[Z06] About to buy a Z06 - should I reconsider?
07-30-2013, 08:52 AM
#21
Burning Brakes
Well first of all I don't think I've heard of any LS7's coming apart because of sticking valves. The culprit is usually a dropped valve where the weld at the flange actually comes apart and the valve head drops. Second you could look for another performance car but I doubt you would find another stock vehicle that will top out close to 198 mph and then stop on a dime. The Z06 was built as a race car right off the showroom floor.
This issue is a concern for any Z06 of any year but it's fixable and the cost is not that bad. Just look at the car close up. I've owned a few high hp cars in my life but the Z looks like its going a 100 mph sitting still. Buy the car and save some bucks to have the heads addressed.
This issue is a concern for any Z06 of any year but it's fixable and the cost is not that bad. Just look at the car close up. I've owned a few high hp cars in my life but the Z looks like its going a 100 mph sitting still. Buy the car and save some bucks to have the heads addressed.
07-30-2013, 09:25 AM
#23
Drifting
07-30-2013, 09:32 AM
#24
Drifting
Who cares if my car has a massive flaw? I'll just let them fix it for me after it loses 10-20% of its value!
07-30-2013, 09:32 AM
#25
Drifting
But anyway, to all those looking at getting into a ZO6, if you are nervous over the valve issue just budget for doing the heads right away. Factor that in when you are calculating how much you can spend on the car.
I do agree with JwT, it's a really fun machine right out of the box and performs better than the vast majority of other cars in its price bracket.
07-30-2013, 10:06 AM
#26
Le Mans Master
do it !! 2 options - if you want to leave stock and can buy a GM warranty (not 3rd party garbage) buy it.........or 2) if no warranty and can't buy one, buy some PRC or Brodix heads complete, slap on 'dem' bitch*s and enjoy the beast!!
07-30-2013, 10:18 AM
#27
Go with the Z06 trust me... I was in the same situation and said the hell with it because I knew in my heart that I was trying to convince myself that I would like a GS just as much... but I know how I am and every time I saw a Z06 I would want it. I bought my 07-Z06 for 38k. with 17k miles drove the **** out of it for a about 3 days and dropped it off for Heads and cam work ported T/B and intake manifold.and lowered the car. 4k later fast, safe and 100% happy. total 42k for a great car only car I would sell for at this point is a ZR-1.
07-30-2013, 10:31 AM
#28
Instructor
The issue with the heads on C6Z's that results in sticking exhaust valves applies to a small minority of owners. However, that minority is very vocal - and with good reason. If you buy a pre 2/11 ZO6 you do have a chance of that problem occurring. The number of LS7's that fail (for that reason) may be less than 10%, but whatever the percentage, it's a serious chunk of $ should your out of warranty LS7 shatter a piston on a stuck exhaust valve.
The issue was reportedly addressed by 2/11. My 2012 ZO6 was built 11/11 so I should be safe. It's still under warranty and I'm not going to do anything to negate the warranty so as to maintain absolute peace of mind.
FWIW I love my ZO6. We also have a 2012 Grand Sport and when it comes out of warranty it might be the one to get some really serious mods. The LS3 is a very stout motor and can put out some really good numbers when modded and hold together as long as your tuner is competent.
The issue was reportedly addressed by 2/11. My 2012 ZO6 was built 11/11 so I should be safe. It's still under warranty and I'm not going to do anything to negate the warranty so as to maintain absolute peace of mind.
FWIW I love my ZO6. We also have a 2012 Grand Sport and when it comes out of warranty it might be the one to get some really serious mods. The LS3 is a very stout motor and can put out some really good numbers when modded and hold together as long as your tuner is competent.
Bill
07-30-2013, 05:40 PM
#29
Drifting
My previous Z06 was built 5/11 well after the February date, it had the heads replaced @ 4000 miles. Dirty Howies current motor was built the same week as mine, his heads had worn guides when replaced. I also know Bill Dearborn's replacement engine was built the same week as mine, it will be curious to see how his heads faired when he takes them apart for maintenance.
