C6 Z06 questions

It's a poser car.
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I've had mine since 2008 and it is fantastic. Last of the NA big displacement V8s. 7000 rpm, 7 liter under 3200 lb. mine has been perfectly reliable, including track duty. I can't really think of a used car at his price point with more performance. But you need to get some gold chains and grow a mullet

 

Good friend of mine has one, great bang for the buck. He did have to do valve guides on it which is apparently an issue with them.

 

On early ones. 2011 and above this problem was largely fixed.

 

He was asking about early cars, I believe. In any case, it's not a deal breaker as they can be done with the engine in the car and is fairly inexpensive. My buddy spent around $1200 doing them himself and had the heads mildly ported at the same time.

 

IMO most of the so-called valve problems are guys who just had to put in an aftermarket cam, which may also involve springs and perhaps valves. I do not think aftermarket cam makers do the kind of durability testing that GM does and the big problem is dropping a valve. I also wonder if folks are carefully warming oil before giving hard revs - remember the valvetrain is largely splash lubricated and clearances affected by temperature. It takes a long time for these dry sump engines to get 140+ oil temp, which I consider the minimum to use full rev range.

A little mechanical sympathy tends to go a long way in component longevity.

Anyway, my 2008 has been fine, but I always warm the oil before running over 3000 rpm. I would not touch a modified car, and pay a premium for a car in warranty (GM offered an extended 7 yr warranty).

But read up at corvetteforum.com for the details on the Z06 - there is an entire subforum devoted to this model and many threads on valve issues. And remember the complainers tend to outnumber the happy by a wide margin on the interwebs.

 

His was stone stock. Still has the stock cam even with the mildly ported heads.

 

there is a plethora of info here. It is so daunting that eve I, an owner, have not combed through it. I may just pay to have a dealer do the inspection next year while under warranty and if the valves are out of spec then the whole works is covered, otherwise I've spent a modest amount to be sure and take away second guess rights if I have a problem down the road.

http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c6-z06-discussion/3121662-gm-response-to-ls7-valve-guide-issue-summary-confirmed-130.html

 

I've had 2 and loved both of them. No problems whatsoever. Huge bang for the buck

 

Fantastic car. Super reliable and fun to drive. I wish the steering felt a little heavier and the interior isn't great but as others have said. Tough to beat for the $

 

Love mine. Did a mild cam back in 2006 with upgraded springs, and that really woke the car up. I know of a very nice low mile black one for sale here for under 40k including a Lingenfelter cam/headers package.

 

Original owner of 2006, no issues. Two close friends which still own their '06 Z's since new with no issues. All of us warm the cars up (oil temp) before running the rpm's up.
Bill
FL

 

I spent a couple of months driving a buddy of mines 2006 while selling it for him. The car is a rip snorting beast of a performer and it's probably the best bang for the buck you can get currently...Gen 2 viper GTS might be fairly close.

However, as I have aged (mid 40's my particular demands from a car have changed. Burning off a set of times every other month is fun, but I now look for cars with other attributes...such as comfort. At highway speeds and certain road surfaces I could barley hear myself think let alone hear the radio or have a conversation, so as such I personally don't have one on my bucket list. It was fun for me for a couple of months, but that was enough.

But again if reliable world class performace is your main focus, you cant go wrong.

 

I had a gen 2 viper as well. Love, love, love the viper.... Unless I'm in traffic. The Z06 is more common, better performance and more driver friendly

 

I was delivered the first LMB 2006 Z06 in Kansas City and just loved that car and color. Lemans Blue is a keeper but I sadly sold it.

 

Get the car and ignore the bench racers that advise you do anything to the motor. The motor is done, even the hydroformed headers are extremely nice. If you would like more engine sound get a mild to wild switch to opens the exhaust up.

Instead: Sparco Evo 2's, springs and shocks that have a higher rebound rate than compression rate and a better shifter (MGW). Use some Leatherique on the seats (if you keep stock) and the steering wheel.

This is my favorite car of all time. Slightly lower than stock and wheel spacers will get stares from everyone if that is what your after.

 

I had an 06. Fastest car I ever owned. Only car to actually scare me, it has sooo much power when you want it. I did a little work and a tune because there's nothing like a car that says I want to kill you let's go fast!

 

I had 2 a 2006 and 2007 and they were great cars .. I now have a 2013 427 conv. which has the same engine .. The engine has been rock solid for me..on all 3
last of the 427s.....

 

Larry, how does that 427 convertible compare with the coupes and how tight is the car relative to rattle and cowl movement? This car is on my short list.
Thanks,
Bill
FL

 

The 427 convertible is tight. It uses the steel frame instead of the aluminum frame that the Z06 uses. I had one for about a year and a half before the left knee gave out. I put 4100 miles on it before I traded it in on the F430. I also own a standard 2006 convertible I bought new that has been rock solid.
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Thanks Bill, very nice!
With only about 2500 built, pretty sure these will have their day.
Bill
FL