Hello from a new member!

[MikeSuke]

Hi,
My name is Mike, I live in North Eastern Pennsylvania and I just registered today. Took a chance - I just purchased a 1991 ZR-1 off of that auction site and trying to figure out exactly what I got. The car definitely has some mystery to it. Will see if I'm lucky or not...

The car was shipped from California. The title had repo papers attached to it, so somewhere someone must have been very sad. Because of this I don't think the seller knew everything about the car, seems to have bounced to him from an auction through some dealer... Still trying to sort out the title so unfortunately I can only drive it in the driveway! :-( Fingers crossed it gets resolved...

I found a crumbled up page to what appears to be the Haibek chip installation manual under the drivers seat. Explains why the power key mode default is On. Need to confirm that. I have no valet key, hoping I can get one.

The exhaust is supposedly from Billy Boat. Looks like it may be, still need to crawl under. But with the flat tire, its pretty low to the ground :-x Tires are crappy but that was disclosed... no spare, no jack, no wheel wrench :-x

The wheels seem to be 95(?) chrome wheels... but they are not real unfortunately... stamped AFS inside.... I have the black version of the AFSs on my 89 L98. I hear mixed reviews... I like them on that car... on this one... eh....may try to go back to stock so if anyone has any they'd like to part with please PM me!!

The front brakes don't appear to be stock. calipers have "Corvette" machined into them. Will need to pull a front wheel and see what is the deal with those...

the hood has the lift assist cylinders removed, Would one remove those if they pulled the whole hood off? perhaps they just didn't put em back? Makes me wonder whats up there...

The whole engine seems to have a bronze color to it. Every picture I've seen looks nothing like this color. Always more of a silver, from what I can see, no? Not sure what to make of this, any ideas?

Starts and runs, but a bit tough to restart when its hot...

Well...Thanks in advance for any info or "Good Luck, Pal" s
:):)

Best Regards,
Mike

[USAZR1]

Welcome to the Brotherhood,Mike. You have come to the right place for answers about your ZR-1.
Post a few photos of your car when you get a chance.

[We Gone]

Welcome, post some pics, What color? sounds like it has GS or later calipers on it. The jack & spare are the same as any 90 up C4. The later C4's did not have the 2 small lift cylinders just the prop rod they can be added to a 91.

[scottfab]

First welcome to the club Mike. You'll notice some of us have "Member" under our names (to the left of this text) That means we pay a small dues to support the club operations. It's not mandatory but maybe later on when you get settle in you'll join up. Most stuff here is free whether you join or not. There are two main parts to the club known as the "ZR-1 Net Registry". There is this part, the part you're reading this from called the "Forum" and also a webpage at:
http://www.zr1netregistry.com/
On that webpage under "INFORMATION" you'll see a lot of useful stuff.
As for your questions.....see below.

Hi,
My name is Mike, I live in North Eastern Pennsylvania and I just registered today. Took a chance - I just purchased a 1991 ZR-1 off of that auction site and trying to figure out exactly what I got. The car definitely has some mystery to it. Will see if I'm lucky or not...

The car was shipped from California. The title had repo papers attached to it, so somewhere someone must have been very sad. Because of this I don't think the seller knew everything about the car, seems to have bounced to him from an auction through some dealer... Still trying to sort out the title so unfortunately I can only drive it in the driveway! :-( Fingers crossed it gets resolved...

Well I hope you got a great deal.

I found a crumbled up page to what appears to be the Haibek chip installation manual under the drivers seat. Explains why the power key mode default is On. Need to confirm that. I have no valet key, hoping I can get one.

Great, you have a chip from one of our premier tuners. Sound like you may have the key delete mod for sure. Some prefer that and other deleted systems. You'll have to decide for yourself as you come up to speed on the car. I prefer to keep every thing in working order so the next person with my car will know what's what. But that's just me. You'll be hearing much about your other options from others with differing opinions. It's all good. You can definitely find a valet key and make it functional too. Mine is.

The exhaust is supposedly from Billy Boat. Looks like it may be, still need to crawl under. But with the flat tire, its pretty low to the ground :-x Tires are crappy but that was disclosed... no spare, no jack, no wheel wrench :-x

You can shop around for replacements here in one of the forums other sections (For Sale and Wanted).

The wheels seem to be 95(?) chrome wheels... but they are not real unfortunately... stamped AFS inside.... I have the black version of the AFSs on my 89 L98. I hear mixed reviews... I like them on that car... on this one... eh....may try to go back to stock so if anyone has any they'd like to part with please PM me!!

I have a spare set I might part with if you run out of options and want the stock wheels. (many call the OEM wheels "saw blades")

The front brakes don't appear to be stock. calipers have "Corvette" machined into them. Will need to pull a front wheel and see what is the deal with those...

Sounds like maybe some C5 vintage brakes. We'd need pictures to confirm this.

the hood has the lift assist cylinders removed, Would one remove those if they pulled the whole hood off? perhaps they just didn't put em back? Makes me wonder whats up there...

