SVASSH

I'm looking at purchasing a C5 Z06. The car has been on my bucket list for years since Chevy invited me to a driving experience in 2001 at the old Dallas Cowboys Stadium. To poor and wrong point in my life at the time but the smile that car put on my face has stuck with me.

Anyway looking for advice on what common issues or problem areas I should be on the lookout for. I plan to mainly weekend drive the car but also HPDE it on occasion. Appreciate any input.

billschroeder5842

I'm just down the road in Southlake.

The Z06 is not going to have an more or less inherent problems than any other C5. I'd be looking for a clean vehicle that has a pretty good set of maintenance records. I'd also be looking for one that has been unmolested or has limited modifications. Better to get a baseline and mod accordingly as you know what you have. Buy boring and dependable and go from there.

Electrical issues seem to be nagging. Depending on the miles, the door window motors seem to give out way to early. Look to see if the car has a LCM5 installed as the steering lock can pop up. Check to see if the gas gauges is working well as those seem to get goofy. A steady diet of Chevron Techron seems to help. Check the seats for "rocking" as these little shims go bad a need replacing. Also, run the diagnostic codes on the DIC and see if there are any issues.

If you find a car you want to check out, send me a PM and I'll be happy to offer a second set of eyes. There are several really nice Z06s in the Metroplex right now (I follow cars as a past time) so I think you will be able to find one.

Purple92

One thing about Z06's. The factory valve springs in the earlier C5 Z06's seem to fail a lot more often than other cars. I would suggest that if you get a Z06 - have the valve springs replaced with a good set of aftermarket springs appropriate for a stock cam.

billschroeder5842

Good point Purple. Best to stick with a 2003 or 2004.

Stingroo

Valve springs are like a 2 hour job tops. If that stops you from buying a certain year of car, you probably shouldn't be looking at a car this old.

Old School

I changed the valve springs on mine just for piece of mind. As Stingroo said it was not that big of a deal.
Some '04s depending on VIN had a fuel tank leak recall that you should research.
The fixed roof coupe and Z06 models can have potential water leaks past the reveal molding above the side windows. Carefully check that the headliner doesn't show any signs of water damage by the A and B pillars. The reveal molding is plastic and can get brittle and crack. Good replacement headliner and reveal moldings are getting very hard to come by.

Stingroo

If it was me, I would want an 02-early 03. The fuel pump is much easier to service on these than the 03.5-2004 - it drops out from the bottom vs the later setup where you need to drop the tank to do anything. Especially if your plans include forced induction or anything that will require a bigger pump.

01 has less horsepower, on paper, but the difference is honestly negiligible.

MWWarlord

The valve springs have been mentioned. That is the only Z06 specific issue. Other than that, you should read through the sticky posts at the top of the C5 General and C5 Tech sections. My number one piece of advice for any C5 is to get a pre-purchase inspection done by a mechanic that is familiar with these cars. Good luck with your search.

Old School

Since you mentioned HPDE you should also know that there is more head room in the '01 and '02 cars due to the shape of the headliner. Head room is a little tight in these cars with a helmet on. I'm 6'2" and even though I had a '03 with an '02 headliner my head was still just touching the headliner when I wore a helmet. Once I installed an aftermarket seat (something you will definitely want to do for HPDE) I gained a little more head room. Another option is to remove the headliner all together, then it won't matter what year you get.

Stingroo

That is an interesting design change - I don't think I've been in an 03-04 Z06. Luckily I'm short haha

Tusc

If this will be a track car and a street car, you may wish to seek an FRC. The tight ratio M12 transmission in the Z is fun on the street, but some doing autocross or hpde have sought the base gearing so they don't have to shift so frequently. This is a matter of preference.

FRC costs less. Largely the same car. We can do the arm chair battle over windshield width and floor pan weight and cam specs, but any FRC is a cam away from being on par and theyball handle the same with 200 dollars of suspension changes. Same body / looks, a lot less up front cost for a badge, and that means more money for mods.

No worries keeping to Zs though either.

