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Engine sounds, what's normal?

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Old Aug 6, 2019 | 10:26 AM
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Default Engine sounds, what's normal?

Hi Everyone - New to C7 GS. Understand it's hard to explain fully a sound via this outlet but just getting a general idea of what's normal.

I'm hearing a tapping and sort of air pulsing sound from the engine area. Assume tapping/clicking is lifters or valves?

The air pulsing sound is similar to an exhaust leak. I haven't been under the car to verify this but maybe it's just a normal sound?

I can hear the tapping more at slow speeds with radio off. Not that it doesn't exist at higher speeds but the exhaust overcomes it. Of course, when I go down an alley the sounds are amplified.

I assume it's all normal, just want to check.
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Old Aug 6, 2019 | 11:29 AM
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The ticking you hear are the injectors - common for a DI (Direct Injection) motor.

When do you hear the "air pulsing" sound?
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Old Aug 6, 2019 | 11:40 AM
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Originally Posted by KenHorse
When do you hear the "air pulsing" sound?
I can't hear this one unless I'm in an alley or next to a wall at low speeds. The sound needs to reflect off something otherwise it's quiet. Low speeds because there's absence of other sounds like wind or exhaust.
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Old Aug 6, 2019 | 11:54 AM
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I mean, do you hear it idling? When you press the accelerator? When you let up on the accelerator?

Etc etc...
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Old Aug 6, 2019 | 12:07 PM
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Originally Posted by KenHorse
I mean, do you hear it idling? When you press the accelerator? When you let up on the accelerator?

Etc etc...
Without doing more testing I've noticed it rolling along at low speeds through the neighborhood. I just went out to the garage, started it and put my ear around the car and am not hearing it at the moment. I'll pay attention to it more next time.
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Old Aug 6, 2019 | 12:48 PM
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Originally Posted by wings19
Without doing more testing I've noticed it rolling along at low speeds through the neighborhood. I just went out to the garage, started it and put my ear around the car and am not hearing it at the moment. I'll pay attention to it more next time.
In a stock LT1, it is "normal" for there to be a "woosh" sound if you punch the throttle at idle fairly hard
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Old Aug 6, 2019 | 12:55 PM
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It's not the whoosh. It occurs at a frequency similar to the ticking not related to pedal input. I just can't confirm whether it's more pronounced at high throttle or not due to other noise.
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Old Aug 6, 2019 | 01:26 PM
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A ticking sound typically more towards driver's side rear of engine bank is normal. You probably need to record the other sound to get more precise info. These engines are noisy.
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Old Aug 6, 2019 | 01:50 PM
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Is this a new or used car, please? If new, I suspect you are hyper-sensitive to everything at this point. If new, DRIVE it and see what "falls off" (no, of course, just joking). But, seriously, I suspect you are over-reacting and will soon adapt to your new Vette... if you let yourself.

If used??? Who knows about the air sound, aftermarket intake... or? Relax and ENJOY!
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Old Jun 16, 2024 | 10:01 AM
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Originally Posted by wings19
I can't hear this one unless I'm in an alley or next to a wall at low speeds. The sound needs to reflect off something otherwise it's quiet. Low speeds because there's absence of other sounds like wind or exhaust.
I know this is forever old, but Im hearing the same thing on mine. Did you ever determine if this was just normal?
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Old Jun 16, 2024 | 10:21 AM
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I never really determined the cause of the noises I described above... I've since sold the car but I drove it often and put on a lot of track miles. Never had any issues so I'm sure they were normal or benign enough to not matter.
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Old Jun 16, 2024 | 10:41 AM
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Originally Posted by wings19
I never really determined the cause of the noises I described above... I've since sold the car but I drove it often and put on a lot of track miles. Never had any issues so I'm sure they were normal or benign enough to not matter.
Appreciate it! I only hear it echoing off stuff, cant hear it inside the car, or if im just on open road. Same exact as you. I just find it annoying, glad to hear there were no problems though!

Thanks for the reply, have a good one!
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