Mechanic and Maintenance Questions ....

[C4Ray]

ZR-1 Required Maintenance

Can you trust the local GM/Chevy Mechanic? Independent Mechanic or the even the Dealer?

I would love to pay Marc Haibeck to work on my Corvette but I'm located in Florida.

Just curious how your guys maintain and repair your ZR-1?

Thanks :)

[Kevin]

you're pretty much limited to yourself

[C4Ray]

you're pretty much limited to yourself

I can handle small repairs like changing oil but that's about it. My Father owns a 93 base Corvette and has no problems letting the local Chevy Dealer work on it. We are Corvette people but have been lucky no serious problems.

Who is the recommended ZR-1 Specialist in South Florida, or even all of Florida?

Thanks :)

[Tony Davila]

Aaron Scott of South Georgia Corvette is or was our guy for ZR-1/LT5 needs. I have heard though he is giving up corvettes to work on diesel trucks. May be a rumor, I am not 100% sure. Aaron has built many LT5s and has a few Turbo LT5 under his belt. He would be the closest to you if he is still tinkering with ZR-1.

[C4Ray]

He would be the closest to you if he is still tinkering with ZR-1.

Thanks Tony, but I'm about 7 hours to the Florida state line! :frown:

[We Gone]

I have learned to do most everything on my own, just be sure to get a set of FSM. Other than the LT5 most is the same as a reg. Corvette. Than you have unlimited help here by some very knowledgeable people.

If i'm not mistaken there are many ZR-1's in Fla. I'm not sure if White Racing does any work but Curt is a long time owner and modder I think he is in Tampa. And I know of a few owners in the Miami area that don't hesitate to work on their cars.

[Z51JEFF]

I'm fortunate enough that I can work on my own cars but don't really enjoy it but would never have anybody else touch my cars.You ever get a chance to look at Clints car,I doubt you will find another like it at that price.

[ZR1North]

It's worth planning a vacation around a visit to Marc's shop if you can do it. He would do a complete inspection and quite a bit of work in a week with proper planning. Good luck!

[C4Ray]

Much appreciated everyone. :)

[RussMcB]

What kind of work are you considering?

[C4Ray]

Nothing yet Russ, as I'm not an owner yet. I just want to be prepared for repairs; big or small. Buddy of mine owns a Ferrari and he has a helluva hard time locating good Mechanics. Often times he has to transport 2-3 hours away. I wish we had more viable Mechanics around that do good work.

[Kevin]

You're looking at the same thing. Owning a zr-1 is a bit like owning a Ferrari. Parts are expensive and mechanics are far away

[RussMcB]

It depends of two things: Your mechanical ability and the complexity of the problem.

My mechanical ability is probably a 7 on a scale of 10, and most of the projects I've tackled thus far on the ZR-1* were easily done with the great help available here, and phone calls with Jerry and Marc. There are some things I won't tackle, and when they happen, I'll hire an expert (but only after researching here and other places first).

My hunch is a ZR-1 is much easier to maintain without spending a lot of money than a Ferrari.

* Replaced coils, injectors, starter motor and two mods: Removed secondaries and added a starter bypass relay.

[C4Ray]

If you have a big repair or want to upgrade to one of Haibeck's HP packages -- how many of you transport or drive to Haibeck Automotive near Chicago? For example; if you live in Arizona or Florida, would you have any reservation about paying a transporter a nice chuck of change to move your Z to and from Haibeck's facility near Chicago?

[Demps]

If you have a big repair or want to upgrade to one of Haibeck's HP packages -- how many of you transport or drive to Haibeck Automotive near Chicago? For example; if you live in Arizona or Florida, would you have any reservation about paying a transporter a nice chuck of change to move your Z to and from Haibeck's facility near Chicago?

Here's my advice...buy what you want already modified. The bugs will be worked out. Someone else will eat the near-lost cost.

Yes, I did ship a car from Idaho & trailered it back when finished. I have one awesome 415. I'll have it forever.

Another soapbox: learn how to do the minor things. This site will help. It'll save you with these cars.

