If you buy a C6 Corvette Z06... Your LS7 Engine Could EXPLODE
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- čas přidán 24. 04. 2024
- Everyone loves to talk about the C6 Z06 LS7 Valve Drop / Valve Guide / Valve Issue. I wanted to help do the internet some justice by getting facts from the Corvette experts at Race Ready Garage. I bought this Corvette C6 Z06 for $49,500 CAD, or $36,000 USD. Then dumped a bunch of money into modifications to make 740hp from the legendary LS7. In this video I also get a quick oil change and alternator pulley swap.
Thanks to @Motul for supplying the 300v 10w40 oil for my oil change.
Check out Race Ready Garage for all of your LS or LT needs.
#corvette #z06 #c6z06 - Auta a dopravní prostředky
FYI, the GM service manual says to replace the seals on the oil lines every time they are disconnected. Also, you have to be VERY careful to avoid putting a kink in the oil lines. They are poly and will be ruined if you bend them too much. I personally don’t put enough miles on my oil to worry about getting the last drop out of the lines. Also, my LS7 heads had 16,200miles on them and according to Lingenfelter, all of my exhaust valve guides were worn beyond the factory service limit! Just take your heads to a HIGHLY reputable machine shop that ROUTINELY does LS7 valve jobs and you’ll be good! In the DFW area, I’d personally recommend HPR in McKinney, TX.
It seems that you found an excellent shop to do your work. That's a blessing in itself .
Yeah they’re the best
The oil change procedure per GM does not specify removing the two dry sump hoses. I have a 2012 Grand Sport with manual. Every time I remove BOTH drain plugs and refill with oil, the car's taken 10.5 quarts, so that seems to be right on the money. I use Mobil 1 5W-30 with the Mobil 1 oil filter; my car has 52K miles...
I do this with my 2010 ZR1. It takes almost an entire 12 quart box of 5W-30 to refill to just below the top line on the dipstick!
Same here. Got a 2013 GS 6spd and every oil change I don’t bother to remove the lines and drain them and I always get the proper oil level with 10.5 quarts. Also, I have 2 aftermarket oil coolers in each fender well and I’m sure there’s a quart in there between the 2 that don’t drain out but I’ll just live with it 😂
The car sounds so sick!
Just joined the Corvette world myself. It’s no Z06 but it was the cleanest C4 I could find and I can’t wait to get it out of winter storage!
C4’s are crazy good value right now
@@itsreallyjakub I always had a soft spot for the C4’s and when I saw this clean 100% stock 87 with all the options I wanted for 13k, I couldn’t pass it up 😂
@@itsreallyjakub the ground connected to the alternator bolt is ground on the chassis?
@@marcoscamacho8913 yes it’s own chassis ground
@@itsreallyjakub thank you 😊 bud
I had Katech (located in Michigan) do my valve work and I couldn’t be happier with the work they did.
Yeah those guys know what they’re doing that’s for sure. I tried to get them to do my heads after my first “incident” with that other company. But since I sent out my stock heads and the company wouldn’t ship me any stock heads back I was screwed since Katech doesn’t have any cast heads. So I went with one of the best cast, Dart
Yes we call them 'donut holes' because.....'Merica'
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Munchkins
You should never "apologize " for the noise ! BTW it's not noise. IT'S MUSIC !!
TimBits, and Timmy's coffee are things I look forward to when I go to Buffalo, NY!
Hell yeah
This is my dream car. I sold my C5 recently. I'm hoping to get myself a C6 Z06 in a year or two. 💛
Do it!
This was informative, and your car is absolutely insane!
Nigel and Dave are always a blast...can't wait to see him tomorrow! Was good seeing you at the strip in this thing last year Jacob!
Best dude’s!
Never apologize for the noise. Gobless🦅🇺🇸🇨🇦🍁
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without a doubt bringing my c6 z06 to race ready garage when i pick it up for the heads to be done. nice video
Couldn’t recommend them enough
They increased the capacity of the dry sump system because early cars had problems with oil starvation with sustained high Gs.