01-02 as stated have the preferred headliner which allows you to wear a helmet in the car. I have an 03 and only recently became aware of the 2 inch lower liner towards the rear where the head is.

01-early 03 absolutely are worthwhile re fuel pump service as it sits accessible simply by removing the driver rear wheel. I have the 03+ which necessitates dropping the tank for service.

No one cares about power ratings stock for stock.

So arguing 01 vs 02-04 or base LS1 is only for those who are polishers and collectors who do not drive the cars. The rest of us all know you are a cam and exhaust away from any of them becoming decent little screamers.

Tires are ridiculously expensive right now. Seek a car with good tires which are new and save a few bucks maybe.

Don't buy the first car you drive. Or the first five even. Drive a few and experience for yourself the differences in condition / maintenance / mods / price.

I also suggest a car with bolt on mods already. Save an absolute TON on headers, x, mufflers, cai, stereo, brakes, suspension, wheels, tires. Having had a bad experience, I do suggest shying away from internal mods like cams, shortblocks. Heads are basically a bolt on but the key then is tuning and who tuned it.

Upgraded springs or conversion from rocker needle bearings to bushings by Straub or CHE are nothing to worry about like the list above as they are external and easily serviced.

If the car you're looking at has a nice aftermarket dual disc clutch and flywheel combo that is awesome. Many street cars use the LS7 clutch because it is affordable and holds power, but it remains a street style big heavy broad clutch and you will prefer a dual disc and a Tick (tilton) master cylinder for your track intentions.

Purple92

This is GREAT info !!!

Can you you please go into a little detail on what suspension hardware needs to be changed to make a Base FRC Suspension equal to a Z06. I thought that it was substantially more than $200 worth of components.

And don't the Z06's use a significantly better flowing cylinder head than the base LS1 ??

70T/A400

There are many upgrades a Z06 has from the base Corvette
LS6 heads
Camshaft
Intake
Exhaust
Transmission ratios

You have chosen a great model. And most have been cared for. Good luck.

Tusc

FRCs come with Z51 performance suspension already which is not far removed from the Z06 suspension.

Used Z06 leaf springs, shocks, and sway bars can be had cheaply. Though as they are less frequently found lately. Aftermarket upgrades can be had affordably also if sought.

I’m Z one

Couple more come to mind:

-Z06 specific seats which are lighter than others.

-LS6 has ‘windows’ in the bulkheads

-Better shocks (‘04 I know does not sure about pre ‘04)

-LS6 valley pan is an upgrade from the LS1

-Titanium exhaust

-Thinner front and rear glass

-Reduced sound deadening (for weight loss)

-Oil cooler

-Brake cooling ducts

Stingroo

Heads and transmission ratios are really the only big ones though. 2002-04 base cars have the LS6 intake. The cam is negligible. And the exhaust is upgradeable on both - though I will admit the titanium mufflers are neat.

schaumi

I violated all of stingroo’s suggestions and bought the first and only Corvette I had ever driven. Mine had 6 owners on the car fax and 112k miles. Two plus years later I’m still enjoying it and have done 2 track weekends so far this year.

DAVIN622

I recently bought my first corvette this spring. I too was looking specifically for a c5 Z06. I found an 02 with about 27k miles, fell in love and bought it immediately. They are great/ fun/ fast cars. However they are also old cars now. Tires are pretty much unavailable in front OE size, lots of people jump up a size. Mine with 27k miles has had a few electrical issues. Both door modules, ebcm and now the blower motor resistor. All of which aren’t cheap and can be a pain to do. Also if the car doesn’t come with maintenance records you could be looking at a bit of work changing fluids ect. Mine had never been changed. If you don’t like working on cars and don’t have a reliable, knowledgeable mechanic then you could potentially have some stressful times with a c5 Z. But once you get one and make sure everything is sorted out you will really enjoy it and have a blast

c5arlen

What's a HPDE? and dose it wash off OK? Hope fully it won't permanently stain.

Purple92

I don't think it will wash off - and many people I know think track time is more addictive than anything you;re likely to find on an inner city street corner. YMMV.