Ted

[WARP TEN]

Hi Ray--
Many people ship their cars to and from Marc's but for routine maintenance all you need is a factory shop manual and a reasonably good mechanic, combined with the accumulated knowledge of this forum. Factory shop manual was my first purchase after the car. The value of forum help cannot be underestimated. There is a huge knowledge base and lots of owners willing to share and help. Witness Jim Voter's recent experience buying the stock purple 95. Picked it up in Utah, then in Las Vegas the injectors failed but member Ted Dempsey was nearby and pulled a set of injectors from his ZR-1 for Jim to use on his trip. Proverbial shirt off his back. Can't ask for much more than that. There are many owners in Florida. Additionally, Marc and others are always willing to talk on the phone if your mechanic has a problem. And I know from experience that the later cars I have owned are very reliable. Marc and I were talking recently about our 93s and my 95 and neither of us has ever had our cars leave us stranded on the highway. Other than a replaced slightly leaking A/C line, I haven't had any failures since Marc first serviced the car in 2012.--Bob

[C4Ray]

I found a local ZR-1 Mechanic -- Eismann Corvette Center.

http://www.eismannscorvettecenter.com/

Comments ?

[Bearly Flying]

I would be very careful, lots of wannabe Mechanics claim to know everything. Very few know anything about the LT5.

[WARP TEN]

I found a local ZR-1 Mechanic -- Eismann Corvette Center.

http://www.eismannscorvettecenter.com/

Comments ?

Just make sure you have the factory shop manuals for him to borrow and that if he is unsure about something he is comfortable calling Marc Haibeck or having you solicit wisdom from the Registry members in matters of the engine. Everything else about the car is essentially regular C4. --Bob.

[C4Ray]

Much appreciated everyone, and Bob.

[rkreigh]

Mike who built the atomic z is down that way.

but really, the zr-1 isn't that bad to work on and with the support of the net groups you can usually figure things out

bmw and Honda mechanics aren't afraid of dohc engines

anyone who can fix a new audi or Porsche would look at a zr1 and laugh

get a service manual though and really look the car over and you'll see the LT5 isn't the big bad wolf

I've had 4 zr-1s and very rarely are there issues other than vacuum and sensor, vacuum can type failures and they only impact the secondaries.

or for a few hours of your time, you can choose to divest yourself of those parts and have mr haibeck send you a chip

I've got about 200k miles now on a ZR-1. still by far the most reliable performance car I've ever owned and often gets the nod for most of the long range travel bookings.

this car, even hot rodded to put down 508 hp, is still ultra reliable and easy to drive fast

having said that, getting over 500 at the tire used to be expensive, it still is but not nearly as bad with stock blockers putting out so much hp when fully optimized.

I honestly would go drive one, buy the right car for you, and never look back. fixing a zr-1 is fixing a corvette, only more so.:p

[ghlkal]

It depends of two things: Your mechanical ability and the complexity of the problem.

My mechanical ability is probably a 7 on a scale of 10, and most of the projects I've tackled thus far on the ZR-1* were easily done with the great help available here, and phone calls with Jerry and Marc. There are some things I won't tackle, and when they happen, I'll hire an expert (but only after researching here and other places first).


I agree with this.

There are times when you just need someone else to take a look or do the work. I had Marc do some work on my Z, but he's fairly close at 100 miles down the road. I have a nearby Vette specialist, Corvette Sports, which looks similar to Eismann Corvette Center. Although likely not as experienced as Marc with the ZR-1, I bet they could do most of the work you'd need. You'd be surprised at how much you will be able to fix on your own though.

[Pete]

Texas is also a very good chose.

http://hendersonperformance.com/

Corey is one of the best LT5 Techs.

Pete

PS
I just got back from Fort Myers i go every year (mid March)for 1-2 weeks.
I can do your yearly maintenance or whatever.:)

[Kevin]

Texas is also a very good chose.

http://hendersonperformance.com/

Corey is one of the best LT5 Techs.

Pete

PS
I just got back from Fort Myers i go every year (mid March)for 1-2 weeks.
I can do your yearly maintenance or whatever.:)

ever come to pittsburgh?

[WARP TEN]

.....get a service manual though and really look the car over and you'll see the LT5 isn't the big bad wolf

I've had 4 zr-1s and very rarely are there issues other than vacuum and sensor, vacuum can type failures and they only impact the secondaries.

or for a few hours of your time, you can choose to divest yourself of those parts and have mr haibeck send you a chip

I've got about 200k miles now on a ZR-1. still by far the most reliable performance car I've ever owned and often gets the nod for most of the long range travel bookings.

this car, even hot rodded to put down 508 hp, is still ultra reliable and easy to drive fast

having said that, getting over 500 at the tire used to be expensive, it still is but not nearly as bad with stock blockers putting out so much hp when fully optimized.

I honestly would go drive one, buy the right car for you, and never look back. fixing a zr-1 is fixing a corvette, only more so.:p

Ron is right -- one more reason to get a Haibeck 510 package!:-D Secondaries and vacuum system are removed as part of that. I have retained my parts so if someone wanted to make it look stock they could but without any actual potential issues.--Bob