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C6 Corvette ZR1 & Z06General info about GM’s Corvette Supercar, LS9 Corvette Technical Info, Performance Upgrades, Suspension Setup for Street or Track
For my $35k, I'm trying to decide between a Grand Sport and a Z06, my heart says Z06, my brain says Grand Sport. In an attempt to help out my heart, other than the valve guide issue, are there any other major problems with the Z06?
For the same money I can get a newer Grand Sport, but the Z06 has always melted me. Fyi, it won't be tracked and will be my primary car, but I work from home so it's not like I'm commuting everyday in it, but I do drive 15 miles to the gym every morning.
My focus right now is reliability. Any opinions would be very much appreciated.
Save yourself the money and just go "motorboating" with the gal in your avatar.
Actually, try to find a Z06 that has had the heads done by AHP or another respected shop that specializes in LS7 heads., or build the cost of doing so into your purchase price and get it done yourself. That's the only real weakness of the LS7 and once it's been addressed you can just enjoy the car.
That said, if the thrill of the extra power and RPMs doesn't really mean anything to you, the GS is a great looking car too that won't require as much of your focus under full throttle. Less exciting but still a great ride.
Save yourself the money and just go "motorboating" with the gal in your avatar.
Actually, try to find a Z06 that has had the heads done by AHP or another respected shop that specializes in LS7 heads., or build the cost of doing so into your purchase price and get it done yourself. That's the only real weakness of the LS7 and once it's been addressed you can just enjoy the car.
That said, if the thrill of the extra power and RPMs doesn't really mean anything to you, the GS is a great looking car too that won't require as much of your focus under full throttle. Less exciting but still a great ride.
Motorboating wasn't my first thought with her! But to each his own.
I've already called AHP that would be the route I go, if I get a Z06 that hasn't had the work done. Seems to be a pretty easy fix through them.
Depends if that $35k is a hard budget or if you can come up with $3-5k extra for repairs.
If you are dead set on $35k and no extra, I would skip a z06.
I'd have repair money, I just don't want to part with it! Too much of that ruins the ownership experience. I've lived through three Porsche nightmares, and after a while constant repairs just get old.
Motorboating wasn't my first thought with her! But to each his own.
I've already called AHP that would be the route I go, if I get a Z06 that hasn't had the work done. Seems to be a pretty easy fix through them.
Thanks for the input, I appreciate it.
Well, the motorboating would be a decent prelude to any other activities you might have in mind.
IMO, you've already identified your best option for the heads. Had mine done there and Kohle definitely has it together there. Best of luck finding what you want.
Well, the motorboating would be a decent prelude to any other activities you might have in mind.
IMO, you've already identified your best option for the heads. Had mine done there and Kohle definitely has it together there. Best of luck finding what you want.
What is your intended use for the additional Z06 performance? If just driving around and hitting the power occasionally, that's not the best use of the additional performance. If looking to do performance events and fixing the heads is in the budget, then the Z06 is great. For just cruising with occasional hard runs, the Grand Sport offers most of the handling and braking capability of the Z06 and the LS3 is a nice strong engine.
One of the first things will be to check the alignment as tires are a substantial maintenance cost on either the Z or GS. If just running it on the street, then a street alignment of -0.7* F camber and -0.5* rear camber with slight toe-in front and rear will help treat wear a lot.
LS3's have issues too. Almost all need a replacement balancer. That alone is $1000 repair. My kid just bought a 09 Z one owner bone stock car with 38K on it for $38,000. 2LZ jetstream blue. We planned on doing the heads as a precaution. I pulled a couple of springs and yes they are loose. Texas speed will rework your factory heads for $1050.00, yes they still need to be installed but we are taking care of that. Buy the Z because the GS will never be a Z06
7000 rpm redline is addictive!
Last edited by kevakasper; 08-28-2017 at 09:04 PM.
I have had my 2009 Z for over 5 years now with not one issue whatsoever. She has been the finest car I have ever had. When I was looking to replace my 96 red LT4 after owning her for 11 years I wasn't looking for a Z nor a GS but once I saw her in her Victory Red color, red and black interior and took her for a test drive that was it. I could not believe the power nor the handling. I have never driven a GS but have put thousands of miles on my Z and I have loved every minute of it. Please don't sell the Z short - sure the LS7 has had problems but it is a helluva engine. I have had nothing but good times with the Z. She is truly a beast and beast because of the total Z06 package!!
For my $35k, I'm trying to decide between a Grand Sport and a Z06, my heart says Z06, my brain says Grand Sport. In an attempt to help out my heart, other than the valve guide issue, are there any other major problems with the Z06?
For the same money I can get a newer Grand Sport, but the Z06 has always melted me. Fyi, it won't be tracked and will be my primary car, but I work from home so it's not like I'm commuting everyday in it, but I do drive 15 miles to the gym every morning.
My focus right now is reliability. Any opinions would be very much appreciated.
Thanks.
get the z06. It has balsa wood floor boards sandwiched between carbon fiber. It's these little things that cumulatively come together to make the c6z so special
My 07 Z06 with heads fixed by AHP, BTR cam and full bolt ons(Halltech 108 CAI, FAST manifold, NW102, injectors, headers) could be bought for 34-35k... and its in Dallas. Its a driver not a show car though...
I've got both. I bought a 2013 GS new though I wanted a Z. I convinced myself I needed the removable top and the wife could drive the auto if an emergency arose. It is a very good car.
Last year after driving a friends Z, I could resist no longer. I bought a low miles 2009 Z. Even as a good weather only car I have still put 4,000 miles on it in a year. The ride is fine and the 7,000 RPM redline is addictive.
Mine has had a honker, B&B fusion pipes, and a dyno tune yielding 500 RWH. Between the roughly 130 engine horsepower difference and being almost 200 Lbs lighter thanks to all the carbon fiber there is no comparison.
The GS is a really good car. The Z is beyond great. I feel privileged to own such an incredible automobile.
If you want a good daily driver you can't go wrong with the GS. If you enjoy really great engineering and awesome power I wouldn't want to have missed a chance to own the only street V-8 Chevy ever built with a 7000 RPM redline. Even today, 11 years after it first became available, a stock C-7 Z06 will have its hands full trying to beat the C-6 Z in a quarter mile.
Just my opinion.
08-28-2017, 07:02 PM
Z06 vs Grand Sport Reliability Concerns
Best of luck finding what you want. 