Bill
Bill
07-30-2013, 06:01 PM
#30
Le Mans Master
If it has the factory warranty, grab the Z06 and extend the warranty.
07-30-2013, 06:21 PM
#31
If the forum drama keeps you awake at night, just go ahead and replace/rebuild the heads for about $3K and call it a day
Car is damn strong, stock out of the box... if you're thinking of an LS7 Corvette I don't think any other, except maybe the LS9, will truly scratch that itch. I chose the 7 over the 9, well aware of the valve guide issue, for the redline and the cubes.
07-30-2013, 06:43 PM
#33
Safety Car
Not to put ideas in your head but the LS3 has major oiling issues when driven hard. SCCA took the absolutely unprecedented step of allowing a modification to a stock car to run in their Touring Class (heck I couldn't even run my bones stock 1LE Camaro in Touring simply because it had that option.) In that bone stock class they are allowing an ARE conversion to dry sump the LS3 so the competitors don't have to do a new motor every event or 2.
Nothing is foolproof. A warranty is your friend or a set of heads whichever you prefer.
When the E46 M3 came out many of the cars that were tracked were losing their bottom ends. Out of that came that hideously expensive 10-60 weight oil that pretty much fixed the problem.
Perry
Nothing is foolproof. A warranty is your friend or a set of heads whichever you prefer.
When the E46 M3 came out many of the cars that were tracked were losing their bottom ends. Out of that came that hideously expensive 10-60 weight oil that pretty much fixed the problem.
Perry
07-30-2013, 06:57 PM
#34
Pro
Thread Starter
I've got the Viper but it's brutal. I like the C6Z and think they are an incredibly versatile machine.
The Z06 I'm looking at still is under warranty so I think it's a good idea.
Plus I want a car I can drive and enjoy as a semi-daily driver. The Viper is definitely not that. It is a monster.
The Z06 I'm looking at still is under warranty so I think it's a good idea.
Plus I want a car I can drive and enjoy as a semi-daily driver. The Viper is definitely not that. It is a monster.
Last edited by Runs11s; 07-30-2013 at 07:02 PM.
07-30-2013, 07:27 PM
#35
Take from someone who purchased an AO 07 C6 new and two weeks later traded it in on a brand new AO 07 Z. 6 years later and over 230,000 miles I'm still enjoying the car...no comparison in my book
Kevin
Kevin
07-30-2013, 07:38 PM
#36
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Good night buy it if you want in. I had a 09Z with no issues and when they started discounting the 13's so deeply I traded for a 13 and love it. Lots of subtle improvements-especially the ride control. Bought a 84 month GMPP and don't worry about the motor. Would do it over in a heartbeat.
07-30-2013, 07:39 PM
#37
Le Mans Master
07-30-2013, 07:43 PM
#38
Team Owner
Then you need to listen more. I've seen them do both.
But anyway, to all those looking at getting into a ZO6, if you are nervous over the valve issue just budget for doing the heads right away. Factor that in when you are calculating how much you can spend on the car.
I do agree with JwT, it's a really fun machine right out of the box and performs better than the vast majority of other cars in its price bracket.
But anyway, to all those looking at getting into a ZO6, if you are nervous over the valve issue just budget for doing the heads right away. Factor that in when you are calculating how much you can spend on the car.
I do agree with JwT, it's a really fun machine right out of the box and performs better than the vast majority of other cars in its price bracket.
Who knows what this valve mess will do with our resale value. For me, it's to late as I purchased mine new 5 years ago and the warranty has expired. New PRC heads being installed tomorrow. Gonna' take GM a long time to earn my business again, if ever.
07-30-2013, 08:43 PM
#39
Drifting
07-30-2013, 09:38 PM
#40
Racer
I too have had the itch to up the anty and trade for the Z06 but with others telling their stories about the Valve to Rocker miss alignment; how GM designers missed that I just don't know. I say get the GS or C7.