z06fun

I think mine may have one too many twists in it! I changed the oil at 4800 miles just before a 2000 mile New Year's weekend trip. I used 6.5 quarts and checked the level after the change with the engine still cold. The stick read 3/4 of a quart low (assuming the difference between MAX and ADD is 1 quart). I added the left over 1/2 quart and the reading was 1/4 quart low. With the engine warmed up it showed 1/2 quart low. Using the warm reading, as recommended in the owner's manual, indicates I would have to put in 7.5 quarts to get the oil to the MAX level with engine warm.

Obviously the second thing to check is the length of the stick (already confirmed the stick seats all the way in the tube and the tube seems to seat all the way into the block). It has 5 1/2 twists and is 25 9/16 inches long from where the metal stick comes out of the handle to the end of the stick.

Anyone interesed in compairing lengths or have any ideas?

viperZ06

The metal part of mine is 25.5 inches. Hey they just burn oil. Some worse than others! :smash:

z06fun

Thanks for checking, guess the length is ok - now I'm really puzzled. It isn't an oil burn problem either as the stick still shows the same cold reading it did before the 2000 mile trip, 1/4 quart low. I also went from a change at 1800 miles to 4800 miles without adding any oil. Oh well, I'll just be happy it doesn't burn oil (yet) and not worry unless it gets below the add mark.

VettTheRipper

I'm not too sure I'd want to divulge that information to just anyone. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

dbvettez06

Hey no kidding....Kinda private dont you think?? :yesnod:

Mark S.

Long debate on this one...but in 2001 they re-designed the dipstick and dipstick tube. Check any pre-01 model and you'll see that the dipstick location in the pre-01 models is about 4-6 inches closer to the firewall. Anyway, lots of 01/02 model owners claim that after an oil change (including lifting the rear to ensure every last drop of oil is out) that 6.5 qts with filter change as indicated on the manual only brings the level up to about halfway between the ADD and MAX lines on the dipstick. So, many go ahead and throw in the last half qt bringing the total number of quarts to 7.0 and find that the dipstick now reads on the MAX line (and covers the second little hole). Just one thing...GM never made any changes to the oil pan for the LS1/LS6 engine...so to me that means that they screwed up on the re-design of the dipstick (though they will never admit it). Most pre-01 C5 model owners report that 6.5 qts with filter change is all they need to reach the MAX line on their dipsticks. Go figure! And Dave Hill (and his supporting engineers) continue to inform us all that the capacity for the C5 (LS1 or LS6 engine) is 6.5 qts (with filter change) and not 7.0 qts.
Bottom line: the dipstick is difficult to read and yes, both the LS1/LS6 do burn some oil (most of the owners with automatics claim that they don't and that does make sense since the auto tranny doesn't usually "live" in the high RPM ranges). Oh, will an extra half qt of oil hurt?..Many say "no" since it only raises the amount of oil in your pan about 8%...others think it's an "overfill." It's up to you. I have finally decided to wait and let the DIC tell me when I need to add a quart. I changed mine at 1,300 miles and I'm not up to 1,300 miles since the oil change and the oil read just above the ADD line. I will wait for the DIC to tell me that I'm "low on oil."

EdwardETraylorIII

I've owned several C5's and my dipstick has ALWAYS been toooo short! That's what my girlfriend has always said... :yesnod:

VettTheRipper

According to GM it is perfectly safe to overservice the LS6 by 1 quart. This is recommended for racing applications where lateral acceleration can trap oil against the sides of the oil and valve pans. It takes exactly 7 1/3 qts to bring mine to the max mark and I would probably assume that the dipstick is off. I also would guess that the 6.5 qt capacity is for the sump and not the whole system.....which also contains, tubes, hoses, passageways etc.


[Modified by VettTheRipper, 2:43 PM 1/8/2002]

Keystone

Did you measure your dipstick from the topside or the underside? I want to make sure we are all being consistent :jester
Scott

z06fun

I guess I'm a little slow, when I hit Reply, I was going to ask how it would make a difference. :rolleyes:

Zapper

I was wondering when this thread would get funny :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Ted J

Same with me, it didn't take long at all for it to happen! :D

VettTheRipper

I can't keep my dip stick out of the hole long enough to measure it. :yesnod: :lol: :yesnod: :lol: :D

antirice

I am going to buy a z-06 to make up for the size of my dip stick.

Mark S.

VettetheRipper, be sure to read the "fine print." It states that you can add an extra quart of oil (to the LS6 or LS1) while you're conducting your racing events...but then you need to drain that extra quart of oil out when you're done.
Besides, Dave Hill and his cohort of engineers have stated that anything over the 6.5 qts of oil is an "overfill."

Black2001Z06

My dipstick is longer than your dipstick. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

jeffsherman

Definately longer with the Z than the 2000 convertible :)

VettTheRipper

Good to know.....Although it takes 7 1/3 qts to get mine to the max mark on my dipstick. Just did an oil change a week ago and everything seems fine. Got car used with 6k on the clock, it now has 10k with no oil consumption problems. And besides the race is never really over. :cheers: :cool:


[Modified by VettTheRipper, 1:43 PM 1/11/2002]

jerboa

At my first Z06 oil change I put in the recommended 6.5 quarts. The dipstick read substantially below full. I added the half quart and that brought me to the full mark. jerboa

davidmax

Lingenfelter changes out his 01' to a00'.I know this from 1st hand experience on my 01' Z06 Stage2 Twin Turbo.It still took 6&3/4 qts to fill a tottaly empty cranck case.David S.