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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
Back on Nov 12 I started my 2011 Z06/Z07. It had about 23,000 miles on it. Tracked twice at Laguna and Spring Mountain with the Ron Fellows school. I heard something different coming from the value train and it stumbled leaving the driveway. Being well versed on the dreaded value guide issue, I posted my concerns here on the Forum and from the advice of several members, I called American Heritage Performance in Harbor City. Just south of LA in the port area. Jake Winters reviewed my concerns and with the engine open I oped for the AHP 116 cam on Jake's advice that it would still be drive-able in the damn stop and go traffic that plagues So Ca., yet still increase mid range torque which is what I am all about when driving on the street.
With everything, values, cam,, heads, head bolts, gaskets, plugs, plug wires, and dyno tuned, the total damages came to $6,898.
Not cheap, but way less that what some many Forum members have faced when they lose an engine because of the value guides plus I have a new cam with more HP and torque.
Dyno numbers: Rear wheel, real world HP is now at 550.18 with torque at a whopping 503.19 lbt @ 5177 RPM.
Sounds great, both at idle and when on the gas and decelerating. 2011 Z06s always sounded a bit different, but now it is very notable. Car is definitely faster, and I will need to take note on my favorite freeway on ramps, or I will end up in the ditch.....lol...
Comments about AHP.
First class in everything they do! Jake is honest, open and I feel that he treated me more than a guy with a big credit card limit. I have been in the electronics business for 42 years, and I deal with companies and engineers from TESLA to Boeing, and both Jake and Kohle are first class.
Rarely have I been faced with a very expensive repair like this, whether it be home related, to auto repair, where I have walked away with a smile.
AHP is the Real Deal.
Kohle, myself, and Jake Winters. Big smiles all around. Job well done.
Hello
I as well found out I had a valve guide wear problem in my 2009 z06 with I believe 11 of the guides out of speck with the intake guides worse and on Kohle’s advice did the same package with some upgrades.I actually noticed my fuel mileage went up as well as my torque.I might suggest if you have not already done it to use a vented catch can if you start noticing oil leaks around your valve covers.You will also really like 1 7/8 headers with this combo if you ever want more.
I just wish they were closer.Kohle is a people person and he loves what he does.
Fitz
I too had a great experience with AHP, MS90 guides, 116 Cam, and everything to do the install, hd th install done on east coast, everything went to plant w/o issues include lifter length, etc... They know their stuff and re very responsive. Just wished I lived near them, they'd do all my work as well.
I also had Jake send me the full package 4 with upgrades. The only thing I regret is not doing the cam, when I had it done. The motor is stock except for the head fix, and it is probably my imagination, but it feels a bit quicker, and I’m sure that it is just that things are smoother. It is just a matter of time before I do a cam, headers, CAI and a tune. Then, like the OP, relearn how to drive it on the street, with street tires. It’s amazing how little traction these cars have in pure stock condition. I guess that some better tires are in the future if I want to play a little on the street. By the way, I’ll probably drive the car to AHP, leave it there for the work, and go back and pick it up. Even though there are good mechanics and tuners here in Las Vegas, I would feel better having what I think are the best doing it.
now i have a face to put with the voice on the other end of the phone.
Same here! Those guys are a class act. The work their tails off but never give the impression they don't have time to get you on the right path to power and reliability.
I want to know how I can get my hands on one of those AHP shop aprons!
Yep they are the absolute best and a dream to work with. Funny about the branded shop apron. I have been bugging them boys that I wanted some AHP branding associated with my build. I wish they had some AHP valve covers (or something) but with the volume of work they do I bet it is tough to come up for air.
My custom AHP 434 (Darton sleeved LS3) and a host of other mods (dewitts radiator, shocks/suspension, brakes, RSX clutch, mgw, etc......) should be completed next month ! I will share some pics.
Can't praise them enough. The work Kohle did on my heads was a big part of this years success raising a few notches and into the top 10 for me on the c6z fastlist. Picked up about 7mph over my last build which was a new cam and AHP's heads over another vendors cnc one. new best 9.86@142.63
I had them do the valves on my 09 z06.
Its a masterpiece and I've told them that about 50 times. I would pay a million dollars for this car. Its got a ton of personality. It was a little too tame for me when I got it. It wags its tail at idle now with the tune they put on it. It is a great car with that cam they use. It no longer has any lag whatsoever in 3rd or 4th.
While it was in there I asked to them to put a more beefy clutch and rebuild the transmission. It was an expensive build but its cherry now.
I think these guys are great. I took my c5Z to them as well for a clutch bleed and shifter alignment. It was awesome after that.
I feel fortunate to live within a few hours of them.
Crossofiron, thanks for posting the picture ! Likewise, had a great experience with AHP, Kohle and Jake...did all the preliminary planning with Kohle via e-mails and after sending in my heads, was in frequent communication with Jake. I know that I probably don't have the "distance record" for shipping, (from upstate NY), but I would have loved to have driven my '09 to them for head service, if I hadn't been still working at the time ! Did the Stage IV package with their proprietary hardened guides and added the CHE trunnion upgrade with the LS7 installation kit. (The valve train is noticeably quieter). Jake and I had several conversations over the phone and he never once made me feel as if I were taking up his time, which I'm sure is extremely valuable. I drove the car about 2200 miles since getting her back on the road and couldn't be happier. AHP is the place to enlist when quality of work, personal communication and care for your Z06 is desired. They treat your car as if it was their own !!! Thanks again, AHP and hope everyone will have a joyous and merry Christmas !!!
Last edited by RedOctoberL-82; 12-20-2018 at 07:49 PM.
AHP sent me a set of 'stock' reworked heads and my car only had 6k miles on it.I feel way better with this insurance, even though the LS7 valve guide issue was an unexpected surprise to me when I bought the car earlier this year. Turns out a few of the originals were 'barely' out of spec.
Nothing but good things to say about the service and hand-holding for a long distance customer (Montreal)
Kohle was a pleasure to deal with when I decided to have my LS9 heads reworked. He always got back to me in a timely fashion (based on the time stamps on some of his emails I question whether the man sleeps), answered all of my questions clearly and with great detail, delivered the product exactly as discussed and on time, and the packaging was meticulous with clear instructions and all details covered.
AHP sent me a set of 'stock' reworked heads and my car only had 6k miles on it.I feel way better with this insurance, even though the LS7 valve guide issue was an unexpected surprise to me when I bought the car earlier this year. Turns out a few of the originals were 'barely' out of spec.
Nothing but good things to say about the service and hand-holding for a long distance customer (Montreal)
My z06 has same mileage as you. Plan to do the heads too just for reassurance once the weather warms up. Only doing heads.
Crossonfiron thank you so much for your business and this Awesome Thread!
Great Pic I might add!!!
It was an absolute pleasure to work with you. You have a beautiful C6z06!
Enjoy driving your Z06 the way it was meant to be driven! C6Z06 is truly a great vehicle!
Let us know if you ever need anything or have any questions and thank you again for your business and the thread!
I am glad you went with Kohle and AHP as well.After experience with different vendors in ls7 land he really is a breath of fresh air.Kohle is willing to apply new technology and ideas to our engines that I found other vendors seemed unwilling to do and push boundaries to make our engines more reliable and increase performance and efficiency.The final thing that I want to say is that Kohle will always make himself/AHP available after the sale for any help that anyone needs.He stands behind what he does and truly does car about us and these cars.To me after the sale service is extremely important and he and AHP excel at it.
Fitz
12-08-2018, 03:18 PM
Value guide issue continued from Nov 12 2018 AHP