Your car sounds bananas!! 🔥
Aberfoyle timmies !!! Used to work Nextdoor lol . I love the sound and chop of this vette
Awesome video 🤙
What amazing sound and power 😎 must be intoxicating!
It is!
Your z06 sounds amazing! That socket to get the pulley off is called a triple-square…keep up the videos!
Thanks!
Shame on GM too NOT stand by their faulty product, really bad ! Strange that no one have sued them.
They didn’t stand behind the northstar engine, the 8 speed transmission issues, 5he cracked dashes on 07-13 trucks and SUV’s..and I’m sure there’s more…every automaker does this …
I grew chest hair when the vette started choppin
606rwhp out of my HCI C6Z I've owned for 10 years... never pulled the lines for an oil change, never had an issue with a stock alternator either. Did need a better starter because long tubes melted it.
Right on. I also have a high torque starter because hot starts were impossible
Can add a ceramic coated tunnel plate for rigidity and heat prevention in the tunnel. Did it on my C5 made a difference with longtubes.
Worth it. LS7 Glory!
Agreed
10 1/2 years and nearly 125,000 miles. So far, the valves are holding out. Been on the track, too. Apparently, early in 2011, Linamar started doing 100% inspection of guide dimensions. So far, no engine related issues at all. Negligible oil usage between 8500-10K changes. Been using Amsoil since 1,000 miles.
Coffee and Timbits for your techs. I used to do exactly the same whenever I was getting work done. Bring coffee and snacks for the crew
Right?
I have never seen anyone cream their pants with only 640rwhp before...LOL I will say that chop is awesome!
Great video. Ever come across the issue with the check engine light for the gas cap leaking vacuum?
Never had a single check engine light
That’s friggin INSANE 640 rwhp. Awesomeness, wish you were my neighbour.
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@@itsreallyjakub I’m serious, I love fast cars.
This dry sump draining thing boggles my mind. I have never seen any documentation anywhere. (Including GM) talking about pulling the lines.
It’s gravity fed, so the tank should drain down to the pan (hence why GM says to get the car to 175* oil temps then shut it off for 5 min to check the oil properly.
If this is really a thing, this is a new theory to me for sure
I agree, I never heard about this before.
I have change the oil on a couple dry sump corvettes. Always warmed them up before I check the oil level and never had an issue with too much oil.
Maybe its a thing with the earlier LS7 with the smaller oil tank?
@@davidlambert7428 maybe, I didn’t know there was a diff tank size in diff years.
Internet lies. This is stuff for views. Disinformation for likes
This guy seems to know what he's talking about, but this seems bogus to me. You can see by the orientation of the lines that the oil is going to drain to the pan. Has anyone ever "overfilled" their engine by not pulling the lines? '07 small tank here. 8 quarts drained, 8 quarts back in, back to full level. 🤨
@@bigdaddyweav71 agreed he sounds like he knows what he is talking about, but this particular issue seems to be a non issue. First I have heard of it atleast.
Cool Cool! Love the ‘71 too ♥️🤍💙
9:20 EMI is from copper plugs like the NGK tr6 that everyone uses once they go big power. If you switch back to the irridium plugs like in the ZR1, the service charging system errors go away. Saw this first hand with my blower C6 a long time ago. Pulled the TR6 plugs in favor of the stock ZR1 irridium plugs and no more errors. Nobody thinks of this, but it was so simple.
Its a shame that gm never recalled all zo6's and fixed the heads the way they shoulda. Ya it woulda cost a lot of money but the cars cost a lot of money it was a bad move on their part.
I use to live in Ontario up until last year. lived in Milton, worked in Brampton. My previous boss purchased a used 2009 Z06 Corvette from a guy who was retired. It had the replacement engine because of the valves dropping. My old boss loved how loud it was but at the same time hated it when the butterfly valves were open as it made him deaf. It was his favourite car.
Jakub, I have the same Nike Monarch shoes. And toasted coconut chocolate timbits for me.
