New Owner - Question about engine - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

donnieslagle · 01-02-2013, 10:33 AM

I just joined the ranks of Camaro owners recently with the purchase of a 2011 SS 6-Speed. I love the car and it's a blast to drive. I've owned several V-8's over the years and have pretty extensive experience modifying engines including rebuilds, etc. However, this is my first experience with an aluminum V8 LS engine and I have one question:

Do the L3 engines have a peck or knock sound that is inherent to the engine under strong acceleration? I have a picky ear for engine noises and it just sounds to me like this one pecks just when starting to put it under a load and when I really accelerate. It's smooth and has plenty of power. Am I just over listening or is this the nature of the engine? I mention this only because the car has 18,000 miles on it and I'm not sure how the PO drove it. Based on the condition of the body and the amount of wax, I believe it was well cared for.

Thanks

akCamaross · 01-02-2013, 11:10 AM

Ive never heard a "pecking" sound when under acceleration... how does it sound at idle?

skipinminn · 01-02-2013, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donnieslagle

I just joined the ranks of Camaro owners recently with the purchase of a 2011 SS 6-Speed. I love the car and it's a blast to drive. I've owned several V-8's over the years and have pretty extensive experience modifying engines including rebuilds, etc. However, this is my first experience with an aluminum V8 LS engine and I have one question:

Do the L3 engines have a peck or knock sound that is inherent to the engine under strong acceleration? I have a picky ear for engine noises and it just sounds to me like this one pecks just when starting to put it under a load and when I really accelerate. It's smooth and has plenty of power. Am I just over listening or is this the nature of the engine? I mention this only because the car has 18,000 miles on it and I'm not sure how the PO drove it. Based on the condition of the body and the amount of wax, I believe it was well cared for.

Thanks

Put in 92 octane and do the fuse Pull

moserbe · 01-02-2013, 12:40 PM

Put in 92 octane and do the fuse Pull

[/QUOTE]

v6sonoma · 01-02-2013, 12:48 PM

Is it valve noise you're hearing? Does the car have any mods done to it like Long Tube headers?

donnieslagle · 01-02-2013, 07:07 PM

I've been running high octane fuel, but didn't know about the fuse pull. I'll do that tonight and update tomorrow. Regarding the other questions:

#akCamaroSS - The car sounds fine at an idle. No noises at all.
V6sonoma - It's not the valves...sounds deeper to me. And no, the car doesn't have any mods (at least nothing visual like headers, etc.).

Thanks

PalmerGA · 01-02-2013, 07:42 PM

Hey, sorry guys, but I went to the Fuse Pull Stickey (which originated back in 2009) and really didn't get much out of it. My L99 is brand new and I have no doubt the dealer filled it with the cheapest gas they could find. I took it in for a grille install a couple weeks later and they "topped it off" for me - again, I'm sure, with cheap gas. I'm still running that tank out and will put 93 in it from now on.

Can someone please explain this Fuse Pull deal and what exactly it does for the engine? I understand how to do it - just want to know what it actually does.

And... since I experience some not-so-smooth engine performance yesterday while accelerating easily from about 10-50 mph, should I do this fuse pull once I have run out the cheap gas and filled up w/ 93?

Thanks for the help!

Devilfish · 01-02-2013, 07:52 PM

When lower octane is run and the computer picks up some spark knock, it switches to the lower octane table for safety. Thus low performance. They didn't, however, program it to set itself back when higher octane is added. So the fuse pull resets the computer so that you can again feel the power of your American V8. Hope that helps you Palmer.

PalmerGA · 01-02-2013, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devilfish

When lower octane is run and the computer picks up some spark knock, it switches to the lower octane table for safety. Thus low performance. They didn't, however, program it to set itself back when higher octane is added. So the fuse pull resets the computer so that you can again feel the power of your American V8. Hope that helps you Palmer.

Makes sense. Sounds good. I'll be doing it with a fresh tank of 93 soon. Thanks Devil.

Devilfish · 01-02-2013, 08:01 PM

Anytime.

Sir Nuke · 01-02-2013, 10:28 PM

Donnie, the others have asnwered your questions or at least set you on the right path, so with that......CONGRATS on the new ride, and Welcome to our happy little corner of the net, and to Camaro5. There is a BIG fridge on the back porch with anything you can think of in it...help yourself...of course only take what you can LEGALLY have. Make yourself at home on one of the big fluffy couches, kick your shoes off, put your feet up on one of the tables, yes we are allowed to do that, mom's, wive's, husbands, girlfirends and boyfriends here don't care....and take it easy.

oh...btw....every once in a while a food fight breaks out...so you may not want to wear nice clothes here.

