Hi all!

I've been looking for a C5 Z06, which will be mainly a track car for next summer. I instruct with various clubs in the region and I'm lucky enough to do about 20 track days a year. I tend to drive hard, and sometimes do a few 20-30 min. sessions back-to-back on the racetrack.

I'm interested in a very nice car that is up for sale, price is much more expensive than normal C5Zs but there are quite a few tasty mods on it that I would have done myself or that I find desirable:

-Radiator/engine oil cooler
-Tranny/diff oil cooler
-Big brake kit
-DRM coilovers
etc...

The standout feature of this car, however, is the engine. Now please keep in mind I am a bit mechanically challenged and new to the world of 'vettes, so I don't know what I'm talking about here. We're talking about a Callaway 383 bottom end with TEA LS6 heads, whatever that means.

I have found two "for sale" threads listing this car:
This is the original one (I guess)
And this is the latest one from last year

Some changes between the two, I have asked the seller about them and waiting to hear from him.

My questions is this: I absolutely MUST have good reliability. I will be driving often long distances to and from the track so this car needs to never skip a beat and get me back home safely. I would hate to miss sessions because of some kind of problem. Because of that, I've always been a strong proponent of keeping the engine stock.

Not knowing this engine or the strength of the transmission/differential in C5 Z06s, I need to determine whether this is suited to my use of the car or if I should let it go and wait for another car with only the right mods (or buy a stock one and do the required mods myself). I have no indication that the tranny has received any strengthening modifications, except the cooler.

I know this is a great car with an awesome engine. And you can never have too much power. But if it's not for me, I'd rather leave it for someone else with a more suitable profile (more mechanically inclined/different use).

Thanks in advance for your help guys! And don't be afraid to point me towards other threads with answers if I missed some in my research...

 

Thanks Joshua!

I know Callaway's reputation, but they have to be making different packages with different levels of "bulletproof-ness" for different uses, right?.

I know the work that went into that engine was quality work by some of the best people in the Corvette world, I'm not debating that, nor the end result (RWHP speaks for itself). I also value highly the rest of the mods, and am willing to pay a premium (otherwise I wouldn't even be thinking about this!).

I'm only worried about the ultimate reliability of this engine package when driven hard, for 3 days back-to-back, 30 minute sessions and lots of track time. 400 miles of hard-charging track driving will take its toll on a highly-strung setup!

Plus, we're talking about a significant power hike with no changes (presumably) to the rest of the drivetrain... and that worries me, since I don't know how much power the stock tranny can handle.

Basically, I guess my question is this: would this be considered a "conservative" bomb-proof setup, or more of a pushing-the-envelope kind of thing?

 

If your looking for the ultimate in reliability buy a completely stock car!
No one and I repeat NO ONE can even come close the testing and development done on a stock Corvette.

 

Well, there are mods that can strengthen an engine for track use.

But in general and most of the time, I think you're right, especially given the Z06 powertrain was presumably already developed by GM engineers to hold up to track work (although it still needs oil cooling everywhere!).

Anyone else have an opinion? This is a cool place, by the way...

 

I just got back from a tour of the Callaway facility in Old Lyme, CT.

They have engineers, a full machine shop, an engine testing room and about 20 people work there.

I would have no doubt, if they built an engine, it will be better than the factory. It is beefed up to handle extra power, it is bueprinted, and it is gauranteed.

If they can build a car in 1988 to go 254 mph and than drive it home down country roads........that says something. Especially when it had AC, piwer windows and seats , power door locks and a nice stero.

777

 

Sure, but I am not certain the whole engine was built entirely by Callaway. See car description in the threads I reference above.

 

Without paperwork proving it assume it isnt. Callway keeps records of this....Dont believe Callaway would put a set of TEA heads on there anyway (didnt read the links).

 

Why not contact Callaway directly. I was at the Callaway shop in Cali this Summer. My friend had just bought a Callaway C6 and this was 1 of the stops on our 5200 mile road trip. They wanted all the info on him so the could keep an up to date record of the Car.

 

Problem is I have no information on the car/engine other than what I stated here, which isn't much... but thanks for the tip, I might do that down the line if I keep interest in this car.

 

The second thread said it was a callaway engine. What is it you think they didn't do ?

For 17000 dollars I'm sure they tore the motor down and rebuilt it back up to their specs.

777

 

I don't know that Callaway didn't do everything, but I can't assume the best-case scenario when looking at an unknown car. Plus, I know for a fact (from the second FS thread) that there have been further mods made to it (head/cams) after the initial build.

I'm sure the build was a complete teardown for this kind of price. This car seems to have had a lot of money thrown at it and I believe is good value at the current price. What I'm not certain of is whether it is well-suited to my use.

Plus, there's the transmission issue. Obviously not as bad on a road course (no hard launches) compared to drag racing, but still.

 

I believe that car originally had a Callaway motor and then it was sent back to the shop where a more agressive cam and different set of heads were place on the shortblock.

As has been said, a call to the Callaway shop will clear it up.

They don't typically build anything thats not emissions legal so any additions didn't come from the Callaway shop.

If it was a pure Callaway build, Id say reliability would be second to none. The later additions....can't speak to that.

 

I have fired an email to Callaway looking for information on the car/engine. Let's see if they can help me.

Keep the comments/tips coming guys, and thanks for your help! If/when I end up buying, I'll surely become a paying member of this community.

 

Car was originally set up for nitrous. I'd find out if it was ever installed and if so, stay away.

 

I have just had a phone call from the (very nice) owner.

Engine was originally built by Callaway, chassis built by Doug Rippie. Some additional head/cam work was done after that. Nitrous was in the works but apparently never installed.

Clutch is a C6 Z06 item and apparently the outer drive shafts have been strengthened somehow.

I don't know... I'm extremely attracted to this car, but I swore to myself that I would buy a car with a 100% stock engine to avoid problems...

 

Got an answer from Callaway. Wow, great service!

Thank you for your inquiry. We installed a Callaway 382 SuperNatural engine in this car in late 2005. We do not have knowledge of the subsequent modifications, ie; Trick Flow cylinder heads, LG G5X3 cam, LG headers, etc., so cannot speak to their contribution or integrity. The engine, as specified, built, and installed by Callaway, was believed to be a robust configuration. Again, we cannot speak to the workmanship or materials that have been substituted.

This car has many parts from many suppliers. If engineered and properly developed, this may be a good thing. We can't speak to the value, as we are not the developers.

I guess that tells me a bit more... i.e. there definitely is a level of uncertainty for the type of use it'll see. Really torn here.