New owner of 1990 ZR-1 #1932

[Chris 90Z]

Hello all! Last month I picked up a red/red 1990 ZR-1 # 1932. I have been enjoying putting some miles on the car before the bad weather hits the Midwest and I have to put the Z to sleep for the winter. I have already taken a 600 mile round trip with the car, and she performed flawlessly! Here are a couple of pictures taken by the previous owner:


https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1932/43444389440_420268d613_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/29c2Rpf)37132409105_cf12d586ec_o (https://flic.kr/p/29c2Rpf) by el_jefe125 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/chris_a/), on Flickr


https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1908/30319583077_376da23388_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/NceMJn)37132405155_7880deebfa_o (https://flic.kr/p/NceMJn) by el_jefe125 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/chris_a/), on Flickr


https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1905/43444388520_3b6439bc9d_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/29c2R8o)26268066203_6c3d7e0156_o (https://flic.kr/p/29c2R8o) by el_jefe125 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/chris_a/), on Flickr


I've been enjoying getting to know the car and trying to shake down any issues that might need attention over the winter. So far I have only identified three issues with the car:


1. The stick shift moves upward under hard acceleration. Based on my research, this is likely caused by loose C-beam bolts. I'm planning on getting under the car and re-tightening them. I am also considering buying the C-beam plates to help solve the problem
2. The passenger side headlight sometimes gets stuck half way up. This sounds like a bushing issue. I am planning on replacing the bushings on both headlights over the winter, which will hopefully solve this problem.
3. The stereo only works intermittently. This sounds like a common problem with the C4s in general. I have not completely decided if I am going to send the stock head unit out for repair or simply upgrade the entire stereo system. I do like the look of the stock head unit, and am not in love with the look of an aftermarket head unit. Because of this, I am leaning towards pulling the head unit over the winter and sending it out for repair.


All and all, I am really pleased with the car so far. It is stock with the exception of a Corsa exhaust, which sounds great, and being lowered 1'' front and back. I don't really have any solid plans to modify the car at this point, but I have to admit that many of the write-ups I see on this forum might sway me into making some changes as time goes on.


In the meantime I am looking forward to enjoying the car as she sits. I'm not always the biggest poster on forums, but I wanted to thank those of you that contribute to this site. I do most of my own work on my cars, and I have learned over the years that the most valuable resource for me is an active and helpful online forum. Without this site I do not think I would have taken the plunge on a ZR-1 given the exotic nature of the LT5. So, thank you all for taking the time to share information. I hope to be able to contribute in a meaningful way to the forum as time goes on. I'm also hoping to get a chance to meet some of you at events in the future. It sounds like there is a fairly active group in the greater Chicago area!


Chris

[Vettemann98]

Congrats! Nice ZR-1. Welcome to the ZR-1 world. Scott


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[efnfast]

Congrats. Welcome to the forum. Steve

[Paul Workman]

Welcome to the madness! (And, obviously you know the RED ones are the fastest!!:dancing)

[JThomas]

Nice car, and welcome to the insanity that is ZR-1! We understand your passion. :cheers:

[We Gone]

Welcome

[TX '90 ZR1]

Congratulations.
As Paul says, the RED ones are the FASTEST!!. If they are RED on the inside also, they are DOUBLE Fast!!!
I recall someone telling me a long time ago that ALL Corvettes are RED,some just got painted a different color.
Welcome.:-D:-D:-D

[Ccmano]

Welcome and congrats on the purchase of what appears to be a very nice 90’. You are correct on the shifter issue. By all means get the C-Beam plates. They really help in firming up the feel of the car.

You live in the land of the “FBI”. Fast Boyz from Illinois. A great bunch of Z owners! Get to know them, Mark Haibeck and Pete “the Greek” and you should never have a worry while having a great time with the car.
Enjoy...
H
:cheers:

[tgonyaw]

Welcome to the forum and the driving experience.
I have put about 800 shakedown miles on 91#1838 the last 2 weeks. Still kind of neat how it’s sorta normal till you choose it not to be:).

