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C6 Corvette ZR1 & Z06General info about GM’s Corvette Supercar, LS9 Corvette Technical Info, Performance Upgrades, Suspension Setup for Street or Track
Hey guys I recently acquired a 08 c6 z06 ran perfect but went ahead and did the head fix through AHP with the #4 package polished oem intake valves and ferrera exhaust valves 2042p hollows PM guides with 660 btr springs and the 116 cam. I installed a new timing chain. Used original rockers with the che trunnion kit and johnson 2116lsr lifters and a power bond damper. The car has 50k miles on it has anyone experienced a waterpump or thermostat failure within that range of miles. Since im waiting on the heads to be cncd fixed and shipped maybe a good time just to replace it all? Think i can squeeze another 50k miles out it?
I have been in the same situation, with the same heads, valves, and camshaft. My experience would say to remove the valve springs and do a wiggle check at 20k miles. If the wiggle check with valves removed is within GM specs, install new valve stem seals and valve springs. If your valve spring retainers are titanium, these will likely be gouged and should be replaced as well. You may be able to squeeze another 50k miles out of your heads if you inspect and replace the valve springs every 20k miles.
I would watch out for the used Titanium intake valves, as no one can be sure how much of the protective coating still exists on the valve stems. If you get a wiggle test showing movement beyond the GM spec, I would and have had the heads removed from the engine for a very detailed inspection. Be prepared to spend $$$ for a full head rebuild. If your heads have not been rebuilt yet, I would consider spending the $$ for new Ti intake valves. This would help make me feel better about running another 50k miles.
Hey guys I recently acquired a 08 c6 z06 ran perfect but went ahead and did the head fix through AHP with the #4 package polished oem intake valves and ferrera exhaust valves 2042p hollows PM guides with 660 btr springs and the 116 cam. I installed a new timing chain. Used original rockers with the che trunnion kit and johnson 2116lsr lifters and a power bond damper. The car has 50k miles on it has anyone experienced a waterpump or thermostat failure within that range of miles. Since im waiting on the heads to be cncd fixed and shipped maybe a good time just to replace it all? Think i can squeeze another 50k miles out it?
We usually dont see water pump or T stat failures on the C6z06 even with high mileage.
If your worried about it though now would be the time to change them out. I mean the water pump comes off for the cam swap and the T stat is on the water pump so they are both right there. I think a new GM pump is something like 300 buck or so and a new T stat around $35 so not to bad to change out wile its all apart if worried about it. But to answer your question nope we dont see them go bad very often. We do however see a TON of bad engine mounts on C6z06s at even low miles at this point in the vehicles like. Those are also right there when doing heads and cam so mind as well double check those dont need to be replaced while you have it all part. Or just do like I would do and changer them out while your almost there.
I would go with the Hinson 3/8" lower Poly mounts if it was my car.
Sounds like you have a great handle on the C6z06 and your going to absolutely love your new CNC ported AHP heads and our 116 camshaft. She will feel and sound like a totally different car once you get her all back together.
We usually dont see water pump or T stat failures on the C6z06 even with high mileage.
If your worried about it though now would be the time to change them out. I mean the water pump comes off for the cam swap and the T stat is on the water pump so they are both right there. I think a new GM pump is something like 300 buck or so and a new T stat around $35 so not to bad to change out wile its all apart if worried about it. But to answer your question nope we dont see them go bad very often. We do however see a TON of bad engine mounts on C6z06s at even low miles at this point in the vehicles like. Those are also right there when doing heads and cam so mind as well double check those dont need to be replaced while you have it all part. Or just do like I would do and changer them out while your almost there.
I would go with the Hinson 3/8" lower Poly mounts if it was my car.
Sounds like you have a great handle on the C6z06 and your going to absolutely love your new CNC ported AHP heads and our 116 camshaft. She will feel and sound like a totally different car once you get her all back together.
right on thanks brother cannot wait for my heads! Yea im going to keep the old water pump but change the thermostat atleast for now im also going to look up the Hinson poly mounts! thanks for the tips Kohle i appreciate you.
My 2 cents on the water pump: Nothing wrong with the stock pump. However, I wanted an upgrade, but didn't want to go electric. So I bought the Edelbrock mechanical pump. 10 years and 60,000 miles later it does everything it says it will do. It increases low rpm flow, and supposedly has about the same high rpm flow. It's also rebuildable. It was $300 bucks, but that was back in 2014. I think they're around $450-$500 now. But it'll be the last water pump you'll ever need. FWIW.......
