Is the C4 ZR-1 the Fastest ?

[Bob Eyres]

Is the C4 ZR-1:

"The Fastest American Factory Production Car of the Twentieth Century"?

Now that's a bunch of qualifiers there, but what vehicle is faster? Not talking 0-60, or quarter mi. times, just top-end.
No "tuner cars" either, factory stock.

[Jamesbea]

Has to be the ZR-1 or the Viper.


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[KILLSHOTS]

I think the 2nd gen (96 and later) Viper coupes were a little faster, but that is probably the only pre-2000 American ride that could pull on a Z up top.

[mike100]

Maybe you don't consider it a production car, but the Vector W8 twin turbo was over 200 mph.

If you remove the qualifier 'American car', the Jag XJ220 and F40 come to mind as being the fastest production cars of that era.

[Billy Mild]

The Porsche 959 was able to go 198 MPH, some say it was good for 202 MPH just like the F40. Who really knows though.

[MarkSS]

Fastest American production car of the 20th century would go to the ZR1s cousin... the 1991 Callaway B2K areobody was clocked at 192... Vipers of that era were 185. Fastest test time I was able to find for a stock ZR1 was 185. However... to be really accurate it would have to be same track same day... so who knows... the ZR1 is definitely in the conversation and has the distinction of averaging over 175 for 24 hours which no other car of the 20th century can say.

[edram454]

world record 1990 car with 3.08 or 2.73 gears went 195 on straight away in fort Stockton. 100% stock motor. This was to keep it at 5800 rpm for 24 hours.

I like the viper but not much of a fan of that truck v10 engine. I heard one at Aaron Scotts house that he recammed and that thing sounded like it should, radical. stock vipers sound like chriscrart motor boats.

ed ramos #3028

[spork2367]

If you remove the qualifier 'American car', the Jag XJ220 and F40 come to mind as being the fastest production cars of that era.

Remove that qualifier and assume factory gearing and there are probably 30+ cars from the late 70's to 90's that best the ZR1 in top speed. Although admittedly most wouldn't keep up in acceleration at all.

stock vipers sound like chriscrart motor boats.

I chuckled at that comparison.

[Paul Workman]

world record 1990 car with 3.08 or 2.73 gears went 195 on straight away in fort Stockton. 100% stock motor. This was to keep it at 5800 rpm for 24 hours.

I like the viper but not much of a fan of that truck v10 engine. I heard one at Aaron Scotts house that he recammed and that thing sounded like it should, radical. stock vipers sound like chriscrart motor boats.

ed ramos #3028

Yes! That or UPS delivery trucks...

[Paul Workman]

Remove that qualifier and assume factory gearing and there are probably 30+ cars from the late 70's to 90's that best the ZR1 in top speed. Although admittedly most wouldn't keep up in acceleration at all.



I chuckled at that comparison.

Remember too, the FIA (Stockton) ZR-1 also had the accelerator "blocked" to limit the throttle to the pre-determined setting necessary to break the record w/o over stressing the motor needlessly (ref: Heart of the BEast by Young)

[XfireZ51]

BTW, the motor used for the 24hrs. was a spare that set aside because it was deemed to have a slight vibration.

[rush91]

If we are talking fastest, naturally aspirated motors, The Viper GTS's of the 1990's have the top speed. I believe it was 5MPH faster than the ZR-1.....But Dodge needed 2 more cylinders to do it. And if you have every drove a Viper really fast, it's a miracle your still alive. Not as stable/ planted as a Corvette at speed. Dodge needed to add Aero packages to go any faster safer. Hence the ACR's and special big winged Vipers.
I'm hard pressed to think of an American factory stock car, that could touch the ZR-1. That is until this new breed of Muscle cars hit around 2008......The 2012 Ford GT500 could hit 201MPH and I believe the 1989 Turbo Trans AM could hit 165MPH.

[Bob Eyres]

Fastest American production car of the 20th century would go to the ZR1s cousin... the 1991 Callaway B2K areobody was clocked at 192... Vipers of that era were 185.

JMHO, but I don't consider the Callaway a factory production car, B2K or not. Those Corvettes came from the factory with 350/245hp. engines. Lingenfelter, or Callaway cars, as great as they might be, are really tuner cars. Not from Bowling Green.

As to the Vipers, can anyone cite a road test, or other documentation that states a 20th century Viper can clock 185?

Much as I'd like to, I don't think a C4 ZR-1 with 3.07 gears, (and headers/no cats), can be considered "factory" either. But that documented 194-195 on the straight at Fort Stockton is surely impressive, regardless.

Even with more horsepower, the Vipers and early ZO6's were limited by bad aero, but would a bone stock C4 ZR-1 really do 185? Who's done it? Not me. I've not come within 10mph of that.

[BigJohn]

You'er funny!

[Bob Eyres]

OK, just found a Motor Trend road test of a stock 97' Viper GTS that clocked 187.5

http://www.motortrend.com/cars/dodge/viper/1997/1997-dodge-viper-gts/

I don't know if any bone stock C4 ZR-1 could top that. :mad:

[BigJohn]

American made Panoz sports cars are very fast 560 hp and weight at 3128 lbs !

