Should I avoid a Z51??
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 137
Likes: 2
From: Manatee Florida
Should I avoid a Z51??
I am asking for some honest opinions here, so please try to help me to decide. I bought a 08 Z06 and shortly thereafter, all the bad stories began about LS7 engine failing. I never did any problems with the car and sold it due to health issues. Now, I have my sights set on a C7 Z51(dealer stock, very good price & right color) and all these posts about the "burping oil", 500 mile initial oil changes, stiff ride, etc have me wondering. There does not seem to be too many issues with the wet sump engine in the base car. Is the sky falling again?
Thanks for your input.
Thanks for your input.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 11,825
Likes: 2,476
From: Ft Lauderdale
Tech Contributor
the is no problem with the z51 if the oil level is correct - just keep 9.3 quarts in it and you'll never have a problem. You are reading into too much here....
I own a base car but would have no problems buying a z51....
I own a base car but would have no problems buying a z51....
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,115
Likes: 17,973
From: DFW Area TX
I have a Z51 and made sure from day 1 that it was not overfilled. I have checked my air intake and there is absolutely no oil in it. I also have MSRC, so I can adjust the ride.
I agree with Glen e. Don't read too much into this stuff. Don't be Chicken Little.
I agree with Glen e. Don't read too much into this stuff. Don't be Chicken Little.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 123
Likes: 1
From: Cary NC
I am asking for some honest opinions here, so please try to help me to decide. I bought a 08 Z06 and shortly thereafter, all the bad stories began about LS7 engine failing. I never did any problems with the car and sold it due to health issues. Now, I have my sights set on a C7 Z51(dealer stock, very good price & right color) and all these posts about the "burping oil", 500 mile initial oil changes, stiff ride, etc have me wondering. There does not seem to be too many issues with the wet sump engine in the base car. Is the sky falling again?
Thanks for your input.
Thanks for your input.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
Likes: 7,102
From: Fulshear, TX
My Z51 rides quite nicely for a sports car with the magnetic ride control set in Tour/Eco/Weather modes. Even Sport is fine for most streets. It seems Chevy may finally start getting a handle on the oil burping issue, but otherwise, i don't have a single complaint about ordering the Z51 package.
Did I need it? No.
Did I want it? Yes
Did I need it? No.
Did I want it? Yes
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,581
Likes: 50
From: Prosper TX
If you're not planning on tracking the car, then I would not buy the Z51. The base car is just as attractive and capable of more performance than most of us will ever need or use. I faced this decision before ordering my 2LT base car and am extremely happy with my decision to not order a Z51.
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 12,967
Likes: 61
I think the z51 is more than just a track option. If you plan on hitting twisty roads hard and fast like I like to do them I think the z51 is even more important for street than track use. Because if you f up on the street its going to be alot worse crash than on the track.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 826
Likes: 3
From: Seabeck WA
I have a Z51 on order and the dry sump "burping" issues don't bother me. The consensus seems to be: don't overfill and observe the new Service Bulletin which instructs you to change your oil after the first 500 miles.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,755
Likes: 198
From: Southington CT
I own a 15 Z51 with 1100 miles. The car is fantastic. I have no problem with the ride and just installed a Z06 Grille (which looks great, Thanks Gene). I do not and have no plans to track the car.
Like already said, the base car is also a great car. You have to buy what YOU will be happy with. If you want a Z51 and buy the base, you may not be as happy. It up to you.
Like already said, the base car is also a great car. You have to buy what YOU will be happy with. If you want a Z51 and buy the base, you may not be as happy. It up to you.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 12,967
Likes: 61
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,115
Likes: 17,973
From: DFW Area TX
Z51 has more than just track features.
Z51 adds $5000 at MSRP, MSRC adds another $1725. That totals $6725.
You can get a base and add the ZF1 appearance package for $1995 to make it look like a Z51 and then add the NPP for $1195 that comes standard with Z51. That's a total of $3190.
Difference between the Z51 with MSRC and a look-alike base is ($6725 - $3190 = $3535). Without MSRC, the difference would only be $1810.
Z51 adds $5000 at MSRP, MSRC adds another $1725. That totals $6725.
You can get a base and add the ZF1 appearance package for $1995 to make it look like a Z51 and then add the NPP for $1195 that comes standard with Z51. That's a total of $3190.
