[Z06] >>>List of C5Z06's with failed valvesprings, not always high mileage<<<.....PICS.
#1
Le Mans Master
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Member Since: Sep 2003
Location: Farmington CT
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>>>List of C5Z06's with failed valvesprings, not always high mileage<<<.....PICS.
JULY 2012; I HAVE THE GMPP NEW BLUE SPRINGS IN STOCK READY FOR INSTALLATION, $220 PLUS PARTS(GM SPRINGS ARE $75), TURNAROUND TIME IS 3-4 HOURS; AMERICAN RACING HEADERS WITH NEW GM SPRINGS INSTALLED.............$1895
I've been swapping out LS1/2/6 motors since 2005, mostly to support the increased power of FI(forced induction) builds, it's a shame to replace a LS6 due to a $10 valvespring that has failed.
Goal: to educate the owners/potential owners of C5Z06's the potential mishap that may occur and perhaps narrow down the year/VIN sequence of the affected LS6's
Discrepancy: Possible OEM GM valvespring failure in 100% stock or mild bolt on LS6's, the VS failure/cracking often leads to PISTON to Cylinder Head VALVE contact, resulting in piston/valve and engine block FAILURE
Corrective Action: Replace OEM GM valvesprings with upgraded VS or 'known good' GM OEM part; common upgrade VS's are PAC1518
PICS below are from a bone stock 2002 Z06, valvespring failed, piston/block failure
I've been swapping out LS1/2/6 motors since 2005, mostly to support the increased power of FI(forced induction) builds, it's a shame to replace a LS6 due to a $10 valvespring that has failed.
Goal: to educate the owners/potential owners of C5Z06's the potential mishap that may occur and perhaps narrow down the year/VIN sequence of the affected LS6's
Discrepancy: Possible OEM GM valvespring failure in 100% stock or mild bolt on LS6's, the VS failure/cracking often leads to PISTON to Cylinder Head VALVE contact, resulting in piston/valve and engine block FAILURE
Corrective Action: Replace OEM GM valvesprings with upgraded VS or 'known good' GM OEM part; common upgrade VS's are PAC1518
PICS below are from a bone stock 2002 Z06, valvespring failed, piston/block failure
Last edited by SteveDoten; 07-08-2012 at 08:54 AM.
#2
Le Mans Master
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more pics later
Please post or PM data: Year/mileage/last 6 of VIN and/or build month
Please PM if you feel I can improve the information provided in any way
Please post or PM data: Year/mileage/last 6 of VIN and/or build month
Please PM if you feel I can improve the information provided in any way
Last edited by SteveDoten; 03-23-2012 at 09:24 AM.
#3
Instructor
2002/46941 miles /vin 132852 / 05/02 build No broken springs/replaced them due all the horror stories. 3 hrs of your time to save your motor seems like a good deal to me.
#7
Safety Car
Has anyone ever heard of a failure of GM replacement springs (ie purchased 2005 or later)?
#8
Instructor
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'02 Z; three instances of broken springs, one costing $3K, before I got it. I broke one and replaced them all with Comp 981s. There were three colors of springs when I started. What a bunch of morons to not replace them all. I'll get VIN and miles (~75K) later. I just wanted to get subscribed here.
jim
jim
#9
Drifting
02 Z06 - Stock Motor
23k Miles
May 02 Build
As preventive maintenance just changed out the original springs (yellow's) with the PSI Beehives (Iskendarian "Tool Room").
The yellow's looked fine, PSI's are in and working as designed.
Hope this data point helps others make an informed decision.
Ed
23k Miles
May 02 Build
As preventive maintenance just changed out the original springs (yellow's) with the PSI Beehives (Iskendarian "Tool Room").
The yellow's looked fine, PSI's are in and working as designed.
Hope this data point helps others make an informed decision.
Ed
#11
Le Mans Master
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Location: Farmington CT
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I'll start the list shortly
year/build date/last 6 of VIN/mileage/color of spring
seems yellow is common here.......