My 2 cents on the water pump: Nothing wrong with the stock pump. However, I wanted an upgrade, but didn't want to go electric. So I bought the Edelbrock mechanical pump. 10 years and 60,000 miles later it does everything it says it will do. It increases low rpm flow, and supposedly has about the same high rpm flow. It's also rebuildable. It was $300 bucks, but that was back in 2014. I think they're around $450-$500 now. But it'll be the last water pump you'll ever need. FWIW.......
right on thanks for the tip will definitely purchase that water pump and have it for when the time comes!
right on thanks for the tip will definitely purchase that water pump and have it for when the time comes!
I think that's the water pump you want to drill a 1/4" hole behind the T stat to keep it from cavitating at high rpms.
I would have to look over my notes from a few years back when we did extensive water pump testing on the engine dyno. But I'm 99% sure the Edelbrock mechanical is the best. And if you drill a 1/4" hole behind the T stat in the water pump hosing you get no cavitation (like all the other water pumps do). Even when going over 8k rpms.
I think that's the water pump you want to drill a 1/4" hole behind the T stat to keep it from cavitating at high rpms.
I would have to look over my notes from a few years back when we did extensive water pump testing on the engine dyno. But I'm 99% sure the Edelbrock mechanical is the best. And if you drill a 1/4" hole behind the T stat in the water pump hosing you get no cavitation (like all the other water pumps do). Even when going over 8k rpms.
The pump I bought was the #8896. Was on a Darton LS1, and bolted on to my LS7 block, as well. I believe they now make a Pro Series. Make sure you get the one best suited for your needs....
just want to throw a shout out to Kohle and American Heritage Performance Installed the beautiful stage 4 heads they did for me and the 116 AHP camshaft my car passed smog! and man does she sound badass! now im just tuning her day by day when i can myself gently I got the idle done just dialing in the MAF and VE tables. (any pointers would be greatly appreciated) Kohle always responded to every question I had and kept his word on delivery time these guys are non stop they get alot of work and there's a good reason why! Thanks again and I'll be in touch for more future goodies!
just want to throw a shout out to Kohle and American Heritage Performance Installed the beautiful stage 4 heads they did for me and the 116 AHP camshaft my car passed smog! and man does she sound badass! now im just tuning her day by day when i can myself gently I got the idle done just dialing in the MAF and VE tables. (any pointers would be greatly appreciated) Kohle always responded to every question I had and kept his word on delivery time these guys are non stop they get alot of work and there's a good reason why! Thanks again and I'll be in touch for more future goodies!
just want to throw a shout out to Kohle and American Heritage Performance Installed the beautiful stage 4 heads they did for me and the 116 AHP camshaft my car passed smog! and man does she sound badass! now im just tuning her day by day when i can myself gently I got the idle done just dialing in the MAF and VE tables. (any pointers would be greatly appreciated) Kohle always responded to every question I had and kept his word on delivery time these guys are non stop they get alot of work and there's a good reason why! Thanks again and I'll be in touch for more future goodies!
I had a thermostat stick wide open at 38k miles. I wouldnt worry about it though, it’s a pretty easy job. Your car sounds great.
thank you! sorry for the late response. Just recently did the "muffler mod" have about 1000 miles on the setup now runs great. My only issue now is getting rid of some KR in the tune because crappy 91 octane and hot ECT and IAT it can only get about 14-16 degrees of timing at wot right now sadly. May get that 160 thermostat and a bigger radiator eventually and tweak the fan settings just a tad. The AHP 116 camshaft is just right enough chop and smooth never bucks or surges.
just want to throw a shout out to Kohle and American Heritage Performance Installed the beautiful stage 4 heads they did for me and the 116 AHP camshaft my car passed smog! and man does she sound badass! now im just tuning her day by day when i can myself gently I got the idle done just dialing in the MAF and VE tables. (any pointers would be greatly appreciated) Kohle always responded to every question I had and kept his word on delivery time these guys are non stop they get alot of work and there's a good reason why! Thanks again and I'll be in touch for more future goodies!
Thanks for the shout out!!!
It was a pleasure to work with you on this!
She looks and sounds great by the way.
I just love that our 116 cam with our Ported Package 4 LS7 heads is a solid work around for California smog! Just love that.
Where there is a will there is a way as they say, lol.
Look forward to working with you again in the future!
Beautiful car by the way!
LS7 AHP HEAD fix & new camshaft build
