2006 Z06, trouble or not

[Patrick B.]

My friend is looking at a 2006 Z06 (6 speed) with only about 20k miles on it. He is concerned about the transmission because he says it whines in first gear like a M22 but is quiet in the other gears. The owner says it has always been like that.

Is this really characteristic of a Z06 or does it sound like a problem. What is the reputation of 2006 Z06's relative to other years of C6 Z06's?

[Ed H.]

Re: 2006 Z06, trouble or not

Patrick,
It has nothing to do with being a ZO-6. My 93 ZR-1 16,000 miles, and my present 90 L-98 with 30,000 miles does the same thing. It is the nature of some of the ZF 6-speed transmissions. They installed the ZF-40 into low HP cars, and the ZF-60 in the ZR-1's and ZO-6 (405 & 505 HP). Hope
that helps.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 2006 Z06, trouble or not

The ZF transmissions were used in the second half of the C4 life, from 1989-1996. As such they would have been in Ed's 1990 and 1993 but were not used after the C4 ended in 1996.

However, in C6s the transmissions were T56 Tremec transmissions, an entirely different unit with no correlation to the ZF units which were, as Ed notes, a bit noisy.

My 2008 is quiet, but note that the rear ends of these cars are known for making noise. The fact that it doesn't do it in all gears would seem to me to make it less worrisome.

[Ken A.]

Re: 2006 Z06, trouble or not

$3000 for the tran rebuild & a new clutch while you're at it. It is not normal.

[Rich G.]

Re: 2006 Z06, trouble or not

I sold my 2007 ZO6 in 2012. I had 16k on it and don't recall any whining in first or any other gear.

Rich

[Thomas H.]

Re: 2006 Z06, trouble or not

He is concerned about the transmission because he says it whines in first gear like a M22 but is quiet in the other gears.

I had a car with an M22 in it and loved the trans whine sound. I have a 2007 Z06 and there is no discernible sound that comes from the trans. I suspect something is not correct back there........

Tom

[Paul F.]

Re: 2006 Z06, trouble or not

Patrick,
I own a 2008 z06 which I bought new. I've only put about 9500 miles on it, but it's always been quiet. While according to some, I sometimes whine, the trans doesn't. I'm not aware of any material changes in the trans design from '06 to '08. I'd say there's probably an issue with it.
Paul

[Keith K.]

Re: 2006 Z06, trouble or not

I have a 2006 Z06 - no whine from the transmission

[Patrick B.]

Re: 2006 Z06, trouble or not

Thanks fellows, I will tell my friend that other Z06's do not have a transmission whine, and this car might be trouble despite its low mileage.

[Paul H.]

Re: 2006 Z06, trouble or not

Had my 06 Z for 6 years and 27,000 miles before trading it in on a 16 Z. Most reliable Corvette I ever owned. Absolutely no whine in 1st gear or any other gear.

[Jerome P.]

Re: 2006 Z06, trouble or not

No whine in my '09 Z06.