[Z06] 2003 Z06 Question
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Toms River NJ
2003 Z06 Question
Guys- I am new to the Corvette and just picked up a 2003 Z06 with 3900 miles on it. It was garaged and shown at car shows but never really driven. I wanted to change all the fluids in the car just to be on the safe side. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,245
Likes: 25
From: Blue Ridge Georgia
That's a good idea. Now are you going to change everything yourself or you going to pay someone to do it. Half of the battle of the C5 is knowing how to jack it up. After that it's easy to do the work. There are countless threads on jacking so I suggest you do a search on jacking so you will know what to do. Other than that find a corvette shop in your area and pay someone to do it. The Corvette is fun to work on and the forum is a great tool.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Toms River NJ
I was going to have my buddy that has worked on these and is a Chevy guy do it all. I was just wondering what the consensus was on changing everything and should I use certain fluids, etc, etc. I have a feeling I am going to have to put tires on it too. They are like brand new but feel hard and are noisy most likely from sitting...
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 14,406
Likes: 3
From: Cypress TX
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18
I would recommend using a premium synthetic product line - no blends. I've been using Amsoil for a few years in both my street and track cars and have had no problems at all. It is a very high quality product line. There is a supporting vendor listed on the site, or you can contact me. Good luck! 
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
Kaisersteiner,
Welcome to the forum & congrats on your new purchase.
Won't find many with that few of miles.
You are probably not aware, but you live close to one of the very best Corvette shops in the nation.
They are located in Cream Ridge. The shop is called East Coast Supercharging. (ECS)
They would be more than happy to answer any & all questions that you may have in regards to your new found Vette.
Of course you will get some great advise & info, here on the forum
too.
Again welcome aboard for a very great ride
Welcome to the forum & congrats on your new purchase.
Won't find many with that few of miles.
You are probably not aware, but you live close to one of the very best Corvette shops in the nation.
They are located in Cream Ridge. The shop is called East Coast Supercharging. (ECS)
They would be more than happy to answer any & all questions that you may have in regards to your new found Vette.
Of course you will get some great advise & info, here on the forum
too.
Again welcome aboard for a very great ride
Racer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
From: Springfield VA
If you're planning on doing it yourself (which would be a great bonding experience to have with your car) there are a bunch of links on this site to help you out. One of the members here does some great write ups with detailed pics. Check out Toque's site when you get a chance. --> http://mysite.verizon.net/res0aae8/webpage.html
Also, if you're looking for a good deal on some synthetic fluids, check with our resident Amsoil dealer: Subdriver. He's hooked me up a couple times (for my vette and my new toy: cbr600rr), and Amsoil products are top-notch.
**Also, if you plan on DD'ing your car, I would do a quick search of the term "column lock".... there's a mod you should definitely do, if it hasn't been done already. **
Welcome to the forum. I'm sure you'll love your 03Z as much as I love mine!
Also, if you're looking for a good deal on some synthetic fluids, check with our resident Amsoil dealer: Subdriver. He's hooked me up a couple times (for my vette and my new toy: cbr600rr), and Amsoil products are top-notch.
**Also, if you plan on DD'ing your car, I would do a quick search of the term "column lock".... there's a mod you should definitely do, if it hasn't been done already. **
Welcome to the forum. I'm sure you'll love your 03Z as much as I love mine!
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale AZ
Holy crap! 3900 miles, that's awesome! Congrats on the buy. Lot's of people have different preferences on lubricants so I'd search around here for the guys that are looking for the same things you're looking for and make a decision based on that.
For example, I'm using Mobil 1 "gold cap" synthetic in my new motor, but I'm going to be switching to the Motul 300V oil on my next oil change. I also just used the standard oil for the Z06 on everything else and Redline Water Wetter in my radiator. Good luck, have fun with the new ride.
For example, I'm using Mobil 1 "gold cap" synthetic in my new motor, but I'm going to be switching to the Motul 300V oil on my next oil change. I also just used the standard oil for the Z06 on everything else and Redline Water Wetter in my radiator. Good luck, have fun with the new ride.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 450
Likes: 9
From: SOUTH NJ
Anyway congrats
My preference in Lubes
Mobil 1 = engine oil 6.5 qts
Mobil 1 = ATF, little over 3.25 qts in trans
Red Line = 80w-140, 2 qts in the diff
Any Name brand Dexcool is Dexcool
Valvoline DOT 4 = in the master/clutch cylinders
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Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 5,364
Likes: 38
From: King George VA
Kaisersteiner,
Congrats on the new ride!
