***HELP ME*** Very Frustrated - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

gangir5 · 01-23-2013, 11:16 PM

Ok so heres the story...I have a 2012 2SS/RS LS3 coupe with 13K miles. I bought a Stainless Works Catback 3'' system with the x-pipe and turbo chambered mufflers. Bolted it on, no problems...I recently decided to spend some more cash and ECS from NJ hooked me up with a great kit that I installed myself. I got ARH 1 7/8 headers with high-flow cats, mail order tune, CAI intake, and 160 stat. Everything is installed, no problems. Started the car up, idle is fine, great sound, reves up to 5k no problem (rev limited when parked) smooth, no odd sounds.

Now driving...heres the problem...under a moderate load under 4k revs it pulls fine...under WOT I hear this clunking metal noise from the muffler area...(super loud) and its only when my foot is too the floor and I'm pulling to high RPM range. Rechecked everything, no codes, sensors are fine, plugs and wires all tight. When I gun it, the car loses back pressure seems like...and almost sounds like I am running a "lumpy" cam when at idle...except this sound is only under a load. It sorta hesitates and falls on its face, rather than a smooth continuous pull. Its absolutely horrible.

1) Maybe a bad tune?
2) Plug or wire issue?
3) Exhaust leak...(pre muffler)?
4) Timing off?
5) Jacked up injector?

Any ideas or experience is much appreciated...we all know how shitty this feeling is.

wbdinger · 01-24-2013, 12:09 AM

sounds like a loose/bad spark plug and or plug wire is almost falling off

brettsimons · 01-24-2013, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gangir5

Ok so heres the story...I have a 2012 2SS/RS LS3 coupe with 13K miles. I bought a Stainless Works Catback 3'' system with the x-pipe and turbo chambered mufflers. Bolted it on, no problems...I recently decided to spend some more cash and ECS from NJ hooked me up with a great kit that I installed myself. I got ARH 1 7/8 headers with high-flow cats, mail order tune, CAI intake, and 160 stat. Everything is installed, no problems. Started the car up, idle is fine, great sound, reves up to 5k no problem (rev limited when parked) smooth, no odd sounds.

Now driving...heres the problem...under a moderate load under 4k revs it pulls fine...under WOT I hear this clunking metal noise from the muffler area...(super loud) and its only when my foot is too the floor and I'm pulling to high RPM range. Rechecked everything, no codes, sensors are fine, plugs and wires all tight. When I gun it, the car loses back pressure seems like...and almost sounds like I am running a "lumpy" cam when at idle...except this sound is only under a load. It sorta hesitates and falls on its face, rather than a smooth continuous pull. Its absolutely horrible.

1) Maybe a bad tune?
2) Plug or wire issue?
3) Exhaust leak...(pre muffler)?
4) Timing off?
5) Jacked up injector?

Any ideas or experience is much appreciated...we all know how shitty this feeling is.

My guess would be a bad tune if the car isn't performing a smooth and continuous pull since if it were the plug or wires, you would have problems throughout your RPMs, if it were an exhaust leak, the car's performance wouldn't be effected that majorly, the timing is apart of the tuning, and if your injector was jacked up, you would have troubles throughout your RPMs as well. Of course the fuel ratio and timing are adjusted by the tune so they could be apart of the problem. Good luck!

rberns · 01-24-2013, 12:50 AM

Im thinking the tune

The Blue Ox · 01-24-2013, 01:02 AM

Sounds like the mail order tune needs to be mailed back and readjusted or something! Hope you get it straightened out!

SGT Stretch · 01-24-2013, 01:29 AM

I'm with everyone else most likely the tune. Either get a new tune from your tuner, datalog the car and have your tuner tweak it or get a JRE tune lol

gangir5 · 01-24-2013, 02:19 AM

Thanks guys a lot...heres what Im thinking, just took the car out again and went a little harder to see what would happen...at slow speeds/hi rpm like 1/2 gear pulls...all the power is there...not clunking sound...on the highway...when I pull from 3rd once I rev past 4200 the sound starts all the way to the redline...however it will still pull all the way to 62.

I am thinking (like many of you guys too) that its the tune...correct me if I am wrong, but if it was a plug or wire, the slow speed pulls would suck and make just as much noise, also on a side note, it gets worse, and wont idle as well once the car warms up. I feel like that if it was the plus or something the revs would be off too because all cylinders are firing at max rpm.

I did however notice that there was a small tear in one of the rubber grommets that protect the upper portion of the wires...not the end that connects to the plug..its just in the rubber tho...and is completely on. I think its way too small to cause this big of a problem. I just dont understand how the tune could be messed up.

Any other ideas feel free to throw them out...feels good to vent hahaha

camaro actual · 01-24-2013, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gangir5

Thanks guys a lot...heres what Im thinking, just took the car out again and went a little harder to see what would happen...at slow speeds/hi rpm like 1/2 gear pulls...all the power is there...not clunking sound...on the highway...when I pull from 3rd once I rev past 4200 the sound starts all the way to the redline...however it will still pull all the way to 62.

