Neglected 180K Mile C5 Z06 (Detailed Inspection & Commentary)

This 180k mile C5 Corvette Z06 has been somewhat neglected. The owner has asked me to give it a detailed inspection so we can decide which issues need to be fixed now and which issues can wait until later. Come with as we go through this Z06 with a detailed inspection and see what issues we find.

[@iliovecaRS]

This was absolutely awsome to watch! So entertaining to see what you find and how you tackle it!

[@Toys4Life]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@fernandopineda1387]

Make this a series! fixing up the zo6 🔥🔥🔥

[@Toys4Life]

That would be fun! Thank you!

[@daren9721]

18s stock z06 wheels square set up looks nice. 20s to big for this car. Looks like the front main seal is leaking . Great vid can't wait to see what else you'll find. Those ls motors are tanks.

[@Toys4Life]

Thank you - I agree, harmonic balancer seal most likely!

[@mikeanddebboyers6822]

Are you going to do a series on this car? Hope so!

[@kenh9508]

I agree, but what direction do you go with that many miles?

[@Toys4Life]

I hope so, I think we can come up with enough material for several videos and a decent improvement to the cars state of being!

[@mwdunn3]

The 20s look ghetto imo. Keep what you have. That poor Z06 was rode hard and put up wet. Kinda like an old girlfriend I had....

[@Toys4Life]

Oh my.....

[@christopherdutro168]

The 17" rims are better I also want to thank you guys for sac-citys (V-2) COOL-it! & Twisted shifters who disguised my automatic transmission with a HURST T-shift handle! Thanks ! ( I am truly addicted)

[@Toys4Life]

You lost me on the second part - but its all good!

[@jasonaldenhaley1]

Tell Ken he needs to get the rear brake conversion with 15" welds and some Mickey Thompson drag radials...and maybe a few spare torque tubes; 4, 6, maybe 8 input shafts for those B.I.R. launches!!!!

[@Toys4Life]

the horsepower game never ends...I should have mentioned the owner is more interested in drifting and that sort of thing then he is the quarter mile...

[@scottiebsc]

When I replaced the harmonic balancer on my 04 Z I had to remove the power steering rack. Would have loved to have the lift, did mine on jack stands. Took 2 weekends for me to complete by myself.

[@Toys4Life]

Yes, I've done a few of them and agree the left makes a big difference cuz you do have to kind of go up and down a fair amount cuz no matter what you do you forget something or another. At least you still did it yourself, jack stands and all, that's awesome!

[@Faith0929ROK]

I don’t think hb is shot. Put a white paint line on inner ring where meets the outer ring and see if those two lines don’t match up after good drive. If lines are separated, hb is shot. That chirp could be coming from any of the pulleys or even the belt.

[@Toys4Life]

I use the paint to tell how urgent things are - but when they wobble this bad there is only one thing to do - IMO.

[@TheeMiniCorndog]

As the owner of a C5Z, I took your joke about the fixed roof "PROBLEM" personally ;) literally my only gripe about the Z over the Couoe/Convertible

[@Toys4Life]

It was pretty dry humor, I appreciate your commenting on it sir!

[@troy8940]

What size rims does your friend have on his Z can you check tires too.i really like the look.

[@Toys4Life]

I believe they are 20's. Maybe he will chime in with the tire size?

[@nietolico]

I just bought a c5 with 20" wheels in the rear. currently tire width is 25 but i would like a 35 or minimum 30, do you think that would be possible and still have gap and not worry about scrapping or touching the plastic ?

[@Toys4Life]

I'm not a big fan of super wide tires for the street. I haven't experimented much as a result and saw I'm not really certain.

[@charon9205]

I'm not finding part 2 could you link it please?

[@charon9205]

oops found it..

[@Toys4Life]

Sweet!

