The number of the day is 500. In 2006, it was the horsepower metric to hit if an automaker really wanted to impress performance enthusiasts. The V10-powered BMW M5 had just launched with 500 horsepower. The 8.3-liter V10 in the Dodge Viper of the era also had 500 horsepower. The resurrected Shelby GT500 was queuing up for production with a supercharged modular Ford V8 engine, bringing 500 horsepower to the pony car. The 2006 Cayenne Turbo S also took Porsche past the 500 hp mark for the first time in a mainstream model. Viper aside, all the models we just listed were running highly complex, cutting-edge new engines.Chevrolet took a much simpler approach, and the resulting C6-generation Corvette Z06 launched as a sensational exercise in engineering, powered by the fascinating LS7 V8 engine. It, too, arrived at the party in 2006 complete with a first-ever 500 horsepower, an all-American soundtrack, and two middle fingers in the air. This absolute legend of a machine was making exotic-car power numbers with a two-valve-per-cylinder engine family that dates back to the fifties, and twenty years on, it's retired to second-hand status as a legendary track weapon powered by one of GM's all-time great V8 engines.Let's dig into the Corvette C6 Z06's capability, current pricing, legendary engine, and known engine issues. We also check how it stacks up against the latest C8 Z06, which takes an entirely different approach to the Corvette thrill ride, two generations later. The Corvette's LS7 V8 Chevrolet Today, a second-hand C6 Z06 represents the last affordable 7,000-RPM V8 sports car on the market. It's also a particularly special Corvette by capturing a moment in engineering history so beautifully. At the time, naturally-aspirated performance engines were beginning to peak, manual transmissions were widely available, and automakers were making bold engineering choices with the most modern gas engines.According to its original press release, the C6 Z06 packed 500 horsepower into an approximately 3,130-pound package that could deliver sprints from zero to 60 miles per hour in under four seconds. The car could break the beams at the quarter-mile mark in under 12 seconds, en route to a top speed of more than 190 miles per hour. The Z06 was able to hit 60-plus miles per hour in first gear, like the Dodge Viper, to avoid a gearshift slowing down the time. This Wasn't Supposed To Be Possible ChevroletUp front, the LS7 V8 engine was a 7.0-liter unit with phenomenal thrust that built up at high revs. The redline and rev-limiter shared a 7,000-rpm position on the tachometer. Spinning such a big V8 engine with two valves per cylinder this fast was previously thought impossible. However, GM's engineering answer gave them a big, fast-revving V8 in a world of compact, quad-cam competitors. It was a wonderfully old-school approach.Dry-sump lubrication was ready for racing, and titanium connecting rods and intake valves were about a third lighter than the conventional components they replaced. The engine worked best when it was spinning fast, and it was built to move tremendous amounts of air at high revs.The LS7 reintroduced the 427-cubic-inch engine to the Corvette lineup. Though historical 427s were big blocks, the new LS7 at the same displacement was built on the small-block platform instead. An exclusive red engine cover with black lettering gives the engine away, if you happen to be browsing your local Cars and Coffee meetup on a Sunday night. The LS7 uses the small-block design, but it has a long list of upgrades that set it apart from a typical small-block engine. Titanium parts aside, the hand-assembled LS7 used an exclusive block casting, cylinder heads, a unique cam, high-velocity intake system, and more.Chevrolet The engine drives a rear-mounted six-speed manual transmission, positioned between the rear wheels to improve weight balance. With a full arsenal of supporting upgrades to braking, suspension, wheels, tires, cooling, and aerodynamics, the C6 Z06 was a track-tuned weapon that would become a regular sight on racetracks worldwide. The soundtrack, power curve, and engagement the LS7 delivered were brilliant, with an alarming buildup of noise and thrust towards redline that shoves the experienced driver's eyes further and further up the road or track.If you're looking for the LS7 experience on the used market, a C6 Z06 isn't the only place you'll find it. This engine also did duty under the hood of the stripped-out, track-tuned 2014-2015 Camaro Z/28 and the 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible. The Dollars And Cents Of The Era's Ultimate Corvette ChevroletWhen it first went on sale in 2006, the C6 Corvette Z06 would set buyers back about $66,000 US dollars, making it about a $20,000 upgrade over the standard-issue C6 Corvette. Today, data from Bring a Trailer shows that the majority of C6 Z06 sales over the past five years have been tightly clustered between $30,000 and $60,000. The volume of units for sale increased dramatically in 2021, with more and more owners putting their Z06's up for sale.Pricing has remained relatively stable since. Unlike numerous exotic competitors, the Corvette Z06 was a high-volume seller, and the supply is relatively generous, which helps keep pricing reasonable. If you've got a budget of around $60,000, you should have little trouble scoring an excellent copy with enough left over for some extra tires, fluids, brake pads, and lapping day admission. At this price point, you're likely buying a driver-quality Z06, that is, a unit that was bought to be driven, not collected and stored. You've Got Some Choices At This Price Point ChevroletThose collected-and-stored Z06 models can command close to $100,000, often with under 1,000 miles. At that price point, the current-generation Corvette C8 Z06 becomes a possibility, with Bring a Trailer data showing used prices have dropped sharply in recent years. Though Chevrolet still lists the C8 Z06's starting price at $120,300, some dealers have been applying five-figure discounts to move unsold units. The situation means that if your budget is flexible, you've got two great Z06 options here to choose from.By the way, that C6 Z06 at 505 hp has a Nürburgring lap time of 7:22.68, recorded during a GM-conducted test. The C8 Corvette Stingray with Z51 performance package at 495 hp takes 7:29.90. That's a 7.2-second lap-time advantage for the C6 Z06 over the mid-engine C8 platform with the same power output. If you're wondering, the C8 Z06 recorded a lap time of 7:11.826. Just Watch Those Valve Guides ChevroletAccording to the Z06 community, which contains no shortage of racers, builders and enthusiasts, a few checks are considered virtually mandatory before buying a second-hand copy.The big one is valve guide wear. Left unchecked, this potential problem could cost your Z06 an engine. A service bulletin from GM (#13-06-01-001) was provided to dealers to help them address customer concerns about valve guide wear, which may have been exaggerated online. Checking for valve guide wear requires some engine disassembly, though many owners say it's worth the effort to avoid buying a copy with out-of-spec valve guides. A leak-down test and oil analysis can also reveal trouble before they have a chance to cost you money. Budgeting a few dollars for advanced pre-purchase diagnostics and inspections can save untold thousands down the line.If everything checks out, you're well on your way to owning one of the ultimate Corvettes, powered by one of the ultimate naturally-aspirated V8 engines of all time. Best of all, they only came with three pedals.
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