Update. Not sure how the pressure relief works but........After picking up the car, I drove it about 100 miles before hitting the track. After about 4 laps the first session, the car filled up with smoke. I of course pulled over and exited quickly and the result was 1/2 mile of 90 weight on the track, with a 2" hole in the bottom of the tranny. The hot oil also curled up behind the car and melted all the paint off the rear facia and spoiler.
I'm now looking at probably about $8K - $12K in repair bills.
I put in a call to the shop that installed the catch can, and waiting for a call back. I do not expect the conversation to go well.

 

Crap, so sorry to hear this! I'm sure this was a scary incident for you; it absolutely makes me regret my fiddling with the breather a few months ago.. It's a bit late for this time, but perhaps the way to go might be (besides leaving it alone), putting a large ID hose, and letting it collect the oil spray into a can (without disabling the pressure relief).

A new transmission is about $3500 if I recall. R&R would probably take another $1500. Here's hoping paint job would be all that's necessary for the other damage, but I guess there'll be pieces to be replaced.. Hey, at least it's not a Porsche with a $30K body panel.

 

I doubt the rear facia and spoiler can be saved. The paint got so hot it bubbled off. New tranny's shipped are about $4,200 - $4,600. I just ordered one with 7K miles on it from eBay for $2,050 shipped. Off a totaled Z51. I have a friend with an auto shop, and although he charges $165/hour and the manual calls for a 16 hour charge, one of his workers agreed to do it for me on the weekend for $1,000 even- off the books.

But then the body work.......Ugh.

Still have to talk to the shop that installed the catch can, but I suspect they'll refuse to talk to me, or go into lawyer/denial mode.

What confuses me is, even if the venting failed/whatever on the catch can or the catch can hose failed, it seems to me that the catch can hose or the catch can itself would burst from pressure way before the tranny casing would. Very perplexing. Maybe the hose and the catch can venting weren't sufficient to release enough heat? Speculation abounds.

I'm one of the first people in the country that will take delivery of a C8 Z06 (numbers 13, 18, and 80 at three major pledged at MSRP national dealers), but after this experience, and after the shock of the just advertised price of the Z, thinking about ordering a non Z07 Z and just keeping my C7 for the track. Not sure I want to track a $150K car after taxes and add ons. :-O

A bit off topic, the Z07/Z06 C8 comes (no other options) with CCB brakes and $3500+ Sport Cup2 tires. The cost of changing all of those three times or more a season for me (15-20 track days per Pacific Northwest season) would be astronomical. Not happy about GMs choice of Z07 brakes and tires. For that reason, even though I'm a track rat, going to stick with the base Z06 and forego the Z07, even though it's possible the aftermarket might step up to save the day. Just keep my C7 as a track toy. It's not worth very much now as it is being an eight year old track car that's highly modified.

Life sucks sometimes, but at least I didn't get hurt. If that oil had gotten under my rear wheels I might not be here writing this post. I wise 100 year old man once said, any problem that can be solved with money really isn't a problem in the big scheme of life.
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Just noticed X25 that you're from Sammamish. I'm from Fox Island, and track frequently at Pacific Raceways and The Ridge Motorsports Park.

 

Cool, so you're pretty close!! I'd say join me at RMP this Friday, but I'm sure you'll be out for a while after the incident...

I have similar concerns about the new Z06. It's possible to wreck these cars at the track, and I'm not sure if it's worth just to be a second faster than a car half the price. I'm sure we can sell CCBs and procure C8 Z06 non-Z07 iron brakes or BBK, so that's not an issue, but I'm worried more about longevity of high revving engine and the overall price, even though a bit of increase over C7 Z06 was to be expected as well..

I'm guessing I'll eventually get a C8 1LZ Z07 coupe, or if they offer it, definitely a Grand Sport version with all the goodies and a reliable engine.

Share your videos of RMP; would love to watch it : )

 

I am thinking your catch can leaked all your oil out until your trans blew from lack of lubrication. That tubing can handle the pressures exerted by the fluid so not a material failure but possibly a fitting broke free or the catch can itself.

 

Here's my Youtube channel. Track videos and also videos from my motorcycle trips in Latin America. My best time at RMP is 1:54.xx, and at PR is 1:33.xx in my C7 Z51.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcJ...Cn8cbug/videos

Yup, won't be able to make Friday obviously at The Ridge. Ebay tranny is due to arrive at the shop July 27th, however getting a bodywork appt is going to take a long time.

You won't be able to take off the CCBs and buy the iron ones I'm pretty sure. The rotors are different sizes, so the calipers wouldn't grab the smaller diameter iron rotors. Only solution if you want a Z07 would be to hope the aftermarket comes out with the proper size iron rotors (and pads). Also tires. I'm hoping Toyo or Nitto 01s or BF Goodrich Eagles come out with the proper size tires as I use Toyo R888Rs. $3500+ for the Sport Cup2 Rs is just absurd IMHO. Wish GM would offer the Z07 with my choice of brakes and tires, but it's not to be.

I'm number 13, 18, and 80 at three high allocation Vette dealers, so anticipating multiple calls to place an order soon.

 

Regarding brakes, my car is a Z07, and I'm using the regular Z06 iron brakes. I've just sourced all the OEM calipers (~$1.2K), and use Girodisc rotors. Sold my CCB system as new take off for about $6900 at the time. I don't think it would be any different for C8 Z06.

Actually, you can use Z06 brakes on your C7 Z51, too; I did it before : )
C7 Z06 front brakes for $1150 + pads!: link.

(and here is my channel; will take a look at your vids: https://www.youtube.com/user/oozkarao/videos)

 

Well, the rotor diameter on the C8 Z07 package is larger than the rotor diameter for the C8 non Z07 package, so not sure how that would work. Maybe there's no difference between C7 Z06 base and C7 Z06/Z07 diameters? That's why you were able to make it work?
Guess we're getting off topic here though.
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Edit. I see from your link that the package includes new calipers. Interesting that you can bolt on new calipers in the same two holes and they'll extend outward enough to accommodate the larger diameter rotors. (I have a Z06 grill on my Z51 also.)

 

I see your misunderstanding. Indeed, you change the whole system. The hubs, control arms, etc. are all shared among cars of the same platform, at least in terms of dimensions. The caliper will bolt onto the same location, but might support a larger diameter rotor from model to model. I've done such changes on Camaros, Corvettes, Miatas, etc.; it is very common, and is done by enthusiasts all the time : ) Sometimes it's even shared across platforms (e.g. STi platform brakes fitting BRZ, Cadillac CTS-V fitting Camaro, etc.)