Thread is going slow, I will try to keep it up top, Don't want someone to spend 4-6k on a motor swap for a $10 spring
I just bought a 2003 Z06, 130,000 miles, ONE valvespring replaced by dealer
year/build date/last 6 of VIN/mileage/color of spring
seems yellow is common here.......
Thread is going slow, I will try to keep it up top, Don't want someone to spend 4-6k on a motor swap for a $10 spring
I just bought a 2003 Z06, 130,000 miles, ONE valvespring replaced by dealer
#14
Racer
Hey Guys,
I have a 2002 Z06 with 13K miles on it and I´m curious if I also should change my valve springs.....I will install in about 2 weeks Kooks 7/8 Longtubes and X-Pipe and dyno the car, would you recommend a valve spring upgrade and if yes, which ones are the best to go? I plan late this year, starting next year to put another cam in the car, will the springs then be compatible?
Thanks, Rouven.
I have a 2002 Z06 with 13K miles on it and I´m curious if I also should change my valve springs.....I will install in about 2 weeks Kooks 7/8 Longtubes and X-Pipe and dyno the car, would you recommend a valve spring upgrade and if yes, which ones are the best to go? I plan late this year, starting next year to put another cam in the car, will the springs then be compatible?
Thanks, Rouven.
#15
Drifting
I did not limit cost and told them I was looking for durability.
I will let those knowledgeable about the difference / pros & cons of a dual vs single chime in.
Ed
#16
Drifting
Hey Guys,
I have a 2002 Z06 with 13K miles on it and I´m curious if I also should change my valve springs.....I will install in about 2 weeks Kooks 7/8 Longtubes and X-Pipe and dyno the car, would you recommend a valve spring upgrade and if yes, which ones are the best to go? I plan late this year, starting next year to put another cam in the car, will the springs then be compatible?
Thanks, Rouven.
I have a 2002 Z06 with 13K miles on it and I´m curious if I also should change my valve springs.....I will install in about 2 weeks Kooks 7/8 Longtubes and X-Pipe and dyno the car, would you recommend a valve spring upgrade and if yes, which ones are the best to go? I plan late this year, starting next year to put another cam in the car, will the springs then be compatible?
Thanks, Rouven.
Assuming a failure that took out the block.
I weighed the effects of a failure on a road course at speed, which would be - potential crash, oil & fire risk, tow to shop 150 miles away, no LS6 Crates being made, $8 to $9k cost of new motor, new clutch (while they are apart), add remote bleeder, etc.
For me the approx $500 cost was worth the risk. Also, if I sell to an informed buyer I would think my car will sell faster / get me $500 higher price.
We spend $500 for many appearance mods, this spend, while frustrating because of the issue being so random has allowed me to enjoy my car more as I am no longer paranoid about a failure.
Thanks Steve for leading this effort. I chuckled when I read your comment about your car having "one" new spring. Warranty work at it's best, do the bare minimum to keep the car running.
Ed
#17
Racer
Hm alright that sound really like a potential risk I don´t want to have.
Which springs do you guys recommend then? And are they compatible to a bigger camshaft or would they have to be changed again? As I said I plan the cam update later this year. How much does this upgrade normaly cost? And would you also perform other work at the same time knowing I will dyno my car?
Thanks, Rouven.
Which springs do you guys recommend then? And are they compatible to a bigger camshaft or would they have to be changed again? As I said I plan the cam update later this year. How much does this upgrade normaly cost? And would you also perform other work at the same time knowing I will dyno my car?
Thanks, Rouven.
#19
2002 Z06, last six of VIN is 124995
I've a 2002 Z06. At about 93k miles a valvespring broke. Valve and piston collided and blew a hole about 2" across in the piston. The rod then shattered in the center, and the end of the rod attached to the crank beat holes in the block.
Last six of my VIN is 124995.
Thousands of dollars and 8 months later I've a forged 403 I mostly built and am currently tuning.
Last six of my VIN is 124995.
Thousands of dollars and 8 months later I've a forged 403 I mostly built and am currently tuning.
#20
I've a friend a few miles away with a 2002 Z06 that broke a valve spring as well. His piston had about 1/3rd of it missing. The rod was twisted, but in tact. At least he didn't have to buy a new block.