LS7 Engine
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Joined: Jan 2010
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LS7 Engine
I have a 2006 C6 6 speed manual transmission car. I have looked into either pulling the Engine out and doing a much stronger forged stroker kit. Or buying one already built. I had considered trading my car in on a 07 or 08 ZO6. I know the transmission and rear axle are both much stronger than the stock C6. Can any one who knows tell me more about the stock LS7 thats in the ZO6? Is it a forged Engine? If not why is it so expensive compared to the companies making these bullet proof LSX turn key engines? Thanks
Pro
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 651
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From: North Port Florida
I have a 2006 C6 6 speed manual transmission car. I have looked into either pulling the Engine out and doing a much stronger forged stroker kit. Or buying one already built. I had considered trading my car in on a 07 or 08 ZO6. I know the transmission and rear axle are both much stronger than the stock C6. Can any one who knows tell me more about the stock LS7 thats in the ZO6? Is it a forged Engine? If not why is it so expensive compared to the companies making these bullet proof LSX turn key engines? Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,908
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From: Charleston SC
and I believe the crate LS7 comes with a warranty too (while others don't offer that). But you are correct, I think a custom build motor would probably give you more bang for the buck for what you are wanting to do.
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Thanks for the info. I don't abuse my cars, even if they can handle it. Im not sure at this point what would be better to invest in my stock C6, or trade it for a used ZO6. I hear the ZO6 transmission and axle are much stronger than mine. So thats another expense if I want to build or buy a built crate engine. The only thing I worry about are rumors of the dry sump system starving the LS7 of oil. I have heard some guys had that problem. Anyone know if thats true or not?
Acct suspended by request 21 Sept 2011
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The dry sump system in the LS7 holds like 10 quarts of oil in two separate reservoirs. It was designed specifically to eliminate oil starvation when the car is tracked and experiences lateral G forces. So, mark that off as a bad rumor.
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Acct suspended by request 21 Sept 2011
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Here's a copy of a post from a thread on the Z06 forum, older.
A non Z06 owning forum member's "friend's" LS7 supposedly popped.
In other words, one of our forum friends, friend had an LS7 pop.
We know nothing of the circumstances. Know nothing of what let go, if the car was modded, or what.
All we know is that the original poster, mentions "oil starvation" in his post.
Not to say anything about the reliability of this report, nor anything personally about the guy reporting it, but I would say that these are the type reports which are too often referenced when the reliability of the LS7 is discussed.
Someone will search this forum, find "engine blown" or "blown engine" and the first post founf in the thread will start off with: "A friend of mine had his LS7 lock up on him......".
The searcher, will count it as gospel for a stock engine failure. One of those ridiculous "reliability" polls will pop up shortly after that and a 200 plus post thread full of &¥!!$#!+ along with it.
A non Z06 owning forum member's "friend's" LS7 supposedly popped.
In other words, one of our forum friends, friend had an LS7 pop.
We know nothing of the circumstances. Know nothing of what let go, if the car was modded, or what.
All we know is that the original poster, mentions "oil starvation" in his post.
Not to say anything about the reliability of this report, nor anything personally about the guy reporting it, but I would say that these are the type reports which are too often referenced when the reliability of the LS7 is discussed.
Someone will search this forum, find "engine blown" or "blown engine" and the first post founf in the thread will start off with: "A friend of mine had his LS7 lock up on him......".
The searcher, will count it as gospel for a stock engine failure. One of those ridiculous "reliability" polls will pop up shortly after that and a 200 plus post thread full of &¥!!$#!+ along with it.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,470
Likes: 2
From: Portland OR
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12
... Do some research.. some guys had lost their motor on road courses. Not saying it was the oiling systems fault but oil was getting trapped in the heads on hard cornering and breaking.. research is your friend and yes you have to have a discerning eye and weed through the threads and posts... there are other boards as well like yellow bullet.. lots of info out there
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Advanced
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Im a real chevy guy. I use my 2006 C6 every day. It only has 40,000 miles on it. I would Like to but it in my garage and buy a 2000-2002 SS camaro as an every day car. I had one before and traded it in on my vette. I would ether trade my vette in on a used ZO6 and use it as a weekend car or build up mine and keep it as a weekend car. If I do a procharger with 8 psi I hear it bumps the LS2 up to around 500 hp to the wheels. More then a stock ZO6. I would have concerns of the transmission and axle handling the extra power. So im sure a transmission rebuild and stronger clutch will be necessary to do something like that or if I end up buying or building a LSX stroker all motor. It will be a street car, no drag strip runs and no road course or high banking. Stock tires no DR's. So all things considered what would you guys do? Build up a stock C6 or invest in a used low mileage ZO6? I would most likely do the ZO6 body package and wheels too. Im sure you guys no more about this stuff than I do. If I won the lotto i would buy a ZR1 for sure.. Thanks for the info.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,470
Likes: 2
From: Portland OR
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12
Comes down to budget really with all you've said... whats the cost of the used z06 vs making your car look like one? As far as power 500 is an easily attainable number... The more cubic inches and better heads you use the smaller the cam can be and still make big power... retaining stock like manners.. So really it comes down to a line in the sand on how much money you want to drop on the whole project. The trans if its a standard is fine, you don't fix them until the break, same for the rest of the drive-train.. its traction and big power that breaks things.
