I've been able to follow a few other LS1's over the past few months when riding with a friend in another car and I've noticed the same exhaust smell from almost every one as mine.
I've noticed the smell from mine when I pull in the garage or when I'm backing up (into the exhaust)...sometimes I can smell it in the cabin when I really get on it. It's almost the same smell your cats give off when you dyno. But not necesarily like a rotten egg like when they're going bad.
Anyone else notice this? It's really no biggie but there are some times that it's so strong I take exhaust fumes into the house with me! Not really even a complaint - I kinda like the smell of power but it is odd for a production car.
Then again, perhaps it's the Flowmaster 80-series I installed. Any chance this is it? The manifolds and cats are stock. Would an exahust leak somewhere create this smell?
Posted by SS #2616 (Member # 857) on :
well everyonce in a while I catch a slight hint of sulfer from both of my 2000's the SS and the GTP I guess it must be normal
Posted by XBCHBUM (Member # 734) on :
My exhaust stinks really bad! It's always the day after the car eats a stang! Sorry, had to do it.
Seriously, I have noticed a foul smell coming from the exhaust on occasion. Sometimes from the a/c vents also.
Posted by NexuSS-6 (Member # 708) on :
I did some searching and it seems that more than a few '01 owners have reported this or complained in the forums on other sites.
I wonder if the cats are different...I remember hearing that the '01 cars were to receive baby cats inline with the main cats. Never really checked this out even though I've been under there a few times...
XBCHBUM - I get it from the vents now and then too. Strange indeed - seems worse in my ride when I keep the fan on the floor setting. Vents only or off seems to minimize it coming in the car but when I get out in the garage someplace "cramped" there is some pretty serious exhaust smells happening...
Posted by XBCHBUM (Member # 734) on :
NexuSS-6, Yes ditto on the floor setting. The other day I turned on the a/c got it then also.
Posted by NexuSS-6 (Member # 708) on :
Got out tonight to check the mail and walked around the back of the car. Whew! I can only imagine what people behind me smell when I put my foot in it!
Ran some Atap runs the other day and I'm not running rich - smelled that way to me but wasn't the case. I dunno...one of those quirks I suppose.
Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
The stink is a natural result of the converter reaction, the more you put through them the worse it smells, of course if you're running rich or accelerating it's worse.
Posted by DROPTAWP (Member # 865) on :
Haven't experienced any odd smells what so ever with my 2000 LS1. My Chev Cavalier however, has the same condition that you are describing on your LS1. Although the bad exhaust smell on the Cavalier has not been as noticeable in recent months. Hmmm, maybe it has something to do with the brand and type of gas. Try another gasoline brand. I use Sunoco Premium 94 in my SS.
Posted by RHT (Member # 902) on :
I have definitely noticed this smell in my 2000. I only notice it when I get on the throttle hard, never through the vents or just walking around the car. I can even notice it a little with the windows up if I'm really accelerating.
I think it's a normal bi-product of the cats. It's not a horrible rotten egg smell, but sour to be sure.
Ryan
Posted by XBCHBUM (Member # 734) on :
I no longer experience any stinky exhaust. The bad smell from the a/c doesn't exist either.
Posted by JeffY (Member # 120) on :
It certainly isn't normal. The car would never pass emission testing. None of our cars ever smell-even after the hard driving of a press show. We even run the cars in an enclosed garage occassionaly. It could be the oils used in the fabrication of your non-OE exhaust system burning off or the seasonal fuel from where you live. Our SLP test fleet has never had a problem like that.
Posted by NexuSS-6 (Member # 708) on :
I've been suspecting the fuel I've been using. I've filled her with Chevron supreme (93) from day 1 - never anything else.
Anyone think it may be the Chevron? And additive in that stuff that may cause the smell?
It is possible it was just seaonsal fuel, like JeffY pointed out, as the smell hasn't been quite as bad lately. I did notice it the other night while getting on the highway. It's only when I really get on it seemingly. Also, it's never happened when the car is cold so I've also been thinking it's the cats after they've heated.
As for it being the Flowmaster - I've suspecetd that as well but my wife insists that the SS gave off the smell well before I had that installed.
Posted by XBCHBUM (Member # 734) on :
Why mine made the exhaust and a/c smell is beyond me. I use Amoco most of the time. The station is on the way home from work. On rare occasions I use Exxon and Texaco. I have only used Chevron once that I can recall.
but it is odd for a production car.
Sorry, had to do it. 
