absolutely love the way the car drives and sounds most of the time, but the annoying valvetrain noises and chattering are very disappointing. Any thoughts fellas?
Thanks
Thanks
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 1
From: NJ..."the way I saw it, everyone takes a beating sometimes."
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
When I first drove my '07 I noticed the valvetrain noise right away. Quite annoying but you got somewhat used to it and over time it seemed as if it started to go away. Last week I had a set of Kooks headers and a cam installed. All the necessary valvetrain upgrades were installed along with new springs. Now it seems the valvetrain noise is even louder than before. Is this because of the new springs? Will it eventually get better as well? Do the headers make the sound more pronounced? To be honest with you it's pretty aggrevating. I have Borla Stingers, Kooks headers, and a cam and the noise from the engine actually overpowers all of them at times. It takes away from the enjoyment of driving the car. I absolutely love the way the car drives and sounds most of the time, but the annoying valvetrain noises and chattering are very disappointing. Any thoughts fellas?
Thanks
Thanks
I still have it, but to a considerably lesser degree than I did in the C5. You actually have to listen hard for it now, but indeed you can hear the exhaust pulses through those tubes and that X pipe. But then my C5 was an automatic, and pulling hills in that car, well, the valvetrain noise was very annoying.
Being eble to downshift with the manual in the C6, I think makes the drivetrain noise a lot less pronounced now than it did with the automatic.
Since you also did a cam I don't doubt at all that your valvetrain noise has increased. Especially with the thinner walled stainless steel headers.
Are your headers coated by the way???
Last edited by '06 Quicksilver Z06; Apr 1, 2007 at 06:01 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 1
From: NJ..."the way I saw it, everyone takes a beating sometimes."
Originally Posted by DSOM Z51
I agree that it is normal. When I had my C5, it had KOOKS on it and the increase in valvetrain noise and exhaust pulses took a lot of getting used to. It was a prime reason why I was hesitant to go with the LG Pro long tube headers on my C6.
I still have it, but to a considerably lesser degree than I did in the C5. You actually have to listen hard for it now, but indeed you can hear the exhaust pulses through those tubes and that X pipe. But then my C5 was an automatic, and pulling hills in that car, well, the valvetrain noise was very annoying.
Being eble to downshift with the manual in the C6, I think makes the drivetrain noise a lot less pronounced now than it did with the automatic.
Since you also did a cam I don't doubt at all that your valvetrain noise has increased. Especially with the thinner walled stainless steel headers.
Are your headers coated by the way???
I still have it, but to a considerably lesser degree than I did in the C5. You actually have to listen hard for it now, but indeed you can hear the exhaust pulses through those tubes and that X pipe. But then my C5 was an automatic, and pulling hills in that car, well, the valvetrain noise was very annoying.
Being eble to downshift with the manual in the C6, I think makes the drivetrain noise a lot less pronounced now than it did with the automatic.
Since you also did a cam I don't doubt at all that your valvetrain noise has increased. Especially with the thinner walled stainless steel headers.
Are your headers coated by the way???
Well I'm noly 27 so I think I have some time. I'm actually thinking of keeping some earplugs in the car for when it starts to really get annoying.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,690
Likes: 1
From: Northern Calif
been thinking of a cam but I have installed headers recently see post "just installed headers big question" not sure on the exact wording. I also hear the valve train and pulses since my car is an auto it can be very bothersome. I was just think that if I increase lift and spring pressures it could only make it worse. Therefore, I was also thinking of roller rockers too. Did you use them also?
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 1
From: NJ..."the way I saw it, everyone takes a beating sometimes."
been thinking of a cam but I have installed headers recently see post "just installed headers big question" not sure on the exact wording. I also hear the valve train and pulses since my car is an auto it can be very bothersome. I was just think that if I increase lift and spring pressures it could only make it worse. Therefore, I was also thinking of roller rockers too. Did you use them also?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,231
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From: Brownsville Tx
Nope, mine is manual as well, cam heads, headers, etc. I know what you mean, it does get annoying sometimes. Several thousand miles on mine and it still does it just as loud as ever, you will just have to live with it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 926
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been thinking of a cam but I have installed headers recently see post "just installed headers big question" not sure on the exact wording. I also hear the valve train and pulses since my car is an auto it can be very bothersome. I was just think that if I increase lift and spring pressures it could only make it worse. Therefore, I was also thinking of roller rockers too. Did you use them also?
I agree about the valve train noise, especially with headers and I am considering roller rockers myself. My tuner OCC recommends Pro Magnum they are chromemoly, and he said he has never seen a set fail, and they should quiet down the motor a little. Still doing my research though.
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From: Colorado Springs, CO
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