LS7 problems?

[The_Raging_Bull]

This discussion has gone on ad nausem over on the corvette forum...literally producing 100 threads with 7000 -8000 replies, if you truly want to learn search is your friend. But be forewarned: you'll lose several nights reading it all.

In the end, all of the pertinent facts are covered on the Corvette Action Center in this article by Hib Halverson.
see:

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...te-ls7-engine/

This article IS the gosple on the LS7.

It comes down to this: 2014 and 2015 Z/28's LS7 have the fix in on the valve issue. His article discusses valve polishing and head finishing that Chevy did to resolve the issue. That issue is all about the lack of valve concentricity when the valve seats, and the subsequent valve guide-valve wall wear due to a small % of poorly machined and built LS7 valves installed in the heads. Chevy's supplier finally went to 100% inspection to help resolve the situation as well. See pages 17,18,19 in the article.

However, as I already have a LS7 in an '09 Z06 which I paid to do the fix...I did buy a 7 year warranty...

[Galaxy_Stranger]

Thanks.

That's why I asked here - I know that the Z28 is going to have a newer revision and so would inherit any updated changes to the stock engine, effectively not being the same batch of engines used in the Z06. I have perused the Corvette community and for some reason didn't find anybody talking about the Z28.

I figured if anyone were having problems with the Z28s - they'd be bitching about it here.

[The_Raging_Bull]

What Hib has said in his replies to the subject was that Chevy has built lots of engines, and this valve issue was an issue caused by poor supplier behavior. ( ..of course not feeling JUST like that to the 200 or so whose engines grenaded.)

If the issue raises its head we'll know, also consider: the reason so many Z/28's sit on dealers floors ...I think...are due to the LS7 valve issue. The guys who didn't buy based on that are the real losers, as this car is a GEM.

[Galaxy_Stranger]

Wow, didn't know the Z28 wasn't selling well. Wonder if I can get one for a song.........

That's kind of surprising. Maybe the Z28 isn't selling because you can get used ZL1s for cheap now.

[The_Raging_Bull]

Well not selling well, versus snapping them up like hotcakes ...that discription is all relative right?

You would have thought these 1700-1800 total production ~or so plus the extra Captured Test Fleet vehicles would disappear into collectors/enthusiast's garages so fast your head would swim. It is the LAST time Chevy will be building 427's into Camaro's right ? The 69 427 ZL1's from 69 are legendary.

Consider though..we're headed towards the 2017 model year, so that was why I surmised too many folks with rocks in the heads (figuratively) didn't buy as quickly, Then again part of it could be the snobbiness of the corvette crowd towards the Camaro.

My favorite thing to tell corvette club members in Tulsa is don't laugh too hard around a Z/28, lest the ass end of the car is the last thing you see as it swings around in front of you from a dig. Personally I think its a drivers race with c6 or C7 corvette coupes...they're fun but not exactly lightweight like their Z06 cousin.

[Galaxy_Stranger]

Well, with everything jumping almost 100 horsepower almost across the board now, it makes sense that people would kinda hesitate now. I'd love to get a Z28 or better yet mod a 5th gen before the refresh. Hmmmm....let's see, how much would that cost....

From what I've read online for track times, (unmodded), the 1LE and Z28 both beat the ZL1 and compete with everything else on race tracks especially with no straightaways. Meh - they're all fun.

[JUSTIFIED]

Originally Posted by The_Raging_Bull

Well not selling well, versus snapping them up like hotcakes ...that discription is all relative right?

You would have thought these 1700-1800 total production ~or so plus the extra Captured Test Fleet vehicles would disappear into collectors/enthusiast's garages so fast your head would swim. It is the LAST time Chevy will be building 427's into Camaro's right ? The 69 427 ZL1's from 69 are legendary.

Consider though..we're headed towards the 2017 model year, so that was why I surmised too many folks with rocks in the heads (figuratively) didn't buy as quickly, Then again part of it could be the snobbiness of the corvette crowd towards the Camaro.

My favorite thing to tell corvette club members in Tulsa is don't laugh too hard around a Z/28, lest the ass end of the car is the last thing you see as it swings around in front of you from a dig. Personally I think its a drivers race with c6 or C7 corvette coupes...they're fun but not exactly lightweight like their Z06 cousin.

I am wondering how much longer the V8 will be around as a factory option. Just read the other day that the next gen GT500 may have a twin turbo V6 (similar to the new Ford GT) due to stricter EPA regulations. If that's true I'd think GM will soon go down the same path.

[LSX Camaro]

Originally Posted by Mac-427

The durability of the LS7 has been debated to death on Corvette Forums. I had a 2013 427 Corvette Vert with no problems at all. This engine has been around since at least 2006 in Corvette Z cars and has improved every year. I had a personal discussion with the Corvette plant manager about this motor. Accordingly, he said there have been a very small number of failures but nothing like the number discussed over and over in forums. Sometimes the echo chamber of the internet magnifies problems until they become huge so I look at some of what I read with a healthy amount of scepticism.

Exactly, come over to the LS3 section and see that every GM oil pump will fail, and every Comp CAM is machined wrong.

All are complete exaggeration of truth and reality.

[RyanR3KC]

I waiting for around this time next year and should be able to snap up a 5th Gen Z/28 Lot Queen on the cheap.

[RyanR3KC]

Originally Posted by The_Raging_Bull

This discussion has gone on ad nausem over on the corvette forum...literally producing 100 threads with 7000 -8000 replies, if you truly want to learn search is your friend. But be forewarned: you'll lose several nights reading it all.

In the end, all of the pertinent facts are covered on the Corvette Action Center in this article by Hib Halverson.
see:

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...te-ls7-engine/

This article IS the gosple on the LS7.

It comes down to this: 2014 and 2015 Z/28's LS7 have the fix in on the valve issue. His article discusses valve polishing and head finishing that Chevy did to resolve the issue. That issue is all about the lack of valve concentricity when the valve seats, and the subsequent valve guide-valve wall wear due to a small % of poorly machined and built LS7 valves installed in the heads. Chevy's supplier finally went to 100% inspection to help resolve the situation as well.

However, as I already have a LS7 in an '09 Z06 which I paid to do the fix...I did buy a 7 year warranty...

Should have an Admin sticky this article in the Z/28 section