[Bob Eyres]

1997 Panoz Esperante (of which one was sold), Est. top speed = 155. Gee, a "factory" (pre Callaway tune), Corvette can do that.

[BigJohn]

Panoz also has a 750 hp 32 valve engine. You get what ever gearing you want.

[BigJohn]

1997 Panoz Esperante (of which one was sold), Est. top speed = 155. Gee, a "factory" (pre Callaway tune), Corvette can do that.

My 1971 Plymouth GTX can do 168, just ask the Troupers.

[-X

[KILLSHOTS]

The street version of the Esperante debuted in 1999, and I actually believe it may have officially been classified as a 2000 model. That car was built with the 305HP Ford modular V8 from the Mustang Cobra. Later, more powerful versions certainly wouldn't have fallen within the realm of the OP's question, vis-a-vis 20th century American production automobiles and in fact, I'm not sure that ANY production Esperante does.

[Mystic ZR-1]

My 1971 Plymouth GTX can do 168, just ask the Troupers.

[-X

Dancers?
😄😄😄

[Tripler]

Yes . The ZR-1 is the fastest car in the world period ...
Well up to 180 mph anyway
:) :) :)

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[nelson007]

What about the C6 ZR1?
Nelson

[Enginerd101]

OK, just found a Motor Trend road test of a stock 97' Viper GTS that clocked 187.5

http://www.motortrend.com/cars/dodge/viper/1997/1997-dodge-viper-gts/

I don't know if any bone stock C4 ZR-1 could top that. :mad:

The 97 viper GTS went 192.6 for motor trend in May 1998:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWgoSYk7lsA

I had my 1991 Zr-1 with 4:10's, exhaust, intake, and haibeck chip at the same time as my 1997 Viper GTS. Love the Z, but the viper will eat it for a snack. Only mods on the viper are high flow cats and Corsa exhaust.

[Enginerd101]

world record 1990 car with 3.08 or 2.73 gears went 195 on straight away in fort Stockton. 100% stock motor. This was to keep it at 5800 rpm for 24 hours.

I like the viper but not much of a fan of that truck v10 engine. I heard one at Aaron Scotts house that he recammed and that thing sounded like it should, radical. stock vipers sound like chriscrart motor boats.

ed ramos #3028

The Viper V10 is a truck engine in the way that the LT5 is a SBC.

[KILLSHOTS]

The Viper V10 is a truck engine in the way that the LT5 is a SBC.
Yep. And to follow up on your point, in the late 80s, my father had a "Chris Craft motor boat" with twin factory 370HP 454s and virtually un-muffled through-hull exhaust. In my experience, they can sound completely amazing.

[ZRXMAX]

Based on roadside markers counted off a number of times in different places and timed with a stop watch my stock 91 Z with headers, a tune, forced air, and 3.07 gears barely exceeded 180mph in 5th gear. This was also at altitude between 5400 ft and 3000 ft.

[tccrab]

If anyone asks how fast, show 'em these pics:
Probably on a dyno, but heck, they look impressive as he11.

[Bob Eyres]

Based on roadside markers counted off a number of times in different places and timed with a stop watch my stock 91 Z with headers, a tune, forced air, and 3.07 gears barely exceeded 180mph in 5th gear. This was also at altitude between 5400 ft and 3000 ft.

To go from 3.07's to 4.11's must have been quite a change. I don't know of anyone running 3.07's.Could that be ordered from the factory?

[Johnny5]

The 97 viper GTS went 192.6 for motor trend in May 1998:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWgoSYk7lsA

I had my 1991 Zr-1 with 4:10's, exhaust, intake, and haibeck chip at the same time as my 1997 Viper GTS. Love the Z, but the viper will eat it for a snack. Only mods on the viper are high flow cats and Corsa exhaust.

Yea but the VIPER has a dodge NEON interior, literally all plastic crap just like the Vette but I think the Vette is a lil nicer and half the price (unless you biught a ZR1) which i could have never afforded new, it wasn;t til the new generation viper that interior quality was improved along with the C7. The new VIPER is truly is a beautiful car now. Idk if I can say the same about the C7 it's too tall, kinda plane looking unless you get the carbon fiber kit or Z06, although AUTOMATIC Z06????? what's America coming too?????. Growing up the Viper GTS (red with white stripes) and the ZR-1 were my favorite cars and still love them but when I graduated college and needed a reliable everyday car instead of my 94 LT1 that i used to deliver pizzas with in the snow up and down hills (true story....if the car wasn't manual I'd be dead...thank god for downshifting) I got a great deal on a used Acura TL (6speed sport package, bigger brakes etc) I noticed how much quality materials you get when you buy high end Acuras and Lexus'. Don't get me wrong the VIPER It's still a bad *** car but for 80 grand you think you would get more than a V10 with a neon interior. But the ZR1 aint much different, how hard could it have been to put suede or quality materials for such a limited production car like the Z. Now the base vettes and vipers do. But viper vs C7 I'd take rthe viper all day But, I can't afford it so I'll ride my LT5 till it dies. :)

