Usually, knocking indicates bad bearings on the crankshaft. You are going to have to budget for a rebuild on the bottom end of the engine. If the engine has extreme mileage, you would be better off with a remanufactured engine.
your best bet is to get a used motor or if you have the money then buy a new one but either way they are kind of spendy. the cheapest motor i have found was used and priced at $500
A little kid in the trunk with a hammer
Having a bad rod bearing could cause a truck to make a loud knocking noise and shake when driving at high speeds. The engine having a coolant leak or an engine timing problem could also cause the knocking noise.
Running too lean.
rack and pinion
A knocking noise can occur from worn engine mounts. When the rubber insert on the engine mounts are old and brittle the chassis is not protected from the weight of the engine. Creating loud vibrations that get louder as the vehicle goes faster.
The fuel in the cylinders exploding
It's the spirit of the car knocking on the side saying "HELLO??? TAKE ME TO A MECHANIC!"
A loud knocking noise in the motor of a car at high speeds is most likely the engine. There could be another issue with the transmission if the knocking only happens at high speeds.
it's probably a rod knocking
Is the oil lever OK ? Also get a compression check in each cylinder to see if one of the piston rings have worn out.
Serious engine knock or valve train noise. Have this looked into by a pro.
if its a low knocking noise it is normal on the 3.1 engine!! if it is loud check to make sure the valves are getting oil!! I have a 2000 Malibu v6 and it is the same way.