[Z06] Sold my Cobra and moving into a C6 Z06, need some advice.
04-27-2012, 12:28 PM
#41
Instructor
Member Since: Mar 2009
Location: Los Angeles Ca
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Another 03 cobra with a KB, solid axle 620hp. I still have it. I love the Z, i wish i would have bought it sooner.
My z is h/c/i & headers. Dont look back and do it!
Wife always seems to get in the way of my fun.
Just do it.
-Paul
My z is h/c/i & headers. Dont look back and do it!
Wife always seems to get in the way of my fun.
Just do it.
-Paul
04-28-2012, 01:42 AM
#42
Drifting
I also came from an 03 Cobra to my stock 08 Z. I was running about 16 pounds of boost on a ported Eaton making 520rwhp. The Z feels faster. I sold the cobra to make way for my Z. I only have an axleback and won't be going any further. The Z is a beast but I had waaaay more confidence in the 03-04 engine. Plus I have a warranty.
04-28-2012, 05:38 AM
#43
Pro
Member Since: Sep 2010
Location: San Diego CA
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I also came from an 03 Cobra to my stock 08 Z. I was running about 16 pounds of boost on a ported Eaton making 520rwhp. The Z feels faster. I sold the cobra to make way for my Z. I only have an axleback and won't be going any further. The Z is a beast but I had waaaay more confidence in the 03-04 engine. Plus I have a warranty.
04-28-2012, 07:40 AM
#44
Burning Brakes
I also came from an 03 Cobra to my stock 08 Z. I was running about 16 pounds of boost on a ported Eaton making 520rwhp. The Z feels faster. I sold the cobra to make way for my Z. I only have an axleback and won't be going any further. The Z is a beast but I had waaaay more confidence in the 03-04 engine. Plus I have a warranty.
I'm sure there must have been a few that failed as nothing is perfect just didn't really read about it. My Z has been very reliable athough it is about 7,800 miles old.
z
04-28-2012, 08:38 AM
#45
Not to mention 03/04 Cobra's are holding their value as apposed to ours dropping by the hour. I could have sold my 04 today for more than I paid for it new! Sorry I couldn't have kept it, but no garage space.
The 2013 Shelby definitely has my attention.
Waiting to see it, and find out what it has for internals
04-28-2012, 09:22 AM
#46
Drifting
04-28-2012, 09:44 AM
#47
Racer
Thread Starter
Thanks for the replies guys!
Well it looks like my Cobra may def. be sold, just waiting on a wire transfer to my bank. I made my buddy, what I believe is a good offer on his car. He doesnt want to budge on his price so Im up in the air right now. I may just start looking for another one, I def. want to get into a Z. If you know anyone selling a nice Z please have them send me a PM.
I pulled the Cobra out yesterday to send the buyer a final walk around video of the car running etc.... man that car is nice too!. I def. cant wait to get in a Vette though....
Thanks guys!
Well it looks like my Cobra may def. be sold, just waiting on a wire transfer to my bank. I made my buddy, what I believe is a good offer on his car. He doesnt want to budge on his price so Im up in the air right now. I may just start looking for another one, I def. want to get into a Z. If you know anyone selling a nice Z please have them send me a PM.
I pulled the Cobra out yesterday to send the buyer a final walk around video of the car running etc.... man that car is nice too!. I def. cant wait to get in a Vette though....
Thanks guys!
04-28-2012, 11:02 AM
#48
Instructor
Member Since: Nov 2009
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Pulleyed cars would blow their motors due to piston expansion that could occur with multiple back-to-back high speed runs in the car. It was always #7 or #8, due to poor coolant flow. The solution was to remove a freeze plug in the back of the head and add an outflow line out of the head.
Aside from that one stupid design flaw, the forged parts were good for 800 crank hp all day long. My cobra's longblock is bone stock, and has lived at 590rwhp for almost 5 years.
04-28-2012, 05:26 PM
#49
Le Mans Master
^^^^^
Well since it's brought up, yes the 03/04 had the coolant flow issue, good rods, crap pistons, the 5.4 shelby motor, good pistons, crappy rods........both have had several issues with head 'tick'.
Well since it's brought up, yes the 03/04 had the coolant flow issue, good rods, crap pistons, the 5.4 shelby motor, good pistons, crappy rods........both have had several issues with head 'tick'.
04-28-2012, 05:30 PM
#50
Race Director
The answer is NO. The 03/04 Terminator engine was one of the best built engines with forged crank, Manley rods, etc... to handle 800rwhp without any problem. Try that with our 427. Or for that matter, the newer 550hp Shelby. Their rods are the weak link, Ford stopped using Manley rods, Big Mistake!
Not to mention 03/04 Cobra's are holding their value as apposed to ours dropping by the hour. I could have sold my 04 today for more than I paid for it new! Sorry I couldn't have kept it, but no garage space.