[Tripler]

Looks like Kim Baker got the ZR-1 going pretty dam fast in this article and he also tested the ZR-1 here in Canada at Mosport .

http://www.superchevy.com/features/vemp-0902-kim-baker/


;) ;) ;)

[Enginerd101]

Yea but the VIPER has a dodge NEON interior, literally all plastic crap, it wasn;t til the new generation viper that interior quality was improved, it truly is a beautiful car now. Growing up the Viper GTS and ZR-1 were my favorite cars but when I bought my Acura TL I noticed how much of a POS the viper interior really was. It's still a bad *** car but for 80 grand you think you would get more than a V10 with a neon interior

Corvettes (until C7) and Vipers will never win any awards for their interiors, but that's not the point. What was the top speed of a late 90's TL? mid 140's? Fast, but not in the running for fastest of the 20th century. I'd put my money on a base LT1 C4 to outrun a TL.

I had a poster on the wall when I was a kid; it had a Ferrari 512tr, a Lamborghini Diablo, a ZR-1, and a Viper. Oddly, that poster didn't have any pictures of the interiors. I'm fortunate to have owned two of the cars on the poster and the interior wasn't what made me lust after them. No matter how nice an accord interior is, there's nothing about it that makes me want one.

[Johnny5]

Corvettes (until C7) and Vipers will never win any awards for their interiors, but that's not the point. What was the top speed of a late 90's TL? mid 140's? Fast, but not in the running for fastest of the 20th century. I'd put my money on a base LT1 C4 to outrun a TL.

I had a poster on the wall when I was a kid; it had a Ferrari 512tr, a Lamborghini Diablo, a ZR-1, and a Viper. Oddly, that poster didn't have any pictures of the interiors. I'm fortunate to have owned two of the cars on the poster and the interior wasn't what made me lust after them. No matter how nice an accord interior is, there's nothing about it that makes me want one.

My TL is a 2006 and i topped it out at 155mph speed governed it had plenty of gear left over. But it is a sport sedan, nothing compared to my ZR1, my brothers C6 Z06 will spank me and FYI a TL is not an Accord, that is a TSX buddy. I'm not shitting on your poster or your favorite car as I loved Vipers too growing up. Vipers and corvettes have always lacked interior quality until now bc you pay for performance but the corvette has beat the Viper all these years in interior. But now both are world class sports cars that are getting stickered closer to Porches. I'm not trying to hurt your feeling just make a point. I have been all about American muscle my whole life, but now I see the quality in Japanese vehicles. So i daily drive a Acura which I'm selling for my Lexus LS430 I bought and have the Z for my weekend fun. I would love to drive a new Viper as that saddle interior is gorgeous. GM and Dodge both really stepped up and finally realized you have to give the consumers some quality in their automobiles. By the way is that the poster that say "Justification for Higher Education" ?? I loved that poster I believe it had a Viper GTS, Ferrari, Lambo Diablo and can't remember what else. I gotta say I owned a 94 LT1 in Admiral Blue, loved the color but past 60mph it fell flat on its face compared to the Z.

[Tripler]

High end European and Asian cars have outstanding interiors compared to North American cars no ifs ans or buts about it . But if you want muscle , you go with North American . For me the ZR-1 is the best looking Corvette of all time and the most comfortable to drive . The interior on the other hand tho looks great , has some cheap feeling to it . Our passenger side window switch keeps popping out . That measly little steering tilt lever makes me nervous every time I adjust the wheel . Feels like it might bend or fall off . When closing the drivers door the whole thing flexes towards you like it is going to come off in your hands . Minor details because when I sit in it . I am at home . It is so comfortable . And most importantly is that sound when you turn the key . Music . A symphony of engine part's moving in such unison and clarity that you think you died and have gone to heaven . No other engine in the world sounds like an LT5 . Well , not that I have heard anyway .



;) ;) ;)

[gmonsen]

The ZR1 was and is very fast. I think my 1994 Ferrari 512TR was faster. Vipers are fast, maybe as fast, but I'd never own one. A parts bin car with that horrible truck motor. The LT5 is a lot like the 512 motor. It just pulls so nice and sounds so good. Both have about the same 7500-ish redline. The ZR1 interior is a bit of a letdown, true, but it doesn't really take away from the great mechanicals and sounds. Its all about the motor and then the styling.

Gordon

[Bob Eyres]

Thanks for all the replies, guys. I think it's established that the Viper was faster, bone stock. That is unless someone bought a factory car with a 3.07 rear end. I don't know of one, but if there is at least one factory C4 ZR-1 with the same gear as the record setting Fort Stockton ZR-1 we could lay claim to the same speed (mid-190's).
Whatever, at least we can factually claim that the LT5 powered C4 ZR-1 is the fastest factory stock Chevrolet, (or GM), car of the twentieth century. That is pretty good.


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