That timbit choice is suspect
@@itsreallyjakublol. I love them
I’ll allow it. Anything but old fashioned plain
It’s nice. I enjoy my 19 C7 ZO6, M7.
Right on
This videos makes me wanna work 100x harder to afford one
Highly recommend hard work to afford one
I have a supercharge (vortech) ‘13 grand sport with a dry sump. Changed my own oil for 4 years, not once did I have to disconnect the dry sump lines. First time hearing that. It drains and fills roughly the same amount.
The LS7 head issue is well known, the "fix" is more of a mystery, everything from aftermarket heads to new valve guides, to new valves have been suggested over the years
It's not really a mystery.... a 8mm valve stem with a 2.200" head takes some care to cut a valve job for that is concentric with the guide. GM used form tool cutters, and just slammed them in there. Doing a precise job and correctly fixes the problem every time.
The fix is buying an LS3 C6.
My fix is keep it stock and you have no problems with it. And stop listening to bogus Corvette forums crying about the valves and head issues with their highly modified car.
I have only ever drained the two plugs and have some smoking at wide open throttle on track. Interested to see if the dry sump line removal improves it
Try it!
joe , 2 plugs becuase 1 is for the dry sump, no need of disconnecting lines.
I had the same DEI heat deflector and it did take longer to heat up your left leg but not much.
Left leg?? Are you in Britain
chopitie chop chop. I did replaced my heads. Didn't upgrade anything but the rockers. Mostly stock except radio, Corsa Sport, and MGW shifter. I do kinda regret the shifter. Love my '06 C6 Z06! Awesome.
I thought about getting the shifter after everyone’s rave reviews. But then I used one. Seemed extremely stiff
Love the mods…just the right amount of chop. What’s with the Nikes…trying to loose your Corvette card? New balance are the official shoes of the Corvette owner.
The real secret of corvette ownership is that New Balance are for C5 and older owners. Air Monarch are the new king
What a sick car.
Getting RPM heads and cam package done in a couple months on my C6 Z06. Also getting a MSD intake manifold. Can't wait for that chop and 600whp all motor! I currently have 46,000 miles on mine and no issues besides replacing the starter and it says service traction system time to time.
Be careful with those heads is all I have to say
On Dart web page theirs says cast with 285 ported also, maybe yours was just unlucky draw……… RPM seems to do very good and reliable work
@@marklagasse2012 that's exactly it, luck of the draw with porting 285. That's why I should have gone with cast from the beginning. I also picked up over 13 wheel torque with the Dart heads
Post how rpm does for you
C6 was my first car and I daily drove it, perfect car for me at the time.
I’m now wanting a C6 z06.. I seriously think C6 is one of the best corvette generations.
I would love a c6 ZR1 but those are getting out of reach, and can’t go wrong with a 7.0 (:
Love the color too!
Yup C6 Z06 are still cheap in comparison to ZR1
I have a 2013 Z06 with ~ 5200 miles that I am considering selling, as I just bought a C7ZR1. What are you looking for?
Ehhh per the manual the oil line part is not required when changing oil
Most Z06s by now, unless they have ultra low miles, have had this issue fixed…but ask for proof before you buy
Absolutely
The "fixed" heads usually don't address the real issue of valvetrain geometry, they just try to prolong the time before failure.
I run an LS7 in my 67 Camaro with Brodix BR7 heads.
Few questions?
1. What did it make to the wheels with the ported stock casting setup?
2. Have you had it on the Dyno with 1 7/8th headers? What did 2" pick up or does it simply require that? ( I'm currently on 1 7/8 feel like it's choking it some).
3. Is that MSD Atomic Mamo or otherwise ported ( I have a hi ram but thinking of going to one ).
Thank you for the video and information...
That thing must be insane in a 67.
1. It made 627whp so I picked up around 10whp and 15-20wtq with the Dart heads
2. No always ran these headers
3. Yes it’s a ported Mamo
@itsreallyjakub Thank you yes it is, Holley digital dash, Holley Ecu and a 4l80e OD trans with billet triple disc lock up converter!! When I'm getting gas ( I have flex fuel setup) people ask me what's in it? I'll tell em 427....LS....lol...then I'm shifting about 7500 with the high ram and the BTR Stg 4 V2 cam heh with 3" Xpipe...