Difference between the Z51 with MSRC and a look-alike base is ($6725 - $3190 = $3535). Without MSRC, the difference would only be $1810.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 164
Likes: 1
From: MA
The probability is VERY high that I will never track our car. So, why the Z51 for me? Magnetic selective ride. When I first saw the video of a C5 going over a bump at high speeds with and without the MSR, and saw how much better the tire contact was with the road with the MSR, I decided I wanted it on all future Corvettes we'd own. Since at this point it's only available with the Z51 package, that "pushed" me into the Z51 package. YMMV. 
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 22,519
Likes: 1,688
From: South Carolina
Z51 has more than just track features.
Z51 adds $5000 at MSRP, MSRC adds another $1725. That totals $6725.
You can get a base and add the ZF1 appearance package for $1995 to make it look like a Z51 and then add the NPP for $1195 that comes standard with Z51. That's a total of $3190.
Difference between the Z51 with MSRC and a look-alike base is ($6725 - $3190 = $3535). Without MSRC, the difference would only be $1810.
Z51 adds $5000 at MSRP, MSRC adds another $1725. That totals $6725.
You can get a base and add the ZF1 appearance package for $1995 to make it look like a Z51 and then add the NPP for $1195 that comes standard with Z51. That's a total of $3190.
Difference between the Z51 with MSRC and a look-alike base is ($6725 - $3190 = $3535). Without MSRC, the difference would only be $1810.
I love your math logic...Sounds a lot like mine when I justify new cars/clubs/fishing rods to the wife.....
But honey, If I buy that 70,000 dollar car it will be worth more when I sell it so the difference is actually only 5k not 25k like is actually appears to be...
Last edited by hawkgfr; Nov 25, 2014 at 03:30 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 17
From: Maryland
I am asking for some honest opinions here, so please try to help me to decide. I bought a 08 Z06 and shortly thereafter, all the bad stories began about LS7 engine failing. I never did any problems with the car and sold it due to health issues. Now, I have my sights set on a C7 Z51(dealer stock, very good price & right color) and all these posts about the "burping oil", 500 mile initial oil changes, stiff ride, etc have me wondering. There does not seem to be too many issues with the wet sump engine in the base car. Is the sky falling again?
Thanks for your input.
Thanks for your input.
U had a Z06 that had no issues despite the Sky falling.. Most of us have had Z51s (me? C5, C6, C7) and have never had issue one.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
The probability is VERY high that I will never track our car. So, why the Z51 for me? Magnetic selective ride. When I first saw the video of a C5 going over a bump at high speeds with and without the MSR, and saw how much better the tire contact was with the road with the MSR, I decided I wanted it on all future Corvettes we'd own. Since at this point it's only available with the Z51 package, that "pushed" me into the Z51 package. YMMV.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,391
Likes: 64
I am asking for some honest opinions here, so please try to help me to decide. I bought a 08 Z06 and shortly thereafter, all the bad stories began about LS7 engine failing. I never did any problems with the car and sold it due to health issues. Now, I have my sights set on a C7 Z51(dealer stock, very good price & right color) and all these posts about the "burping oil", 500 mile initial oil changes, stiff ride, etc have me wondering. There does not seem to be too many issues with the wet sump engine in the base car. Is the sky falling again?
Thanks for your input.
Thanks for your input.
In short, no... do not avoid the Z51. Zymurgy's feedback is well put too. So go and get a Z51 w/ MSRC!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 6
Cruise-In II Veteran
MSRC is the reason I purchased a Z51 as well. If possible, every Corvette I purchase will have it. The C7s version of MSRC is the best yet. YMMV.
The only issue I've had with Z51 is the brake dusting. Some people are putting low dusting pads on the car.
The only issue I've had with Z51 is the brake dusting. Some people are putting low dusting pads on the car.
The probability is VERY high that I will never track our car. So, why the Z51 for me? Magnetic selective ride. When I first saw the video of a C5 going over a bump at high speeds with and without the MSR, and saw how much better the tire contact was with the road with the MSR, I decided I wanted it on all future Corvettes we'd own. Since at this point it's only available with the Z51 package, that "pushed" me into the Z51 package. YMMV.
