[Z06] My LS7 is on the way to heaven.
#1
Team Owner
Thread Starter
My LS7 is on the way to heaven.
Well my build didn't last long. Was driving up to cars and coffee here. Was going 75mph on the highway when I noticed the knock sensor started going off. I turned the radio off and didn't hear anything but to the next exit. Made it into a parking lot and there was a light knocking noise. I popped the hood and couldn't see anything wrong but didn't want to try to start it so I towed it home.
Was thinking I broke a valve spring or something. I took the valve covers off and the plugs out. The front passenger plug was black which was the only strange thing. All the springs, rockers, pushrods, etc all looked good. I couldn't figure it out. I then pulled the valley plate and that is when I found the damage. The front cam lob was wiped out and the roller of the lifter was gone.
The roller tip of the lifter is snapped off. Not sure what the plan is besides continue to tear it down. Very least it will need to get a new cam, new lifters, etc but if I'm going that far I may just pull the motor and build it or buy a new motor and swap it in.
Ohh well, ran really good for 750 miles. Looking for suggestions on what to do.
Was thinking I broke a valve spring or something. I took the valve covers off and the plugs out. The front passenger plug was black which was the only strange thing. All the springs, rockers, pushrods, etc all looked good. I couldn't figure it out. I then pulled the valley plate and that is when I found the damage. The front cam lob was wiped out and the roller of the lifter was gone.
The roller tip of the lifter is snapped off. Not sure what the plan is besides continue to tear it down. Very least it will need to get a new cam, new lifters, etc but if I'm going that far I may just pull the motor and build it or buy a new motor and swap it in.
Ohh well, ran really good for 750 miles. Looking for suggestions on what to do.
#4
Team Owner
Thread Starter
Stock bottom end. Comp 228/234 630/630 115lsa cam. Texas Speed PRC 285CC heads. A&A kit.
Need to see what can be saved and what is trashed. Now I can at least get a better cam in there. Not sure if I'll use this block or do a sleeved ls2/3. It really depends on what my options are. No way a stock motor is going back in if I have to pull the motor.
Need to see what can be saved and what is trashed. Now I can at least get a better cam in there. Not sure if I'll use this block or do a sleeved ls2/3. It really depends on what my options are. No way a stock motor is going back in if I have to pull the motor.
#5
Team Owner
Member Since: Apr 2001
Location: Elmhurst, IL (West Suburb of Chicago) & Home of MEGA Horsepower
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St. Jude Donor '06
How many boosted miles did you have on the engine and what was the total mileage on the it?
Best of luck to you.
#6
Team Owner
Thread Starter
32k miles, 700 since the heads/cam/blower. Wasn't even on it or boosting at all. Just cruising with the cruise control on at 75mph. I have the datalog recorded. You can see where it let go. Now I need to figure out what needs to be replaced.
Cheapest case:
New cam, New lifters, 2 new head gaskets. I'm worried junk in the pan though. I guess I'll see what the oil pump looks like when I pull it.
Worst case the lifter bore is trashed which means the block is trashed and I start new.
Cheapest case:
New cam, New lifters, 2 new head gaskets. I'm worried junk in the pan though. I guess I'll see what the oil pump looks like when I pull it.
Worst case the lifter bore is trashed which means the block is trashed and I start new.
#7
Le Mans Master
Sorry for your troubles. I know you spent along time getting it all together.
Hope you have better news ahead as you continue to tear it down.
Hope you have better news ahead as you continue to tear it down.
#8
Team Owner
Thread Starter
Either way atleast one head/blower/cam/oil pan all have to come off to get this fixed. At that point I might as well just pull everything out. Ugh. Wondering how hard it is to pull the motor out the front/top.
#10
Le Mans Master
curious, did you have adj. rockers and possible that they weren't properly set.....?? tough to wipe a lobe and incorrect adjustment is often the cause.
#15
The Consigliere
Member Since: May 2006
Location: 2023 Z06 & 2010 ZR1
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Sorry to see this.
Hope you get back up and running soon.
Hope you get back up and running soon.
#18
Team Owner
Damn Nick sorry to hear that. Hopefully it's not too bad and it probably would be too bad to pull the motor out the top. I figure if I could get the motor from the top on a 95 Z28 with the transmission still attached you should be able to do it on your Z. Good luck.