tampafox

ok, so i'll be migrating from my 97 lt4 transam, and getting into a z06 or a grand sport. i'm leaning more towards the z06, but i'm getting a bit gun shy about the needle bearing wear and valve guide issues i've seen on this board and others. as opposed to the ls3, i've hardly seen much complaints.

what are the things i need to look for/at when looking at a used z? i'm pretty handy working on cars and have tons of exp on my transam. but the only ls series motor i have now is my g8, so i don't really have any experience with the ls7.

any tips, advice/feedback is appreciated.

edit: grand sport is now out of the picture...they're too close in price to a z06, for same as base performance. would now be base m6 ls3 vs z06

Unreal

Just budget $2-3k to have the heads reworked and enjoy it. That being said, the GS is a great car.

lbzraptor

I would go for the Z06 which is what I did. lol Head work is only between 2 or 3 grand for a reputable shop to do if that is your concern. The power of the LS7 is well worth it in my opinion. If you have changed heads on other vehicles then I think you could do this and come out for around 1500 bucks or so.

Gary '09 C6

good advice from both posts above...G-L !

tampafox

well, see, therein lies the rub. i now have an infant so my available time for working on/modding cars is basically zero. this is why i'm leaning towards the z06 in it's pure 505 hp state, rather than having mods done myself or at a shop i.e ls3.

are there any tell-tale signs i can look for, or are these 'defect' cases in the minority?

Mark2009

1. In that case just budget $3K to have the heads rebuilt as soon as you take title. That way it will be behind you and you won't have to worry about it. You'll need a sharp machinist, and the key seems to be obtaining near perfect valve seat / valve guide concentricity along with a snug clearance between the stem and the guide.

2. No, and -- from the data we've seen here -- no.

If you ignore the issue and don't, at a minimum, do a wiggle test to check the guide wear then you are risking a windowed block. With a newborn that is probably a financial risk you won't want to take.

I thought about buying a base C6 instead of the Z06 until I drove both... upon which I concluded that hell, what's another $3K

Unreal

Grandsport with a blower would be pretty awesome, but if you don't have time then $3k is enough for a shop to fix it. You can do it yourself for $1200-1500.

Pinski 1

Get the car you will love it !!! If it will make you sleep better, get an extended warranty. There are a lot more guys that haven't had problems than guys that have. After I got my 09Z, I had a panic attack after reading about how horrible the engine was and how it was going to blow up..... After doing a lot of research, I feel a lot better knowing its a very good engine with only a small amount of people having to put new heads or bearings in it. Try to get the latest model you can afford and enjoy the heck out of it !!

tampafox

thanks all.

pinski, an ext warranty w/b a good compromise, assuming i get one from a stealership.

mark200x, per last part of (2) deff sounds like the issues are pretty commonplace. that's making the ls3 look more attractive. if i'm going to end up having a shop do head work etc, might as well spend 10-15 less coming in, and mod it to over 500 hp.

Rupert pupkin

Get the Z w/ extended warranty. Piece of mind. If there's GMPP available, then definitely get that.

tampafox

i will deff keep that in mind, but a lot of what i see are private sellers and their cars are usually a bit less $$. would have liked to saved a bit via private, but not a biggie. does anyone know if you can buy ext warranty from gm after a private sale?

3LZZ06

Yes you can, as long as it's still under 3/36.

If it's outside of the bumper to bumper warranty you can not get a GMPP.

lbzraptor

Its not perfect but you can do the wiggle test to check for valve guide wear. Depending on where you live there are probably a few other corvette owners who would be more than willing to help you out. Even with the head changing. If doing it yourself buy a set of good used heads here for between 8 and 1200 bucks. Get them reworked by a reputable shop so as to have them ready when taking yours off. Change out and then sell your heads to recoup the 8 to 1200 bucks. LS7 heads on here sell pretty fast.

ATC399

Get a mustang. too many Zs on the road now

Vegas1500

And there's not a lot of Mustangs on the road?

BAKnBLK2010

I say go with the GS. You get the awesome good looks of the widebody and the ultra dependable LS3. With long tube headers and a tune you are within a few horsepower of the ZO6....

sp330

I've factored in about $3-4k for heads and upgrades into my budget when I get a ZO6. I look at it as the total price I have to pay for the car.

I have considered many other cars, but I always keep coming back to the Z.

LT1Pat

If you don't get a Z06 you'll probably always feel as if you compromised and as other have said assume 3k for some new heads.

RFZ

if your are wanting a z get it. the grand sport will fall short. i have 42k on my 07 z. TOTALLY enjoyed every minute of driving those miles. if its stock and warranty is available get it if it helps your piece of mind.

Adam_W

hDrive them both. If you must have the Z, then just budget 2-3K extra and pay a reputable shop to do to the work. But don't get the Z just because some voice in your head or some guys on the internet say that you're not a real man if you "settle for a GS."

Where I stand right now - someone who does not track his Z06 but uses it for spirited daily driving; has been eyeing supercharging; and has been weighing the cost of performance mods vs. money in the bank for C7 Z06 down the line.... your option of buying a Grand Sport and saving a boatload of money that can go to a supercharger, for a total package that is fairly reliable and more powerful than a stock Z - granted that it will not be as elegant a track car as a Z06 even if it's more powerful - that option looks very attractive.