I installed a 212/218 .531 Lunati in my 5.3, and then got lots of valvetrain noise, "ticking", sewing machine noise, etc.

After reading lots of posts, I found that alot of people get this also on their LS based engines after a cam install.

I did the pushrod length checker deal, and ended up installing 7.450 pushrods, which quieted it down somewhat, but overall, the noise was still there, like an old school Hyd. tappet engine that needed more lash. There was also a constant louder "tap" every engine cycle.

The interesting thing was, I had BlackBear performance install a "helper" tune on my engine BEFORE the cam, and Justin setup the ECM to just "run okay" so that when my cam was installed, I would not be stranded with bad idle issues, etc.

So, I installed cam, and got lots of noise.

Then, as per what Justin at BlackBear had previously planned, we did an EFiLive scan of the engine after the cam was installed, and Justin returned my original ECM with a permanent tune that was now matched exactly to my engine after the cam was installed.

The valvetrain noise disappeared after the new tune.

The reason I am posting this is that the noise drove me crazy, and I thought I really screwed up installing a noisy cam in my new truck.

For those who have valvetrain noise, you might want to see what your tune is like before you go through all the steps like changing lifters, doing pushrods, etc.

My. $.02

 

Damn, I should have bought EFiLive, there are no "valve noise" tables in HP Tuners.
Seriously though, do you know exactly what was changed to quiet the noise, or can you find out?

 

lmfao

 

EFIlive has a valvetrain noise vs RPM function

i agree, should have made that purchase.

 

I'm not calling you out, but I don't see how the tune could affect a mechanical noise. If you were getting pinging, while under load, and he made adjustments, that would make sense, but how could a PCM tune affect valvetrain noise that is mechanical, and I'm assuming also heard at idle?

 

Lama, every time that I try something new to quiet the lifter noise, whatever I do, it always seems to work at first. Then after awhile it is the same as before. Something in the engine must take a good half-hour before it gets hot enough to let the noise reappear.
Could this be what is happening to you?

 

I've never heard any valvetrain noise after a cam swap that I've done.

 

Do you have an Ipod or something that you use with earphones?

 

LMAO!! Nope. Even running adjustable roller rockers.

 

its probably to do with the rocker arms... and lobe ramp rate, i switched out my cam to an XE lobe profile from an XE-R lobe profile and the valve train has quitened down