2015 ZL1 knock? Conclusion @ 4/27/15 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

angryBits · 03-30-2015, 01:28 PM

Hey everyone, I'm new to Camaro5 and also a new first-time Camaro owner. Please forgive me if I'm asking a question that is common knowledge, I did try to use the search :/

I have a 100% stock 2015 ZL1 6spd MT which I bought new 2 weeks ago with only 25 miles on the Odometer.

The car consistently knocks while WOT from 2000rpm and maybe 33% of the time while WOT from 3000rpm. It occurs as soon as I see the boost gauge hit boost, it never knocks prior to boost. These aren't loud knocks and its not drivetrain noise and its not the supercharger clunking as far as I can tell. It's just a light tat tat tat that happens a few times when I'm WOT and then goes away. The car feels slightly down on power but not huge.

I've followed proper break-in procedure and now have 1600 miles on the car. The car has been knocking or at least what I believe is knocking since day 1. For the first 500 miles I assumed the dealer put crap gas in the car but by now I've definitely eliminated any of the original gas, I even tried octane booster since we only get 91 octane here in San Francisco. So then I thought maybe it just needed to do some knock learning and I should finish break-in and stay out of boost.

I decided to buy an Moroso Oil Catch Can and its on the way but I'm weary about touching the engine, I don't want anyone saying I voided my warranty.

If anyone has any insight to this, I'd love to get this awesome car running properly. Bear in mind I'm guessing this is a knock, it could be something else -- let me know if you have other ideas.

Thanks!

UPDATE @ 4/4/15: Dropped off at Fremont Chevrolet Post 77

UPDATE @ 4/7/15: GM Tech Round 1 Post 116

UPDATE @ 4/9/15: GM says, "Ignore what I said before" Post 168

UPDATE @ 4/10/15: GM says, "Knocking is normal". angryBits tries Race Gas! Post 216

UPDATE @ 4/13/15: KR @ 98 octane Post 248

UPDATE @ 4/27/15: HP Tuners Log File attached w/ KR Post 308

UPDATE @ 4/27/15: Conclusion & Juicy Data Post 310

Vick415 · 03-30-2015, 01:37 PM

This one will be a bit tough to diagnose over a forum. If at all possible try to upload a audio/video so people can hear and provide a more concise opinion. Or invest in a unit like Dashlogic so you will be able see real time readings from your ECU. I see you are in the Bay Area, you are welcome to use mine if you are near the HMB.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

angryBits · 03-30-2015, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vick415

This one will be a bit tough to diagnose over a forum. If at all possible try to upload a audio/video so people can hear and provide a more concise opinion. Or invest in a unit like Dashlogic so you will be able see real time readings from your ECU. I see you are in the Bay Area, you are welcome to use mine if you are near the HMB.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I'm actually in Pacifica, we're neighbors

Since you're get the same gas as I do, have you had any detonation issues?

Getting an audio/video clip would be tough, its not very loud -- my wife can't hear it and says I'm crazy but I know that "tat tat tat" my STI and Mazdaspeed 6 both made the same "tat tat tat" under boost until I got them properly tuned, but I don't want mess with this car until I trust it more. I saw someone on this forum blew a stock engine while just driving down the street -- I'd hate to pay for that myself.

boondocksaint · 03-30-2015, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angryBits

I'm actually in Pacifica, we're neighbors

Since you're get the same gas as I do, have you had any detonation issues?

Getting an audio/video clip would be tough, its not very loud -- my wife can't hear it and says I'm crazy but I know that "tat tat tat" my STI and Mazdaspeed 6 both made the same "tat tat tat" under boost until I got them properly tuned, but I don't want mess with this car until I trust it more. I saw someone on this forum blew a stock engine while just driving down the street -- I'd hate to pay for that myself.

You wouldn't. That's what the warranty is for.

Vick415 · 03-30-2015, 02:04 PM

I use several alarms setup within Dashlogic, detonation being one of them. So far no issues, however I am no longer on stock tune.

Heck you are few minutes from me feel free to PM

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

angryBits · 03-30-2015, 02:12 PM

Does Dashlogic require you to load software onto the car? I'm hoping to avoid that.

angryBits · 03-30-2015, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boondocksaint

You wouldn't. That's what the warranty is for.

That's why I'm trying to avoid touching the engine. I don't want anyone at GM to even think "voided warranty"

KaBoom1701 · 03-30-2015, 03:04 PM

Sounds like bad gas to me....