[@davidramossalsologoporexse2469]

My final question before I make a move to install the supercharger. If I run the supercharger at it's lowest power..can my gas consumption be lower.? I know I will spend more gas But if i go from Mississippi to orlando fl..I don't want to stop Every hour to gas up..thanks for all your videos I love this videos Very informative 👏 by the way. I'm selling my 2004 zo6 with 65000 miles on it to get a 15000 miles one..because I don't know if 65000 miles is to much mileage to do the supercharger..but let me know if I'm wrong please

[@Toys4Life]

thanks for the kind words.! As long as you're not more than about a quarter throttle, I would say cruising is an eighth throttle as an example, it's not using the supercharger. Effectt on mileage is minimal at that point.

[@davidramossalsologoporexse2469]

@@Toys4Life thanks for answering all my questions I'll be watching your videos Learning more and more thanks For giving corvette enthusiasts all this valuable information..

[@jonasgrumby1093]

In all due respect, the first thing I’d do is get rid of those hideous wheels….

[@1995RangeRover]

18's are best IMO.

[@AlbertoMartinez-nx7hr]

My 01 c5 base 122k miles, has been reading around 15 for oil pressure at idle and not sure if that’s normal, what do you think could be causing this??

[@Toys4Life]

What does it read cruising a 2000 RPM? How long has it been since your last oil change?

[@AlbertoMartinez-nx7hr]

@@Toys4Life it’s is currently at a shop getting the slave cylinder replaced since I don’t really have the space to tackle that job at home but if I remember right cruising at 2k rpm was about 22 psi or 17 but still maintained pretty low for my comfort, oil change was done recently 5 months ago the day after I bought the car

[@AlbertoMartinez-nx7hr]

@@Toys4Life should mention that there is quite a lot of oil leaking all around my oil pan, was thinking it was the rear main seal but I’m guessing it would only leak on the back of the oil pan if it was. So I’m thinking it’s my oil pan gasket which I’m soon to do

[@Toys4Life]

That's pretty low. I would try to have it double check with a mechanical gauge to see.

[@YoshiV819]

You can get a new center console latch on Amazon cheap.

[@Toys4Life]

Will definitely take a look, thank you!

[@prettydog37072]

I'm a big wheel guy myself

[@Toys4Life]

So are the 20's perfect - or a little too big in your opinion?

[@prettydog37072]

@@Toys4Life I personally like them. I have a Limited F150 with 22" from the factory. BTW I like the bodystyle of your car over the Z06

[@chrisperry9002]

The wheels look terrible in my opinion.

[@Toys4Life]

Interesting, not a lot of fans for those Wheels.

[@chrisperry9002]

@@Toys4Life found a 03 Z06 with 243 miles. In black.

[@Toys4Life]

Only 243, they must be asking about 40 grand for it?

[@chrisperry9002]

@@Toys4Life yes, they were. They said it's a collector item. In the a/c and all. Full manuals/tapes, all mint through and through.

[@plcc07777]

19" max on a C5...IMO

[@Toys4Life]

I think I might be with you on that!

[@shaun9156]

my god, those wheels...ew

[@Toys4Life]

The tribe has spoken, I don't think anybody likes them.

[@jeffpowell2121]

Nasty

[@Toys4Life]

He sold it - I hear the new owner is fixing things up!

[@rickschwindt1691]

I have 18 and 19 on my C5. Perfect size in my opinion

[@Toys4Life]

I think I am leaning that same direction!

[@CPAJayhawk]

17 looks good upfrontx 18s as well, 20s don’t look good

[@Toys4Life]

Thank for chiming in!

[@supersoldier05]

Might as well throw a cam in there while you have all that junk off! 😏

[@Toys4Life]

Generally agree, but with 180,000 Miles i don't think I would recommend it personally.

[@radioflitercairplanes1715]

Love this Chanel ! Crystal clear talk and video, learn something every time ! Thanks for all the effort it takes to make a video of this quality !

[@Toys4Life]

Thank you for taking the time to comment, much appreciated!

[@keithp115]

Looking at the debris in the cowl, I suspect that the udders are clogged which caused the wet carpeting. Let me know what you find and good luck!