Welcome!!

FastRaceCars · 01-02-2013, 11:09 PM

I've had some problems with the factory tune on my LS3 with the knock sensors detecting spark knock above 4600 RPM and retarding timing 3-6 degrees even when running on 93 Octane with octane boost. I've never actually been able to hear any noise, as you've described, but I can certainly feel the power loss when the timing changes under hard acceleration.

Dupree878 · 01-03-2013, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastRaceCars

I've had some problems with the factory tune on my LS3 with the knock sensors detecting spark knock above 4600 RPM and retarding timing 3-6 degrees even when running on 93 Octane with octane boost. I've never actually been able to hear any noise, as you've described, but I can certainly feel the power loss when the timing changes under hard acceleration.

Same here. I blame it on E10 gas.
Only non ethanol I can get around here is 87 octane and its a 20 min drive

Russell James · 01-03-2013, 10:51 AM

If it was owned by someone who didn't floor it once in a while, it may be carboned up and has a little tip in spark knock. Very common in cars that are driven around very easy for a year or so.

If it is getting that tip in knock even on premium, I would run some top engine cleaner through it. Put in some Chevron with Techron top engine/fuel injector cleaner in the tank. A GM dealer will have the same stuff with Techron under the GM brand. After a few days of driving and as that tank is almost out, take it out on the highway and floor it a few times. That will blow the carbon out. The oil will now be dark and funked up, so now change the oil. Then on the next full tank of premium, and fresh oil, it shouldn't knock anymore on 92/93.

I've had the heads off several LS3s, even low mileage ones that are driven hard, and it is surprising the amount of carbon build up in the chamber and piston top. A catch can will also help reduce the carbon build up, along with that yearly top engine cleaning if it starts to knock again.

Then if you do the top engine cleaning, do the fuse pull after that.

Needing the fuse pull won't make it knock, that just causes it to have low power. Low octane or carbon build up will cause the spark knock.

01-02-2013, 10:33 AM	#1
donnieslagle Drives: 2011 Camaro SS1 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: United States Posts: 13 View My Garage	New Owner - Question about engine I just joined the ranks of Camaro owners recently with the purchase of a 2011 SS 6-Speed. I love the car and it's a blast to drive. I've owned several V-8's over the years and have pretty extensive experience modifying engines including rebuilds, etc. However, this is my first experience with an aluminum V8 LS engine and I have one question: Do the L3 engines have a peck or knock sound that is inherent to the engine under strong acceleration? I have a picky ear for engine noises and it just sounds to me like this one pecks just when starting to put it under a load and when I really accelerate. It's smooth and has plenty of power. Am I just over listening or is this the nature of the engine? I mention this only because the car has 18,000 miles on it and I'm not sure how the PO drove it. Based on the condition of the body and the amount of wax, I believe it was well cared for. Thanks

01-02-2013, 11:10 AM	#2
akCamaross Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS Join Date: May 2012 Location: Huntingtown, Maryland Posts: 423	Ive never heard a "pecking" sound when under acceleration... how does it sound at idle? __________________ 2011 Camaro 2SS - SIM - M6 + Mods haha

01-02-2013, 12:40 PM	#4
moserbe Drives: 2012 Camaro SS Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wellsboro, Pa Posts: 758 View My Garage	Put in 92 octane and do the fuse Pull [/QUOTE] __________________

01-02-2013, 12:48 PM	#5
v6sonoma Drives: 2010 SS RS Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Providence, RI Posts: 8,108 View My Garage	Is it valve noise you're hearing? Does the car have any mods done to it like Long Tube headers? __________________ Mods: BBK Intake, BBK LT's and High Flow Cats, Corsa Cat-back exhaust, Hurst short throw shifter, SLP skip-shift eliminator. 7/1/09 Placed order for IOM/IO int/ SS/RS 6M 9/26/09 Took delivery!

