Got a ZR1 this weekend. Now I got Q's!

[GTOger]

Hey guys. Just picked up my first ZR1 this weekend. Traded titles for my 69 Z-28. Everybody's happy.

Now I got some questions on how I can make the ZR1 "just right" for me & the wife. I hear this is the best place to get answers.

1. CHMSL doesn't work. I picked up some bulbs at the local parts store and apparently the bulbs weren't the issue. Checked fuses, all appear good. Regular stop lights work fine. Any ideas where I should start?

2. Previous owner put in an Alpine stereo. I'm not a fan. Wife likes the look of a Pioneer AVH-P4200DVD with Nav. I'm concerned it's a 2 DIN unit and won't fit. I'm not crazy about cutting up the dash. I wonder what recommendations there are?

3. Should the car have a factory keyless entry? One of my Corvette buddies says yes, absolutely. Another one says no, it's too old. I didn't get any key-fobs with the car.

You'll hear more from me I know. But those kind of get me started for now. I'd love to hear from you!

[sammy]

what year is the zr1?

[Aurora40]

99% chance the brake light is the switch. CHMSL has its own switch at the pedal.

PKE started with 1993. The earlier cars just have keys.

[VetteMed]

Looks like the OP has a 1990. No PKE, as Bob mentioned, until 93.

A double DIN radio will fit in the factory opening.

[ZZZZZR1]

Yes a Double Din radio will fit!

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t199/pennstatefootball/navsystem.jpg


You do have to take out the shroud behind the stock radio and "trim" around the radio bezel.

GoldCylon has a great post on it

:cheers:

David

[Kevin]

90-92 didn't have keyless entry. you're also very lucky to be so close to corry henderson if you ever need work done. http://www.hendersonperformance.com/ While it still maybe 5 hrs it's still a lot closer then most of us are to one of the best tuners in the country.

[GTOger]

Hey guys,
Yes, it is a 1990 ZR1. So now I understand:
1) CHMSL has a dedicated switch on the brake pedal. Now there's something I wouldn't have thought of!
2) 2-DIN head units will fit if you do quite a bit of trimming / sanding to the head unit. I guess there's not a lot of market for a 1.5-DIN unit. ;)
3) No keyless factory-installed. I'll need to add that aftermarket (since I'd rather not be dealing with keys that can scratch it!)

Thanks much! I'm looking forward to getting to know more about these cars.

[GTOger]

Ah, I just took a look at GoldCyclon's post here (http://zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=6145). That old radio install that he replaced looks very much like the one that I've got and cannot stand.
http://robin.virtbiz.com/cg/zr1_radio.jpg

The previous owner also put in a sub enclosure that I'm just not thrilled about, although he clearly put some effort into it.
http://robin.virtbiz.com/cg/zr1-sub_encl.jpg

Meh. The top fits just fine over the enclosure. I would just prefer not to have anything back there at all. My ideal installation would have everything contained in factory positions without adding a piece of furniture to the back. The first thing I said when I saw this car was "we'll have to rip that ____ out of the back." I'm all about clean installs. That's just me.

Since the wife will drive this car around most of the time, we're looking to make things as easy as possible. So that's why we're going with the whole nav, big-button radio, Bluetooth etc...

[Aurora40]

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t199/pennstatefootball/navsystem.jpg
I hope that thing is easy to update, considering the frequency with which you change wheels! :P :D

[ZZZZZR1]

I hope that thing is easy to update, considering the frequency with which you change wheels! :P :D

Ouch!!!!!!!!! I do resemble that one. :)

[Coupe89]

My Pioneer Z2 is a double DIN. Didn't look like they modded anything

[White Bullet]

Double DIN radio's will fit. The gotcha is the face plate of the unit may not fit through the radio bezel opening. Some will; some will not. That is were the trimming will be done. Given that the radio bezel is one hard to get item most people do not want to cut it up (I do not blame them). I used a standard (non ZR-1) radio bezel and adapted it for service with a JVC double DIN radio. Or if you care not to go that route you could restore it back to stock with the Bose system. If you do not have the parts they are easy enough to get.

[pantera1683]

I have a double din Pioneer and didn't have to shave the bezel at all. I did have to cut the plastic bracket behind the head unit because the new HU sits deeper in the space than the Delco. I love having the DVD and Nav, it really makes the Bose speakers sound great.

[GTOger]

I've decided that the radio from the previous owner will likely stay intact until (a) I design the system I really want and (b) the XM subscription runs out on the current unit! :) But I really do want to put a NAV unit in the car. So my plan could change if I find a real sweet Black Friday or Cyber Monday deal. LOL

[GOLDCYLON]

Ouch!!!!!!!!! I do resemble that one. :)

Me too lol right Dave ?

[GOLDCYLON]

As posted a double DIN will fit. You will need to cut the black plastic support for the old bose system deep into the console as most Double Dins are pretty deep. The bose unit uses this support to rest the back screw onto. As already posted as well the Radio surround is the problem. While the head unit will fit fine the issue is the motorized door on the unit. Each unit powers it door down a different way. so some manufacturers fit like a glove, some need only a slight mod to get them to fit.

I suggest ordering the Metra pocket install kit for 90-96 Corvettes. Its cheap enough and you simply throw away the pocket. The radio surround will need to be lightly sanded down in order to allow for operation of the door for all the pioneer AVIC Z-1 Through Z-3 series. If you take your time, fitment will look almost stock.

There is enough room to fit the bluetooth module, IPOD interface etc but on the 91-95s the power key module takes up a lot of room. My power point for my V1 Radar dectector is also in there so with a little wire management everything will fit. I also belong to the AVIC411 forum. These radios have been out there for a long time now so used units on Ebay can be found for fairly cheap. A guy on that forum upgrades my maps and such everyyear so the unit stays hella current. GC