SF bay area is used to Prius not ZL1's. lol j/k

The DashLogic is a great plug and play device that allows you to monitor your engine vitals. No software or tune needed.

ss/rs/378 · 03-30-2015, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angryBits

Hey everyone, I'm new to Camaro5 and also a new first-time Camaro owner. Please forgive me if I'm asking a question that is common knowledge, I did try to use the search :/

I have a 100% stock 2015 ZL1 6spd MT which I bought new 2 weeks ago with only 25 miles on the Odometer.

The car consistently knocks while WOT from 2000rpm and maybe 33% of the time while WOT from 3000rpm. It occurs as soon as I see the boost gauge hit boost, it never knocks prior to boost. These aren't loud knocks and its not drivetrain noise and its not the supercharger clunking as far as I can tell. It's just a light tat tat tat that happens a few times when I'm WOT and then goes away. The car feels slightly down on power but not huge.

I've followed proper break-in procedure and now have 1600 miles on the car. The car has been knocking or at least what I believe is knocking since day 1. For the first 500 miles I assumed the dealer put crap gas in the car but by now I've definitely eliminated any of the original gas, I even tried octane booster since we only get 91 octane here in San Francisco. So then I thought maybe it just needed to do some knock learning and I should finish break-in and stay out of boost.

I decided to buy an Moroso Oil Catch Can and its on the way but I'm weary about touching the engine, I don't want anyone saying I voided my warranty.

If anyone has any insight to this, I'd love to get this awesome car running properly. Bear in mind I'm guessing this is a knock, it could be something else -- let me know if you have other ideas.

Thanks!

I maybe wrong but if it is a 2015 I would take it back to the dealer and let them check everything out if there is a problem it won't be your problem!!!

angryBits · 03-30-2015, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ss/rs/378

I maybe wrong but if it is a 2015 I would take it back to the dealer and let them check everything out if there is a problem it won't be your problem!!!

I completely agree. But I'm afraid they're going to hold onto it for a week and then just tell me "It's normal for these cars".

I'll take it to the dealer if I have to but I'd prefer to try and diagnose it myself if I can.

KaBoom1701 · 03-30-2015, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angryBits

I completely agree. But I'm afraid they're going to hold onto it for a week and then just tell me "It's normal for these cars".

I'll take it to the dealer if I have to but I'd prefer to try and diagnose it myself if I can.

Seems there are a few ZL1 C5 members that live in your area. I would be nice to them a arrange a meet up. Then you can test drive each others cars and make sure your not just hearing things.

Worth a shot.

angryBits · 03-30-2015, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaBoom1701

Seems there are a few ZL1 C5 members that live in your area. I would be nice to them a arrange a meet up. Then you can test drive each others cars and make sure your not just hearing things.

Worth a shot.

That is a good idea.

I also took Vick415's advice and bought a DashLogic. It will tell me about the knock plus it seems like a cool thing to have anyway.

hawk02 · 03-30-2015, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angryBits

Does Dashlogic require you to load software onto the car? I'm hoping to avoid that.

I think I'd take Vick415 up on his offer to use his Dashlogic. It just plugs into the ODBII port and makes absolutely no changes to the ECU calibration.

Vick415 says he already has an alarm setup for detonation. If it goes off when you hear the tat, tat, tat, then you know you have a knock problem. If doesn't go off then you can be fairly certain that the sound your hearing is caused by something other than knock.

angryBits · 03-30-2015, 04:40 PM

Ended up buying my own DashLogic.

If I see that it's knocking, then I'll take a look at the AFR and if it's way off then its probably something wrong with the MAF or intake. Otherwise, I'll try the oil catch can. If that doesn't do it -- it's going back to the dealer :(

