The 2015 Camaro Z/28 with its hand-built LS7 is a track-focused monster, but that 7.0L dry-sump V8 borrowed from the C6 Z06 brings well-documented oiling and piston problems that can grenade motors if driven hard or maintained poorly.
LS7 Piston and Valve Guide Failures
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 30,000-70,000 mi
Symptoms: excessive oil consumption (1 qt per 1,000 mi or worse), blue smoke on startup or deceleration, loss of compression, metallic rattling from cylinder heads, sudden catastrophic engine failure on track
Fix: Requires engine-out rebuild with updated pistons, rings, and valve guides. GM issued TSB for valve guide wear; many owners experience piston skirt cracking under high RPM use. Expect 30-40 hours labor for complete teardown, machine work, and reassembly with upgraded parts.
Estimated cost: $8,000-15,000
Dry-Sump Oiling System Air Intrusion
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: oil pressure fluctuations during hard cornering, low oil pressure warning on track, bearing noise after spirited driving, aerated oil visible in tank
Fix: Check all dry-sump hose connections, scavenge pump seals, and tank O-rings for leaks. Air in the system starves bearings. Often requires replacing aged hoses and resealing tank (4-6 hours). If bearing damage occurred, see engine rebuild above.
Estimated cost: $800-2,000
TR6060 Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: transmission fluid puddles under car, burnt smell after driving, hard shifting when hot, low fluid warnings
Fix: Cooler lines and fittings corrode or crack where they route near exhaust. Replacement requires lift access and sometimes trans mount drop for clearance. 2-3 hours labor plus fluid refill.
Estimated cost: $400-800
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: clunking on hard shifts or launch, excessive driveline vibration, visible torn rubber on mount, shifter movement during acceleration
Fix: Z/28's aggressive launches destroy mounts faster than standard SS. Requires lift and jack support of transmission. 1.5-2 hours labor. Upgraded polyurethane mounts recommended for track use.
Estimated cost: $300-600
Connecting Rod and Main Bearing Wear
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: knocking noise on cold start that fades when warm, metallic ticking at idle, low oil pressure at idle when hot, metal shavings in oil filter
Fix: LS7 bearings are sensitive to oil contamination and extended drain intervals. Track use accelerates wear. Requires engine removal, crank inspection/polishing, and bearing replacement. 25-35 hours if crank is salvageable, full rebuild if journals are scored.
Estimated cost: $5,000-12,000
Fuel System Vapor Lock and Starvation
Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: stumbling or cutting out during sustained high-G cornering, hard restart when hot, lean condition codes after track sessions
Fix: Fuel tank design and pump location cause starvation in long sweepers below 1/4 tank. Fuel filter can also clog prematurely with ethanol deposits. Filter replacement is 1 hour; full system diagnosis and potential pump/sender work is 3-5 hours.
Estimated cost: $200-1,200
Owner tips
Change oil every 3,000 mi with quality 5W-30 or 10W-30; LS7 is notoriously hard on oil and the dry-sump system holds 10.5 quarts
Inspect dry-sump hoses and connections every spring if tracking the car — heat cycles kill rubber
Never let fuel drop below 1/4 tank on track days to avoid starvation
Budget $1,500-2,000/year minimum for track consumables and preventive maintenance if driven hard
Have compression and leak-down test done at pre-purchase inspection — many LS7s have latent valve guide or piston issues
Buy one only if you have a $10K engine-rebuild fund and access to a competent LS7 specialist — these are weekend warriors, not daily drivers, and the motor is a known landmine.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: High-performance AGM battery required; located in trunk
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Every control module on the 2010-2015 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
⚠️ Passlock III system integrated into BCM. Theft relearn required after BCM replacement or key cylinder service.
Tire Pressure Monitor Control Module (TPMS)relearn only +0.3 hr▸ programming details
📍 integrated with BCM
🔧 TPMS relearn tool or Tech 2
⚠️ Sensor ID relearn required after tire rotation or sensor replacement. Function integrated into BCM.
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain replacement flip-key ignition transmitter assemblies sold as replacement equipment for 2010-2015 Chevrolet Camaro vehicles. GM dealers may have inadvertently sold these assemblies as replacement keys despite them having been recalled under NHTSA recall number 14V-346 (GM number 14294) when they were the original equipment assemblies. The driver may accidentally bump the ignition key with their knee, moving the ignition out of the run position and turning off the engine.
Consequence: Once the engine is off, the vehicle can lose power steering and power braking, increasing the risk of a crash. The air bags may not deploy in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the key with the flat blade design, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed November 6, 2019. Owners received a second notice and the recall began February 4, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N192223230.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW · 15V666000
2015-10-16
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro, Equinox, Malibu, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The affected vehicles have front seat-mounted side impact air bags whose inflator may rupture upon its deployment.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of one or both of the side impact air bags, the air bag's inflator may rupture and the air bag may not properly inflate. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Additionally, if the air bag does not properly inflate, the driver or passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side impact air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 01320.
Performance
Horsepower
505hp
Torque
481lb-ft
0–60 mph
3.9sec
Quarter mile
12.3sec
Top speed
170mph
Capability & size
Curb weight
3,820lb
Wiper blades
Fifth-generation Camaro final year. Uses J-hook attachment. Coupe body style has no rear wiper.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2015 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 7.0L V8 LS7 and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Mechanic · 20+ years.