I think I'm gonna get some 2" headers for it ( this was done during covid there was very little choice then )...
Thank you for the info, I almost went with a Mamo intake ( he has done a few sets of heads for me, but I thought it's an old muscle car I don't need it to balanced in power hehe)
Thanks good luck 👍
@@ShawnGilbert1967 right on. I have a Holley Digital Dash and Terminator-X ecu in my foxbody. Works great
I could see the wheel spin just watching the RPM during the dyno run.
I have new tires on for this season lol
My dream was a base C6 but here in Europe they were almost never sold... :(
Hey Jakub, thank you for posting the video. I'm currently in the market for a C6 Z06 and am trying to figure out whether to completely stay away from any that haven't had their heads done. Savagegeese made an amazing video on this car in which they've also brought up the issue with the GM engineers they interviewed. According to them, all of the wrongly machined valve guides were subsequently assigned to a certain batch of bad heads relatively early during the C6 Z06 lifecycle (end of 2006? 2007? They didn't specify this unfortunately). They also claimed to never have actually seen cases of dropped valve heads. Have Nigel or Dave mentioned anything about affected model years? Do I correctly assume that all Z06s built 2008 or later are fine?
They have seen it on all model years and mileage doesn’t matter. It seems to be a complete luck of the draw. Just get the heads fixed or replaced with cast heads and enjoy the hell out of the car, there’s nothing like it for the price
@@itsreallyjakub Alright. Thank you so much for the quick response!
Where did he mount the other end of the second alternator ground strap? Thanks
Its own chassis ground
The donut things are called “Munchkins” in the USA.
I am getting that service charging system warning and decent voltage around 14V. What’s that grounding trick ?
Hook up a new grounding wire directly to the alternator on a new chassis ground
In 2013 they said to use ss valves in your head job. My engine failed at 29k miles. My engine was destroyed and GM did nothing because it was out of warranty by years. Oil was chocolate milk and spark plug head melted in valve 1.
The bit is called a tripple square .
Can you post your build sheet?
Do both the exhaust valves and intake valves need to be repaired on these engines? Or just exhaust?
Just the exhaust.
Hey, Jakub any recommendations on a brake repair mechanic near Mississauga are?
Ben at Dixie Bloor Service!!
Hey jakub, what do you have all done to your z06? I want one myself and I like the whole vibe of your set up!
Too much to list individually. It’s basically a “stage 3/4 top end” “HCI” type of package. Pretty much everything in the top end gets replaced. Stock bottom end. Went with ARP head studs instead of bolts as well. All the little upgrades and all new gaskets to make everything work as well. Not cheap!
@@itsreallyjakub i respect the hell out of that, good taste.
@@itsreallyjakub With the clutch change, close to $18k-$20k?
@@ssoffshore5111 yes. And then add having to buy the Dart heads after already buying the other poorly ported heads 😭
@@itsreallyjakub RPM does decent work and knows how to wake these cars up, but they treat it like a cookie cutter business and quite frankly, Fran's attitude flat out sucks.
I thought everyone was going electric Didn't you get the memo? you got my sub .......
Oops I accidentally own 5 V8’s
He is by far the coolest Canadian
Thanks!
I'm running 15w-50 Motul 300v in my C6 Z06. Great product but no detergents that conventional oil has. Not a cheap oil change! $$$
Not sure if you've ever said what you had for a damper on the engine. Ati makes some very good ones.
Most talk about what they think is a valve issue but I suspect a bigger issue is that the coating wears between the titanium rods. Once worn, the rods rub together or against the crank putting debris into the oil which makes the bad things happen.
This is ridiculous. The crank and rods are separated by an oil film, not a coating. If the coating did wear away and do any damage, it would be very obvious by looking at the bearings. But that's not where these engines fail. It is always the valves guides.