Though my car is a track day car only now, I used these same fluids in my 06 CTS-V (LS2 engine and same tranny as my Corvette) until I sold it in 09, and continue to use the below listed tranny and diff fluids in my Vette - though I use racing engine oil.
Engine Oil:
AMSOIL Signature Series Synthetic 0w30 (Product Code SSOQT)
AMSOIL SAE Synthetic 5w30 (Product Code ASLQT)
Note: Both of these are labeled for GM4718M (the C5 Vette's oil spec) and are Group IV PAO basestock synthetics. The Sig Series is slightly better as it has a slightly better additive package and is what I chose to run in my CTS-V.
Tranny:
AMSOIL Torque-Drive Synthetic Transmission Fluid (Product Code ATD1G)
Diff:
AMSOIL Severe Gear Extreme Pressure Synthetic 75w90 (Product Code SVGQT)
Note: This fluid comes with friction modifier already in it and adding extra additive isn't normally required for a C5 Z06. I use this fluid in my Z06 without extra additive (and did so in my CTS-V).
Brake/Clutch:
AMSOIL Series 500 High Performance DOT 3 Brake Fluid (Product Code BF3SN)
Dry Boiling Point - 525F, Wet Boiling Point - 313F
Note: I use the DOT 4 version of this in my Z06 for the track.
Fuel Injector Cleaner (once every 4k miles):
AMSOIL P.I. Performance Improver (Product Code APICN)
I'm more than happy to ensure forum members get dealer wholesale pricing, about 25% below retail, via the AMSOIL Preferred Customer Program. Drop me a PM if interested.
P.S. Enjoy the ride!
__________________
C66 Racing #66 NASA ST2, SCCA T2
AMSOIL Dealer (Forum Vendor)
AMSOIL Preferred Customer Program (Members buy at Wholesale - a savings of about 25%)
C66 Racing #66 NASA ST2, SCCA T2
AMSOIL Dealer (Forum Vendor)
AMSOIL Preferred Customer Program (Members buy at Wholesale - a savings of about 25%)
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Toms River NJ
Guys- Thanks for the suggestions. Much appreciated. I am excited as this is my first vette but performance is not new to me. I just sold a 600hp 300c SRT8 that went consistant 11.5s in the QTR mile at full 4100lb weight. I got tired of dealing with trying to beat the weight.
Right now the fluids need to get changed just to be safe and I am going to throw new tires on her ASAP. After that who knows???
Thanks again. I was very happy to find one with very low miles...
Right now the fluids need to get changed just to be safe and I am going to throw new tires on her ASAP. After that who knows???
Thanks again. I was very happy to find one with very low miles...
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 35,874
Likes: 1,600
From: Honolulu HI
Also, when you change your fluids, be sure to flush teh brake fluid as well as the clutch fluid. Search the "ranger method" for the clutch.
Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 633
Likes: 19
From: Richmond VA
St. Jude Donor '11, '14,’19
That is a totally awesome find with that mileage! Congrats.
I bought mine with low mileage/long-shelf-life also, and can tell you the tires were a bit stiff. I kept finding myself spinning out at the top of the rev limiter. It was frustrating to have this happen, not knowing what the performance "should" have been for the car. To do it again, I would have sold the old tires, just to be sure I was getting a new car buying
experience.
I bought mine with low mileage/long-shelf-life also, and can tell you the tires were a bit stiff. I kept finding myself spinning out at the top of the rev limiter. It was frustrating to have this happen, not knowing what the performance "should" have been for the car. To do it again, I would have sold the old tires, just to be sure I was getting a new car buying
experience.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,184
Likes: 3
From: KADS- If it has wings or an engine, I can break it. Dallas TX
3900 miles. A heck of a deal. I was just thinking about how I don't drive my vette enough, I have 40,000 miles. I drive a truck everyday for my job.
Blows my mind. Some people pay a lot of money to not drive a car...........
Blows my mind. Some people pay a lot of money to not drive a car...........
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 291
From: Pasco WA
Some people are even worse. They pay a lot of money on mods, and the car sits most of the time. (me) Owned my Z for over 8 yrs., and have under 18k miles. I have 4 cars, one of which is my wifes, and two that are company cars. I alternate DDing the company cars for %95 of my driving. As they say; "it is, what it is".
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Hudson OH
I just got my new acquisition out yesterday for the first time. I found a 2003 Red Z06 with 7700 miles in January. Had it flat bedded home and covered it up so I wouldn't be tortured so much by the wait.
I'm planning on crankcase oil and coolant change for sure. Not so sure about the transmission and diff.
Possibly brake fluid.
I'm planning on crankcase oil and coolant change for sure. Not so sure about the transmission and diff.
Possibly brake fluid.