[@Toys4Life]

Will do - thank you and I think you are probably right!

[@MS-mr4zm]

The long single one w/ a bend in it behind the battery is the one that gets clogged & im sure is what’s causing the damp carpet

[@Toys4Life]

@@MS-mr4zm will definitely check that one. But interestingly enough the driver side had more moisture in it from the same two rainstorms. I'll have to figure out where those udders are too. Thanks for chming in, I appreciate it!

[@yahyaelhakeemmizlaqabey3989]

Very informative, I am on the fence about buying one these Corvettes, a Z06 as a matter of fact. I have wondered about a high mileage car and the issues it would bring. This video helps in my decision process.

[@Toys4Life]

Overall, I'm pretty impressed with this almost 20-year-old car at 180k miles! Good luck in your decision!

[@mjphoto45]

I have 2000 triple black convertible 6 spd. I just got done having the harmonic balancer replaced. Still have a chirping noise but no more wobble

[@Toys4Life]

Hmmm, the chirping should stop. New belts, new tensioner?

[@dphitch]

18's those 20's look horrible

[@Toys4Life]

I asked for input and yours is very clear. Thanks for taking the time!

[@muffinmonster2714]

Looking forward to more content repairing the ZO6. The HVAC screen can be replaced and the circuit board soldered. Check ZIP corvettes for parts. Stay away from replacing the buttons because the back light doesn’t shine through on the aftermarket buttons. The oil pressure sensor has a tendency to leak but usually drips from the rear of the engine. May want to check that as well. Thanks for the great videos!

[@Toys4Life]

All good points - thanks MM27!

[@ryanwilson3126]

Friends like you are good to have, though sometimes expensive, still good to have.

[@Toys4Life]

lol - thank you!

[@MS-mr4zm]

20”s are too big hurt ride & performance (unsprung weight) I think 19” rear 18” front is ideal if changing from stock for the street, for the track 18” rear wheels on all 4 corners is the way to go

[@Krusher_1970]

👍And specifically, they are ugly...

[@Toys4Life]

Thanks for the input!

[@radioflitercairplanes1715]

Do you have a website? I would like to buy a few Toy4life C5 decals my 02.

[@Toys4Life]

Hi - I appreciate your comments! I do not but I would be happy to work with you on getting you some decals. Are you looking for two of them?

[@radioflitercairplanes1715]

@@Toys4Life Heyb, thanks for the reply , two would be nice bit I am not greedy , one will be fine. They will look cool on my C5 and the will plug your channel at car shows & on the street. Will -

[@45auto82]

Nice details on how to’s for checking out source of leaks and other issues. Thanks & keep ‘em comin!

[@tskipwadoo3447]

20’s look out of place to me.

[@Toys4Life]

I agree - maybe it has to do with the specific rim though - I think there are some 20s out there that don't look so big?

[@neogeogt]

I am happy with the stock set up but the biggest i would go would be 18 inch in the front and 19s in the back for the c5.

[@Toys4Life]

I think I am with you on this.

[@alanpatterson9937]

Add 18" for the front. I still like the original wheels on the C5.

[@sweetride7049]

I also have the same aftermarket shifter on my 2004 Z06 and yes it is very tight. What I did was the anti-venom method to make the shifter more manageable. Makes a huge difference! I also had a skip shift eliminator installed.

[@Toys4Life]

yep - the AV mod is absolutely worth trying to tune the shift feel to ones preferences!

[@joshuajones8505]

Really nice work and care for the Z06

[@shaunwalsh85]

Yeah, the zo6 might be slightly faster than a targa model, but I tell you this: the targa top is the car that the guys in the lambos/Porsches/Ferraris/bmws/benzes/Audis/GT-R’s all rubberneck at when I go by on a sunny day with the roof off. Might help that millennium yellow is a slightly rare color. In fact, where i live/travel, between Boston and the NH border? I’ve only seen one other yellow c5, and his is a ragtop. And it’s kinda nice having a basically one of one car in my area.

