Z06 ls7 engine ticking
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 10
Likes: 2
Z06 ls7 engine ticking
I need some help figuring out what’s going on, if there’s an issue or just something that’s normal with these cars. I just got my z06 in December of 22, since I picked it up there has always been a slight ticking. I brought the car to my local LS specialist who has built many ls cars and is all they do. While there I had the car on the dyno to check over the tune and he did a test drive and said everything was good. I have put about 3500 miles on the car in total sitting at 40500 miles. Oil change 3k miles ago. This is my fist LS platform so I do not know anything about them.
The car has BTR stage 3 cam and Frankenstein heads. Unsure of valves or lifters. The car has a ticking noise seems to come from the driver side front. It can be heard faintly at idle and then clearly at under 3k RPM but still heard just harder to hear at high rpm’s. I have some videos I’m going to attach where you can hear the noise, must listen closely though. Sounds like metal clanking or like a rock rolling around but it happens all the time and drives me crazy plus makes me worried as this is my daily driver. Only about 6 miles a day to and from work.
The car has BTR stage 3 cam and Frankenstein heads. Unsure of valves or lifters. The car has a ticking noise seems to come from the driver side front. It can be heard faintly at idle and then clearly at under 3k RPM but still heard just harder to hear at high rpm’s. I have some videos I’m going to attach where you can hear the noise, must listen closely though. Sounds like metal clanking or like a rock rolling around but it happens all the time and drives me crazy plus makes me worried as this is my daily driver. Only about 6 miles a day to and from work.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 10
Likes: 2
Can only put videos of about 6 seconds will try to get other ones on here too.
I’ve uploaded the other videos to a cloud site. This link will take you to those videos. I know the oil wasn’t fully up to temp in all the videos but the issue happens even at full temp so doesn’t matter. https://files.fm/u/zafa7dgqb
I’ve uploaded the other videos to a cloud site. This link will take you to those videos. I know the oil wasn’t fully up to temp in all the videos but the issue happens even at full temp so doesn’t matter. https://files.fm/u/zafa7dgqb
Last edited by leakyodocs; May 18, 2023 at 05:31 PM.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 389
Likes: 76
From: Chicago
Can only put videos of about 6 seconds will try to get other ones on here too.
I’ve uploaded the other videos to a cloud site. This link will take you to those videos. I know the oil wasn’t fully up to temp in all the videos but the issue happens even at full temp so doesn’t matter. https://files.fm/u/zafa7dgqb
I’ve uploaded the other videos to a cloud site. This link will take you to those videos. I know the oil wasn’t fully up to temp in all the videos but the issue happens even at full temp so doesn’t matter. https://files.fm/u/zafa7dgqb
Or it might be as easy as a bad rocker arm. Sooner u look at the rockers sooner u can save ur engine.
Last edited by 666lisa; May 18, 2023 at 08:49 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 4,667
Likes: 1,849
From: Erlanger, Kentucky
Yeah, that is pretty loud.
But check your exhaust manifold gaskets and bolts. What sounds like a loud tapping lifter can often times be an exhaust leak. Simple to replace the exhaust gaskets and/or re-torque the exhaust manifold bolts.
If the sound is still there after that, then its time to check rocker arms and springs.
But check your exhaust manifold gaskets and bolts. What sounds like a loud tapping lifter can often times be an exhaust leak. Simple to replace the exhaust gaskets and/or re-torque the exhaust manifold bolts.
If the sound is still there after that, then its time to check rocker arms and springs.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 10
Likes: 2
My ls7 mechanic quoted me $1625 to pull the heads and clean them and inspect everything and reassemble it all before the cost of any parts that may be needed. I bought a car that was already heads cam to avoid doing that now it’s looking like I need to have it done anyway
he said normally ticking would be lifters but could also be valve springs.
he said normally ticking would be lifters but could also be valve springs.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 520
Likes: 62
So, I watched and listened to your videos and for
me, that is concerning.
I would put it on a lift and have the exhaust checked real close, for a leak somewhere.
One of my cars just developed a crack in the weld of the aftermarket H-pipe which gave me a weird noise similar to yours.
me, that is concerning.
I would put it on a lift and have the exhaust checked real close, for a leak somewhere.
One of my cars just developed a crack in the weld of the aftermarket H-pipe which gave me a weird noise similar to yours.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 10
Likes: 2
Video added to the link. Seems to come from the very front of my engine. Hard to hear but definitely picked up in the video. Taking it by my tuner to listen to it before going full blown engine work to look at the lifters and springs
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,185
Likes: 265
From: Virginia
Ouch… yea I definitely hear it. I hate to say it but that sounds like a lifter to me, and I hear some squealing too so if that’s what it is I hope it hasn’t taken the cam lobe out. Good luck man!
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 389
Likes: 76
From: Chicago
I would not start that engine again until its at the tuners shop. Time bomb right there. That's what i would do anyway. Cheaper to tow then lose an engine. Think about at least, good luck which ever way u go.