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Ls7 heads dropping valves

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Old 04-30-2013, 11:09 AM
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Originally Posted by Katech_Jason
I have no idea what percentage. We'll probably never know. Yes, it's either machined wrong or it's not. If you don't have the problem early then you never will.
Hi Jason,

I am interesting in buying a Z06 for trackdays. Do you see this issue on the 2011 or later Z06s? Are there any other issues with C6 Z06?

Thank you.
CYe
Old 04-30-2013, 11:57 AM
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Originally Posted by runnerx
Hi Jason,

I am interesting in buying a Z06 for trackdays. Do you see this issue on the 2011 or later Z06s? Are there any other issues with C6 Z06?

Thank you.
CYe
GM says they realized the problem in 2011 so 2012+ do not have the machining problem. Although they also said it's 2009-2011 and we've seen 2007s and 2008s with high guide wear so I don't know what to think.

Have you seen my Z06 for sale? Very track capable.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/vehicle-c...p-2850lbs.html
Old 05-01-2013, 06:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Katech_Jason
GM says they realized the problem in 2011 so 2012+ do not have the machining problem. Although they also said it's 2009-2011 and we've seen 2007s and 2008s with high guide wear so I don't know what to think.
Oh come now.... i think you know what to think but you just won't say it
Old 05-02-2013, 07:08 PM
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Originally Posted by z0sicktanner
I agree. I figured I'd come over from the corvette forum. he knows what about all those 06's that are dropping like flies. they all have the same problem
Yes, there are WAY more 06's that have poped but no talk of those??
Old 05-21-2013, 04:58 PM
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What is the guide material made of in a ls7 head?
Old 05-21-2013, 07:23 PM
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Originally Posted by HioSSilver
What is the guide material made of in a ls7 head?
Sintered powder metal....
Old 05-22-2013, 11:29 AM
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Originally Posted by ramairws6
Sintered powder metal....
ok thanks. It looks like mine has been changed then.

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Old 05-23-2013, 09:40 AM
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Its been a while since I've trolled through this section but i'll spiff ball a theory out there.

Too much rocker arm leverage perhaps? Unstable rocker movement creating excessive side loads on the valves jamming them in the guide and wearing the tips off and the guides out? LS3 heads are very similar in design and the arm ratio is less so maybe thats the straw for the LS7 heads?