03-30-2015, 01:28 PM	#1
angryBits Drives: ZL1 1LE A10 Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: CA Posts: 1,093	2015 ZL1 knock? Conclusion @ 4/27/15 Hey everyone, I'm new to Camaro5 and also a new first-time Camaro owner. Please forgive me if I'm asking a question that is common knowledge, I did try to use the search :/ I have a 100% stock 2015 ZL1 6spd MT which I bought new 2 weeks ago with only 25 miles on the Odometer. The car consistently knocks while WOT from 2000rpm and maybe 33% of the time while WOT from 3000rpm. It occurs as soon as I see the boost gauge hit boost, it never knocks prior to boost. These aren't loud knocks and its not drivetrain noise and its not the supercharger clunking as far as I can tell. It's just a light tat tat tat that happens a few times when I'm WOT and then goes away. The car feels slightly down on power but not huge. I've followed proper break-in procedure and now have 1600 miles on the car. The car has been knocking or at least what I believe is knocking since day 1. For the first 500 miles I assumed the dealer put crap gas in the car but by now I've definitely eliminated any of the original gas, I even tried octane booster since we only get 91 octane here in San Francisco. So then I thought maybe it just needed to do some knock learning and I should finish break-in and stay out of boost. I decided to buy an Moroso Oil Catch Can and its on the way but I'm weary about touching the engine, I don't want anyone saying I voided my warranty. If anyone has any insight to this, I'd love to get this awesome car running properly. Bear in mind I'm guessing this is a knock, it could be something else -- let me know if you have other ideas. Thanks! UPDATE @ 4/4/15: Dropped off at Fremont Chevrolet Post 77 UPDATE @ 4/7/15: GM Tech Round 1 Post 116 UPDATE @ 4/9/15: GM says, "Ignore what I said before" Post 168 UPDATE @ 4/10/15: GM says, "Knocking is normal". angryBits tries Race Gas! Post 216 UPDATE @ 4/13/15: KR @ 98 octane Post 248 UPDATE @ 4/27/15: HP Tuners Log File attached w/ KR Post 308 UPDATE @ 4/27/15: Conclusion & Juicy Data Post 310 Last edited by angryBits; 04-28-2015 at 03:26 AM.

03-30-2015, 03:04 PM	#8
KaBoom1701 KaBoom1701 Drives: 13' ZL1 Red M6 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: I.E. SoCal (Yucaipa) Posts: 8,630	Sounds like bad gas to me.... SF bay area is used to Prius not ZL1's. lol j/k The DashLogic is a great plug and play device that allows you to monitor your engine vitals. No software or tune needed. __________________ Mods: Roto-Fab Intake, WW Res. kit & Big Gulp Air Scoop, Elite Catch Can, ATI Super Damper & 18% OD Pulley, LF Idler pulley bracket, Metco CC breather, ID850 Injectors, Stainless Power Headers w/ ceramic coating, TR71X Spark Plugs, JMS Fuel Pump Booster, Bo White TB, Tuned by Ted @ Jannetty Racing, Ron Davis HX, D3 Reservoir, Pfadt 1" Springs, Moreno Camber Plates, ZL1 Addons Splitter guard washers, Tow Hook kit & rock guards, Hurst Shifter Billet Plus 6 Speed Short Shifter, ZL1 DRL lighting harness, ZL1 Recaro Seats.

03-30-2015, 04:40 PM	#14
angryBits Drives: ZL1 1LE A10 Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: CA Posts: 1,093	Ended up buying my own DashLogic. If I see that it's knocking, then I'll take a look at the AFR and if it's way off then its probably something wrong with the MAF or intake. Otherwise, I'll try the oil catch can. If that doesn't do it -- it's going back to the dealer :( __________________ Current: 2019 ZL1 1LE A10 Mods: MPS4s Tires \| Borla Atak \| CF Steering Wheel Previous: 2018 ZL1 1LE M6 \| 2017 Z06 Z07 M7 \| 2017 GS A8 \| 2015 ZL1 M6 \| 2013 GT500

03-30-2015, 01:37 PM	#2
Vick415 Drives: 2014 ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: SF Bay Area, California Posts: 180 View My Garage	This one will be a bit tough to diagnose over a forum. If at all possible try to upload a audio/video so people can hear and provide a more concise opinion. Or invest in a unit like Dashlogic so you will be able see real time readings from your ECU. I see you are in the Bay Area, you are welcome to use mine if you are near the HMB. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

03-30-2015, 02:04 PM	#5
Vick415 Drives: 2014 ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: SF Bay Area, California Posts: 180 View My Garage	I use several alarms setup within Dashlogic, detonation being one of them. So far no issues, however I am no longer on stock tune. Heck you are few minutes from me feel free to PM Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

03-30-2015, 02:12 PM	#6
angryBits Drives: ZL1 1LE A10 Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: CA Posts: 1,093	Does Dashlogic require you to load software onto the car? I'm hoping to avoid that.