Hey guys i just put on Taylor over-the-valvecover wires and now i have some pretty nasty valvetrain noise. We thought it was an exhaust leak at first but it only does it when i first start it. After its warmed up it quiets down. I think it might have something to do with the OVC setup because it didnt do it before the wires and i have only dont the drivers side (havent gotten the passenger side wired up yet) and the noise is definatly coming from the drivers side. What could this be guys? It makes my car sound like a lemon and its kinda embarassing. My brother seems to think it could be my roller rockers what do you guys think? Pleese Help!

 

Maybe the wires are arcing?Thats the only thing I can think of happening.

 

Sounds like a bad coincidence.
The wires wont cause any noise like that. SOunds like rocker noise if you ask me,or could be "piston slap" if it is cold where you live.

 

Yeah i dont really see how it could be the wires either unless i didnt screw them down hard enough, but the headers are awsome. the sound with borla takes a little getting used to. Its alot more high pitched than with stock manifolds. At first i really didnt like it that much but yesterday i let a friend of mine drive the car while i was in another friends z and it sounds badass outside the car. Hearing it outside the car makes all the difference. Somepeople like it some dont but its growing on me now.

 

Piston Slap???!!??

 

if you ask one more effing exhuast question i'm going to kill you
you have long tubes and a borla. it will sound good!
it wont be too loud to drive around on the street.
you a have stock motor. you act like this is a top fuel dragster.

put it together, enjoy it. put cats on if you want to pass emissions,
end of story. I think you've asked me 1047239 times on aim and 29237 questions on the forum

 

So guys does anyone else have any other ideas to my valvetrain noise? Im not really sure what piston slap is but it doesnt sound fun to deal with. Anyhelp guys?

 

Piston slap is an LS1 thing.

Sounds like a loose rocker.

(I'm sure you're aware of the fact that after you install headers you can hear valves tick from inside the car.)

 

yeah i know headers magnify valvetrain noise but this noise is LOUD and quiets down once the car is warmed up. I dont think valves would do that. Its only on the drivers side as well. i dont know what to do Any suggestions? thanks for the replies guys

 

Wires arcing, sounds like the problem i had with a wire arcing to the block, and it was loud enough to sound like a valve ticking.

 

Well, i checked last night and no fireworks underhood so the wires arent arcing. I took it out on the freeway and got on it and it still pulls hard thru every gear, no hesitation or stumble. I asked a local mechanic what he thought and he said it was probably just the engine internals taking awhile to get lubed up with oil. This sounds like Bull**** to me. Any other ideas? so far i think the most probable explanation is a loose rocker, how do i fix this? Get some 1.6 RR?

 

You might be surprised how long it takes to get oil to the top end. Since you just did ignition I would also double check to make sure that all plugs are tight. If you have a cylinder that's not always getting spark, that may make a tapping noise as well. Make sure there is no arcing. The best thing to do is to track the sound down though. Use a mechanics stethascope and/or a piece of hose. If you think it is a valvetrain problem, remove the cover and start it up. Also keep in mind that the injectors tend to be rather noisy.

In short, the LT1 is a clickety engine Most of the tapping is not something to worry about but it is best to track it down if you *believe* it was not there before.

While the LS1 is more well known for it's piston slap, the LT1 is also known to experience this. It is not something to worry about.