CammedC6520

Hey guys after months and months of debating and choosing and talking to my parents. I have come to a decision to go with a c6 z06 instead of missing my ls2 I have already. Now the real question is i have been hearing this valve issue on the 2006 models but another guy told me they have that issue on every year z06 is that true? And what do different years have in upgrades or in downgrades also problems... thanks allot guys can't wait to join the z06 gang.

danziger

After looking at hundreds of posts, it sure seems like the valve issue is a real threat for any/all LS7s. This didn't deter me from buying one, but definitely something to keep in mind.

I had my sights set on a 2008+ as GM made some small improvements to the C6Z. I would always suggest the newest, or best taken care of, car you can afford. There were some really excellent (but pricey) options later in the C6Z run like the Carbon Package, Z07 and interior enhancements. Good luck!

Unreal

Valve issue effects all LS7 motors, all years, all cars that came with LS7s. So just budget $1500-3000 to fix it.

Newer the better in general. Later you go the more creature comfort type stuff you get, but no real "Upgrades" per say until you get into the carbon brake z07 cars. Things like oil tank size changed which if you plan on tracking it on sticky tires is nice, but also cheap/easy to upgrade if you get an 06/07. I actually prefer the smaller oil tank, since I don't road race, it saves me $20 every oil change. You can find a run down of model changes somewhere, but later years had blue tooth, steering wheel controls, minor interior updates (all cheap and easy to swap).

Drivetrain wise the 2008+ use a TR6060 tranny and slightly stronger axles. 06-07 axles can be upgraded for <$200, and the t56 used in them is a wonderful tranny that many say shift better than the later 6060s. Either tranny is fine for 800+hp so unless you plan on modding the hell out of it, the 6060 being slightly stronger is something that doesn't effect most people, so don't fall for the "must get a 08+ trap". I actually like the t56 more than the 6060.

CammedC6520

Thanks man! But yeah I was looking into 2008+ but now I found that the needles in the rocker arms fail in these z06s to I only saw 2007s that failed is there jay other issue I need to be aware of by any chance I would hate to buy a car then have it explode on me and watch it sit for a year.. thanks for all the info brother

dcamick

2006 is probably the lightest.. All need Valves checked. Then warm the tires and GO!

I had my head/cam/headers/exhaust done at 5000 miles. Along with other mods.

These cars are truly amazing!!!

Unreal

Rocker arm issue is a 2007 only issue, that is <$250 to fix. Any year will need some minor upgrades/etc. If a $250-$3000 fix is outrageous or out of your budget, I strongly suggest not getting a z06. A clutch job alone will be $1500-2000. A new set of quality tires is $1500-2000.

CammedC6520

Thanks man!! That was one of my reasons for a 08+ was the tranny but I didn't know the t56 can handle that much also and the axle upgrades are that cheap? That's great now I'm only scared of the 07 needle bearings for the rocker arms I have heard that they fail on them. But don't they have a kit that can solve that? Or what if I just get different rockerarms? Thanks man all info is appreciated.

CammedC6520

Did it have the needle problem also for the rocker arms? Thanks for the help man

CammedC6520

That seems better 250-3k I just didn't want to drop 12k on a new z06 motor and have it sit there for years to come. But I also have the other side of my question is there anything else in the newer years I don't know then other the trans and axles do any of the New Years have better differentials? Thanks for all the info man

Unreal

Diffs are same.

2010+ have launch control, different ABS units, etc etc. Lots of little differences. As for effect on the end user, very little. They did get heavier and heavier as time went on. 3LZ package came in 2008 I believe. Some other options in later years like CFZ which is the carbon aero stuff.

CammedC6520

Ok that seems good I guess I'm worried about diffs cause mine blew on my ls2 well output shaft but they said they would replace trans and diff cause it will be cheaper haha I was like ok great!! Guess I was worried about that but one last question my man... is the new trans worth it down the road I am planning to get a HCI done that's friendly for a super charger and throw one of them on to but I want to stay under 700-750 do you think the t56 can do the job the same or go with the 6060 and the axles I'm not worried about i will for some heavy duty ones and install them my self.. dang seems so fun I love working on these vettes can't wait to be under one doing my own thing... thanks again man!!


This is prob a year after of owning it I plan to put these mods I do plan a hci as soon as I get it to fix those issues

Unreal

I made 1100-1200rwhp on bone stock t56 for almost 24k miles before swapping to a 6060. New owner has another 20k on it at the 800hp range. So no, I don't think a 6060 is worth the extra cost if you were paying extra just for that. If I could go back I wouldn't have swapped.

dcamick

Because I had low miles (and maybe no problems) my engine had a clean bill of health!

I went with AI for head rebuilding. PMC of NC did all the tear down and install of rebuilt heads and cam.

MTPZ06

Newest, cleanest, lowest mileage C6Z that fits your budget...and don't look back. Address the heads if the previous owner was oblivious to the issues, and then enjoy the car. If by chance the heads have been addressed...ask some questions, or request the documentation. Who did the work? Who actually did the head rebuild? What intake and exhaust valves were used? What guide material, springs, etc.?

Tech

Rocker arm issue is not just a 2007 thing. There was a documented issue in 2007 specifically for the LS7 rocker, but needle bearings have been failing in similar rockers in GenIII and GenIV engines for years.

With that being said, they aren't necessarily a time bomb and when they fail, they usually don't cause other problems in the engine. The rollers usually end up stuck to a magnetic drain plug.

Tech

BTW.. I disagree with "newest and nicest". Like Unreal said, some of the mechanical differences you will never care about. Interior stuff and wheels can easily be upgraded later. Look for cars that have been well taken care of, and all else being equal, buy the cheapest.

meinersk

if you are planning to mod it,,then buy a modded one already....i bought one with 18,000 dollars in mods for 2,000 over what a stock one was selling for....and since that im spending another 14,000 thousand on outside and motor upgrades after that....knowing what i know now and would have bought an even more modded car for pennys over stock...And dont kill yourself kid....if i had this car when i was young id be dead lol....make sure recalls fixed....especially active handling pinched wire in steering column .....that almost messed me up bad lucky i only wrecked my rim...

Unreal

Depends on what you want out of it. If you are going to mod it, turn it into a race car, etc then I wouldn't buy newest and nicest.

Buy the car that best fits your needs. If that is the newer one, do it. If it is a 2006-2007 do it. I rather save $10k and put that into a 2006 than buy a newer 08-09 just because it has a few less rock chips.

AzDave47

2008 and newer do not have the magnetic drain plugs unless added by the owner (I did on my 09).

The needle bearing issue was a specific problem to early 2007 LS7's. There have been very few failures on the LS7's outside that MY period

PS, I wouldn't want to buy any Z06 and stay away from it (joke). I really enjoy the performance of mi 09Z both stock and after I had the heads done and added cam and the works.

fly a Z06

My 07Z was built in 12/06 and didn't have the needle bearing issue when my heads were refreshed at 40k miles. If I'm remembering correctly many posts about that issue reported it was a problem in engines built in earlier 07s.

Joel