I am thinking (like many of you guys too) that its the tune...correct me if I am wrong, but if it was a plug or wire, the slow speed pulls would suck and make just as much noise, also on a side note, it gets worse, and wont idle as well once the car warms up. I feel like that if it was the plus or something the revs would be off too because all cylinders are firing at max rpm.

I did however notice that there was a small tear in one of the rubber grommets that protect the upper portion of the wires...not the end that connects to the plug..its just in the rubber tho...and is completely on. I think its way too small to cause this big of a problem. I just dont understand how the tune could be messed up.

Any other ideas feel free to throw them out...feels good to vent hahaha

I had a plug not on all the way once

and it had thrown on some lights. does not hurt to double check though. my bet is on tune though. A tune can be messed up by simply making an accidentle key stroke( nobody is perfect)

SPCBA · 01-24-2013, 09:35 AM

pretty sure a plug or wire issue would throw a code like a misfire one or something

Fish-man · 01-24-2013, 11:39 AM

sure you didn't damage any plugs while installing the headers? I'd think your problem would be much worse if true, but couldn't hurt to double check.

EliteCZM523 · 01-24-2013, 11:40 AM

It would throw a code if it was a misfire - looks like you got the tune done via email with ECS? If so i would just give them a call....good group of guys and they will get you fixed up right if there is a mistake in the tune itself.

gangir5 · 01-24-2013, 02:04 PM

ECS is for sure a great group of dudes. The only issues is because I am in the military they can't tune the car in person (1200 miles away) and that's really what it needs. So I found a shop out here that specializes in tuning Vettes and Camaros, hopefully he can square it away. Regardless of the tune wouldn't a CEL light come on if it was a spark plug or wire issue? I'm sure a small tear in the grommet wouldn't cause this much heartache lol

MikeSVX · 01-24-2013, 02:24 PM

I'm guessing tune too. Possibly getting some detonation. Had the same problem with a subaru when I moved to Las Vegas. The car was tuned in Florida for 94 octane. In Vegas, it was hotter, dryer, air was thinner (higher altitude) and they only had 91 octane. The engine under load was making a lot of popping and pinging noises (and didn't throw any codes). I got a better tune that allowed for the new environment and it cleared the issue up.

Synner · 01-24-2013, 06:06 PM

Holy massive misinformation thread batman. I'd love for someone to explain how the tune is causing a metal on metal banging followed by complications.

OP,
When you installed headers your exhaust became lower and/or sagged. Its now hitting at the tunnel brace or diff. That metal on metal noise you're hearing? It's metal hitting metal. The knock sensors in your engine hear that and think its detonation thus pulling timing. Its only happening under load because thats when your drivetrain moves the most. When it pulls timing you feel the weird underpowered fluttering sensation. There is nothing wrong with your tune, I'd bet you $1. Its doing exactly what it should be doing if it sensed detonation, which is trying to save your motor. The sensor is just too dumb to know the difference between banging metal on metal and detonation. Fix the tunnel brace issue, problem gone.

01-23-2013, 11:16 PM	#1
gangir5 Drives: 2012 2SS LS3 45th Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Missouri (from NJ tho) Posts: 5	*HELP ME* Very Frustrated Ok so heres the story...I have a 2012 2SS/RS LS3 coupe with 13K miles. I bought a Stainless Works Catback 3'' system with the x-pipe and turbo chambered mufflers. Bolted it on, no problems...I recently decided to spend some more cash and ECS from NJ hooked me up with a great kit that I installed myself. I got ARH 1 7/8 headers with high-flow cats, mail order tune, CAI intake, and 160 stat. Everything is installed, no problems. Started the car up, idle is fine, great sound, reves up to 5k no problem (rev limited when parked) smooth, no odd sounds. Now driving...heres the problem...under a moderate load under 4k revs it pulls fine...under WOT I hear this clunking metal noise from the muffler area...(super loud) and its only when my foot is too the floor and I'm pulling to high RPM range. Rechecked everything, no codes, sensors are fine, plugs and wires all tight. When I gun it, the car loses back pressure seems like...and almost sounds like I am running a "lumpy" cam when at idle...except this sound is only under a load. It sorta hesitates and falls on its face, rather than a smooth continuous pull. Its absolutely horrible. 1) Maybe a bad tune? 2) Plug or wire issue? 3) Exhaust leak...(pre muffler)? 4) Timing off? 5) Jacked up injector? Any ideas or experience is much appreciated...we all know how shitty this feeling is.

