tampatopless

Looking at one that has 60K miles, and now a rebuilt engine. Owner says it dropped a valve. I am concerned because that seems awfully odd, especially since these engines are rock solid. Thoughts?

saplumr

LS2 and 3 are pretty much bulletproof but the LS7 has had some issues. Kind of a hit or miss thing though.

tampatopless

So what is the deal with the LS7 engine? I am in the market, should I just stay away from the Z06?

449er

Do your due diligence & spend the time to educate yourself on the LS7 platform, a search on this forum will be a good start

saplumr

Little bit of a head issue but if I wanted a Z06 I wouldn’t let it keep me from buying one. There are tons around with no problems but you always hear when something goes wrong. I’d post in the Z06 section for a better representation.

Turbo6TA

To the OP ...

Post this same question in the Z06 / ZR1 forum.

As 'saplumr' pointed out, there are lots of threads concerning valve problems and titanium connecting rod problems with the LS7 engine. And there have been many that have had the valve head break off of the valve stem and trashed the block.

If I was to buy a used C6 Z06, I would make sure the heads were already fixed ... If not, that is the first thing that I would have done right after I purchased the car. Cost will be about $3,000

tampatopless

One of the cars I am looking at has 50,000 miles. The heads have not been fixed. If they were fixed now, would all be fine? Just worried with the excessive wear, all that metal floating around in the oil and all through the engine.

sd45t2

of a guy about to tear down his LS7 engine. I am not sure why. It has been modified so not original engine. I don't know if there is a dropped valve or if he just tearing it down for another reason. This is episode one. Episode two could be a surprise. Hope it goes well.

I always hear about the Texas Speed and Performance company in Corpus Christi that can do the mod. Very good reputation.

acroy

The LS7 has 2 major issues - the head issue which seems to be very common and is somewhat 'easy' to fix, and the 'TI' issue, which appears to be somewhat less common but is very expensive to fix. Good luck!

rybern

The head issue is real. But there are plenty of folks that have not had the issue. So ask yourself one question.... Do you feel lucky?

There are also reports about heads being "fixed" that still drop a valve. So "fixed" heads is a questionable term. IMO, fixed heads means you have postponed the problem. Aftermarket heads can actually fix the problem.

There's a TON of info in this thread that explains the issue in depth.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...light=happened

cadyshac

Why do you want a Z versus a base or grand sport?

buckmeister2

That is a good question, cady...one I was wondering myself. OP sounds like a person new to Vettes, or at least the C6.

Jason71

My question is “Why wouldn’t you?”

Widebody
lightweight
aluminum frame
significant displacement
low-end torque
505hp

Everyone spends all this time on the forum wringing their hands about the heads and the associated valve guide issue. Buy the damn car, take it to someone who knows what they are doing to address the heads, and enjoy the absolute **** outta the car. I can assure you mine has been worth every penny.

cadyshac

ummm, I’m not wringing my hands I just wanted one with a drop top. No regrets the car is incredible. A Z06 isn’t for everyone, that’s why I asked.

Jason71

Fair enough

I would have probably sold my C7 except for the fact that it’s convertible. I absolutely love a convertible. I’m just lucky enough to be able to have the best of both worlds.

Musclefreak

Before I started searching for a GS, I was fixated on a 2013 Collectors Ed. I thought it was the best of both worlds until I was informed by a local Corvette expert about the valve drop problem of the LS7 and that it would cost 6 grand to have a machine shop rebuild the heads and the fact that there were only 17 made in Inferno Orange made this a non-starter for me. If I were you, I would ask for a receipt to prove the heads were replaced or rebuilt as a prerequisite! Of course you can always take your chances otherwise, but I would not feel comfortable driving the car knowing at any given moment a valve could drop.