[WARP TEN]

Hi Chris--Welcome to the FBI group and let me say you will really enjoy this car. It's a beauty. Let me also suggest another thing: Even if you like to work on your own cars, get the car an appointment with Marc Haibeck in Addison (http://www.zr1specialist.com or 630-458-8427) and have him go through the car and make recommendations on what needs to be done to it. That is what I did when I bought both my '93 and '95. He found and corrected things that I never would have even thought of. Also changed all the fluids, serp belt, etc. These later cars didn't need any injector work but it is possible that yours might. Just a thought. In any event you should certainly get over a meet him; he's a real good guy and one of the most knowledgeable people on ZR-1s, as it is all he does. Best of luck with your new ZR-1. --Bob

[Chris 90Z]

Thanks for the kind welcome! The car currently has 87k miles on it. I wanted one with some miles that I would not feel bad driving. I'm planning on taking her down to the tail of the dragon in a couple of weeks. I'm curious to see how it will handle the twisty roads. I was down there a few years back with my E46 m3 and it was a blast. I need to try to get the c-beam issue sorted out before the trip if possible. I will be sure to get some pictures while I'm down there.

[Chris 90Z]

Hi Chris--Welcome to the FBI group and let me say you will really enjoy this car. It's a beauty. Let me also suggest another thing: Even if you like to work on your own cars, get the car an appointment with Marc Haibeck in Addison (http://www.zr1specialist.com or 630-458-8427) and have him go through the car and make recommendations on what needs to be done to it. That is what I did when I bought both my '93 and '95. He found and corrected things that I never would have even thought of. Also changed all the fluids, serp belt, etc. These later cars didn't need any injector work but it is possible that yours might. Just a thought. In any event you should certainly get over a meet him; he's a real good guy and one of the most knowledgeable people on ZR-1s, as it is all he does. Best of luck with your new ZR-1. --Bob


Bob, thanks for the sound advice. On top of the ZR-1 factor, this is also my first C4 (or any corvette for that matter!). Given that fact, its difficult to know what is "normal" for these cars. It would be great to have Marc give the car a once over so I have a better to The previous owner has already replaced all of the injectors, so I should not have to tackle that issue. -Chris

[Paul Workman]

Dhris,

Shoot me a PM w/ your email addy and I'll put you on the FBI mailing list - soze you'll know what-when-where the gang is up to!

Paul

[eyespyautomotive]

I owned this car back in 2001 ish. I bought it off the original owner who was a Meijer executive in Grand Rapids Michigan. It had around 61k miles at the time. I traded it to a guy for a real nice Olds 442. Glad to see the car is still in nice shape. Radio didnt work welll when i had it either...lol

Cheers...Matt

[mcich7781]

Dhris,

Shoot me a PM w/ your email addy and I'll put you on the FBI mailing list - soze you'll know what-when-where the gang is up to!

PaulAbsolutely beautiful car! Welcome to the fold.

If you are in the Chicagoland - Joliet area Morris Cruise Nights start the second Saturdays of June - October. We can save you a spot.

Mike

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[HAWAIIZR-1]

Nice car! Welcome to the family!!


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[tiegsd]

She's a beauty!

Welcome!

[-=Jeff=-]

Chris,

great to meet you at Shoeless Joe's. Maybe next time we call look at the cars (when it is not raining)

[rossgn49u]

Head unit may be fine. Likely problem is the receiver/tuner unit on the glove box. That was the fix on my '91, anyway.

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[Chris 90Z]

Chris,

great to meet you at Shoeless Joe's. Maybe next time we call look at the cars (when it is not raining)


It was nice to meet you guys as well. Here's hoping for better weather the next time around!

[Chris 90Z]

Head unit may be fine. Likely problem is the receiver/tuner unit on the glove box. That was the fix on my '91, anyway.

Sent from my SM-G930V using ZR-1 Net Registry mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=90383)


Thanks for the tip. When the radio dies there is a rather loud popping sound, after which the display on the radio goes blank. The lights still work, just no sound and no display. Its not the end of the world, as I'm usually listening to the engine anyway!

[Z51JEFF]

The CDM controller is buried under the glovebox and whoever pulls it out of the car,it will test their patience like nothing car related ever has,that b@stard would have a priest yellin $hit a sailor has never heard before.

[Mystic ZR-1]

[QUOTE=...,that b@stard would have a priest yellin $hit a sailor has never heard before.[/QUOTE]

I like that!!!