01-24-2013, 12:50 AM	#4
rberns Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: US Posts: 3,291 View My Garage	Im thinking the tune __________________ 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS, Circle D 3200, ADM Transmission Cooler, BTR Valvetrain, Cam Motion .621 .595 228/244 113+4, ARH 1 7/8 full exhaust, Cold Air Inductions, Katech C5R TC, Melling HV, BTR SLR lifters, Trunion Upgrade, LS2 Dampner, LS9 head gaskets, Bo White PTB, MM can, GFX, Subs, B&M Deep transmission pan, Holley fuel rail, Proform valve covers, relocated coil packs

01-24-2013, 01:29 AM	#6
SGT Stretch Drives: 2016 Hyper Metallic Blue SS Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Abilene TX Posts: 588	I'm with everyone else most likely the tune. Either get a new tune from your tuner, datalog the car and have your tuner tweak it or get a JRE tune lol __________________

01-24-2013, 11:40 AM	#11
EliteCZM523 Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Westchester, NY Posts: 99	It would throw a code if it was a misfire - looks like you got the tune done via email with ECS? If so i would just give them a call....good group of guys and they will get you fixed up right if there is a mistake in the tune itself. __________________ ARH 1 7/8 w/ cats, Borla ATAK Axle Back, VaraRam, ECS Cam, JDP Halo Kit, Technostalgia Tail Lights, AAC Ghosted SMD Side Markers, Reverse Lights, P13W Plasma DRL's, DRL Harness, Kenwood 9990HD, Scosche Kit, and tons more

01-24-2013, 12:09 AM	#2
wbdinger Drives: NSMNJW=2010 CGM 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Exshaw Alberta Canada Posts: 1,215	sounds like a loose/bad spark plug and or plug wire is almost falling off

01-24-2013, 01:02 AM	#5
The Blue Ox Drives: 2010 SS L99 Inferno Orange Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Texas Coast Posts: 1,167	Sounds like the mail order tune needs to be mailed back and readjusted or something! Hope you get it straightened out!

01-24-2013, 02:19 AM	#7
gangir5 Drives: 2012 2SS LS3 45th Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Missouri (from NJ tho) Posts: 5	Thanks guys a lot...heres what Im thinking, just took the car out again and went a little harder to see what would happen...at slow speeds/hi rpm like 1/2 gear pulls...all the power is there...not clunking sound...on the highway...when I pull from 3rd once I rev past 4200 the sound starts all the way to the redline...however it will still pull all the way to 62. I am thinking (like many of you guys too) that its the tune...correct me if I am wrong, but if it was a plug or wire, the slow speed pulls would suck and make just as much noise, also on a side note, it gets worse, and wont idle as well once the car warms up. I feel like that if it was the plus or something the revs would be off too because all cylinders are firing at max rpm. I did however notice that there was a small tear in one of the rubber grommets that protect the upper portion of the wires...not the end that connects to the plug..its just in the rubber tho...and is completely on. I think its way too small to cause this big of a problem. I just dont understand how the tune could be messed up. Any other ideas feel free to throw them out...feels good to vent hahaha

01-24-2013, 09:35 AM	#9
SPCBA Drives: pleather and Chiclets Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: a line somwhere Posts: 4,206 View My Garage	pretty sure a plug or wire issue would throw a code like a misfire one or something

01-24-2013, 11:39 AM	#10
Fish-man Drives: too many to say! Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: S.E. Michigan Posts: 1,016	sure you didn't damage any plugs while installing the headers? I'd think your problem would be much worse if true, but couldn't hurt to double check.

01-24-2013, 02:04 PM	#12
gangir5 Drives: 2012 2SS LS3 45th Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Missouri (from NJ tho) Posts: 5	ECS is for sure a great group of dudes. The only issues is because I am in the military they can't tune the car in person (1200 miles away) and that's really what it needs. So I found a shop out here that specializes in tuning Vettes and Camaros, hopefully he can square it away. Regardless of the tune wouldn't a CEL light come on if it was a spark plug or wire issue? I'm sure a small tear in the grommet wouldn't cause this much heartache lol

01-24-2013, 02:24 PM	#13
MikeSVX The magic smoke genie.... Drives: Jewels (2010 RJT 1SS) Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Escondido, CA Posts: 2,294	I'm guessing tune too. Possibly getting some detonation. Had the same problem with a subaru when I moved to Las Vegas. The car was tuned in Florida for 94 octane. In Vegas, it was hotter, dryer, air was thinner (higher altitude) and they only had 91 octane. The engine under load was making a lot of popping and pinging noises (and didn't throw any codes). I got a better tune that allowed for the new environment and it cleared the issue up.

01-24-2013, 06:06 PM	#14
Synner Drives: cars Join Date: May 2011 Location: Oversneeze Posts: 4,542	Holy massive misinformation thread batman. I'd love for someone to explain how the tune is causing a metal on metal banging followed by complications. OP, When you installed headers your exhaust became lower and/or sagged. Its now hitting at the tunnel brace or diff. That metal on metal noise you're hearing? It's metal hitting metal. The knock sensors in your engine hear that and think its detonation thus pulling timing. Its only happening under load because thats when your drivetrain moves the most. When it pulls timing you feel the weird underpowered fluttering sensation. There is nothing wrong with your tune, I'd bet you $1. Its doing exactly what it should be doing if it sensed detonation, which is trying to save your motor. The sensor is just too dumb to know the difference between banging metal on metal and detonation. Fix the tunnel brace issue, problem gone.