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[Z06] Picking up a 2013 60th anniversary 427 vert. Need advice
C6 Corvette ZR1 & Z06General info about GM’s Corvette Supercar, LS9 Corvette Technical Info, Performance Upgrades, Suspension Setup for Street or Track
Picking up a 2013 60th anniversary 427 vert. Need advice
I been a member here for many years .Sold my c5 a year ago and now I'm about to pull the trigger on a 2013 60th anniversary convertible . Is there any advice u guys can give me on what to look for as far as things that go bad on these? Any advice helps .About to seal the deal tomorrow .
Heads is of course the main thing, have they been done? Radios are weak and will likely need to be replaced but there are some great aftermarket options. Others will have comments soon I'm sure.
Looks like it is a 1SC optioned car, and the upper leather dash has been known to bubble on some vehicles.
Depending upon mileage, there was an issue with some titanium connecting rods having excess material and "rubbing" causing metal debris in oil, and early engine failure, typically below 5K miles.
Head issue with reported valve guide clearance issue is "hit or miss" dependent upon mileage and usage. Worth having them checked, or if dealer purchase, may be worthwhile to look into extended warranty.
Torch Red color is 1 of 251, car looks great, so if it checks out to your satisfaction and priced fairly, worth buying.
By the way, about 30K on mine, no issues with heads at all, and I am second owner.
It has 19000 miles. Nothing reported in carfax .getting the 3yr 36000 mile warranty. I didn't know of the head issue .I had my c5 ls1 for 18yrs so I'm not familiar with this 427 motor. Keep the comments coming .I appreciate it .I'm not locked in yet on this. Have until morning to decide
Nothing inherently wrong with 3 owners.
Uh, 19K miles and Carfax has nothing to do with head issue. You are NOT clear. Its not a clearance issue but a valve/seat concentricity issue. Bought my Z06 a year ago and had the heads fixed this fall at 21K miles. There were valves out of service limits. Might have gone another 80K miles or another 5K miles. Never know. You want to search for LS7 threads on heads.
Here's one https://www.corvetteactioncenter.com...ine/index.html
Also checked the 427 Registry topic near the top of the C6 General page, saw that it was owned by a forum member. May want to see if they are still active and send them a PM with your questions?
I own one also. If you decide to buy, do a Blackstone oil analysis unless the dealer has just changed the oil. If that has been done, drive the car, watch for oil consumption in excess of what seems normal. If you can get 500 to 1000 miles on the car then do the oil analysis. Those two things should give you a fair idea of the engines internal condition. I drove mine home 2300 miles, did the Blackstone thing & am happy with the results. I do not plan to touch the heads until either the oil consumption increases (used 1/2 quart in 2300 miles) or the oil analysis shows increased levels of TI. Enjoy the car, they are special.
All LS7 427's are susceptible to the valve guide issue, no exceptions. My 2011 Z06/Z07 had bad guides at 3,000 miles. Having 19,000 miles on the engine could also mean you are that closer to a failure. If I were to purchase any C6 Z06 or 427 I would plan on having the heads done in the purchase of the car, unless you have documentation of the repair being done already. There is one other issue with the 2013 427's, and that is the rod bearings, however it typically appears at about 3-4K miles, if the one you are looking at has not had the issue by now (19K miles) then it is probably OK.
The 13s also had the problem with the "new" lead free rod and main bearings and were susceptible to bottom end problems. Should you buy it I would take an oil sample and send it to Blackstone for analysis. With your 3/36 warranty you would be covered should problems arise.
I own one also. If you decide to buy, do a Blackstone oil analysis unless the dealer has just changed the oil. If that has been done, drive the car, watch for oil consumption in excess of what seems normal. If you can get 500 to 1000 miles on the car then do the oil analysis. Those two things should give you a fair idea of the engines internal condition. I drove mine home 2300 miles, did the Blackstone thing & am happy with the results. I do not plan to touch the heads until either the oil consumption increases (used 1/2 quart in 2300 miles) or the oil analysis shows increased levels of TI. Enjoy the car, they are special.
I sure wish I can do that oil analysis however I'm in NJ and it's in TX. They could take any oil from anywhere and easily fool me. I haven't been in this forum for quite a few years and my old LS1 was so much simpler. Even the controls in this forum changed so forgive my ignorance. Do you guys think searching for an independent mechanic in that area to get him to go there and do a full check up a good idea? I already messaged both previous owners so I'm waiting for their reply .I also have a forum member doing me the awesome favor of running the vin VIN any warranty repairs. I would like to do the most I can before pulling the trigger .and last but not least if all else fails and I do lock it down that the warranty they are giving me covers this head valve issue
I always liked the 427 Verts as they came with all the goodies (B92 carbon fiber hood with 427 badges and F55 magnetic ride control,) for a better price than you could outfit it all on a Z06 coupe, but ultimately, I'm just not a convertible guy. Actually, if I room for another, I'd love to park a 427 Vert next to my Z06!
Originally Posted by Undy
The 13s also had the problem with the "new" lead free rod and main bearings and were susceptible to bottom end problems. Should you buy it I would take an oil sample and send it to Blackstone for analysis. With your 3/36 warranty you would be covered should problems arise.
Actually, and I was confused on this until recently as well, the new lead-free, red, polymer coated bi-metal engine bearings came out in 2012. (Replaced the tri-metal, steel/bronze/lead bearings for EU export.) Hib's LS7 article specifically talks about this and I apparently just missed it all these years.
Good thing is these are same bearing material that GM continues to use on the LT1 and LT4 , (which is the same as the L86 and probably the L83 in the trucks, as well,) and so there is nothing inheriently wrong with these bearings. Apprently there was another issue with the handful of 2013 427 Verts that caused premature failure; (Ti rods?), but those usually happened early in the life if anything was going to happen.
I also have a forum member doing me the awesome favor of running the vin VIN any warranty repairs.
Excellent, a GMVIS will tell the story of this car while under B2B.
Most 'major' issues occur w/in warranty period, w/ Carfax is a fairly good picture of car's health.
...and last but not least if all else fails and I do lock it down that the warranty they are giving me covers this head valve issue
Read 'exclusion list' for the policy, that'll state what is/isn't covered in B&W.
Remember it's not a 'warranty' it's a service agreement, and there's a difference.
Almost always SAs cover 'drivetrain' (engine/trans) IS covered; providing, LS7's bone stock.
Is it safe to say with 19k miles and no Carfax reported warranty repair that the head clearance issue is good on this one?
since it’s being sold by a dealership I’d suggest having them preform the “wiggle test” on the guides so you have the numbers, they won’t fix it even if the numbers come back as out of spec. They may tell you to go pound sand if that’s the case I’d at least ask if they would pull the valve covers so you can get a visual on the springs, had I done that there is a chance I may have seen a crack or two on my springs rather than finding out a few months later I had four springs valve springs cracked and ready to completely let go. If they still won’t do that I’d take it straight to a shop and have them check or do it yourself if your somewhat mechanically inclined. Good look man! Looks like a real nice vette you found yourself 🇺🇸
Read 'exclusion list' for the policy, that'll state what is/isn't covered in B&W.
Not to sandbag the sale, and I am really on the fence about this kind of thread, since the forum should exist to support owners and first. But Landru is right. They can screw you 6 ways from Sunday on that.
If you want an absolute guarantee, I hate to say it, but Uber has an app you can download to your phone, and somebody will come get you and take you at the speed limit to your destination, safely. And there is always the city bus.
02-06-2019, 08:08 PM
Picking up a 2013 60th anniversary 427 vert. Need advice
