[Z06] 2002 Z06 purchase?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 400
Likes: 268
From: New Jersey
2002 Z06 purchase?
I've owned numerous Corvettes but never a C5 Z06. I saw one for sale recently that I really liked. I love the body style of the car, and the performance is legendary, but I've heard things about those valve springs, problems. The car I'm looking at has about 50K miles on it. Any way to know what I'm getting into? Its a multi owner car so I can't know its whole history.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,423
Likes: 200
From: Atlanta GA
I've owned numerous Corvettes but never a C5 Z06. I saw one for sale recently that I really liked. I love the body style of the car, and the performance is legendary, but I've heard things about those valve springs, problems. The car I'm looking at has about 50K miles on it. Any way to know what I'm getting into? Its a multi owner car so I can't know its whole history.
No big deal. Replacement is going to cost anywhere from 100.00 (do it yourself), to around 400.00-600.00 (installed by a shop).
Other than that, enjoy. Once the springs are swapped out, these drivetrains are pretty bullet proof in stock form.
Last edited by bikeriderga; Feb 21, 2016 at 01:18 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 400
Likes: 268
From: New Jersey
The 02 and early 03s had weak valve springs due to a flaw in the manufacturing of the springs.
No big deal. Replacement is going to cost anywhere from 100.00 (do it yourself), to around 400.00-600.00 (installed by a shop).
Other than that, enjoy. Once the springs are swapped out, these drivetrains are pretty bullet proof in stock form.
No big deal. Replacement is going to cost anywhere from 100.00 (do it yourself), to around 400.00-600.00 (installed by a shop).
Other than that, enjoy. Once the springs are swapped out, these drivetrains are pretty bullet proof in stock form.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 741
Likes: 124
Yes changing the valve springs isnt a huge cost but a must if u buy it trust me. Factor that in when buying it. Go with PAC 1218 as replacement springs as long as your keeping the stock cam. Other than that it will be the finest automobile on the road for the money. I will never sell my 03 z. These cars are the best value hands down.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 58
Likes: 3
From: Boise Idaho
Absolutely Agree!
Yes changing the valve springs isnt a huge cost but a must if u buy it trust me. Factor that in when buying it. Go with PAC 1218 as replacement springs as long as your keeping the stock cam. Other than that it will be the finest automobile on the road for the money. I will never sell my 03 z. These cars are the best value hands down.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,119
Likes: 272
From: SC
I've owned numerous Corvettes but never a C5 Z06. I saw one for sale recently that I really liked. I love the body style of the car, and the performance is legendary, but I've heard things about those valve springs, problems. The car I'm looking at has about 50K miles on it. Any way to know what I'm getting into? Its a multi owner car so I can't know its whole history.
Last edited by iridelow; Feb 22, 2016 at 09:02 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,491
Likes: 315
St. Jude Donor '15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
I've owned numerous Corvettes but never a C5 Z06. I saw one for sale recently that I really liked. I love the body style of the car, and the performance is legendary, but I've heard things about those valve springs, problems. The car I'm looking at has about 50K miles on it. Any way to know what I'm getting into? Its a multi owner car so I can't know its whole history.
Here is some info on valve spring failures.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-failures.html
Last edited by laurent_zo6; Feb 25, 2016 at 02:21 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,245
Likes: 25
From: Blue Ridge Georgia
Man, nothing is better than a C5 Z06 ride. You can change the springs when you install the cam. Then your really going to like the car. There is nothing that matches the overall experience of a C5 Z06.
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Good luck!
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 50
From: Goldsboro NC
My current car is an 02 Z06 and it is the ninth vette I have owned. I had 2 C6 vettes as well and I'm telling you, the 02 Z06 is the funnest vette I have ever owned. My car has 20K miles on it and I have not touched the springs, I don't know if the past owner did it or not, the car was pure stock when i bought it, but the valve springs may or may not have been done. I work at a GM dealership and had our best tech check over the car, he said, don't change any fluids, other than the engine oil and the clutch fluid. He said with only 20k miles, it;s a waist of time and money changing any other fluids because they are sealed and do not were out over time, like many members on this form thinks.
. Its not hard to pull a valve cover to look...here are the factory replacements used in the LATER 03's and 04's.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 400
Likes: 268
From: New Jersey
I bought the 02 Z!!
My current car is an 02 Z06 and it is the ninth vette I have owned. I had 2 C6 vettes as well and I'm telling you, the 02 Z06 is the funnest vette I have ever owned. My car has 20K miles on it and I have not touched the springs, I don't know if the past owner did it or not, the car was pure stock when i bought it, but the valve springs may or may not have been done. I work at a GM dealership and had our best tech check over the car, he said, don't change any fluids, other than the engine oil and the clutch fluid. He said with only 20k miles, it;s a waist of time and money changing any other fluids because they are sealed and do not were out over time, like many members on this form thinks.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 741
Likes: 124
My current car is an 02 Z06 and it is the ninth vette I have owned. I had 2 C6 vettes as well and I'm telling you, the 02 Z06 is the funnest vette I have ever owned. My car has 20K miles on it and I have not touched the springs, I don't know if the past owner did it or not, the car was pure stock when i bought it, but the valve springs may or may not have been done. I work at a GM dealership and had our best tech check over the car, he said, don't change any fluids, other than the engine oil and the clutch fluid. He said with only 20k miles, it;s a waist of time and money changing any other fluids because they are sealed and do not were out over time, like many members on this form thinks.
Last edited by mainecobra; Feb 28, 2016 at 01:51 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 50
From: Goldsboro NC
Depends how deep your pockets are and/or your mechanical ability if your a DIYer. One would need to know the cam specs to be used. Even then, depending on how much lift you are going with, your cam may require the strength of a dual spring. Dual springs in stock applications may cause too much valve seat pressure and may cause a loss in hp. Id like to think with such low miles you would be fine for a year but, honestly, who knows. BTW only the first quarter or so of the 03's had the potential issue. If yours was built much closer to 04, than it wasn't a problem.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 400
Likes: 268
From: New Jersey
C5Z vs. C6Z my preferance
I would only consider a C6 again if it was a Z06, I do love the 427. I had no complaints about my Grandsport, except the battery used to go dead if you looked at the car cross eyed..LOL! It was under warranty but it had issues. The LS3 is a great motor and I would only miss it if my 02 Z didn't have the same kind of punch, but it does, so I'm real happy. I'm old school and missed the pop up headlights and the seat of your pants feel I get when I'm in a C5. The C6 is more refined and forgiving on the road, so it definitely is an improved vehicle, but I love the C5 Z's body styling and contours, JMTC.
