LS7 Proactive Valve Remedy

[mkorgan]

Let me state up front that I am not an expert on the LS7 or the valve train issue that is covered in detail on the corvette forums. I do see that it is still an issue so I ask the following question: What are the options (short of replacing the heads) to proactively address the valve issue before it becomes a problem and dumps the top side of the motor? I will be getting a new Z/28 and will probably address this right up front so that I don't end up on the back of flatbed coming home from the track.

[Skylane765]

Ask GM. They know best, they make the engine and warranty it. I have one coming also, but I am not going to worry about a rumored problem that others have on a older car.

[mkorgan]

Did not say I was worried, I just am interested I what can be done to avoid as it is not a rumor and is a known issue on LS7 shipping as recently as 10 months ago. My understanding is that the LS7 in the Z/28 is the same LS7 built for the Corvette under the same design so I think it is a valid question. If you choose to dismiss or ignore it then that's cool for you but I am looking for someone in the business who can provide sound technical guidance.

[Skylane765]

It's a rumor as far as the LS7 on the Camaro, they are not built yet.
That's why I say to ask GM, they know the issue. Where did I say you were worried? I said I would not.

[mkorgan]

Awesome. I appreciate the fact this issue does not worry you. My brother-in-law has a LS7 in his vette and the dealer told him that there is nothing that they recommend to avoid the issue other than try to avoid high RPM ranges for extended periods of time. They acknowledged it is a known issue with a service bulletin associated with it but they do not do anything to proactively correct the problem as it effects less than 5% of the LS7 produced based on reported incidents. He laughed and said they recommended getting the extended warranty. Nice.

[Skylane765]

They would be like aircraft engines, if the are going to come apart it is going to be the first 100 hours and in the cars case 10k miles.

[Bad@ssCamaro]

Originally Posted by mkorgan

Awesome. I appreciate the fact this issue does not worry you. My brother-in-law has a LS7 in his vette and the dealer told him that there is nothing that they recommend to avoid the issue other than try to avoid high RPM ranges for extended periods of time. They acknowledged it is a known issue with a service bulletin associated with it but they do not do anything to proactively correct the problem as it effects less than 5% of the LS7 produced based on reported incidents. He laughed and said they recommended getting the extended warranty. Nice.

Just to play devil's advocate - so you think that, of the less than 5%, just by chance this could happen to you, you want to eliminate that possibility completely by finding a resolution to the issue?

[Skylane765]

95% that it will not happen! I like those odds.

[mkorgan]

these forums are so helpful at times...and then there are times like this.

If you don't have anything to recommend (other than don't worry about it or ask GM) then that's cool...feel free to not post.

If no one else post then I will accept the fact that I am the only one thinking about it.

[Bad@ssCamaro]

Originally Posted by mkorgan

Did not say I was worried, I just am interested I what can be done to avoid as it is not a rumor and is a known issue on LS7 shipping as recently as 10 months ago. My understanding is that the LS7 in the Z/28 is the same LS7 built for the Corvette under the same design so I think it is a valid question. If you choose to dismiss or ignore it then that's cool for you but I am looking for someone in the business who can provide sound technical guidance.

Originally Posted by mkorgan

these forums are so helpful at times...and then there are times like this.

If you don't have anything to recommend (other than don't worry about it or ask GM) then that's cool...feel free to not post.

If no one else post then I will accept the fact that I am the only one thinking about it.

[SPCBA]

Dear Skylane,
Please stop posting such blatent misinformation. The original posters question is valid and would be a concern of mine if I were to have a stock ls7 head.

[Skylane765]

Originally Posted by SPCBA

Dear Skylane,
Please stop posting such blatent misinformation. The original posters question is valid and would be a concern of mine if I were to have a stock ls7 head.

I posted for him to ask GM, nothing wrong with that post, I also never told him not to worry, I said I would not worry about it. Who are you to say what I can post. Nothing wrong with my post. I also have a Z28 coming, so I stated what I would do.
What misinformation?

[Bad@ssCamaro]

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...52#post7409352

Post #35

[hognutz]

From my understanding it is a hollow valve/ bad geometry problem putting a side load on the stem.

I pulled the covers on my Z06 and the rockers all made proper contact. granted I only put 26k on the car I had but they were spirited miles.

So people will make coments like trust the waranty and all that but I dont' like down time on my car so I just inspected the parts proactivly.

now this is what I gleaned out of the hours of reading I did when I had mine. If it turns out to be bad parts on the other had the fix would simply be different valves.

all you have to do is read for 5min on this topic and you will see there is no agreement on the issue. Some will put 60k on the stock motor. some will fail early. that is why I inspected the valve train to remove that varible. If mine had failed I would have know it was most liklely a bad spring or valve not a missalignment multiplied by high RPM issue.