Track time means BOOM! - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Bone Stock · 10-18-2016, 05:05 PM

So a buddy I've met over this past track season has one of the coolest wrapped Z28s out there. Not only does he drive his Z like it deserves to be used, he is a super nice guy!

His trailered beast travels inside the back of his custom RV on his way to Northeast Hooked on Driving events. With just 7k miles on the odo, I saw him at this weekend's finale event at Watkins Glen!

What no one expected was his car to suddenly stop at the track. I told truck went out to go get it, only to determine that his car could not start anymore. A quick inspection showed no leaks, but his oil level was very high and milky indicating most likely a blown head gasket.

That's forward to two days later, the dealership said that the motor was blown, and it was not covered under warranty. They claimed excessive use.

What exactly is track use? Light use?

Where is Al Oppenheimer when you need him? Didn't you say that even track occurrences were covered? If they can't break it at the track neither should we?

Is the Z28 a "a few track events" car? what constitutes too many? What constitutes excessive?

Nick S · 10-18-2016, 05:48 PM

He should contact chevy customer service directly if the dealer is not helping him. The Z/28 is warrantied on the track as well, assuming your buddy has not modified it at all.

Bone Stock · 10-18-2016, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick S

He should contact chevy customer service directly if the dealer is not helping him. The Z/28 is warrantied on the track as well, assuming your buddy has not modified it at all.

Modified, slightly. Roll bar, seats, harness and camber plates.

Engine and drivetrain is stock.

I'll have him contact Chevy customer service!

4 FN 27 · 10-18-2016, 07:27 PM

Something is not right there. I pitched the Number 6 Rod out of mine and they stood behind it. Had the car back in 10 days with everything new from the Air Cleaner to the Cats.

Don't try the case on the Internet. Get in contact with GM Customer Service.

I have absolutely no complaints on how GM took care of me.

Crushinator · 10-18-2016, 07:34 PM

My guess is that if his car didn't have the decals and roll cage, they'd warranty it. Although the Z/28 is a race car for the street, that car looks like and all out race car. Which they're probably thinking it gets the shit beat out of it on a daily basis...But, since the mods he has done don't affect the engine of transmission, why would appearance matter? I don't know. Try a different dealer?

JUSTIFIED · 10-19-2016, 07:33 PM

It's hard to know without knowing exactly what caused the engine to blow, but I'd definitely take it straight to GM because, as you said, the car was built for the track. Heck, I've heard of gen 5 Z06 engines being replaced even when the computer analysis confirmed driver error.

RUQWIKR · 10-19-2016, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JUSTIFIED

It's hard to know without knowing exactly what caused the engine to blow, but I'd definitely take it straight to GM because, as you said, the car was built for the track. Heck, I've heard of gen 5 Z06 engines being replaced even when the computer analysis confirmed driver error.

On the warrantied engines: Are you saying they were covered from a mechanical over rev by the driver shifting into too low of a gear where the rev limit won't save you?

If I was a manufacturer, I sure would not cover that.

JUSTIFIED · 10-19-2016, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RUQWIKR

On the warrantied engines: Are you saying they were covered from a mechanical over rev by the driver shifting into too low of a gear where the rev limit won't save you?

If I was a manufacturer, I sure would not cover that.

Yes... I personally know of one situation where an engine was replaced after an accidental downshift into 2nd at well over 100 MPH. In that case the relationship with the dealer played a major role in the outcome, however.

SumWhite1LE · 10-19-2016, 10:58 PM

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1...to-a-racetrack

backeddy · 10-19-2016, 11:12 PM

As I found out, it only matters what is in the warranty book...period. If it is not covered IN WRITING...good luck as GM wields the "abused" axe at will. Most of the z28's that have had grenaded engines have been covered but I know personally of 1 who went kaboom on the track (with 1500 miles on the clock and was not a money shift) and they said Sorry!

Find a better dealer and try again. I spent 100k in 1.5yrs at my PREVIOUS dealer and they still refused to warranty an obvious issue with my 1LE's transmission, so I found a new dealer and unfortunately a new MFG too.

s.hammer · 10-20-2016, 04:29 PM

Love to hear what determines excessive use... Every time I have been to the track, I have see guys tracking C5 Z06s with stock motors that have never had an issue.. Those guys have a lot more than 7000 miles and 2 years worth of track days on their cars. Excessive use might be a good way to get out of covering a brake or suspension issue, but a stock motor with only 7000 miles without consistent over revving really should be covered.

KaBoom1701 · 10-20-2016, 05:37 PM

That sucks...

The 427 curse strikes again.

RUQWIKR · 10-20-2016, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JUSTIFIED

Yes... I personally know of one situation where an engine was replaced after an accidental downshift into 2nd at well over 100 MPH. In that case the relationship with the dealer played a major role in the outcome, however.

I'm sure it happens and was not questioning the validity of what you were saying, just seeing if we were talking the same failure mode. Personally, I would never seek replacement of something I scattered that was directly my fault.

The only reason I've been window shopping on a Z28 is the reasonable +/- warranty if stock and tracked per the guidance in the owner's manual.

aris · 10-21-2016, 11:55 AM

They should cover it - I know of at least a few Z06 that popped motors on the track within warranty and it was fully covered, and thsoe cars had aftermarket coilovers. Definitely get in touch with customer service ASAP.