You should have just one long (~3ft) lift on the driver's side.

The whole engine seems to have a bronze color to it. Every picture I've seen looks nothing like this color. Always more of a silver, from what I can see, no? Not sure what to make of this, any ideas?

Sounds like it was painted with maybe some after market paint in a can or maybe was washed with a harsh cleaner that discolored it? Who knows.

Starts and runs, but a bit tough to restart when its hot...

We'll help you work out the kinks. Lots of knowledgeable folks here to help.

Well...Thanks in advance for any info or "Good Luck, Pal" s
:):)

Best Regards,
Mike

Again, WELCOME Mike. Nice to have ya here ! :-D

[MikeSuke]

Welcome to the Brotherhood,Mike. You have come to the right place for answers about your ZR-1.
Post a few photos of your car when you get a chance.

thank you!! really nice to be here!! will post a few pics now.

[MikeSuke]

Welcome, post some pics, What color? sounds like it has GS or later calipers on it. The jack & spare are the same as any 90 up C4. The later C4's did not have the 2 small lift cylinders just the prop rod they can be added to a 91.

Learning already! thank you!

[ZZZZZR1]

Hi,
My name is Mike, I live in North Eastern Pennsylvania and I just registered today. Took a chance - I just purchased a 1991 ZR-1 off of that auction site and trying to figure out exactly what I got. The car definitely has some mystery to it. Will see if I'm lucky or not...

The car was shipped from California. The title had repo papers attached to it, so somewhere someone must have been very sad. Because of this I don't think the seller knew everything about the car, seems to have bounced to him from an auction through some dealer... Still trying to sort out the title so unfortunately I can only drive it in the driveway! :-( Fingers crossed it gets resolved...

I found a crumbled up page to what appears to be the Haibek chip installation manual under the drivers seat. Explains why the power key mode default is On. Need to confirm that. I have no valet key, hoping I can get one.

The exhaust is supposedly from Billy Boat. Looks like it may be, still need to crawl under. But with the flat tire, its pretty low to the ground :-x Tires are crappy but that was disclosed... no spare, no jack, no wheel wrench :-x

The wheels seem to be 95(?) chrome wheels... but they are not real unfortunately... stamped AFS inside.... I have the black version of the AFSs on my 89 L98. I hear mixed reviews... I like them on that car... on this one... eh....may try to go back to stock so if anyone has any they'd like to part with please PM me!!

The front brakes don't appear to be stock. calipers have "Corvette" machined into them. Will need to pull a front wheel and see what is the deal with those...

the hood has the lift assist cylinders removed, Would one remove those if they pulled the whole hood off? perhaps they just didn't put em back? Makes me wonder whats up there...

The whole engine seems to have a bronze color to it. Every picture I've seen looks nothing like this color. Always more of a silver, from what I can see, no? Not sure what to make of this, any ideas?

Starts and runs, but a bit tough to restart when its hot...

Well...Thanks in advance for any info or "Good Luck, Pal" s
:):)

Best Regards,
Mike

Mike

First off congrats!

Haibeck chip will give default key on, but buying a spare key won't be expensive. I haven't needed mine and it's more for show.

Spare / wheel jack / wheel wrench are available.

Finding stock 1991 wheels are pretty easy to find and reasonably priced. Depending on condition $500 to $1000.

Brakes sound like GS or a C5 brake upgrade. Either way, good way to go!

If the engine has a bronze tint, sounds like 10 year old powdercoating... Is it flaking a little?

Congrats and looking forward to seeing pictures

:cheers:

David

[ScottZ95ZR1]

Welcome to our club and forum, Mike! Congrats on your purchase. :cheers:

[MikeSuke]

Thank you for all the info. looks like the tire issue is actually a crack in the rim... liking this brand a lot less now. Thanks for letting me know about the stock set of wheels, I may reach out to you on those.. really appreciate it.

here are a few pictures my ZR-1, mostly from the auction page. I posted one of the caliper, didn't come out so great but hopefully enough to identify it!

Also, you can see the color of the engine. at first I thought it was just the way the photo came out but it really is a bronze, almost greenish color.

[We Gone]

Looks like GS calipers for sure, the motor looks like normal discoloration form age or improper cleaning.

[Dynomite]

Hi,
My name is Mike, I live in North Eastern Pennsylvania and I just registered today. Took a chance - I just purchased a 1991 ZR-1 off of that auction site and trying to figure out exactly what I got. The car definitely has some mystery to it. Will see if I'm lucky or not...

Well...Thanks in advance for any info or "Good Luck, Pal" s
:):)

Best Regards,
Mike

Welcome.....some of us have more than one ZR-1 just because :D

Taking a chance is what is most fun.....but hard to get anything that cannot be fixed when you have an LT5 :thumbsup:

[MikeSuke]

Looks like GS calipers for sure, the motor looks like normal discoloration form age or improper cleaning.

ok, so those are GS calipers on the front. On the rear are what appears to be stock calipers, painted red! Is that a viable swap for the rear too? Will probably just paint the rear ones black for now.....

hmm, improper cleaning? cant image that's good for one's resale value...

