'05 Z71 - Chirp Chirp Chirp

Pig Hunter · April 29, 2010

Ok, now I'm starting to get PO'd! Drove to Kansas and back from OKC on Tues. When I got off the highway I noticed a chirp at Idle. Couldn't locate it at the house so I took off ALL belts and started, still there! Went to my local guy, had it all day, said he had no idea what it is, could be cam or lifters, but it was in the front of the motor, below the heads on the drivers side. Suggested I take it to the dealer, no charge. Dealer said either cam or lifters, noise coming from the same place, $40.00 please! Drove it around all day today, not getting worse, or better either, no loss of power, no miss, no nothing, just the noise. Taking back to dealer I got it from on Monday, they want to look at it, at least they are giving me a no charge loaner while they "look" at it. All agree that there shouldn't be internal problems with this motor as maintained with 125K on it. Any of you had any experience with something like this? Called GM, so sorry, toooo bad.......

Did source a replacement 5.3 LMZ "T" motor with 5 miles on it, installed for about $2600, any comment on that?

No one has replied but a few have looked, update is that I drove 250 highway miles yesterday, no change in condition not getting worse. I would think an internal engine problem would go downhill like a freight train down a mine shaft. If any of you have any idea what might be causing this I would really appreciate your feedback.

thanks!!

Pig Hunter · May 7, 2010

UPDATE!! Well the dealer I bought it from took off the intake and the valley pan, diagnosis Cracked Piston!!

125k, oil changed every 3k go figure! Anyway, both dealers quoted $5k plus for a GM crate motor, local guy quoted $4k for a Jasper. All of these are rebuilts with 3 year 100K warranty.

As I said, I sourced an '06 LM7 for $1700 + tax with 5 miles, that's 000005 miles, labor to install $850 including fluids. Warranty on this motor, 90 days, unlimited miles.

Well, guess........

nubuilder · May 8, 2010

125k, wow, that's 25k a year!

Another option you could take is pull the motor, buy a new piston, and reinstall the whole thing. I guess that wouldn't gain you as much though.

I'd go with the '06 as long as there are no compatibility issues and build it up a little with the extra money you save. The only downfall is that you don't get a 3yr warranty. But with the money you save, you could do it all again in 3yrs anyways. Plus, who's to say the GM won't break 3 months out of warranty. Then you're out even more money.

You could capitalize on the opportunity, save yourself $850, and learn more/have more fun if you installed it yourself.

Hope something works out for you.

Pig Hunter · May 9, 2010

Went ahead and bought the '06 LM7 from G & R in South OKC. When I went to look at it I noticed there was no residue at all in the exhaust mainfolds. When we installed it, we used my original intake, there was no residue of any kind in the intake from the LM7, checked all ports. Our conclusion was that this engine was never started. After we got it all in, and set up it started with less than 2 turns of the starter. Not a tick, scrape or wheeze, just "purred", much smoother and quiet than the L33 ever was. I've already put about 200 miles on it, took time to seat the rings and still have resisted the urge to go over 2,000 RPM's. I would recommend this source to all and they ship nationwide, they specialize in GM, are one of 4 companies in the US that buy direct from GM and have been in business since 1956. I guess you can tell they impressed me. Now, I lost 15 HP doing this switch, what simple mods will get those back without causing my Z71 to sound like an Oklahoma thunderstorm going down the street or having to burn high octane fuel.

Nytemare · May 9, 2010

Went ahead and bought the '06 LM7 from G & R in South OKC. When I went to look at it I noticed there was no residue at all in the exhaust mainfolds. When we installed it, we used my original intake, there was no residue of any kind in the intake from the LM7, checked all ports. Our conclusion was that this engine was never started. After we got it all in, and set up it started with less than 2 turns of the starter. Not a tick, scrape or wheeze, just "purred", much smoother and quiet than the L33 ever was. I've already put about 200 miles on it, took time to seat the rings and still have resisted the urge to go over 2,000 RPM's. I would recommend this source to all and they ship nationwide, they specialize in GM, are one of 4 companies in the US that buy direct from GM and have been in business since 1956. I guess you can tell they impressed me. Now, I lost 15 HP doing this switch, what simple mods will get those back without causing my Z71 to sound like an Oklahoma thunderstorm going down the street or having to burn high octane fuel.

Bet you actually gained HP.

You had a cracked piston...it didn't happen overnight man, and this new engine probably pulls much harder than the L33 ever did.

