[Z06] Low mile C6 Z06 engine blown up
12-18-2018, 11:17 PM
#62
At least I'd get something back!
That's what I'm thinking. I think it's rare for this to happen to fixed heads. I'm just unlucky.
12-19-2018, 01:22 AM
#63
Intermediate
Corvette D
I played the racing game in Porsche’s for years. The best advice I ever got was this... “what part did you think was cheap, the Porsche part or the racing part”. The most honest and brutal advice I never listened too.
Your failure was extremely odd and rare. Pure bad luck. The fact it happened on track is no surprise to me. I have seen so many new pro built race engines blow on first weekend. Of course I’ve seen stock and built engines run on track forever. The old motto that stock is reliable is very true on track. To be honest I learned more endurance racing in 24 hours of lemons, with very low budgets than I ever did racing “real” Porsche’s. Being forced to go fast on a budget is much harder than “checkbook racing”.
As a new owner of a Z06 I don’t plan on taking it on track. It’s just too nice to take on track, never ever take a car on track you’re not willing to leave on track.
I played the racing game in Porsche’s for years. The best advice I ever got was this... “what part did you think was cheap, the Porsche part or the racing part”. The most honest and brutal advice I never listened too.
Your failure was extremely odd and rare. Pure bad luck. The fact it happened on track is no surprise to me. I have seen so many new pro built race engines blow on first weekend. Of course I’ve seen stock and built engines run on track forever. The old motto that stock is reliable is very true on track. To be honest I learned more endurance racing in 24 hours of lemons, with very low budgets than I ever did racing “real” Porsche’s. Being forced to go fast on a budget is much harder than “checkbook racing”.
As a new owner of a Z06 I don’t plan on taking it on track. It’s just too nice to take on track, never ever take a car on track you’re not willing to leave on track.
The following 2 users liked this post by icemang17:
Landru (12-19-2018),
stevesvette (12-31-2018)
12-19-2018, 06:13 AM
#64
Safety Car
Member Since: Dec 1999
Location: Virginia Beach, VA & Port Charlotte, FL (snowbird)
Posts: 4,407
Received 1,095 Likes
on
578 Posts
Since it's an intake valve failure the first thing that pops into my mind is, were the lash pads installed? Did AHP do the head replacement or was it another shop?
12-19-2018, 07:34 AM
#65
I have to say that looking at the pictures it seems the valve tip is below the retainer which would lead me to believe the lash cap was missing and the tip wore down causing the valve drop
12-19-2018, 07:53 AM
#67
you could also debatevwhetger the rocker let go and jammed the valve open or if something else happened
The following users liked this post:
Olnavy (12-30-2018)
12-19-2018, 08:02 AM
#68
Team Owner
It isn't a lash cap issue, as it would have exploded way way way long ago and all the other valves have issues. It popped off when that one grenaded.
12-19-2018, 09:16 AM
#69
Tip of that valve is in good condition, thats not the source of this failure
12-19-2018, 10:14 AM
#70
Melting Slicks
As I recall, AHP returns fixed heads for installation with a warning sign about the lash caps, but without the caps being installed. Do I remember that correctly?
What I get out of all the above is that a valve broke during normal operation. So how long had that valve been in use and who was the Mfg.?
Nick
What I get out of all the above is that a valve broke during normal operation. So how long had that valve been in use and who was the Mfg.?
Nick
12-19-2018, 10:30 AM
#71
Failed valve keepers? Or excessive valve lash and/or cocked valve spring/retainer that forces the valve to one side every time it hits; this obviously leads to metal fatigue in the valve.
Last edited by milosav2; 12-19-2018 at 10:37 AM.
12-19-2018, 10:46 AM
#73
Burning Brakes
As I recall, AHP returns fixed heads for installation with a warning sign about the lash caps, but without the caps being installed. Do I remember that correctly?
What I get out of all the above is that a valve broke during normal operation. So how long had that valve been in use and who was the Mfg.?
Nick
What I get out of all the above is that a valve broke during normal operation. So how long had that valve been in use and who was the Mfg.?
Nick
So of course they don’t - they can’t - ship with the caps installed.
Besides, you shouldn’t send them your caps to begin with.
12-19-2018, 11:19 AM
#74
Team Owner
Wasn't there another guy with a similar issue with AHP heads? Turned out the guides were super tight or something. Landed up chucking a valve just like this.
12-19-2018, 12:56 PM
#75
Team Owner
Or rocker bind caused the valve to hang open? It is an '07...so perhaps rockers are suspect?
12-19-2018, 01:11 PM
#76
Melting Slicks
I think its rather economical, I want to say it was like $2000.
And they are in Oceanside, so you could bring the block to them and not have to pay shipping.
If the crank and rods are ok, you can re-use them. I believe to use aftermarket pistons you would have to send the rods to Katech and have them bushed(I think its 80-100 per rod). Get you some new pistons(CP, Wiseco, etc...). If the other head is ok, you just need one new head(classified section here). I bet you could get that motor going again for well under 10k all in AND have a better engine.
Last edited by rjacobs; 12-19-2018 at 01:12 PM.
The following users liked this post:
Olnavy (12-30-2018)
12-19-2018, 02:18 PM
#78
12-22-2018, 11:42 PM
#80
Corvette D
I played the racing game in Porsche’s for years. The best advice I ever got was this... “what part did you think was cheap, the Porsche part or the racing part”. The most honest and brutal advice I never listened too.
Your failure was extremely odd and rare. Pure bad luck. The fact it happened on track is no surprise to me. I have seen so many new pro built race engines blow on first weekend. Of course I’ve seen stock and built engines run on track forever. The old motto that stock is reliable is very true on track. To be honest I learned more endurance racing in 24 hours of lemons, with very low budgets than I ever did racing “real” Porsche’s. Being forced to go fast on a budget is much harder than “checkbook racing”.
As a new owner of a Z06 I don’t plan on taking it on track. It’s just too nice to take on track, never ever take a car on track you’re not willing to leave on track.
I played the racing game in Porsche’s for years. The best advice I ever got was this... “what part did you think was cheap, the Porsche part or the racing part”. The most honest and brutal advice I never listened too.
Your failure was extremely odd and rare. Pure bad luck. The fact it happened on track is no surprise to me. I have seen so many new pro built race engines blow on first weekend. Of course I’ve seen stock and built engines run on track forever. The old motto that stock is reliable is very true on track. To be honest I learned more endurance racing in 24 hours of lemons, with very low budgets than I ever did racing “real” Porsche’s. Being forced to go fast on a budget is much harder than “checkbook racing”.
As a new owner of a Z06 I don’t plan on taking it on track. It’s just too nice to take on track, never ever take a car on track you’re not willing to leave on track.
After owning it for a little over a few years, I started seeing little things here and there that bugged me a little bit, but I overlooked them. But now that this has happened, I couldn't be more disappointed in the car.
I'm not even sure what to do about my next car. Actually I was thinking of Porsche at some point, but what you wrote me is a good warning. Maybe I should consider a much cheaper car for the track. Who knows, my head is all over the place right now.
I guess the message is don't meet your heroes? Or maybe the message is: it's just a car.