stealth1281

I will be purchasing an 08/09 Z06 soon and I want to know exactly what I am getting into. What kind of problems will I potentially be expecting? I plan on going to the drag strip frequently. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Chance42

Read up on the exhaust valve issue and decide for yourself. My car already had headwork done when I bought it, but if it hadn't... personally I would have gotten it done at the same time as a cam.

As far as the dragstrip, no matter the car, if you run it hard (especially at the launch), be ready to break **** and prepared to pay for it. Go for the 09 over the 08, they received some small drivetrain upgrades that they share with the zr1 (to keep production cost down I assume).

Also, if you are going to drag the car a lot, plan on getting rid of the stock clutch, especially if you plan on pushing any kind of power.

Mark2009

Not to rain on your parade, but it's not built for the drag strip. You can break axles (many do), you can break the differential (some have), and altho I've never heard of it I'd say you can certainly break the rubber biscuit things they use instead of u-joints on the driveshaft.

And of course you can break the clutch. In fact, with heavy drag strip use I think it's more like you will break the clutch. Others will opine, I am sure. You can remove or drill some holes in some bellhousing vents that may help; there is a thread around here somewhere.

Now after all that downer stuff, it's a really great car for other stuff

camirocz

If you want to go drag racing get a grand sport and supercharge the ls3.Get it automatic.You will easily go 10s and have very few headaches.

stealth1281

Thank you for the replies and brutal honesty.... would I be better off with an LS3?

stealth1281

An auto is out of the question. I know it's faster, but I love my 6-speeds. I'm leery about adding a supercharger, as I am not able to do a whole lot mechanic-wise.

Mark2009

Altho you'll need to at least inspect the heads on an LS7, you'll run into the same driveline issues with any Corvette. If you want the top dog the ZR1 is probably the fastest at the strip, at somewhat more coin.

Honestly, if I wanted a drag strip car I'd buy one set up for that -- an old F body or something -- trailer and all for a lot less money than a Z06. If you blow it up, iron LS engines are relatively cheap... just make sure you get a trailer with a winch

But if you really want a Corvette -- and who wouldn't? -- then just be aware that some driveline things will need to be beefed up or can be expected to break under the hard launches that are the nature of drag racing. There are plenty of folks here that do it, do it well, and can advise you on what you'll need to upgrade and pay attention to.

Mark2009

Several shops can do a turnkey supercharger deal for you, less than $10K out the door I'm sure. They can probably do some of the driveline upgrades as well (like beefier axles and a beefier clutch).

You probably won't get out of 3rd in a Z06 in the quarter. And if you haven't driven one yet, go do so -- that shift pattern is a helluva lot closer than it used to be back in the Hurst 4 speed days. Close than it was back in the C4 days too, come to think of it. I was in the wrong gear half the time on my test drives

LFZ

Automatic?? Grand Sport? Geez.....might as well get a tube of vagisil to go with it.

stealth1281

All of this is somewhat surprising. You would think a car with this much power stock and with the price tag, they would have been built stronger to handle the power.

lawman34203

The biggest drawback is after you get one, you relize its such a fun car that you'll start moding it. Then you'll want to mod it more, and more and more to get as much power out of the LS7 as your check book allows.....

spinkick

Its meant more for road course work. I feel like a camaro is more of a straight line type of vehicle. Hole shots with 505 hp that rev to 7k is tough on anything.

c6 zeee06

road course cars for sure..

ch47d1sg

I am truly sorry to see and hear that a new potential car owner might be swayed by the opinions of a few.... If you buy you risk having a permanent grin due to pure driving enjoyment. The car needs no mods and is safe and reliable used just the way it came from the factory. After spending three days at Spring Mountain and two years of racing experience, the car is more cable than most drivers. I have a carbon custom and have had no issues.
Just my humble opinion

Andydp

I get a grin every time I push the start button. When the exaust opens up it gets even better...

kotik

clogan

Just be sure to check your heads for possible valve guide issues. There are perhaps several thousand posts on this forum about these valve guide issues. Some say it's hogwash; others say as many as one of every two LS7 engines is or will be afflicted, regardless of year, mods, or anything else. Checking your heads is easy to do in any event. Do it and do it regularly, say, every 20,000 miles.

Mach Z

If you plan on going to the strip frequently save some coin and avoid ones with warranties and get the preventive maintenance done or fine one that has already been done.

Get a grand sport if you feel you will ever mod it for some decent power. 650 to the wheels is the safe limit I read from ecs and a&a. Seeing as I only want 725-750 to the wheels if I did it over again I'd go with a grand sport, even though I think those fenders are hideous.

LFZ

A better straight line car to mod would be a base model LS3. Not a GS...

Mach Z

Comparing wide body to wide body. Even with the hideous fenders on the grand sport it looks better than a base ls3. With that said if he were going for max effort a corvette isn't the ticket so why not look the best also.

Interesting you say that though because in stock form the grand sport post better 0-60 times and 1/4 mile times with the same exact motor.