If you want to upgrade...you will get no better improvement for your money than that of a custom tune.

nubuilder · May 10, 2010

What is the name of the place that you got the engine from?

From looking up the engine numbers, the only difference is that the LM7 has an aluminum block and made 15hp more than the L33 with an iron block. You'll have to let us know if you see any MPG and power differences.

Pig Hunter · May 11, 2010

Got the motor from G & R in OKC. They have a website www.gandrautoparts.com. Ask for Shane, if you call, he's great. Swap was the easiest I've done or seen. Wish I would have thought to take pictures! Feels like it pulls a lot stronger than the L33,even when it was new. The exhaust tone is deep and strong through the whole range I've tried so far. Took it up to 3k on the highway today, backed off at 80 and still accelerating in 3rd, about 1/2 throttle. Dropped to about 1800 rpm's when I shifted to OD and held steady on the speed. Just changed the oil filter, not the oil, just the filter.

Oil still loook great, my mechanic said not to cahnge it until 800 to 1000.

Gonna take it on the road for about a 300 mile round trip Thursday and plan cruising at 78 to 80. Truck really handles solid, like it was new, no BS. Can't get over how smooth it idles, runs and accelerates. Gas mileage seems to be better, know for sure after Thursday. Still looking for suggestions for some simple mods to get a little more HP out of this motor. I've built a couple from the bare block up, but not in a long, long time, technology........

Nytemare · May 11, 2010

Got the motor from G & R in OKC. They have a website www.gandrautoparts.com. Ask for Shane, if you call, he's great. Swap was the easiest I've done or seen. Wish I would have thought to take pictures! Feels like it pulls a lot stronger than the L33,even when it was new. The exhaust tone is deep and strong through the whole range I've tried so far. Took it up to 3k on the highway today, backed off at 80 and still accelerating in 3rd, about 1/2 throttle. Dropped to about 1800 rpm's when I shifted to OD and held steady on the speed. Just changed the oil filter, not the oil, just the filter.
Oil still loook great, my mechanic said not to cahnge it until 800 to 1000.

Gonna take it on the road for about a 300 mile round trip Thursday and plan cruising at 78 to 80. Truck really handles solid, like it was new, no BS. Can't get over how smooth it idles, runs and accelerates. Gas mileage seems to be better, know for sure after Thursday. Still looking for suggestions for some simple mods to get a little more HP out of this motor. I've built a couple from the bare block up, but not in a long, long time, technology........

Again man...Tune it...look up blackbear or wheatley...both are site sponsors

You will not do any upgrade that will give you as much bang for your buck

Pig Hunter · May 11, 2010

Ok, I'll do it, thanks

Pig Hunter · June 17, 2010

This will be my final on this, I hope. Just turned over 3,000 miles on the new LM7. All I can say is "Holy Cr**"!! Better everything, MPG is about 15% better, pulls my trailers better, quiet, smooth and the truck will flat out run! You guys can keep the L33's I'm sold on this engine, truck feels and drives like it was new. I think I'll give up the idea of buying a new truck this winter and buy a new Camero this spring or maybe a new Victory. I've got time......

CYA!

hockeypro1411 · June 17, 2010

This will be my final on this, I hope. Just turned over 3,000 miles on the new LM7. All I can say is "Holy Cr**"!! Better everything, MPG is about 15% better, pulls my trailers better, quiet, smooth and the truck will flat out run! You guys can keep the L33's I'm sold on this engine, truck feels and drives like it was new. I think I'll give up the idea of buying a new truck this winter and buy a new Camero this spring or maybe a new Victory. I've got time......
CYA!

Should've looked into a 6.0 swap

flhusa1 · June 17, 2010

good deal!

Pig Hunter · November 21, 2010

Over 12k on the new LM7, runs great, oil burn between oil changes, 3k, isn't measurable on the stick, gas mileage is a lot better, seems to have started running stronger through the upper end of the power band over the last 4-5k miles. I still haven't tuned it, that is going to happen right after the 1st of the year, gonna put headers and a better exhaust system on it 1st. I was thinking about getting a new one in 2011, not really considering it, this truck drives better than it did new, so what's the point.

xPosTech · November 22, 2010

I wonder how much of the increased pleasure you're getting is due to the weight savings - iron block to aluminum?

Ted

burnthefurniture · November 22, 2010

I wonder if you could describe the nature of the noise. Was it loud and like a bird chirping? My truck has made a kind of light swishing sound from the bottom end for a while, but its very subdued. 62k