[Z06] Engine Longevity
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Engine Longevity
Greetings,
I'm thinking strongly about buying a C5 Z06, but have always owned japanese cars, so I have no idea about the life of an engine. I know a Lexus doesn't start looking 'used' until about 100k miles, and most engines last between 200k-300k.
Since the Z06 is so high-performance, does this decrease the life of the car/engine? Any input?
Thanks,
Jason
I'm thinking strongly about buying a C5 Z06, but have always owned japanese cars, so I have no idea about the life of an engine. I know a Lexus doesn't start looking 'used' until about 100k miles, and most engines last between 200k-300k.
Since the Z06 is so high-performance, does this decrease the life of the car/engine? Any input?
Thanks,
Jason
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 8
From: San Jose California
The more power an engine generates, the faster it will wear out. Aircraft engines base their overhaul periods by estimates of engine load. The good thing is that even a Corvette driven modestly hard spends a very, very small fraction of its time under full throttle. The other strong point is that if highway driven, the engine is only turning about half as many revs as the C3 Vettes did. The several C3's that I owned also went well over 100,000 miles without problems, so I would expect my 2002 ZO6 to go way over 100K without problems. It has over 65,000 miles now without any issues or oil consumption problems.
This is my 5th Vette and they have all given me long trouble free miles. I think you can feel confident as long as you take reasonably good care (check and change the oil for example) of the car and don't drive like an idiot.
Chuck
This is my 5th Vette and they have all given me long trouble free miles. I think you can feel confident as long as you take reasonably good care (check and change the oil for example) of the car and don't drive like an idiot.
Chuck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 8
From: San Jose California
The more power an engine generates, the faster it will wear out. Aircraft engines base their overhaul periods by estimates of engine load. The good thing is that even a Corvette driven modestly hard spends a very, very small fraction of its time under full throttle. The other strong point is that if highway driven, the engine is only turning about half as many revs as the C3 Vettes did. The several C3's that I owned also went well over 100,000 miles without problems, so I would expect my 2002 ZO6 to go way over 100K without problems. It has over 65,000 miles now without any issues or oil consumption problems. It is a very well built engine, the best one yet until they release the LS7.
This is my 5th Vette and they have all given me long trouble free miles. I think you can feel confident as long as you take reasonably good care (check and change the oil for example) of the car and don't drive like an idiot.
Chuck
This is my 5th Vette and they have all given me long trouble free miles. I think you can feel confident as long as you take reasonably good care (check and change the oil for example) of the car and don't drive like an idiot.
Chuck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 3
From: Rehoboth MA . . . NRA Life Member
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
EyesOnly,
The life of a C5 Z06, while certainly potent at 405HP, is directly dependent on how it's cared for, driven, and maintained.
Oil changes using Mobil 1 synthetic oil combined with a high quality filter are paramount to the engines longevity. Oil life will vary with driving conditions. Excessive heat and high rpm's prematurely breakdown oils lubrication properties causing component wear and failure.
Proper lubrication of both engine and transmission will is only part of the puzzle, driving properly is another.
Bob
The life of a C5 Z06, while certainly potent at 405HP, is directly dependent on how it's cared for, driven, and maintained.
Oil changes using Mobil 1 synthetic oil combined with a high quality filter are paramount to the engines longevity. Oil life will vary with driving conditions. Excessive heat and high rpm's prematurely breakdown oils lubrication properties causing component wear and failure.
Proper lubrication of both engine and transmission will is only part of the puzzle, driving properly is another.
Bob
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Euless Texas
Originally Posted by EyesOnly
Greetings,
I'm thinking strongly about buying a C5 Z06, but have always owned japanese cars, so I have no idea about the life of an engine. I know a Lexus doesn't start looking 'used' until about 100k miles, and most engines last between 200k-300k.
Since the Z06 is so high-performance, does this decrease the life of the car/engine? Any input?
Thanks,
Jason
I'm thinking strongly about buying a C5 Z06, but have always owned japanese cars, so I have no idea about the life of an engine. I know a Lexus doesn't start looking 'used' until about 100k miles, and most engines last between 200k-300k.
Since the Z06 is so high-performance, does this decrease the life of the car/engine? Any input?
Thanks,
Jason
The LS6 is designed for racing, it's a waste (IMO) to "baby it". I suppose that driving it hard at the track for a weekend may take a little life from the engine. But I figure, what the heck? It's worth it. When it eventually wears out (whenever that is), I'll fix it.
There's no magic in how to make a car of any brand last a long time. Maintain it properly and "baby it", and it will last until your are sick of it.
Ciao,
Rick
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Euless Texas
Originally Posted by C5 CU
I think should last past 100,000 miles ... may need to replace valve springs at around 60 to 75k, tune, fluids etc.
I have heard that if you put in a higher lift cam you may have valve spring problems. But that is aleviated by switching to racing valve springs.
Some also claim that frequent high-RPM driving causes valve spring fatigue. It would be nice to see something official about this.
On a related note, I read a quote by some NASCAR big-shot: When asked "What technology has advanced NASCAR performance the most?" His answer was "Valve Springs!".