@@bdd1469 How many Ls7s have you built? I would guess none. You are helping to prove my point. Most people replace valve train parts and think that they're ok but the reality is much different. Educate yourself regarding the use of titanium parts inside engines.
So I am reading elsewhere from some corvette ppl that the issue has to do with the titanium valves themselves due to the way they wear, not heads. So the issue could be present in an aftermarket head, with the same kind of valves. This vid indicates it's the heads. Which is it? Serious question as it's a lot cheaper to replace valves.
It’s the valve guides
Sour cream. Always.
Now we can be best friends because I trust your opinion
Scream for the cream
We take our C6Zs to the same shop! RR is a great shop.
How many do you have?!
@@itsreallyjakub haha, I meant "our C6Z's" meaning you and I. I have a 2010 C6Z, no cam, all bolt on's. 515whp on his dyno with 93. Autox car.
Ah right on!
So what exactly was the issue with the Frankenstein overported heads? Were they made incorrectly or just didn't work with your setup?
Made incorrectly. Barely lasted 500km. Tried calling them and reaching out they did not offer any help or were willing to ship any stock heads back
@@itsreallyjakub Well that is a dang shame. They are right down the road from me and I was thinking they would be great to use if I ever get a C6 and do the heads. Sad that they didn't back up their workmanship. Thank you for the insight and sharing your life with that amazing car/engine!
I love these things but curious … what do you think of the gearing? After your last video I test drove a c6 427 (I’m a convertible guy) to replace my c7 stingray, and the super tall gearing absolutely killed me. Couldn’t get to the top of 2nd on any of the back roads near me. All I wanted was to hear that 7L v8 hit redline and it was near impossible! Curious - does it bother you? I ended up sticking with my c7 because despite the less exciting engine, the gears are way way shorter and that made it a little more fun for me
It’s definitely a bit long but I live out in the country so it’s all good haha. I’ve driven newer cars with longer gears though so these aren’t bad by any stretch
@@itsreallyjakub nice. It’s an awesome car man I love the c6z. I will, however, resubmit my earlier request - make a video comparing c6z to c7 GS, would love to see it! Keep up the good work man.
I’m about to regear mine for this reason.
@@SloComaro how much does something like that cost?
@@JamesM-hb2cj I havent priced the gears yet, but I got a labor quote of $1,200 because the diff has to actually come out of the car.
@josh Weldon poor guy. Also this was the reason I skipped c6 Z06 & I went with c7 GS
Part of me still wants this though 😂
DAT LOPE THO! 😁
A Canadian Guitarmageddon 🤔
Any battery drain issues letting it sit for weeks or is it on a tender? My z cant sit for more than 10 days without completely draining the battery
Yeah I think I can go about 2 weeks at most. It’s a brand new AC Delco battery. It usually sits on a tender
I have a c6 zr1 and it can sit max 2 weeks then battery dies so I think it's a c6 thing.
Just budget an additional 5-12K you should be good.... Jeesh! Cool car no doubt. In the back of my mind I'm wondering why with it being GMs "Halo" car they haven't issued a recall if 20-30 or 50% of the cars have issue with the valve seals causing valves to drop and destroy the engine.
Well you could budget for a lot less and fix the issue. But it’s one of those “while you’re in there” you might as well make another 100 wheel horsepower lol
That chop...
🪓🪓🪓
We have some Tim Hortons in the US, or did. It wasn't great, but I heard it wasn't the same supplier.
I think most know Tim Hortons as there used to be Tim Hortons in the selected areas of the US. They have actually been theoretically an American company at one time 30 years ago as Wendy’s owned them since 1995 and then sold it to Burger King about 10 years ago.
I bought a set of new LS7 heads about 5 years ago for a good price. I need to send them off. They will go on a Dart block into a 66 nova project. The car will look stock from the outside. It will be a Drag N Drive car. NA with a manual transmission.
Right on sounds fun
Nice and informative!! I have an 09 Z with a Lingenfelter 660 package and I'm very happy with it. And yes, the heads issue is no issue with this owner. Lingenfelter took care of it all, plus some extra goodies.