[@Toys4Life]

Nice!

[@hondamancl450]

Always enjoy your videos I am a maintenance guy myself just have one little question on my c5 transmission there's a fill plug I check the level there you checked the level from the temperature sensor plug?

[@Toys4Life]

My C5 is the same as yours, just a plug there. The Z06 has a temperature sensor in that spot for tracking - to keep an eye on the transmission temp to make sure it doesn't overheat.

[@Z06GT1]

I appreciate your very informative videos. Thank you.

[@Toys4Life]

Thanks for the comment - I appreciate it!

[@oldschoolpizza4480]

1 thing I absolutely hate about my c5 is the cup holder.. it’s like they designed it to spill lol

[@Toys4Life]

agreed!

[@neogeogt]

I purchased one of those plastic bracket for the cup holder. It can now hold a water bottle.

[@tskipwadoo3447]

I like the 17’s

[@jpro8724]

When you replace the harmonic balancer will you be wearing shower shoes, with or without socks?! As a car guy it's really hard to take another car guy serious with flip flops and socks!

[@Toys4Life]

Of course not, I'll wear the steel toe boots in case I drop the balancer on My feet. You're not going to like it though, I'm going to put it on a cookie sheet and bake it in the oven at 180°, along with perhaps some chocolate chip cookies. In all seriousness though, I got to stop wearing them in the shop, they're super slippery.

[@jpro8724]

Lol! I Do love me some cookies!

[@nietolico]

Hello, do you remember which tire size he had on those 20" resr wheels ?

[@Toys4Life]

I do not, sorry!

[@mjphoto45]

Shifter only $350

[@Toys4Life]

Seems like it might be worth it!

[@gb23a]

The twenties on the front make the car look too downtown

[@Toys4Life]

Downtown Miami or downtown San Diego?

[@austinstratman1809]

where's the next video

[@Toys4Life]

There is one, harmonic balancer replacement, it's on the channel!

[@paulkeplinger3565]

thank you

[@Toys4Life]

You're welcome

[@jblovell9065]

Good content

[@Toys4Life]

Thank you sir!!

[@4x4Productionz]

ill buy it

[@Toys4Life]

How much?

[@4x4Productionz]

@@Toys4Life you tell me

[@jeffb243]

Interesting video!! My C5 does the same squeaking crap, but goes away most of the time after the car warms up. I had Vettenutz replace the damper with a Summit Racing one, and I’ve replaced the serpentine belt tensioner & idler pulley. Still squeaking!!

[@Toys4Life]

Frustrating. Probably worse when humid?

[@jeffb243]

About the same

[@johnschutt9187]

Very nice. Thanks. It's helpful to watch folks diagnose issues.

[@Toys4Life]

Thanks for watching!

[@bradcaldwell9158]

20s look like they're wearing rim protectors, not tires. Not a good look IMHO. On the other hand, they also usually ruin the ride and handling of cars not designed for them. That particular car you show looks like it is also using spacers instead of wheels with proper offset. That, and buying wheels and tires instead of maintaining the car, should tell you something about whoever decided those particular 20s are a good idea. Someone to emulate??? If you're a better engineer than the entire Corvette ride and handling team, then by all means go for the 20s if you think they're superior, otherwise you might want to stay with the wheel geometry proven to work well (and safely) with your particular car.

[@Toys4Life]

You raise some good points sir. Appreciate the feedback.

[@georgemilstead4480]

20's in my area would be prime candidates for bent rims.

[@Toys4Life]

are you from pothole city? good point, the shorter the sidewall, the worse they handle road failures for sure!

[@markmoody5624]

Definitely bigger! Maybe not 20 but bigger. I like the 20s personally

[@Toys4Life]

Roger that, we seem to be kind of all over the map on this. It might be a blonde/brunette thing???

[@dipshit781]

Thank you. Very interesting . /murray in vancouver

[@Toys4Life]

Thank you sir - much appreciated!!