10-18-2016, 05:05 PM	#1
Bone Stock Drives: 2015 Z28 Red Hot #1179 (sold) Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Bergen county, NJ Posts: 147	Track time means BOOM! So a buddy I've met over this past track season has one of the coolest wrapped Z28s out there. Not only does he drive his Z like it deserves to be used, he is a super nice guy! His trailered beast travels inside the back of his custom RV on his way to Northeast Hooked on Driving events. With just 7k miles on the odo, I saw him at this weekend's finale event at Watkins Glen! What no one expected was his car to suddenly stop at the track. I told truck went out to go get it, only to determine that his car could not start anymore. A quick inspection showed no leaks, but his oil level was very high and milky indicating most likely a blown head gasket. That's forward to two days later, the dealership said that the motor was blown, and it was not covered under warranty. They claimed excessive use. What exactly is track use? Light use? Where is Al Oppenheimer when you need him? Didn't you say that even track occurrences were covered? If they can't break it at the track neither should we? Is the Z28 a "a few track events" car? what constitutes too many? What constitutes excessive? Attached Images __________________ ‘19 GT350R Oxford White '15 Z28 Red Hot #1179 (sold) '14 ZL1 Summit White, Recaros, 6M (sold)

10-18-2016, 05:48 PM	#2
Nick S Drives: 2013 Camaro 1LE Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Verona, WI Posts: 1,924	He should contact chevy customer service directly if the dealer is not helping him. The Z/28 is warrantied on the track as well, assuming your buddy has not modified it at all. __________________

10-18-2016, 07:34 PM	#5
Crushinator Drives: '15 Z/28 #783 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: PA Posts: 456 View My Garage	My guess is that if his car didn't have the decals and roll cage, they'd warranty it. Although the Z/28 is a race car for the street, that car looks like and all out race car. Which they're probably thinking it gets the shit beat out of it on a daily basis...But, since the mods he has done don't affect the engine of transmission, why would appearance matter? I don't know. Try a different dealer? __________________ 2015 Z/28 A/C and audio

10-19-2016, 07:33 PM	#6
JUSTIFIED Drives: 2015 black Z/28 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Texas Posts: 1,077	It's hard to know without knowing exactly what caused the engine to blow, but I'd definitely take it straight to GM because, as you said, the car was built for the track. Heck, I've heard of gen 5 Z06 engines being replaced even when the computer analysis confirmed driver error. __________________

10-20-2016, 05:37 PM	#12
KaBoom1701 KaBoom1701 Drives: 13' ZL1 Red M6 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: I.E. SoCal (Yucaipa) Posts: 8,630	That sucks... The 427 curse strikes again. __________________ Mods: Roto-Fab Intake, WW Res. kit & Big Gulp Air Scoop, Elite Catch Can, ATI Super Damper & 18% OD Pulley, LF Idler pulley bracket, Metco CC breather, ID850 Injectors, Stainless Power Headers w/ ceramic coating, TR71X Spark Plugs, JMS Fuel Pump Booster, Bo White TB, Tuned by Ted @ Jannetty Racing, Ron Davis HX, D3 Reservoir, Pfadt 1" Springs, Moreno Camber Plates, ZL1 Addons Splitter guard washers, Tow Hook kit & rock guards, Hurst Shifter Billet Plus 6 Speed Short Shifter, ZL1 DRL lighting harness, ZL1 Recaro Seats.

10-18-2016, 07:27 PM	#4
4 FN 27 Drives: 2015 Z28 Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Grant Minnesnota Posts: 310	Something is not right there. I pitched the Number 6 Rod out of mine and they stood behind it. Had the car back in 10 days with everything new from the Air Cleaner to the Cats. Don't try the case on the Internet. Get in contact with GM Customer Service. I have absolutely no complaints on how GM took care of me.

10-19-2016, 10:58 PM	#9
SumWhite1LE King of All Drives: 2014 Summit White Z28 #275 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 202	http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1...to-a-racetrack

10-19-2016, 11:12 PM	#10
backeddy Banned Drives: 2011 Boxster Spyder (best car ever) Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: San Jose, Ca Posts: 1,529	As I found out, it only matters what is in the warranty book...period. If it is not covered IN WRITING...good luck as GM wields the "abused" axe at will. Most of the z28's that have had grenaded engines have been covered but I know personally of 1 who went kaboom on the track (with 1500 miles on the clock and was not a money shift) and they said Sorry! Find a better dealer and try again. I spent 100k in 1.5yrs at my PREVIOUS dealer and they still refused to warranty an obvious issue with my 1LE's transmission, so I found a new dealer and unfortunately a new MFG too.

10-20-2016, 04:29 PM	#11
s.hammer Drives: 2015 Z/28 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 245	Love to hear what determines excessive use... Every time I have been to the track, I have see guys tracking C5 Z06s with stock motors that have never had an issue.. Those guys have a lot more than 7000 miles and 2 years worth of track days on their cars. Excessive use might be a good way to get out of covering a brake or suspension issue, but a stock motor with only 7000 miles without consistent over revving really should be covered.

10-21-2016, 11:55 AM	#14
aris Drives: Z/28 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Bay Area Posts: 276	They should cover it - I know of at least a few Z06 that popped motors on the track within warranty and it was fully covered, and thsoe cars had aftermarket coilovers. Definitely get in touch with customer service ASAP.