01-02-2013, 07:42 PM	#7
PalmerGA Drives: 2013 SIM 1SS/RS L99 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Southwest GA Posts: 8,754 View My Garage	Hey, sorry guys, but I went to the Fuse Pull Stickey (which originated back in 2009) and really didn't get much out of it. My L99 is brand new and I have no doubt the dealer filled it with the cheapest gas they could find. I took it in for a grille install a couple weeks later and they "topped it off" for me - again, I'm sure, with cheap gas. I'm still running that tank out and will put 93 in it from now on. Can someone please explain this Fuse Pull deal and what exactly it does for the engine? I understand how to do it - just want to know what it actually does. And... since I experience some not-so-smooth engine performance yesterday while accelerating easily from about 10-50 mph, should I do this fuse pull once I have run out the cheap gas and filled up w/ 93? Thanks for the help! __________________ 2013 1SS/RS Coupe L99, Stainless Power Works LT Headers, SCT X4 Custom Tune from RDP, CAI Inc. Air Intake w/ Apex Scoop, VMAX CNC Ported Throttle Body, Solo Axle-Back Exhaust w/ J-pipes, Apex Catch Can, Husky Splash Guards, Heritage Grille, 3D Carbon Rear Spoiler, Oracle Chrome Turn Signal Bulbs, GM Reverse Light Trim Billets, Gorilla Black Locking Lugs, Emblem Pros Retro SS Badges/Custom Retro SS Kickplates/Under-hood Bowtie, 35% window Tint, Nitto Motivo Tires (6-8-18)

01-02-2013, 07:07 PM	#6
donnieslagle Drives: 2011 Camaro SS1 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: United States Posts: 13 View My Garage	I've been running high octane fuel, but didn't know about the fuse pull. I'll do that tonight and update tomorrow. Regarding the other questions: #akCamaroSS - The car sounds fine at an idle. No noises at all. V6sonoma - It's not the valves...sounds deeper to me. And no, the car doesn't have any mods (at least nothing visual like headers, etc.). Thanks

01-02-2013, 07:52 PM	#8
Devilfish US Navy Chief Drives: Camaro Sold Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Rotten Groton, CT Posts: 354	When lower octane is run and the computer picks up some spark knock, it switches to the lower octane table for safety. Thus low performance. They didn't, however, program it to set itself back when higher octane is added. So the fuse pull resets the computer so that you can again feel the power of your American V8. Hope that helps you Palmer.

01-02-2013, 08:01 PM	#10
Devilfish US Navy Chief Drives: Camaro Sold Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Rotten Groton, CT Posts: 354	Anytime.

01-02-2013, 10:28 PM	#11
Sir Nuke Master of All Things Drives: '26 Corvette Stingray Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Southeast of Houston, Texas Posts: 22,676 View My Garage	Donnie, the others have asnwered your questions or at least set you on the right path, so with that......CONGRATS on the new ride, and Welcome to our happy little corner of the net, and to Camaro5. There is a BIG fridge on the back porch with anything you can think of in it...help yourself...of course only take what you can LEGALLY have. Make yourself at home on one of the big fluffy couches, kick your shoes off, put your feet up on one of the tables, yes we are allowed to do that, mom's, wive's, husbands, girlfirends and boyfriends here don't care....and take it easy. oh...btw....every once in a while a food fight breaks out...so you may not want to wear nice clothes here. Welcome!! __________________

01-02-2013, 11:09 PM	#12
FastRaceCars Drag Racer Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Bridgeport, WV Posts: 51	I've had some problems with the factory tune on my LS3 with the knock sensors detecting spark knock above 4600 RPM and retarding timing 3-6 degrees even when running on 93 Octane with octane boost. I've never actually been able to hear any noise, as you've described, but I can certainly feel the power loss when the timing changes under hard acceleration.

01-03-2013, 10:51 AM	#14
Russell James Drives: '15 SS 1LE, '69 Z28 drag car Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Mich Posts: 4,482	If it was owned by someone who didn't floor it once in a while, it may be carboned up and has a little tip in spark knock. Very common in cars that are driven around very easy for a year or so. If it is getting that tip in knock even on premium, I would run some top engine cleaner through it. Put in some Chevron with Techron top engine/fuel injector cleaner in the tank. A GM dealer will have the same stuff with Techron under the GM brand. After a few days of driving and as that tank is almost out, take it out on the highway and floor it a few times. That will blow the carbon out. The oil will now be dark and funked up, so now change the oil. Then on the next full tank of premium, and fresh oil, it shouldn't knock anymore on 92/93. I've had the heads off several LS3s, even low mileage ones that are driven hard, and it is surprising the amount of carbon build up in the chamber and piston top. A catch can will also help reduce the carbon build up, along with that yearly top engine cleaning if it starts to knock again. Then if you do the top engine cleaning, do the fuse pull after that. Needing the fuse pull won't make it knock, that just causes it to have low power. Low octane or carbon build up will cause the spark knock.