C6 z06

[Dennis W.]

Hi - I have a '69 and am beginning to look for a C6 Z06. I have seen on a few occasions that the tunnel gets really hot. Does anyone have any experience with this? If so, does it affect all years? Either way, any good fixes?

Thank you - Dennis Wright

[Jimmy G.]

Re: C6 z06

2007 Z-06 hot nut not as bad as my 72 454 If it becomes too hot I just insulate my leg with a towel Not a big problem I have had many go fast cars and the z-06 is the only one that actually scares the soup out of me. For the money --- best performance car on the planet!!!!!!!!!

[Dennis W.]

Re: C6 z06

Thanks, I understand about the 454... hot car.
Does it get that hot during normal driving or just when you're pushing it?
Do you know of any permanent solutions other than the towel? :- )
Dennis

[Jim T.]

Re: C6 z06

I once drove my 1968 from Bowling Green to Jackson,TN which is east of Memphis in the after noon and it was very hot outside. The tunnel area got really warm/hot. No air conditioning on the 1968 with 4-speed. Driving my 1970 with factory air have not really noticed a hot tunnel even on a coast to coast trip. The 70 has a turbo 400 and there is a thick foam piece across the top of the turbo 400 to the tunnel fiberglass that restricts hot air from flowing across the top of the transmission. The 1968 does not have this across the top of the bell housing.

[Vinnie P.]

Re: C6 z06

Dennis...2012 Z06/Z07 only drive it on road tours off Long Island or track days, haven't noticed any excessive heat in either conditions.

Just turned 13,000 miles...

[Terry M.]

Re: C6 z06

1970 LT1 drove it to Paducha KY and then to the National in Collinsville, IL. I think it was 103 in Collinsville when we pulled in. That trip was brutal.
2008 Z06 = been to the East coast 3 times; California twice (once to San Diego by way of Portland OR. Don't ask, but Hwy 1 & 101 were involved); Gulf Coast (New Orleans) once. I have done 1K mile days three or four times in that car. Before I return home from Bloomington Gold it will have 64K miles on it. A little more than the 1970 has on it.
The Z06 will roll away the miles like you would not believe. Yea, the tunnel gets a little hot, and the car eats very expensive tires. I saw 105 on the outside temperature gauge twice. Once in St Charles MO when the car was new and once on the way to San Jose as we drove around Las Vegas. The inside temp was at 68* both times, although the St Charles experience was a little more interesting. If the car thinks the engine is getting too hot it will turn off the AC and put the heater on full blast. The computer is programmed to sacrifice the comfort of the occupants to save the engine. And that is no joke. I swear that is true. Do not stop the car when it is 105 outside. Keep moving. There are a few other surprises programmed into the computer of that, and probably other modern cars, but the miles of smiles more than make up for some of those quirks. Go for it. You will not be disappointed. The C6 Z06 is hands down the finest car I have ever owned.
PS: I won't tell you how fast some of us went on the 2.9 mile straight at the Milford Proving Ground, but there were 5 new C6s (4 Z06s) in a row and my passenger (who will remain nameless) was telling me to slow down or they would throw us out. Neither happened. Of course if speed is your thing there is someone on here with a C6 ZR1 who was stopped in either Ohio or Pennsylvania after being recorded at a pretty good clip, but that is his story and he should tell it himself. Perhaps he will PM you the details. As I have said on here before: "There is always somebody who wants to go faster."

[Thomas H.]

Re: C6 z06

Hi - I have a '69 and am beginning to look for a C6 Z06. I have seen on a few occasions that the tunnel gets really hot. Does anyone have any experience with this? If so, does it affect all years? Either way, any good fixes?

Thank you - Dennis Wright

Dennis,

I have an 07 Z06. Tunnel gets warm on long drives. Also best not to leave your cell phone in the center console. It gets pretty warm in there....

I have to echo the others, GREAT car. Tons of power from the get go, no waiting on the secondaries to kick in with this beast. With that much instant power under your right foot it is best to roll into the throttle until you are used to how the car reacts. They can easily get out of control pretty fast if you don't pay attention....

There have been some valve issues with the C6 LS7's so you might want to educate yourself a bit on that before buying.

Tom

[Mike E.]

Re: C6 z06

There have been some valve issues with the C6 LS7's so you might want to educate yourself a bit on that before buying.

Tom

Tom, I'm glad you brought that up...I was going to mention it but didn't know how much of it was true and how much was internet hype, that's still a little unclear to me.

Mike

[Dennis W.]

Re: C6 z06

Many thanks to each of you. I am sure the positives outweigh the negatives. I just want to know what I'm getting into....

Do any of you know if this is a C6 challenge vs. C6 Z06 only?
It sounds like a ZR1 owner may also be tuned in and I would be interested to know if ZR1s get hot, as well.
Lastly, do you know of anyone who has taped the exhaust to reduce the heat.

Thanks again, this is a great group. Dennis Wright

[Thomas H.]

Re: C6 z06

Tom, I'm glad you brought that up...I was going to mention it but didn't know how much of it was true and how much was internet hype, that's still a little unclear to me.

Mike

Mike,

I do believe a fair amount can be attributed to "internet hype", but GM is aware of it and the results of their "official" root cause can be found with some searching. The only reason I feel comfortable mentioning it is because I know of two local club members who have had this issue.

Wouldn't stop me from buying a C6, Z06 and as you can see, it didn't. Just something else to be aware of. It is always best to know as much about a car you want to buy when you are shopping around.

Tom

[Paul H.]

Re: C6 z06

Good advice here. I have an 06 Z06 and love the car. Fuel efficient and fast. Great handling car as well. Mine has been extremely reliable. The center console gets a little hot but the AC works great and the cockpit isn't warm at all. Just don't put your chocolate bar in the center console. There have been some valve issues on some cars. Alot of the cars are being driven 1/4 mile at a time or being used on the track. I would recommend buying a car that is stock and hasn't been tracked. Good luck.