Right on!
I still miss mine. 42 thousand trouble free miles, with the exception of a weeping head gasket that was replaced under warranty. I never drained the dry sump lines and somehow never over filled it. I have never seen anyone drain those lines....interesting
I have a stock 2008 z06 with 69,000 miles and no problems too. My previous 2009 that I sold has 110k miles with stock motor and hasnt exploded either lol
Yep, mine was a 2008. I guess I possibly got lucky, but it was abused daily. Lots of dropped valves out there, so it's a real thing though.
@@jeffg4008 yeah I agree. I use mine daily but dont typically abuse it
Just luck of the draw
Jakub, remind me again what exhaust you have? Is it Corsa Extremes?
Correct!
NM, I saw the Corsa tips later on in the video.
@@itsreallyjakub have you been to any noise sensitive tracks with this setup? Curious if they can pass the db checks?
No I haven’t. This wouldn’t pass any noise regs anywhere 😂
Are you mad at God ?love your car sounds awesome
Anyone who doesnt already know about this issue (which has been beat to death for years) where have you been lol?
630 wheel though your car is making some steam! Thats a healthy number for sure
My Z06 did valve drop and break on supposedly previously fixed heads. If you cannot absorb the cost of replacing the engine, get a Grand Sport rather. Keep in mind LS7s are discontinued and dealerships that held on to service replacements are gouging prices pretty badly.
Now that I finished the video, you addressed the same thing I've seen. I think you either budget for fully aftermarket heads or just get a grand sport.
Ugh that sucks!! How about maybe finding another used LS7 online or junk yard and fix the heads before swapping in?
The Grans Sport is nice, but heavier and has an LS3, which isn't the same..
What year for a Grand Sport? @Gearball
@@TML34 basically any of the later ones, the main thing is getting the LS3.
Sorry to hear that! I guess they weren’t fixed correctly
Why you did you change from Frankenstein CNC'd heads to DART CNC's heads?
See the white smoke clip lol
@@itsreallyjakub How do I access the white smoke clip?
It’s in this video
I have a 2007 z06 with 108k miles. Motor blew at 48k due to valve issue. Crate LS7 has been fine since. Valve issue on ‘06s and early ‘07s is real
All LS7's friend. My 09 had oblong exhaust valves
"Don't worry about the heads" he says whilst driving an LS7 with fixed heads...Yes, worry about the heads. I waited a long time to find an affordable Z with the heads fixed already. It matters.
Tim Horton's exists in the US, just not everywhere. We have them here in Ohio.
That’s why I said don’t worry about the heads…because you address them and it’s a non issue
@@itsreallyjakub Probably should have said that instead lol!
Less face time more car time thank you
do mechanics like talking and doing jobs with their customers? I have some time off work and want to ask my mechanic to work on my ls1 just because i’m interested. But I don’t want to seem like i’m trying to make sure they “do it right”
Depends on the mechanic. Gotta feel them out
Go back and do a video on the green chevy vert donk
So even if you get new heads and valves and everything you’ll still have to worry about drop valves ?
No worries if you get new heads/valves
Yes, many cars have still dropped valves after the "fix"
You need amt motor and trans mounts.
Bro, that green 71 vert. Thats a real deal donk, in CANADA?????
Yes sir
Did RPM refund you? I was considering them and their b3 cam once the time comes. Guess not now lol
No and they stopped answering calls and messages
How long does it take to get up to temperature? 10 minutes of gentle driving?
No like 20ish. Lots of oil in an external dry sump
@@itsreallyjakub wow, my wet sumped LS3 took probably five minutes to warm up. My dry sumped TVR Tuscan S takes ten minutes or five with a pre heater.
This is on a cold day. Mid summer it’s probably 10mins
Is this car no liner co owned by the straight pipes?
Yuri never cared about it so I always took care of it
2009 tank up grade
It’s very simple, change the heads, no big deal fellas 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Exactly
whats the exhaust setup on this
American Racing long tubes into Corsa Xtreme