OK I am on the strait at 5K RPM in 4th in WOT and then I hear a "bang" as if someone hit my engine with a sledge hammer. It shut down immediately but after stopping would turn over with no spark or "unusual" noises. A mechanic at the track that used to have his own LT1 says I don't have compression on, at least, one of the cylinders. He determined this from listening to me turn over the engine. No oil or coolant leakage but then again, it died immediately after the bang.

My question is: What do I do to easily determine what the problem is before I do a complete teardown?

It got suggested ring damage to header gasket blown. They say the bang could have been a backfire. I don't want to bias you from any opinions however.

Ben

 

Is it possible that you kerspolded the optispark? I have heard of rotors shredding inside the cap. It hasn't happened to me - knock on wood.......
Have you scanned it to see if you are getting any codes?

 

I was thinking a shattared ignition rotor also.

Pull the cap off and check the rotor.

 

No codes. I checked on Datamaster.

You have me thinking now and I need to check to make sure I am getting spark...obviously I am not even without electrically checking. If it were problems with the internals of the engine, I assume I would still be able to fire up. Any suggestions on how to test the ignition coil? It is aftermarket and wondered if it can give out.

One caveate to the above however is when I floated a valve a few years ago and hit my piston undoing the pushrod from the rocker. The car just stopped but no "bang". It also would turn over with no spark. Because of the improvements I have made and only 5K RPM, I doubt it is a valve again.

Ben

 

why dont u do a compression check if u still have spark, then you know its more of an internal problem

 

Give another one to the Opti-crap!

Took it apart and the thing was a goner!

Thanks all for giving me the idea to make sure it is electrical before I dug into my engine.

 

good now you have a reason to upgrade to a MSD billet opti

 

definately do a leakdown.