I am corvette guy but starting to come around to the idea of owning a mustang. I love the design from the doors forward...but I still do not like the design from the rear quarter panels back.

If they can make the next generation lighter and come up with a sporter rear quarter/rear end design, I'd be a buyer.

 

609 rwhp dynojet!

 

I love everything about it

 

The bar has been raised

 

Maybe you are already aware but thought I would share a few things. I have a 572 RWHP C6 Z06. I had the top end rebuilt after I dropped a valve. I was not abusing the car just poking along at 1500 RPM when I felt a surging and the car wouldnt stay running. In short, the LS7 has some week points. I love the car and would buy another one, but I would immediately have dual vavle springs and stainless exhaudt valves installed at a minimum. Once you make the repair the motor is soild. Until then you are taking a huge risk. I was very lucky that I did not damage the piston or the head. usually the failure is more costly and sometimes requires a complete motor. The c5 Zo6 does not have these issues and I have owned both. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

Just curious since I may be in the market for a C6Z soon, what year is your C6 ZO6? Is this a problem for specific years or does the problem
Stretch across all C6 ZO6s (i.e. 2006-2012)?

 

Test

 

My Z06 is a 2006 with 50K miles. The problem has been seen all the way up to 2011 from what I understand and it happens with less than 10K sometimes. My source for the info besides my own experience is 21st century muscle car in Dallas. Thats who rebuilt my motor. I don't know if GM has corrected the valve train problem but they did upgrade the oiling system in late 2008.

 

Any Z06 '07 & newer comes with a 5yr/100k powertrain warranty. I agree the LS7 isnt as bulletproof as the LS2 or LS3, but would attribute it more to thinner cylinder walls & higher compression ratio (LS2,LS3,LS7,LS9 all share the same smallblock). Think of the LS7 as the bored out version. I dont think the valve issue is a big one.. because its not something you see Z06 owners are complaining about on CorvetteForum.com.. and trust there are 100's, if not over over a 1000 of them on that forum. LS7 has remained exactly the same from 2006-2013. Thats 8 years. Problem that big, would have surely been addressed due to warranty repairs killing the car's bottom line for GM.

Either way.. If I'm buying a used 505hp "supercar", I'd definitely want as much of that 5yr/100k powertrain protection as possible. I do agree that '08 and newer is your best bet.. as they have upgraded transmission, steering, console, keyfob, etc and you are guaranteed atleast 1 year of powertrain warranty coverage. LS7 crate motor is about $14,000.. and used about $9000. Definitely not something you want to worry about.

 

Chevy did not use dual valve springs and the springs they did use are faulty. So if the problem occurs, there is nothing to keep the valve in place. So if you do not replace the stock springs you are at risk of dropping a valve in the cylinder. Also, machine shops consistantly find that the exhaust valves are a problem.

here is a post from the corvette forum:
With approx 1000 miles on my Z06 it appears that I have dropped a valve. I posted on the forum a while back about a noise I heard under hard (not WOT) acceleration...sounded like something "binding up" in the drivetrain. Perhaps this was the beginning of the end. Yesterday I was driving the car in a normal manner when, after coming to a stop, the motor died. It was very difficult to restart and made some ugly clanking noises under the hood once I got it fired! After it ran for a few seconds it was obvious what had happened. Nursed it back home as best I could but I am sure the piston broke too. Had it flatbedded to Mak Haik in Houston where they found the #7 spark plug "crushed". They have to wait for Chevy to give them the approval to crack the motor open. May have more on Monday!

 

 

After thinking for sure I was going "back to Porsche" after selling my DB9, I'm not. I was thisclose on several 2010-11 GT3s but it didn't get done for a variety of reasons. The 991 didn't do it for me. I test-drove a 2011 GT500 to see what a more modern Mustang was like, and came away impressed (not the interior). My 2013 GT500 Coupe was built last week and is hopefully being sent this way as we speak (type?). I hope to check back in here with some kind of report after delivery...

 

How well is the car going to put down 609whp? has to be traction issues? Whats on the back, 285s?

 

It has 3.31 gears and a TC system that works. 9 out of 10 times the pro drivers can beat the Traction Control system. In good conditions 1.9x 60 times running 11.5 from 125-127. Yes with oem 285 G2 Goodyears outback.

613.9rwhp dynojet run stock. Heard of one running 624rwhp oem as well.
Good vid from the owner of the 613 dynojet run...

 

Im selling my RS4 and was thinking about getting a lightly used older model, but im moving to Boise and it would be a DD, so I think im gonna pass. If in a few years I can pick up a used 2013 and afford a decent winter car I think I would go for it.