Weird noise I'm hearing in my new zl1

JBones81 · 08-07-2022, 03:35 PM

Does anyone here still have a stock zl1? I'm hearing what I think is an odd noise coming from the driver's side (a passenger confirmed that it's not as evident on his side). I only notice it when I'm lightly accelerating in lower gears and the vacuum is at about 5-0. It almost sounds like a gear grinding noise. It's hard to describe...metallic-y. I don't think it is the roto-fab, but it's possible. It definitely isn't blower whine or exhaust noise. Im thinking that it could be the blower just starting to spin. In fact, I hope that's all it is. I've only had one other factory blower car and it was an 03 Cobra. I don't recall hearing anything like this on that car. Does anyone know what I'm talking about?

Jeauxy · 08-07-2022, 03:43 PM

Is the sound loud enough to where you think you are able to get it on video?

JBones81 · 08-07-2022, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeauxy

Is the sound loud enough to where you think you are able to get it on video?

I tried but it's not too clear. The wind and other cars kinda mask it. I can post the video anyway, but not sure how to post it anywhere anymore...

Keko · 08-07-2022, 04:26 PM

Easiest way is upload to YouTube. They make it pretty simple.

JustinZL1 · 08-07-2022, 05:54 PM

Does it make the noise if you are not in gear and rev the motor. There was another post recently that his intake bolts holding in TB was loose making a weird noise.

SATINSTEEL1LE · 08-07-2022, 06:05 PM

What you are hearing is what everyone with a ZL1 and rotofab eventually complains about. When you are mildly accelerating, you are hearing the whistling of air going through the bypass valve in the blower. When you give it enough beans where the bypass closes and you start to register boost, thats when it stops.

Completely normal and nothing you can do about it.

Edit - with a closed air intake like the stock one, you wouldn't hear this. So when the rotofab goes on, its introduced. My 18 did it with the rotofab and my 21 does it same with the RF. My buddy's 20 with the rotofab does it as well. I've heard this on at least 5 ZL1s with rotofabs.

JBones81 · 08-07-2022, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SATINSTEEL1LE

What you are hearing is what everyone with a ZL1 and rotofab eventually complains about. When you are mildly accelerating, you are hearing the whistling of air going through the bypass valve in the blower. When you give it enough beans where the bypass closes and you start to register boost, thats when it stops.

Completely normal and nothing you can do about it.

Edit - with a closed air intake like the stock one, you wouldn't hear this. So when the rotofab goes on, its introduced. My 18 did it with the rotofab and my 21 does it same with the RF. My buddy's 20 with the rotofab does it as well. I've heard this on at least 5 ZL1s with rotofabs.

Ok. Yea, I put the rotofab on at like 50 miles so I can't be certain it was doing it before the install.

I'll check the tb bolts too, like Justin suggested.

I will say, though, that if this is normal it's a pretty annoying sound. I just want pure blower whine and exhaust noise

Mac7504 · 08-07-2022, 10:02 PM

Damn I have a rotofab I've yet to install and never heard of anyone complaining about strange noises other than when installed incorrectly. This blows to read if it's really a thing.

SATINSTEEL1LE · 08-07-2022, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mac7504

Damn I have a rotofab I've yet to install and never heard of anyone complaining about strange noises other than when installed incorrectly. This blows to read if it's really a thing.

Yeah its pretty common. See below.

SATINSTEEL1LE · 08-07-2022, 10:23 PM

This is exactly what mine does as well. Thats the bypass whistle you can now hear with the open element CAI. RIP to your hopes and dreams.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...ature=emb_logo

Mac7504 · 08-07-2022, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SATINSTEEL1LE

Yeah its pretty common. See below.

Interesting. I guess I will see when I install, good thing it's pretty easy install.

LT4Greg · 08-07-2022, 10:27 PM

I have a RotoFab intake too and have never really noticed any noise like that before but hey I figure I’m driving a 650 hp hotrod so I won’t be that concerned about it. I do like the whine though on full throttle!

SATINSTEEL1LE · 08-07-2022, 10:27 PM

As I said above though this is only when you are accelerating while still in vacuum. If you completely close the bypass by going WOT, it stops immediately and you only hear pure blower whine. Heres my car going WOT and you can hear it scream now with the rotofab.

https://youtu.be/ZDJNSV2v74c

LT4Greg · 08-07-2022, 10:30 PM

Hey Mac, don’t let that noise stop you from installing your RotoFab! They do make some difference in throttle response and blower whine.

