slow6.0.

When searching for a z06 to buy its not easy to find them with the heada addressed. Is this something that has to be done, whether I find one fixed or so it myself? Is this something that generally happens early on so if one has say 40k miles without issue is it still a worry?

pewter99

I have seen them fail at 14K....got mine fixed at 85K...there is no specific mileage....they fail when they fail......you may never have an issue

I had 2 guides that were out of spec bad enough to be concerning and others borderline...

a few thousand vs $20K....the decision was simple for me

MTPZ06

How comfortable are you with a $15K gamble?

My '09 C6Z had 14/16 guides beyond GM service limits with only 15K easy street miles. How long could I have gone on like that? Who knows, who cares...I fixed the problem and I sleep good now.

CTYANK2

If you get a later model Z the cheapest fix is to buy an extended warranty and forget about it. However if you plan to mod the car in any way start with the heads.

Must_Have_Z

For me, peace of mind is priceless. Maybe my heads would have lasted 100,000 miles, maybe 10,000 miles. Do you want to stress about it every single day? I didn't. So I gave my money to AHP to have them updated. Are they permanently fixed? I don't think anyone can prove that. But they were updated with aftermarket parts that do not have the machining error that the stock head components (valve guides) had. So, I sleep at night, I drive my car hard, and I don't stress about it anymore.

itomh

I purchased mine just a couple of months ago with 23K on the ODO, while driving was a blast, it takes the fun out of it thinking about the heads. I suppose I could have just done the wiggle test, but decided just to get them replaced. I'm currently in the middle of doing the head fix myself, just need to clean the decks. Ordered package 4 from AHP, ported and milled .020 which should be in any day now.

Landru

IMO yes, minimally a thorough inspection by uber-qualified technician w/ close attention paid guides/valves. Minimally.

It's either that or know going-in there's a risk to the tune of $15-20K.
This is nothing to take lightly, if mine hadn't been covered by an EW over my 9 years of ownership to this day?
Heads would've been rebuilt, long ago.

Once LS7 heads are addressed, one way or the other, Z06 ownership's pretty bulletproof. Like tires, brakes, insurance add heads to the cost of Z06 ownership. Small price for such a fabulous car.

slow6.0.

With it being such a big mistake on GM's part you would think they would do a recall ..

pokerpro

You have a better chance of seeing god!

Mr. Jean

I'll just give you my current deal and the choices are yours.

2009 Z06 26,871 not tracked on a GMPP.

It's in the shop getting New heads and valves,cam, lifters, along with all the labor and parts needed for a thorough cleanup/detailed engine/oil system.
Probably about 8 grand total so far. My total cost is the $200.00 deduct.
I will not drive it without the heads fixed or a GMEPP on it.

Edit: my story if you didn't see it.https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-chirping.html

Gary '09 C6

very

SocalChvy

The valve guide issue impacts a small number of LS7s.

SocalChvy

We won't get to that point because many owners are modifying the cars or replacing the cylinder heads on their own.

Travlee

funny, i have read of at least 6 in the last couple of months

Mordeth

Ignore Datro. He trolls around parroting that exact statement in almost every head thread, including the failures. Just point, laugh and move on. Nothing to see here.

Travlee

oh i know, i smh every time i see him post it. i had the mindset of pewter would rather spend a couple grand and not have to worry about it than replace motor

reasonable suspicion

only two possible reasons for his statement. He's either stupid or a gm employee.

Must_Have_Z

Search Youtube. There are many more guys out there who DON'T post about these failures than those that do. Trust me, it impacts more than a "small number."

keeso6z

I would get it done to be on the safe side. My car is a 2006 and had 2,100 miles when I purchased it last year and I had it done. My shop recommended it no matter the mileage. You can do it in conjunction with some performance upgrades. For example, I went with Stage 2 ported heads and upped the compression to 11.5 to 1 vs stock 11 to 1. It's a no brainer if doing other mods. Even if you plan to keep it stock, it should be done as a precautionary measure. From what they told me, you can drop a valve at any mileage at any time. It's a defect in the factory heads/valve guides, but GM is no going to do anything about it.

Bad00SS

you can go by what a few say that is complete opposite of this forum. case in mind, my car. 54,000 miles on and hanven't touched the heads. Some have said that the majority of failures happen between 15,000-30,000 miles or something. once cars make it over 50k miles they are known to be the ones that were ok. This is just a theory some have. there were some that the guide clearances were perfect and don't wear out. not 100% were defective.

to be safe, send them to American Heritage and get it done. I will eventually when I'm ready to do a cam and intake manifold. do it all at once.