Devshee14

2002 z06, xxx107832 just bought the car, just read the thread, gonna price some valve springs lol

Lt. Dan M.

Okay, so I have an o2 Z06 with 27K on it that I just had a Magnuson TVS2300, Kooks Lt and X pipe installed. Motor is now close to 600 H.P. The rest of the motor is stock. I am thinking I need valve springs soon! I also plan on a cam upgrade in the future so can I get springs that will be compatable with my new cam and install them now? Also, I have a 99 coupe with 66K miles on it, stock as far as I know but I don't know much about the cars past. I have owned it for 7 or 8 years now, but as far as I know it is bone stock. It that car at risk also for the valve spring issue?

gotz06?

2002 Z06 Build date 5-02 98,000 miles stock yellow springs. Changed them to pac 1218s for peace of mind. As far as i no the car is bone stock. Last six of my VIN 131164

Wood81

What about an 01? Did they have the issue?

skyavonee

2001 and 2004 model years don't seem to have this problem (at least it's not nearly as prevalent as in the 02-03 years). But this was the entire point in starting this thread... to hopefully identify a range of VINs that were most affected by this issue.

GenerationX1

02 Z06 52639 miles Vin# 106727

Still running the stock valve springs.

2003corvettez06

i had no idea about this, just purchased the 2003 z06

is this the biggest problem that the z06 have?

skyavonee

A detailed valve spring study that supersedes this post can be found here:

c5-z06-discussion/build-date-vin-analysis-of-ls6-valve-spring-failures.html

skyavonee

A detailed valve spring study that supersedes this post can be found here:

c5-z06-discussion/build-date-vin-analysis-of-ls6-valve-spring-failures.html

TheoZ

Wow! that was a lot of research ... good job!

slikrider20

No crap. Nice work. Say there's a guy who doesn't have a shop to work on a car. How much would labor be on a spring swap?

2003corvettez06

so whats the difference between 03 and 04 so that the 04 don't have this problem?

now im worried

2003corvettez06

x122334

98DC231

I was quoted about 3hrs to complete the job so about $300 + parts. All in it was gonna be about 750+ tax (cdn) so i ordered everything i need an am going to do it myself including new plugs and wires for about $300.

skyavonee

Either they switched to a different spring, or they fixed the manufacturing defect.

Just to clarify for others - a stock replacement spring swap alone won't cost $750. It should be in the $300-$550 range, depending on labor rate and choice of springs.

GenerationX1

Well.... damn it then! I guess that I'm driving around now in a ticking time bomb waiting to happen!!

I have had problems now with the last three sports cars that I have purchased now.

My first was a 97 Eclipse turbo that I modded and I had to worry about crankwalk all the time before I sold it, but it never happened thank God but I still had to stress over it.

My 03 Subaru WRX that I now have were known to have glass tranny's in which I broke 2nd gear and had to go with a re-advised gear set from Subaru which set me back $1500

My 02 C5 Z06 has friggin problems with a bad batch of valve springs!

Jeesh... If I don't have bad luck I don't have any luck at all.

RallyBird

The good news is if your proactive and fix it before anything happens it will be a let less expensive to fix than the other two cars. I just picked up an 02 Z06 myself and I am changing them ASAP. I also have an 03 Evo so I know all about glass transmissions lol

skyavonee

And remember, even if 1 out of 25 cars was affected in a given run, that means 24 out of 25 were not affected. But, ~$400 in preventive maintenance seems like a better idea to me then playing Russian Roulette, even if the odds are in your favor.

SteveDoten

that's a massive list, but do your have the last 6 of the VIN(build sequence) and mileage????

Great data, but if we pinpoint the VIN's, a grouping may be seen.

boilerdawg

i just got my 03 ZO6 back on the road last week. broke the intake valve spring on #5, dropped the valve, put a hole in the piston, wrecked the head, cracked the block, twisted the rod. i dont have the build date but the last 6 are 124110.