Good morning!

I have recently started looking for an 01/02 Z06 and have found what I think is a very good deal on an 01. Asking price is under 35K with only 10K miles on the odometer. I ran the VIN through the local dealer here to see if it had been in for the oil consumption test and was relieved to find out that it hadn't.

That's when it gets interesting. It seems the car was in at 2700 miles for a 'shifting' problem into third gear. The dealer reported that 'the problem couldn't be duplicated' at that time(imagine that). at 10,090 miles the car had the 3rd gear replaced under warranty and therein lies my question. Is it normal for the M12 to need a new gear so early into it's service life?

I've been on another board and some have said it's not a transmission problem at all, rather a clutch/pressure plate/slave cylinder problem which GM does have a fix for; the problem is finding a dealer that knows/is willing to do something about it. Anyone on here heard of this clutch problem on 01s?

One of the gentleman replying to my other post also said that regardless of mileage or the fact that it hadn't been in for the oil consumption check means nothing; it's going to need re-ringing at some point in the future. Now, I wouldn't necessarily believe such a statement with no evidence but the Service Manager at the local dealer(who I trust) said that the TSB on oil consumption is for *all* LS motors in F-body's, regular C5s and Z06s, from 99-01. He went on to say that 02 LS motors were recently added to the list but that was more than likely due to a PCV problem vs. the oil control ring issue. Hmmmm

So, the question is this: Is there a problem with the clutch/pressure plate/slave cylinder which is causing the M12s to wear prematurely? Is this oil control problem *really* as wide spread as I keep reading? I try to keep in mind that usually the only people who post about the issue are the ones that are actually having the problem; that can make for a pretty skewed sample set.

I've not gotten to the point of being scared away from Z06s as I think they are a fantastic car and will be a great addition to the ZR-1. I must be honest in saying that some of these recurring issues I hear re: the Z06 are beginning to be disconcerting. Thanks for all the help in advance!


[Modified by ZR WON, 9:27 AM 2/3/2003]


[Modified by ZR WON, 9:29 AM 2/3/2003]

 

Rb:

Thanks for the reply.. These are the only 'upgrades' I know in the 02(vs. 01):


LS6 engine (Z06 model) receives 20 horsepower increase, to 405 hp, and receives 15 foot pounds more torque for a total of 400 lbs. ft. of torque
Pre-cat deletion
Revised rear shock valving
New rear spring
Aluminum front and rear stabilizer bar links
Aluminum transmission cooler case(I didn't think any Z06 had a trans cooler???)
wheels are now cast aluminum, not forged aluminum
Head-Up Display (HUD) now standard
Cam/Valve/Spring change


Seems to me the most significant change would be in the motor. I'm not too interested in the HUD(too 'gimmicky' for me). Are there other changes I need to be aware of??


[Modified by ZR WON, 10:13 AM 2/3/2003]

 

RB:

Well, it's gimmicky to me..;) I've been in a Z06 with it and without it. I've raced a Z06 with it and without it, if that's the 'major' improvement in the 02 Z06 vs. the 01, it isn't worth the 5K extra money to me. The motor seems to respond very favorably to mods and an 01 can put down 02 power with just an intake and pup cat removal. Again, if there are some other *performance* upgrades in the '02 Z06 that might be worth the extra money, I'm all ears.. I think the clutch is different on the 02, I didn't mention that in my initial list.

 

Rb:

How did we get on the subject of HUD?;) My original question was re: oil consumption and 3rd gear replacement!!! If anyone has some insight on these two subjects I'd love to hear them!

 

I deleted my responses...

 

Read this article: http://www.c5registry.com/2k2z06/index.htm
It goes into detail about all the changes. Page 5 relates specifically to the oil consumption problem, and it does not appear to be an issue with all cars. Or rather, it can be an issue with all cars, but is really an issue of how the car is driven. There is also detailed info on the changes between 01 and 02. Personally, I couldn't justify spending the extra $8K for a used 02 over the 01 I got, but then I got a really good deal on mine.

As to the clutch/slave cylinder issue, if the car had 3rd replaced I seriously doubt it was the because of misdiagnosis for the clutch issue. Mine is going in tonight for the clutch issue and it does not feel anything like an actual gear problem.

Oh yeah, here's the list of changes from the article:
removal of pup cats
larger opening in air lid
removal of maf screen
cam change from 525/525 lift to 551/547 lift
reduction in valve weight: 01/02 intake: 99/76 grams, 01/02 exhaust: 86/63
stiffer springs: 259lbs to 294lbs open load (closed is the same at 90lbs)
PCM tuning change
clutch pressure increase from 2315lbs to 2475lbs
addition of HUD
lighter wheels: 1.5lbs less per set (.375lbs per wheel)
higher performance brake pads
revised rear shock valving

I've seen people say the rear spring is different, but I haven't been able to find any sources that actually verify that there is an actual rate change. The part number may have changed, but I'm pretty sure it's the same rate spring.


[Modified by EvanZ06, 3:08 PM 2/3/2003]

 

To get back to your original question. Its not only the 01's with this problem. Its all years. My 03 with 200 miles on it had to have the 2-4 syncros replaced and third gear replaced- the cause of which was something wrong with the clutch- as someone stated above.

I would not hesitate to buy the car. If its been fixed it should be ok. Its not an indication of how the person drove the car. Like I said I drove home from picking mine up- never took the car above 3000rpms and this happened to me. GM knows the syncros, clutch, and tranny needs improvement- they just simply close their eyes to it. Good luck
Sg


[Modified by zul8r, 7:36 AM 2/4/2003]