08-07-2022, 03:35 PM	#1
JBones81 Drives: 22 ZL1, 18 RS3, 22 M3P Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Walnut Creek, CA Posts: 936 View My Garage	Weird noise I'm hearing in my new zl1 Does anyone here still have a stock zl1? I'm hearing what I think is an odd noise coming from the driver's side (a passenger confirmed that it's not as evident on his side). I only notice it when I'm lightly accelerating in lower gears and the vacuum is at about 5-0. It almost sounds like a gear grinding noise. It's hard to describe...metallic-y. I don't think it is the roto-fab, but it's possible. It definitely isn't blower whine or exhaust noise. Im thinking that it could be the blower just starting to spin. In fact, I hope that's all it is. I've only had one other factory blower car and it was an 03 Cobra. I don't recall hearing anything like this on that car. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? __________________ 2022 ZL1 - M6, Wrapped, Tinted, Rotofab intake, MBRP AxleBack, Lots of BMR rear suspension components 2022 Tesla Model 3 Performance 2018 Audi RS3 - Many mods & e85 Instagram - @JBsCars

08-07-2022, 03:43 PM	#2
Jeauxy Drives: 19' SW ZLE Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: Austin Posts: 36	Is the sound loud enough to where you think you are able to get it on video? __________________ Summit White 2019 Camaro ZL1 1LE - Rotofab Big Gulp - CSP LTs Past: - 02' SS Procharged (stolen) - 01' Z28 (sold)

08-07-2022, 04:26 PM	#4
Keko Drives: 2023 ZLE M6 Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: California Posts: 171	Easiest way is upload to YouTube. They make it pretty simple. __________________ 2023 ZLE M6 Borla S-Type Catback \| Rotofab CAI \| Soler TB \| MPI Lid

08-07-2022, 05:54 PM	#5
JustinZL1 Drives: 2017 Focus RS Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: TX Posts: 63	Does it make the noise if you are not in gear and rev the motor. There was another post recently that his intake bolts holding in TB was loose making a weird noise. __________________ 2023 ZL1, M6, Shadow Gray

08-07-2022, 10:27 PM	#12
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,809	I have a RotoFab intake too and have never really noticed any noise like that before but hey I figure I’m driving a 650 hp hotrod so I won’t be that concerned about it. I do like the whine though on full throttle! __________________ ZL1 Coupe, PDR, Exposed carbon fiber hood insert, My Link with Nav, M6 6 speed and Silver Ice Metallic. Mods done: ceramic window tint, GM Accessories Camaro floor mats and Roto-Fab CAI.

08-07-2022, 06:05 PM	#6
SATINSTEEL1LE Account Suspended Drives: 21 ZL1 Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: South East Posts: 662	What you are hearing is what everyone with a ZL1 and rotofab eventually complains about. When you are mildly accelerating, you are hearing the whistling of air going through the bypass valve in the blower. When you give it enough beans where the bypass closes and you start to register boost, thats when it stops. Completely normal and nothing you can do about it. Edit - with a closed air intake like the stock one, you wouldn't hear this. So when the rotofab goes on, its introduced. My 18 did it with the rotofab and my 21 does it same with the RF. My buddy's 20 with the rotofab does it as well. I've heard this on at least 5 ZL1s with rotofabs.

08-07-2022, 10:02 PM	#8
Mac7504 Drives: 2003 Monte Carlo SS SLP, 2022 ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 480	Damn I have a rotofab I've yet to install and never heard of anyone complaining about strange noises other than when installed incorrectly. This blows to read if it's really a thing.

08-07-2022, 10:23 PM	#10
SATINSTEEL1LE Account Suspended Drives: 21 ZL1 Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: South East Posts: 662	This is exactly what mine does as well. Thats the bypass whistle you can now hear with the open element CAI. RIP to your hopes and dreams. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...ature=emb_logo

08-07-2022, 10:30 PM	#14
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,809	Hey Mac, don’t let that noise stop you from installing your RotoFab! They do make some difference in throttle response and blower whine. __________________ ZL1 Coupe, PDR, Exposed carbon fiber hood insert, My Link with Nav, M6 6 speed and Silver Ice Metallic. Mods done: ceramic window tint, GM Accessories Camaro floor mats and Roto-Fab CAI.

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