Just plain too much for bread for buckskin
Old 08-28-2013, 09:04 PM
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Originally Posted by z0sicktanner
it's the valves. 25k on my bronze valve guides an ss valve set up. I just pulled my heads to check everthing out...all in spec.
Did you measure them? If so what were the before and after clearances?
Old 08-29-2013, 05:50 AM
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Bad polishing on the valve stems. Richard at WCCH has done a lot of work on this issue. He is now tumble polishing the stock valves with great results.
Old 08-29-2013, 12:49 PM
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Yeah I can't believe it's purely because of the hollow intake and sodium filled exhaust stems. The LS6 heads were designed that way and I haven't ever heard of them having valve failure issues after all these years. Would think it must be related to the seat material or geometry.
Old 08-30-2013, 03:14 PM
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Originally Posted by z0sicktanner
it's the valves. 25k on my bronze valve guides an ss valve set up. I just pulled my heads to check everthing out...all in spec.
How many of those miles were with Yella Terra rockers?
Old 08-30-2013, 08:18 PM
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Good to hear first hand info on this. Thanks for updating
Old 08-30-2013, 10:02 PM
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Is this guide wear solely due to cooking the oil as stated above? Is there any chance this is somewhat caused by the rockers not being roller tipped? You know, like why TFS typically require RRs?
Old 08-31-2013, 05:31 PM
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It is a mystery. There are lots of theories, some based on skewed data, and no true smoking gun. I think the main problem is that no one is really investigating it in a scientific/engineering manner, but to do so properly would cost a fair sum of money (five figures at least) so we're left with mostly anecdotal reports, some of then 2nd hand.
Old 08-31-2013, 05:37 PM
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Originally Posted by z0sicktanner
24k mark i got a z06 here that i'm taking the heads of tomorrow with 30k ss valves bronze valve guides...I will do a vid of the tear down you can post in cf forum if you want. this z is using stock rockers with che upgrade only. [...]
Will be great to have another example of how those guides are holding up (at the moment I'm planning on some type of roller tipped rocker to be on the safe side, subject as always to change)... actual measurements of some sort would be nice but it's your kitchen so I'll not tell you how to bake the cake
Old 09-10-2013, 07:33 AM
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Originally Posted by z0sicktanner
sorry it took so long to get back with you. Well the guy with 30k had something come up an it will be about 3 weeks before i can get his car to check. with that said I have some bad news. just checked an 06z 2nd engine, build was 10-11 on the gm crate. guy had a well known cylinder head shop do his heads, bronze valve guides ss valves, at my advise I told him a few years ago to run the YT rockers, full ported heads cam fast intake 550rwhp car with now 10k miles 34 1/4 mile passes, street pulls, an a weekend driver on the street. pulled the back 4 rockers and springs on pass side of car. I didn't even bother to ckeck the clearnce guides are shot all 4 are bad that I checked. heads have to come off.this is a friend of mine so I know he don't beat the car to death this should not be in any car with this little miles. I will post the wiggle test tomorrow if I get time. if not I'll post it up soon. I will be pulling the heads on this car this week to see how bad they really are. but from seeing the wiggle an 3 out of 4 valve seals cracked from heat it's not good. guides have No wear from side to side, all up an down just like all the other shot heads I've checked. I will be updating vids very soon after they are off the car. also the car AF was set at 12.2 I'm starting to think mybe after market heads are the best bet at this point. who knows. I ran the same set up but I used all pro heads and my guides are good
Thanks for the update and more data. I too still believe it to be a heat issue. As to what is causing the excessive heat we still have yet to discover
Old 09-10-2013, 06:04 PM
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Originally Posted by z0sicktanner
[...] guy had a well known cylinder head shop do his heads, bronze valve guides ss valves, at my advise I told him a few years ago to run the YT rockers, [...]
Damn. Did he change over to the YT's when you suggested it or did he keep the stock rockers?
Old 09-10-2013, 08:04 PM
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Seems to me any Hollow stem Valve is just asking for trouble....My C5 Zo6 now has a Ls2 Long Block sitting in it because the Ls6 Exhaust Valve failed because of heat (NOT a valve spring issue) and blew the motor. Thankfully it was the guy before me that this happened to and he was nice enought to put a Ls2 out of a GTO in the car w a Cam and other goddies before I bought it.

BUT this happened alot in the C5 Zo6 cars also because of this reason AND YES because of faulty valve springs.

NOW my Lsx 427Ci Ls7 (<GM Factory Heads) top end Firehawk I owned 252/255 .670 .670 etc etc Cam didnt have an issue, the Valve train was by far the quitest I've ever herd out of an Ls Cammed Motor still to this day

Factory Rockers w Comp Trunion upgrade, Lunati Link Bar Lifters
Cars been running strong for going on 3 seasons now and never been apart......

Also why would Bronze Valve guides fix the issue?! Slap me if im wrong but unless your relocating the guide to correct whats off location.......The Bronze Guides are softer than the Factory Powdered Metal and arn't the Factory Guides lubricant impregnated also?!

Last edited by 1999Firehawkls7; 09-10-2013 at 08:26 PM.
Old 09-14-2013, 03:25 PM
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Originally Posted by z0sicktanner
sorry it took so long to get back with you. Well the guy with 30k had something come up an it will be about 3 weeks before i can get his car to check. with that said I have some bad news. just checked an 06z 2nd engine, build was 10-11 on the gm crate. guy had a well known cylinder head shop do his heads, bronze valve guides ss valves, at my advise I told him a few years ago to run the YT rockers, full ported heads cam fast intake 550rwhp car with now 10k miles 34 1/4 mile passes, street pulls, an a weekend driver on the street. pulled the back 4 rockers and springs on pass side of car. I didn't even bother to ckeck the clearnce guides are shot all 4 are bad that I checked. heads have to come off.this is a friend of mine so I know he don't beat the car to death this should not be in any car with this little miles. I will post the wiggle test tomorrow if I get time. if not I'll post it up soon. I will be pulling the heads on this car this week to see how bad they really are. but from seeing the wiggle an 3 out of 4 valve seals cracked from heat it's not good. guides have No wear from side to side, all up an down just like all the other shot heads I've checked. I will be updating vids very soon after they are off the car. also the car AF was set at 12.2 I'm starting to think mybe after market heads are the best bet at this point. who knows. I ran the same set up but I used all pro heads and my guides are good
PM me who did the heads.


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