The 2013 Shelby definitely has my attention. Waiting to see it, and find out what it has for internals
Not to mention 03/04 Cobra's are holding their value as apposed to ours dropping by the hour. I could have sold my 04 today for more than I paid for it new! Sorry I couldn't have kept it, but no garage space.
The 2013 Shelby definitely has my attention.
Waiting to see it, and find out what it has for internals
04-28-2012, 05:59 PM
#51
Le Mans Master
^^^^
04-28-2012, 07:24 PM
#53
Le Mans Master
04-28-2012, 07:27 PM
#54
Le Mans Master
Not really. The only weak link in the cobras was very close piston clearance to avoid piston-slap with cold starts--like owners would have cared about that.
Pulleyed cars would blow their motors due to piston expansion that could occur with multiple back-to-back high speed runs in the car. It was always #7 or #8, due to poor coolant flow. The solution was to remove a freeze plug in the back of the head and add an outflow line out of the head.
Aside from that one stupid design flaw, the forged parts were good for 800 crank hp all day long. My cobra's longblock is bone stock, and has lived at 590rwhp for almost 5 years.
Pulleyed cars would blow their motors due to piston expansion that could occur with multiple back-to-back high speed runs in the car. It was always #7 or #8, due to poor coolant flow. The solution was to remove a freeze plug in the back of the head and add an outflow line out of the head.
Aside from that one stupid design flaw, the forged parts were good for 800 crank hp all day long. My cobra's longblock is bone stock, and has lived at 590rwhp for almost 5 years.
04-28-2012, 07:39 PM
#56
Instructor
Member Since: Nov 2009
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My whipple is pulleyed for 18psi, and has the head cooling mod
04-29-2012, 12:29 PM
#58
As previously mentioned..
Heads to WCCH for bronze valve guides and exhaust valve swap. $1000+
Comp Cams trunnion upgrade kit for LS rocker arms $150
That with the setup you mentioned, and I think you will have a long lasting, EXTREMELY fun car.
Heads to WCCH for bronze valve guides and exhaust valve swap. $1000+
Comp Cams trunnion upgrade kit for LS rocker arms $150
That with the setup you mentioned, and I think you will have a long lasting, EXTREMELY fun car.
04-29-2012, 12:55 PM
#59
Le Mans Master
Hey guys, I just got a very good offer on my 04 Cobra which is making 650rwhp. I never had a vette but always wanted a Z06. Im seriously contemplating picking up a C6 Z. I have been doing my research and feel a bit uneasy about one thing, the LS7 motor. The things that concern me are the rockers bearings and the past few threads about blown motors.
My questions to you experienced members, should I go with a mostly stock Z and leave it alone? Still reliable to run one with full exhaust and cam? My buddy is willing to sell me his 06 Z with a cam and full exhaust with 20k miles. Hes offering it to me at a pretty good deal, the install and tune was done by ECS in NJ. I am just a bit leary, he said the valvetrain is noisey, but has been told several times this is normal for these LS7 motors..I dont know? Im not going to be looking to mod the car much, maybe an exhaust.... it will just be a weekend cuiser, nothing more.
Any advice or suggestions you guys can give me will be greatly appreciated. I do my own wrenching, this is just a different ball game with known issues regarding the LS7 motors.
Thanks in advance guys!
My questions to you experienced members, should I go with a mostly stock Z and leave it alone? Still reliable to run one with full exhaust and cam? My buddy is willing to sell me his 06 Z with a cam and full exhaust with 20k miles. Hes offering it to me at a pretty good deal, the install and tune was done by ECS in NJ. I am just a bit leary, he said the valvetrain is noisey, but has been told several times this is normal for these LS7 motors..I dont know? Im not going to be looking to mod the car much, maybe an exhaust.... it will just be a weekend cuiser, nothing more.
Any advice or suggestions you guys can give me will be greatly appreciated. I do my own wrenching, this is just a different ball game with known issues regarding the LS7 motors.
Thanks in advance guys!
I would tend to Stay away from a modded ls7 or LS9.
Otherwise bonestock they are fine, and are good track cars if you keep them stock and the oil properly topped off. The Z06 might even be a little better track car than the LS9 especially with upgraded brakes on the '6.
For insurance you can buy a GMPP if your z is a 2008 or above with under 20k miles for 1200-1500 bucks.
Right now, I am thinking I might like to add a 2013 662hp Rustang to my list of next cars I would like to buy. I'll try not to get it wet, so it should not have a rust problem and they are much better looking than the Camaro - even though both the maro and stang have a brick looking thing going on.
Last edited by Mr. Gizmo; 04-29-2012 at 01:00 PM.
04-29-2012, 05:08 PM
#60
Racer
Thread Starter
Thanks guys! Im waiting for my buddy to decide, sounds like it if goes through Ill know in the next day or so. I spoke to Jason at Katech and Chris from ECS, after speaking to these guys I feel extremely comfortable buying my buddies. ECS rknows the car and have nothing but good things to say about it. I will also be taking any and all business to them anyway, so its very comforting knowing they are 1 hour away from me.