Ciao,
Rick
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Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Well that's all good news to hear- obviously there aren't any Z06's out there with 200k on the clock yet, but it's good to know that these engines are generally capable of delivering long life. Now I just need to get the funds in order to get one... 
Jason
Jason
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 168
Likes: 1
From: Harrisonburg VA
Originally Posted by C5 CU
I think should last past 100,000 miles ... may need to replace valve springs at around 60 to 75k, tune, fluids etc.
thats completely unnecessary, other than checking fluids every so often, changing oil, filter etc, they are basically maintenance free for 100k. Much more so than my foreign cars which require regular service in 15-30k mile increments. Part of the reason I prefer working on/driving the vette more than the cayanne and saab i have.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 168
Likes: 1
From: Harrisonburg VA
Originally Posted by C5 CU
I think should last past 100,000 miles ... may need to replace valve springs at around 60 to 75k, tune, fluids etc.
thats completely unnecessary, other than checking fluids every so often, changing oil, filter etc, they are basically maintenance free for 100k. Much more so than my foreign car which requires regular service in 15-30k mile increments. Probably the easiest to maintain car ive ever had, part of the benefit of having a gm pushrod engine.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,824
Likes: 1
From: Middleboro Massachusetts
Originally Posted by EyesOnly
Greetings,
I'm thinking strongly about buying a C5 Z06, but have always owned japanese cars, so I have no idea about the life of an engine. I know a Lexus doesn't start looking 'used' until about 100k miles, and most engines last between 200k-300k.
Since the Z06 is so high-performance, does this decrease the life of the car/engine? Any input?
Thanks,
Jason
I'm thinking strongly about buying a C5 Z06, but have always owned japanese cars, so I have no idea about the life of an engine. I know a Lexus doesn't start looking 'used' until about 100k miles, and most engines last between 200k-300k.
Since the Z06 is so high-performance, does this decrease the life of the car/engine? Any input?
Thanks,
Jason
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 0
From: highland village texas
Originally Posted by SoulDad570
Really? I hadn't heard that.. I checked my service manual and there is no mention of valve springs at all.
Rick
Rick
Last edited by C5 CU; Jul 12, 2005 at 11:20 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,589
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis MO
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Originally Posted by Chuck Harmon
The more power an engine generates, the faster it will wear out. Aircraft engines base their overhaul periods by estimates of engine load. The good thing is that even a Corvette driven modestly hard spends a very, very small fraction of its time under full throttle. The other strong point is that if highway driven, the engine is only turning about half as many revs as the C3 Vettes did. The several C3's that I owned also went well over 100,000 miles without problems, so I would expect my 2002 ZO6 to go way over 100K without problems. It has over 65,000 miles now without any issues or oil consumption problems. It is a very well built engine, the best one yet until they release the LS7.
This is my 5th Vette and they have all given me long trouble free miles. I think you can feel confident as long as you take reasonably good care (check and change the oil for example) of the car and don't drive like an idiot.
Chuck
This is my 5th Vette and they have all given me long trouble free miles. I think you can feel confident as long as you take reasonably good care (check and change the oil for example) of the car and don't drive like an idiot.
Chuck
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,824
Likes: 1
From: Middleboro Massachusetts
Originally Posted by C5 CU
Right now there are several threads floating around of "stock" ZO6s with 60k+ miles that have had valve spring problems...not camed cars but stock...actually had a GM service manager suggest replacing springs at 75k in ZO6s to me also.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 3
I met someone recently who said he got 300K miles (mostly highway)
out of his C5 Coupe. He said he changed the oil religiously at 3K miles.
He sold the car for $10K, if you can believe it, when he bought his new
C6 Coupe.
out of his C5 Coupe. He said he changed the oil religiously at 3K miles.
He sold the car for $10K, if you can believe it, when he bought his new
C6 Coupe.
Last edited by 08msmZ06; Jul 12, 2005 at 07:45 PM.
Collections Hold
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,520
Likes: 2
From: Tacoma WA
Originally Posted by 04msmZ06
I met someone recently who said he got 300K miles (mostly highway)
out of his C5 Coupe. He said he changed the oil religiously at 3K miles.
He sold the car for $10K, if you can believe it, when he bought his new
C6 Coupe.
out of his C5 Coupe. He said he changed the oil religiously at 3K miles.
He sold the car for $10K, if you can believe it, when he bought his new
C6 Coupe.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 24,143
Likes: 3
I went to a popular DE course that specializes in Corvettes. I drove one of the ZO6's that had over 30K RACETRACK miles on it. The tranny was a a little sloppy, but the motor was as strong as ever. 
If you drive at 6500rpms alot of the time, a new set of valve springs might be in order at 75k mi.
If you drive at 6500rpms alot of the time, a new set of valve springs might be in order at 75k mi.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 281
Likes: 7
From: Arlington TN.
Originally Posted by Robert56
Yes, I believe it. I read a article from GM stating that these cars should easily last 250k or more with proper maintance. Now us guys that run them very, very hard may see a little less, but time will tell.
My '04 ZO6 is nearing 40k
It's out of warranty, but it has never been to the dealer!