Appreciate the help!
[Z06] How Long do These Engines Last?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Gulfport MS
How Long do These Engines Last?
Hey guys, I own a 2003 Mustang Cobra right now, but am selling for my father's 2003 Z06. He drives his car pretty conservatively, never seen the drag strip, etc. Car currently has 61k miles on it, was wondering how long do these LS6's tend to last when bone stock? Thanks for any help! 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,561
Likes: 946
From: Communist Colorado
Hey guys, I own a 2003 Mustang Cobra right now, but am selling for my father's 2003 Z06. He drives his car pretty conservatively, never seen the drag strip, etc. Car currently has 61k miles on it, was wondering how long do these LS6's tend to last when bone stock? Thanks for any help!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,561
Likes: 946
From: Communist Colorado
Last edited by 81c3; Nov 15, 2009 at 09:46 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Plano TX
I know its not an ls6 but my buddy had an ls1 in his Camaro that he decided to yank and build up. When he pulled it out it had 147K miles on it. Other then some flat spots on the cam the motor was in surprisingly great shape. I have no doubt that an ls6 has 150k+ miles in it if its properly maintained and not overly abused.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 782
Likes: 0
From: Ga
i know several people that have ls1's that have just over 100k and they are still very strong. i know your asking about the ls6 but it gives you an idea. if you drive the car properly (not over-reving, not topping it out daily, etc) and maintain it properly it should last 100k to 150k+ pretty easily. by the way great choice getting the z! 
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
My personal Z06 is an '03 with 77,000 miles and still uses absolutely no oil between changes, which I usually do when the oil monitor says 50% left. I've got LG header system, Honker, ECS tune, etc. and the car has seen several passes down Englishtown. It still runs as good as new and I have no intentions of selling it anytime soon.
I also have a friend who had a '97 C5 that in 2006 was sold for an '06. His '97 had 218,000 miles at the time with no problems. The people who bought it from him are still driving it and it's still running fine.
I also have a friend who had a '97 C5 that in 2006 was sold for an '06. His '97 had 218,000 miles at the time with no problems. The people who bought it from him are still driving it and it's still running fine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,375
Likes: 97
From: Somewhere in the Mid 9's TX
The motor should be fine for another 100k. I've broke about everything else on the Z06 by hitting the track.
87k on the motor, and I drive it they way it was meant to be driven. Hard, but safe on the street, and I hit the track. Bolt on car, and we will see how it does with an England Green Cam soon.
87k on the motor, and I drive it they way it was meant to be driven. Hard, but safe on the street, and I hit the track. Bolt on car, and we will see how it does with an England Green Cam soon.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,561
Likes: 946
From: Communist Colorado
Yes, but really just a quick pass with the pressure washer. When I got it, I spent a couple hours on it because the PO didnt really detail the engine. Now, its lke I said, real fast spray to get the dust off and I towel dry it...thats it!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
You can't compare NA engines with supercharged or turbocharged ones...the Cobra might not last as long as the Vette because of the forced induction...I have seen Vettes with 100K plus miles which run like new. Just a matter of maintenance. Indy
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
My personal Z06 is an '03 with 77,000 miles and still uses absolutely no oil between changes, which I usually do when the oil monitor says 50% left. I've got LG header system, Honker, ECS tune, etc. and the car has seen several passes down Englishtown. It still runs as good as new and I have no intentions of selling it anytime soon.
I also have a friend who had a '97 C5 that in 2006 was sold for an '06. His '97 had 218,000 miles at the time with no problems. The people who bought it from him are still driving it and it's still running fine.
I also have a friend who had a '97 C5 that in 2006 was sold for an '06. His '97 had 218,000 miles at the time with no problems. The people who bought it from him are still driving it and it's still running fine.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 17,103
Likes: 39
From: stop the fun suckers
if i remember correctly I think i read something about a 200k-250k engine durability test parameter.. a few have seen over 300k (search c5 gen).. i think they are just getting broken in at 50k.. heck even the LT1's were going 200k miles and that was back in '92!
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,124
Likes: 105
From: Pensacola FL
The stock-bottomed LS1 in my 2000 Z28 took 576rwhp/590rwtq worth of abuse for three years before finally pushing a head-gasket. When we tore it down, it looked brand-new perfect inside. At nearly stock power levels, I don't see why an LS6 couldn't hit 200K easy...