[Z06] Dead Z
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
Dead Z
well... i bought an 03 Z with 29k on it in february... 5k miles later, the engine is toast. Died around 50mph... nothing crazy. I drove it moderately so I'm guessing the previous owner was not so kind. still seems crazy for the engine to implode after only 35k miles no matter what the driving conditions. Anyway I'm pretty F&*#$ so I'm just wondering if anybody knows what kinda money I could expect to get out of the car if I don't install a new engine (Jasper would run me $7800). The rods are bent and the heads need to be machined. Not sure what else is wrong. The rest of the car is perfect. Excellent paint/interior/tires... So if anybody has any suggestions or input, please throw it out there. I have to figure out what I'm going to do about this mess. 
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: San Jose CA
Sorry to hear this. Did your valve springs go out? Do you know what happened?
well... i bought an 03 Z with 29k on it in february... 5k miles later, the engine is toast. Died around 50mph... nothing crazy. I drove it moderately so I'm guessing the previous owner was not so kind. still seems crazy for the engine to implode after only 35k miles no matter what the driving conditions. Anyway I'm pretty F&*#$ so I'm just wondering if anybody knows what kinda money I could expect to get out of the car if I don't install a new engine (Jasper would run me $7800). The rods are bent and the heads need to be machined. Not sure what else is wrong. The rest of the car is perfect. Excellent paint/interior/tires... So if anybody has any suggestions or input, please throw it out there. I have to figure out what I'm going to do about this mess.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 171
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I don't think the dealer really knows exactly what happened to it... said it could have been a combination of things. The cam went, the rods... heads. Idk man. I'm just ticked at the whole situation haha Either the car is a total freak accident... or somebody ****ed me over badly.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 9,556
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From: Granbury Texas
Please do a seaerch of LS6 for sale on the Roadrace and Autocross board. Several members have posted of prices for LS6 crate motors for sale at around $3500. Call or e-mail all of the Forum support vendors (on the sidebar). Also Phoenix racing might have a used motor for sale.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
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I will take your advice. I was hoping to see if anybody knew the ballpark value for a low miles Z with a bad top end... I was thinking there must be some interest from the autocross/drag crowd since most would be purchasing new heads/cams anyway...
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 115
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From: Tyler Texas
It would be VERY foolish to pull the motor and just replace the "broke" parts. If you bent rods and cam is trashed you got more going on in there. Needs to be completely disassembled and rebuilt. Maybe if it were a 1976 Chevy p/u but not a Z06 Vette.
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Pro
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From: RIO RANCHO NM
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Oldham County Louisville, KY
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 183
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From: San Jose CA
I'd go with an engine rebuild from a reputable shop or crate engine, whatever is cheaper and just enjoy the car or sell it if you can't afford it. From what I know, the LS6 is a pretty solid engine.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 514
Likes: 21
Sounds like your previous owner ran that bitch hard. It was probably tracked.
As for Jasper... well... just read this. http://www.ls1gto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=391134
Look at it this way. It's already blown and you're already ****ed. Now you've got an excuse to build a GOOD motor. Get a new one built up - heads, cam, 383 stroker, put that sumbitch back in and call it a learning experience.
As for Jasper... well... just read this. http://www.ls1gto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=391134
Look at it this way. It's already blown and you're already ****ed. Now you've got an excuse to build a GOOD motor. Get a new one built up - heads, cam, 383 stroker, put that sumbitch back in and call it a learning experience.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,898
Likes: 10
From: Morrisville PA
DO NOT PUT A JASPER MOTOR IN YOUR CAR. They are notorious for not even giving you the engine that came with your car! ABSOLUTE JUNK DONT DO IT.
Really unfortunate about the car...try to find out if a valve spring broke or something. If not, I would bet oil starvation took out a rod bearing.
Really unfortunate about the car...try to find out if a valve spring broke or something. If not, I would bet oil starvation took out a rod bearing.