On to the next chapter...

[Billy Mild]

After my accident at the track last year in the ZR-1 I have been looking for a replacement. I haven't really found another "higher mileage" ZR-1 that would fit the bill for me. I almost bought a black/black down in Texas, but another person got there before me. At this time I started looking for various other cars, but nothing to fit the bill. I looked at RX-7's(crazy market right now), 3000GT VR-4's, Mustang Cobra's. The VR-4 was very bland to drive and heavy, Mustang Cobra I don't think would make a great track car, and the RX-7 market right now is just crazy. A guy locally sold his "roller with a blown engine" for $11k.

I decided to look at the newer Corvettes with an LS engine. As much as I don't like the LSx engine, the overall package makes for a great track/weekend car. I found a guy locally who was older and looking to move on from his Z06. We came to an agreement on the price and here I am with a Yellow Z06. The car isn't 100% perfect, but for 74,000 miles it is damn near perfect. Has 2 small imperfections in the paint, needs a HVAC control module.



I have posted some my C4 ZR-1 items for sale in the forum and will still regularly check here in hopes that a ZR-1 pops up that fits my needs. This community is one of the best car communities I have been apart of. Everyone was willing to help, provide accurate information, and help to keep these engines alive. Thanks for all the help over the years with my LT5.

BTW the shifter in the C5Z06 is terrible. I miss that ZF trans already.

[EvanZR1]

Your pic isn't showing. Sorry to see you leave, but congrats on the new toy. I've had a C5Z, and they are great cars as well. And yes, the shifter sucks, find a C6 shifter on CF/Ebay and swap it in, you'll love it. I'd still consider a C5Z for another fun car if I had the extra garage space.

[Gunny]

Originally Posted by Billy Mild

BTW the shifter in the C5Z06 is terrible. I miss that ZF trans already.

The C5 shifter/linkage design has some issues making it difficult to set up so that it feels like the ZF with Hurst, for instance. That said, you can get pretty close by installing the MGW shifter. I met the designer/manufacturer and was very impressed with his "redesign" of the OEM shifter. Pricier than other 3rd party shifters but worth it in my opinion.

[gbrtng]

Yellow valve springs are the curse of death for the LS6 ... they break, valves drop and internal mayhem ensues. Lots of info in the C5 Z06 region on the Corvette forum.
And yes, the shifter is for sh!t ... I haven't tried Gunny's fix yet. Best autox Corvette so far however.

[Billy Mild]

How can I check the springs?

[32valvZ]

The springs have a yellow painted line on them. You'll see it easily. Also, very easy to change and do the seals at the same time.... Cam changes are pretty easy also.. heads don't need to be pulled. And, yes the MGW shifter is well worth the extra money.

That link shows the whole spring being yellow.... Mine just had a yellow line painted on them. I had an 02 Z06, so I just changed them anyway..

[gbrtng]

Originally Posted by Billy Mild

How can I check the springs?

Welcome to the wacky world of LS6:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-failures.html

happy reading ...
Glenn

2004 Z06/Z16

[Hog]

Always something with GM's bleeding edge pushrod engines. Reminds me of the 1996 GEN 2 roller rocker fiasco. At least it was acknowledged and fixed (twice) by GM.

I'm assuming the 04-05 GEN 3 LS6 Cadillac had similar issues before it went with the GEN 4 LS2 and it's "BLUE" springs?

I remember when GM was selling Cadillac LS6 engines for dirt cheap after production ended. They are an excellent engine.

[Flyman 27]

I don't know anything about it but, this guy has a high mileage ZR-1 for sale for $9,000.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...le-90-zr1.html

Dan

[Billy Mild]

Originally Posted by Flyman 27

I don't know anything about it but, this guy has a high mileage ZR-1 for sale for $9,000.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...le-90-zr1.html

Dan

Look at the pictures. That car might be a good track car build, but thats it. It is ragged out. I bought my last ZR-1 that had 71,000 miles, non working radio, bad injectors, and some vacuum leaks. I got it delivered to me from Iowa for $10,500. I did some work to get it up to snuff and I had about $1200 into it.

Maybe I just got a smoking deal on my last one. But I think $12-15k should get you a decent ZR-1 with under 100,000 miles.