[MikeSuke]

Welcome to our club and forum, Mike! Congrats on your purchase. :cheers:

Thank you!

[We Gone]

GS calipers use the same pads as the J55 they were a factory upgrade to the 96 CE & Grand Sports and front only. I added them to mine also and pained my rears black .

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/191/a9hb.jpg

[MikeSuke]

Welcome.....some of us have more than one ZR-1 just because :D

Taking a chance is what is most fun.....but hard to get anything that cannot be fixed when you have an LT5 :thumbsup:

lol, gonna work on becoming a member of the multiple ZR-1 club! ;)

So far so good on the car, I mean I suspected I'd find some issues with it and hoping for those to be only minor ones... I feel like I got a good deal so I plan to just take care of all these issues and start drivin!!!

what seems to be the tire of choice? going to have to replace the ones on it right away...

[Dynomite]

lol, gonna work on becoming a member of the multiple ZR-1 club! ;)

So far so good on the car, I mean I suspected I'd find some issues with it and hoping for those to be only minor ones... I feel like I got a good deal so I plan to just take care of all these issues and start drivin!!!

what seems to be the tire of choice? going to have to replace the ones on it right away...

Everyone has their own opinion....whatever works for you :thumbsup:

Tires and Other Modifications

Discount Tire (http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/tires/nitto/home.do)

FRONT............................................. .........................REAR
Nitto NT 555 Extreme Performance..................................Nitto NT 555R Drag Radial
P275/40ZR-17 98W............................................... ......315/35R-17 102V B
http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll142/dynomite007/ZR1%20Modified/NittoNT555.jpg.................................... .............http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll142/dynomite007/ZR1%20Modified/NittoNT555R.jpg
1. Total for ALL four tires (two FRONT and two REAR) $704 with free shipping.
2. Tires arrived 3 days after ordered from Discount Tire (http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/tires/nitto/home.do)
3. Took new tires and rims with old tires to local Discount Tire.
4. Discount Tire removed old tires and installed new tires on rims (Left and Right).
5. Cost to install two front and two rear new tires including balancing was $15 each tire.
6. Confirmed tire balance at 120 mph with zero vibration at any speed 0 - 120 mph.
7. Absolutely the best balanced tires I have ever had.

8. Tires (some helpful hints from Marc Haibeck)
a. There are four or more brands available for the ZR-1. Sumitomo, Kumho, Nitto, Vredestein, etc.
b. Sumitomo's may flat spot when cold because there is one nylon cord. They will thump for about the first five miles when cold.
c. Kumho's racing tires are excellent.
d. The Nitto NT 555 provides 95% of the performance of the Goodyear D3 at about 60% of the price. The soft thread on the NT 555R wears out in about 20k miles.
e. The Tire Rack does not sell Nitto. Discount Tire has them Discount Tire (http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/tires/nitto/home.do).
f. AFS Wheels sells Vredestein tires Vredestein (http://shop.afswheels.com/VREDESTEIN...A-TIRES_c5.htm). AFS Wheels are the same as "Cleanin-out-the-garage" on Ebay. Cleanin-out-the-garage has Lots of information on Vredestein Sessanta tires on Ebay Vredestein Tires (http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=Vredestein+tires&_sacat=See-All-Categories).
Modifications 1991 ZR-1
http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll142/dynomite007/LT5/Blingzz.jpg

[WB9MCW]

Congrats on the nice score (great color BTW) and welcome to the ZOO

[MikeSuke]

Congrats on the nice score (great color BTW) and welcome to the ZOO

Thank you!
Ha ha, yes, liking the black ;)

[MikeSuke]

Thanks for the tire info. Got a call back today from my local tires shop. Guys says "haven't forgotten about you. Can't seem to find any tires that fit! But I'll get back to you"

So... The Nittos are definitely on the "short list"....

[ZZZZZR1]

I'd add michelin ps2 and Goodyear gsd3 tires on your short list

Michelin ps2. 275 40 17. 335 35 17. (Fit perfectly)

Goodyear gsd3. 275 40 17. 315 35 17

These are the best tires if you plan to drive your car more than 500 to 1k miles a year

These are the most expensive tires but give the best ride and performance out there. I've ridden in all of the tires and these are by far the best

Good luck!

:cheers:

David

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Congrats on the nice, blk "Z"!

Enjoy! You're in the right place!!!!!! Sit back and learn!!!! :cheers:

[MikeSuke]

Congrats on the nice, blk "Z"!

Enjoy! You're in the right place!!!!!! Sit back and learn!!!! :cheers:

thank you! Lots of great info already!

[-=Jeff=-]

Mike,

The rear calipers for a GS are the same as a regular C4, so painting black is you best bet.

As for the valet key, finding an actual Power key might cost a bit but I bet some one here would be willing to get a key cut for you, as I recall it is the same style key as the door, and all 91-95 have the same cut too I think.. 90 is different though

[MikeSuke]

The same key? huh, how about that!
:-)

Thanks!