2007 z06
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
2007 z06
Hello, I am in the market for a Z06. The one I am looking at is a 2007 and it has some modifications done to it. I was just wondering if any of these were something to be alarmed about ? This will be my first Corvette and I have been looking around for quite a while. Any help or advice would be great. Thanks, Matt BTR STAGE-2 CAM PACKAGE
"FIXED" OEM LS7 CYLINDER HEADS
UPGRADED DUAL VALVE SPRINGS WITH TITANIUM RETAINERS
UPGRADED VALVES W/ BRONZE VALVE GUIDES
HALLTECH COLD AIR INTAKE
KOOKS STAINLESS STEEL LONGTUBE HEADERS
KOOKS STAINLESS STEEL HIGH FLOW CATTED MID-PIPE
CORSA CATBACK EXHAUST SYSTEM WITH BLACK CHROME TIPS
"FIXED" OEM LS7 CYLINDER HEADS
UPGRADED DUAL VALVE SPRINGS WITH TITANIUM RETAINERS
UPGRADED VALVES W/ BRONZE VALVE GUIDES
HALLTECH COLD AIR INTAKE
KOOKS STAINLESS STEEL LONGTUBE HEADERS
KOOKS STAINLESS STEEL HIGH FLOW CATTED MID-PIPE
CORSA CATBACK EXHAUST SYSTEM WITH BLACK CHROME TIPS
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,861
Likes: 4,663
You will find that one of the best insurance policies against dropping a valve in an LS7 is installing stronger stainless steel valves. If that's what was "upgraded," its a good step in the right direction. Next would be YT, or better/similar quality full roller rockers. I recently had my #8 exhaust guide wear so extreme, if the sun was coming thru it youd need 30spf protection!!! But the Ferrea stainless valves never failed. Heads will be going to Tony Mamo@Mamo Motorsports for their 3rd (YES-THIRD!!) fix......
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 1,097
From: Ex DPRK, now just N of Medford, OR
A.) Who did the work, both the machining operations and installation. 'Fixed' heads implies that the valve guide issues have been addressed. It might not be a permanent solution, but at least it's been corrected for now.
B.) How does it drive for you with that cam.
C.) You show you're in San Diego. How you gonna get that car smogged? That cam needs a tune, and an automatic fail. Headers/CAI likewise. Don't count on finding 'A Guy' to do it. They're becoming extinct,...
Not the biggest job in the world to reinstall the stock cam and exhaust, but it isn't trivial.
If you can answer all those questions OK, no reason not to.
B.) How does it drive for you with that cam.
C.) You show you're in San Diego. How you gonna get that car smogged? That cam needs a tune, and an automatic fail. Headers/CAI likewise. Don't count on finding 'A Guy' to do it. They're becoming extinct,...
Not the biggest job in the world to reinstall the stock cam and exhaust, but it isn't trivial.
If you can answer all those questions OK, no reason not to.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2,007
Likes: 913
From: Baie-D'Urfe, Quebec
2023 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
I personally would pass on any cammed car, unless you're dead set on the chop chop the sound, or are shooting for hp numbers and feel stock isn't enough.
Reliability and longevity will not be improved, with the requisite added spring pressures, or often heavier than stock components (ie valves, etc)
If you're still concerned about a head fix (a good thing!), even on an otherwise unmolested car then seller must surely have receipts, mileage?. You can always have a wiggle test done for a few hundred bucks if seller agrees, as an option...
If it were me, I'd probably just listen very closely for noises and then bank 3-4k to have my own head fix done and freshen things up. These are high performance engines and the expectation of not ever having to do any maintenance is unrealistic, despite some owners running them way up high. Other cars of this ilk, and performance level are far more maintenance needy and the fact that this is american doesn't mean its a farm truck.
Good luck in your search...these are awesome cars, last of their kind, and an awesome bang for the buck
Reliability and longevity will not be improved, with the requisite added spring pressures, or often heavier than stock components (ie valves, etc)
If you're still concerned about a head fix (a good thing!), even on an otherwise unmolested car then seller must surely have receipts, mileage?. You can always have a wiggle test done for a few hundred bucks if seller agrees, as an option...
If it were me, I'd probably just listen very closely for noises and then bank 3-4k to have my own head fix done and freshen things up. These are high performance engines and the expectation of not ever having to do any maintenance is unrealistic, despite some owners running them way up high. Other cars of this ilk, and performance level are far more maintenance needy and the fact that this is american doesn't mean its a farm truck.
