Forgive Me...

[AER86]

Hi All,

I just bought 2014 - 00040 and iv done lots of searching in the forums and reading of articles from Katech & Hibb etc about the drop valve issue. I dont want to open up a huge can of worms on whether the z28 is affected or not as as iv seen its creates quite a lot of contention and would only be repeating past posts on the issue.

Iv read the articles/opinions, iv seen GM say it was fixed by 2011, iv seen Katech and others say issues have been reported after 2011 etc, but what id like to know just from the owners of Z28s on this forum is a poll of who has:

A: Drove the car as is and never had any issues.
B: Has preventively "fixed the heads"
C: Has actually dropped a valve

I am sure I will be told to fix the heads preventively as i have a ticking time bomb on my hands, and i am inclined to agree that 2-3k piece of mind is the better option over a 25k crate engine replacement, but i really am keen to understand how many people fit into Categories A & C.

Looking forward to being a part of the Z28 community, this is my first Camaro after previously having a couple of Mustangs (excuse my bad language!)

Thanks

Andrew


** Update 3/02/21 **

14 Answers so far

A = 9
B = 5
C = 0

[NastyNate'sZ28]

My personal 2015 Z/28

B - had issues and pulled it apart to inspect (noise from failing lifter ) removed heads for inspection found the factory powder metal guides were incorrectly sized and valve wear at only 3500ish miles on my car.

[HoodCheck]

There were definitely heads found after 2011 that were out of spec...I think chevy was just coming up with an excuse to claim they fixed it. I've talked with C6 Z06 owners who talk about valve failure even after a "head fix"...one guy I talked with owns 3, and he's replaced the heads on all of them more than once, to include "fixed" heads...it seems the 12 degree angle screws with things.
The peace of mind is worth it, but its kind of scary hearing the same problem exists even after fixing the heads.
Crate motor can be had for 14.5k or less btw

The heads are fixed in my current Z (LPE rebuild), and my previous Z, GPI did the head fix. I know I've heard more than 1 person say they had valve failures in the Z/28, one was even at super super low mileage.

[Palutz]

I’m still under warranty so I’m camp A. Car is bone stock minus pulling the exhaust fuse so I have my peace of mind. Having said that I will most likely get the issue taken care of once my warranty is up.

[joelster]

I'm in the "A" group.

I race my car all the time. 16 events last year and roughly q500 Street miles. My car sits around 8000 miles give or take and has about 40 events under its belt. Mind you I do autocross and not road racing. But it sees full throttle a decent amount. The factory long block is 100% untouched. Car has long tubes, an MSD Atomic intake and a tune.

PS you're right over the border from me. I'm 20 minutes from the peace bridge.

[1970judge]

A.
27k miles including 11 or 12 track days, i dont remember. Had one lifter go down. Otherwise, ship shape.

[d kings z28]

B group at 8000 miles I put on headers cats cam and Lincoln felt wrong pronunciation and spelling but I put on there ported heads in a wow does this thing go got to put on Mickey Thompson’s to find out how well it just won’t get any hook
on the Michlins

[Supercup]

I fall into group A. I have 2015 and am original owner - have 6,6xx miles from new - two half track days, the rest just spirited driving. I have had no issues - car runs fantastic.

If I did any upgrades I would do the heads for sure. My car is no longer under warranty.

[ariZona28]

I also fall into category "A", just over 5K miles and I'm currently whistling by the graveyard hoping nothing bad happens. As a new Z owner jump over to page 11 of this forum and read the thread opined by yours truly (New Z/28 owners homework assignment) to help you avoid some of the issues that can crop up if you don't pay attention to proper maintenance practices or automotive hygiene technique. Also, while my car is somewhat of a garage queen I do believe they should be rode hard, just not put away wet!

[AER86]

Originally Posted by ariZona28

I also fall into category "A", just over 5K miles and I'm currently whistling by the graveyard hoping nothing bad happens. As a new Z owner jump over to page 11 of this forum and read the thread opined by yours truly (New Z/28 owners homework assignment) to help you avoid some of the issues that can crop up if you don't pay attention to proper maintenance practices or automotive hygiene technique. Also, while my car is somewhat of a garage queen I do believe they should be rode hard, just not put away wet!

Thanks for heads up on the new owner post, definitely some useful information in there!

So far it looks like people have either preventively "fixed the heads" or have ran the car to date without dropping a valve. Hopefully we get some more answers for even more insight.

[macalot]

Group A here.
One owner- 11,000+ miles, 5 track days, a couple hundred 6,000+rpm shifts I'm sure. No problems. Don't expect any problems either.

One thing to keep in mind: The break in period. I know my engine was properly treated for break-in. Question is how many that say they had a valve problem were abused right out the gate or are not the original owner to know if the break-in period was even done? Too many variables and not enough failures for me to even think about it. After all, it is a small block chevy...driving them like I've stolen them for decades with no engine issues.
To each their own tho!

[joelster]

There was a thread here or a link to a thread that went to a very smart man who was in charge of a race series that ran spec-LS7 engines. Or something along those lines. He had some great insight into these engines. He said that none of the engines he worked on had issues. Maybe someone will remember what I'm talking about and find the link?

[Katech_Zach]

The Z28 typically doesn't see the mileage that the C6 Z06's do. The sample size is also much smaller. If only x% of C6 Z06's dropped valves, that same percentage is Z28s are much smaller than the C6 Z06 since production volume was so much lower. Chances are, the Z28's that "will drop valves" are being stored and not driven.

The Katech head fix is the bullet proof solution, but i do not believe it is a "mandatory" concern on these cars. Drive it, if you end up doing a cam package I would fix the heads at the same time

[Blownfogger540]

Originally Posted by Katech_Zach

The Z28 typically doesn't see the mileage that the C6 Z06's do. The sample size is also much smaller. If only x% of C6 Z06's dropped valves, that same percentage is Z28s are much smaller than the C6 Z06 since production volume was so much lower. Chances are, the Z28's that "will drop valves" are being stored and not driven.

The Katech head fix is the bullet proof solution, but i do not believe it is a "mandatory" concern on these cars. Drive it, if you end up doing a cam package I would fix the heads at the same time

what is the head FIX i keep hearing about ?