Piston slap poll

[montreal ponies]

It's easy to miss if you are focused on the glorious sounds of the exhaust.

Well i guess i'm one of those unlucky ones that got a "not so tight " piston to cylinder wall engine as mine is REALLY annoying as hell, and no you wouldn't need a microscope to hear it.

Brought it in to my dealer early May, they heard it oh right, but they referred me to the Ford TSB. Hopefully it goes away with time.

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[stanglife]

It's easy to miss if you are focused on the glorious sounds of the exhaust.

Aint that the truth! Also certain driving styles (always lead foot) will not reproduce it very easily. I can actually hear mine more from the outside - window down and near a retaining wall, it's pretty apparent as you roll on some light throttle.

 

[stanglife]

Well i guess i'm one of those unlucky ones that got a "not so tight " piston to cylinder wall engine as mine is REALLY annoying as hell, and no you wouldn't need a microscope to hear it.

Brought it in to my dealer early May, they heard it oh right, but they referred me to the Ford TSB. Hopefully it goes away with time.

I cant imagine it will go away. It's a characteristic of such a short piston. On the bright side, your engine has much less chances of sticking a piston once it's really hot, at 8000+rpm. ;)

 

[montreal ponies]

I cant imagine it will go away. It's a characteristic of such a short piston. On the bright side, your engine has much less chances of sticking a piston once it's really hot, at 8000+rpm. ;)

Haven't had the balls to go past 7K rpm so far, maybe that's what she needs. ;)

It'll be on my " to do " list before she gets stored away for the winter, then i can concentrate on more important things like getting some kind of trans cooler installed.

 

[Varekai]

Anyone in the Tampa FL area without slap? I'd like to hear it ;).

Ford does have a bulletin out on this stating that it is normal. The biggest question is - if it's normal, why would some not have this "feature"?

As far as I can tell I don't have the slap. I'm not too far from Tampa.

 

[stanglife]

As far as I can tell I don't have the slap. I'm not too far from Tampa.

Looks like a couple of us might be going to the Quaker Steak thing on Sunday. I haven't been in a long time so I need to look up the times and such. Maybe you can make it out!

 

[stanglife]

Haven't had the balls to go past 7K rpm so far, maybe that's what she needs. ;)

It'll be on my " to do " list before she gets stored away for the winter, then i can concentrate on more important things like getting some kind of trans cooler installed.

Seriously? I make sure I visit 8k at least once when I drive it! :first:

 

[Goose]

Have it too. Have been monitoring it. Slap goes away when engine reaches 200+ degrees

G

 

[Mike02z]

Seriously? I make sure I visit 8k at least once when I drive it! :first:

I agree that you need to use this beast but even in 2nd, you're going to jail if you wind it out to 8200 and get caught

 

[Hack]

Isn't that what you just did? Everyone is using a microscope to find problems? Don't turn your inference around on others, please. ;)
I def don't think you guys are wrong.

Genuinely interested in finding the differences and you cant ignore the possibility that some people just will not notice it. That's why I'd like to find someone locally and listen to the car.

I guess you could take it that way. I don't think I have a closed mind. I'm prepared to believe that some cars make different noises than others. I'm also prepared to believe that the noises they make are very similar and the noise some people are freaking out about is the exact same noise that seems like nothing to me.

In other words, I wasn't sure how subtle the sound is. From what people have posted it seems as though it's loud for some people and not for others. I didn't hear piston slap in the Track Attack GT350 that I drove. That car worked great and had excellent power. I held it right on the rev limiter during multiple laps around the track with no issues at all.

I think a lot could be based on driving habits as well. In the morning I have the exhaust in quiet mode and I drive super easy until the car is warm, but I also have the windows closed. There's a sound I associate with the TiVCT system, but not a heavy piston slap like I had with my 200,000 mile 302 that had been run out of oil a few times when I ran that engine on a cold morning when it had been sitting outside. In the afternoons I might have the car windows open, but I also have the exhaust in sport mode and I'm listening to that and/or the stereo, not focusing on trying to hear something else.

All the sounds I hear from the GT350 are normal mechanical sounds that in my opinion do not indicate any problem whatsoever. Also, I don't find any of them bothersome or irritating.

 

[stanglife]

and get caught

;)

 

[stanglife]

I guess you could take it that way. I don't think I have a closed mind. I'm prepared to believe that some cars make different noises than others. I'm also prepared to believe that the noises they make are very similar and the noise some people are freaking out about is the exact same noise that seems like nothing to me.

In other words, I wasn't sure how subtle the sound is. From what people have posted it seems as though it's loud for some people and not for others. I didn't hear piston slap in the Track Attack GT350 that I drove. That car worked great and had excellent power. I held it right on the rev limiter during multiple laps around the track with no issues at all.

I think a lot could be based on driving habits as well. In the morning I have the exhaust in quiet mode and I drive super easy until the car is warm, but I also have the windows closed. There's a sound I associate with the TiVCT system, but not a heavy piston slap like I had with my 200,000 mile 302 that had been run out of oil a few times when I ran that engine on a cold morning when it had been sitting outside. In the afternoons I might have the car windows open, but I also have the exhaust in sport mode and I'm listening to that and/or the stereo, not focusing on trying to hear something else.

All the sounds I hear from the GT350 are normal mechanical sounds that in my opinion do not indicate any problem whatsoever. Also, I don't find any of them bothersome or irritating.

The sound wouldn't bother me except I know what is happening, mechanically ;)

It's a hard sound to describe to someone. "Slap" is definitely a little over the top. It's more like a flutter or something..lol...a word never before used to describe a GT350s sound, I'm certain!

I guess you'd need to ride in someone elses or have them ride and listen to yours to gauge how different they might be. I'm trying to set that up - so I'll keep you posted.

PS - I have a Mustang fan neighbor who (in the company of others) can not hear any specific sound that I or our friends point out in any car. He's like "I just hear the exhaust". EFI cars make all kinds of crazy sounds and he somehow tunes out injectors clicking, fans cycling on/off, exhaust leaks...everything. So to your point, some noises to some people seem less specific and more of the overall package...if that makes sense.

 

[superman07]

between the cold engine, and exhaust the car sounds rowdy and like its coming unglued until at least 110 degrees on the oil. Shockingly more smooth and better sounding after its hit 180.

 

[Varekai]

Looks like a couple of us might be going to the Quaker Steak thing on Sunday. I haven't been in a long time so I need to look up the times and such. Maybe you can make it out!

I was originally planning on the quaker meet, but got talked into doing a car show at a place called Le Gumbo in Tarpon springs by my mustang group. If you decide against the Quaker meet you can come out.

 

[stanglife]

I was originally planning on the quaker meet, but got talked into doing a car show at a place called Le Gumbo in Tarpon springs by my mustang group. If you decide against the Quaker meet you can come out.

I'll probably keep it closer to home. Trying not to put too many street miles on these cup 2s before I get to burn them up on the track next month ;)

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