Good luck in your search...these are awesome cars, last of their kind, and an awesome bang for the buck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,119
Likes: 145
Hello, I am in the market for a Z06. The one I am looking at is a 2007 and it has some modifications done to it. I was just wondering if any of these were something to be alarmed about ? This will be my first Corvette and I have been looking around for quite a while. Any help or advice would be great. Thanks, Matt BTR STAGE-2 CAM PACKAGE
"FIXED" OEM LS7 CYLINDER HEADS
UPGRADED DUAL VALVE SPRINGS WITH TITANIUM RETAINERS
UPGRADED VALVES W/ BRONZE VALVE GUIDES
HALLTECH COLD AIR INTAKE
KOOKS STAINLESS STEEL LONGTUBE HEADERS
KOOKS STAINLESS STEEL HIGH FLOW CATTED MID-PIPE
CORSA CATBACK EXHAUST SYSTEM WITH BLACK CHROME TIPS
"FIXED" OEM LS7 CYLINDER HEADS
UPGRADED DUAL VALVE SPRINGS WITH TITANIUM RETAINERS
UPGRADED VALVES W/ BRONZE VALVE GUIDES
HALLTECH COLD AIR INTAKE
KOOKS STAINLESS STEEL LONGTUBE HEADERS
KOOKS STAINLESS STEEL HIGH FLOW CATTED MID-PIPE
CORSA CATBACK EXHAUST SYSTEM WITH BLACK CHROME TIPS
The mods don't necessarily alarm me, but I would ask the following to start with:
1. Who did the work? Got receipts?
2. Will it pass emissions in your state?
Last edited by Kevin Mason; Jun 28, 2024 at 11:46 AM.
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Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 1,097
From: Ex DPRK, now just N of Medford, OR
For sure, it will NOT pass CA emissions! This one is probably a non-starter just for that reason alone.
Some people say a BTR stage 2 cam drives just fine, but that's subjective... I have one a little milder, but actually thinking of trying that one now.
There is some valid concern about buying a modded car. Was the work done properly? To quote one of my shop instructors: "An engine will run despite what you do to it!"
Another question is how was the car driven? Beaten like a bald-headed stepchild? Usually the car's overall condition will tip that off.
Some people say a BTR stage 2 cam drives just fine, but that's subjective... I have one a little milder, but actually thinking of trying that one now.
There is some valid concern about buying a modded car. Was the work done properly? To quote one of my shop instructors: "An engine will run despite what you do to it!"
Another question is how was the car driven? Beaten like a bald-headed stepchild? Usually the car's overall condition will tip that off.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,858
Likes: 107
From: God's Country, ID
For sure, it will NOT pass CA emissions! This one is probably a non-starter just for that reason alone.
Some people say a BTR stage 2 cam drives just fine, but that's subjective... I have one a little milder, but actually thinking of trying that one now.
There is some valid concern about buying a modded car. Was the work done properly? To quote one of my shop instructors: "An engine will run despite what you do to it!"
Another question is how was the car driven? Beaten like a bald-headed stepchild? Usually the car's overall condition will tip that off.
Some people say a BTR stage 2 cam drives just fine, but that's subjective... I have one a little milder, but actually thinking of trying that one now.
There is some valid concern about buying a modded car. Was the work done properly? To quote one of my shop instructors: "An engine will run despite what you do to it!"
Another question is how was the car driven? Beaten like a bald-headed stepchild? Usually the car's overall condition will tip that off.
In CA, I simply had an out of state address and stated the vehicle was at our oos address every time the registration was due annually. Worked for years via AAA dmv services....never smogged my car in almost 20yrs of owning it since new.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 1,097
From: Ex DPRK, now just N of Medford, OR
My car(s) was modded quite a bit more.
In CA, I simply had an out of state address and stated the vehicle was at our oos address every time the registration was due annually. Worked for years via AAA dmv services....never smogged my car in almost 20yrs of owning it since new.
In CA, I simply had an out of state address and stated the vehicle was at our oos address every time the registration was due annually. Worked for years via AAA dmv services....never smogged my car in almost 20yrs of owning it since new.
Make sure you have the out of state license to go with it...
If you have a CA address, or job (or school)... there are limits to how long, legally, the car can be in-state without CA plates.
Dunno what the penalty is, but CA registration is what pays the CHP. They're motivated...
