Changing Early ZR-1 Instrument Panel to Late One

[Erik]

Hi gents.
Has anyone changed the interior instrument panel from the early orange on grey to the late white on black? I've seen bits and pieces of the changes, like I believe there are some wiring changes between the early gauge cluster and the later one?

Is there a thread somewhere that goes into this? Searched around and didn't come up with anything.

[Erik]

Just of out of curiosity, has anyone switched a pre-90 digital one into a ZR-1? Must be an even bigger challenge, as there was no production Corvette with a 7000 rpm redlined tach.

[secondchance]

I believe, most likely, 91 (and perhaps 90) cluster, headlight switch, radio bezel and shifter bezel along with door handle trims can be replaced with 92 (black/yellow) or 93 (black/white?) pieces.
Headlight switch and main cluster for 94 and 95 most likely will plug in as far as I know. However, 94 and 95 radio bezel and shifter bezel will not work due to early cars having flying buttress between the center console and passenger seat.
If you are willing to replace the dash board, you can use 94 and 95 radio bezel and shifter bezel.
Finding 93 to 95 ZR1 specific instrument cluster (because of 7,000 plus rpm) is going to be a challenge and expensive. Also, finding clean ZR1 specific radio bezel with secondary key is going to be a challenge.
If you have time and money, anything is possible.
Even then, splicing in pre-90, all digital instrument would require some electronic wizardry.

[secondchance]

I bought my first ZR-1 in October 1991. When 94 came out, I seriously considered doing exactly what you are contemplating including euro style carpet but gave up due to cost involved. Eventually, in 2000, I picked up a 94, drove it until 2009 and spent the next 7 years rebuilding and modifying to what I wish the car to be and stay relevant with ever improving performance of newer cars. Even had the motor rebuilt (twice) with 4? pistons/liners, offset ground crankshaft (from 3.66? stroke to 3.75?), heads and IHs ported, modified intake camshafts, bored out throttle body and higher compression. On top of that,brake conversions with 6 piston calipers up front, 4 piston rear calipers, separate mechanical parking brakes, updated nav/entertainment head unit, so on and so on and so on.
At first I kept running record of dates and cost on excel spread sheet. Once I passed $20,000, I followed Jagdpanzer?s suggestion and deleted the spread sheet.
One thing for sure, never had so much fun with any car I have owned since 1974. And, most likely, will never have so much fun period!
It all worked out and then some.:cheers:

[secondchance]

If you really get serious shoot me a private message followed by a phone call. Also, I have a 94 Bose radio (black with white lettering) sitting on my parts shelf. Radio bezel and shifter surround can be sprayed in flat black or wrapped with 3M body wrap vinyl. It took me awhile but I solved recreating lettering for the secondary key with .1? Helvetica bold font vinyl lettering.
All can be done. Challenge is the instrument cluster.

[Erik]

I bought my first ZR-1 in October 1991. When 94 came out, I seriously considered doing exactly what you are contemplating including euro style carpet but gave up due to cost involved. Eventually, in 2000, I picked up a 94, drove it until 2009 and spent the next 7 years rebuilding and modifying to what I wish the car to be and stay relevant with ever improving performance of newer cars. Even had the motor rebuilt (twice) with 4? pistons/liners, offset ground crankshaft (from 3.66? stroke to 3.75?), heads and IHs ported, modified intake camshafts, bored out throttle body and higher compression. On top of that,brake conversions with 6 piston calipers up front, 4 piston rear calipers, separate mechanical parking brakes, updated nav/entertainment head unit, so on and so on and so on.
At first I kept running record of dates and cost on excel spread sheet. Once I passed $20,000, I followed Jagdpanzer?s suggestion and deleted the spread sheet.
One thing for sure, never had so much fun with any car I have owned since 1974. And, most likely, will never have so much fun period!
It all worked out and then some.:cheers:

First question. Euro style carpeting? What's that?

I can see this getting expensive over time. Not that it hasn't already. At least the car was "well bought" as they say, with low mileage and in very nice shape.

I think my first mods will be around suspension. Lots of rough and bumpy roads around here!

[Erik]

I believe, most likely, 91 (and perhaps 90) cluster, headlight switch, radio bezel and shifter bezel along with door handle trims can be replaced with 92 (black/yellow) or 93 (black/white?) pieces.
Headlight switch and main cluster for 94 and 95 most likely will plug in as far as I know. However, 94 and 95 radio bezel and shifter bezel will not work due to early cars having flying buttress between the center console and passenger seat.
If you are willing to replace the dash board, you can use 94 and 95 radio bezel and shifter bezel.
Finding 93 to 95 ZR1 specific instrument cluster (because of 7,000 plus rpm) is going to be a challenge and expensive. Also, finding clean ZR1 specific radio bezel with secondary key is going to be a challenge.
If you have time and money, anything is possible.
Even then, splicing in pre-90, all digital instrument would require some electronic wizardry.

The early, digital instrument swap would not be a minor undertaking, I bet.

Aside from coolness, seeing as how I have defeated the key anyway (Haibeck chip), I could just use a stock corvette bezel.

I do prefer the flying buttress look of the earlier interior. Hmmm. Decisions!

[Erik]

If you really get serious shoot me a private message followed by a phone call. Also, I have a 94 Bose radio (black with white lettering) sitting on my parts shelf. Radio bezel and shifter surround can be sprayed in flat black or wrapped with 3M body wrap vinyl. It took me awhile but I solved recreating lettering for the secondary key with .1? Helvetica bold font vinyl lettering.
All can be done. Challenge is the instrument cluster.

Thank you, sir. Interesting timing, as I'm just looking at getting my radio rebuilt. Hmmmm.....

[secondchance]

First question. Euro style carpeting? What's that?

I can see this getting expensive over time. Not that it hasn't already. At least the car was "well bought" as they say, with low mileage and in very nice shape.

I think my first mods will be around suspension. Lots of rough and bumpy roads around here!

Early cars have sorta fuzzy and a bit shiny carpet. Later cars, I think 94 and 95s, have what Chevy called ?true vette? (I think). Carpet naps are straight and not as shiny.
As for the suspension, 90 to 92 had higher rate springs (stiff) and softer FX3 shocks. Later cars (93-95) have softer springs and stiffer FX3 shocks. Also, later cars sit about 3/4? taller to reduce scraping front air dams due to softer spring. If you want to chase better ride on rougher road, GM addressed this with later car suspension. Again, conversion involves new springs, FX3 controller and later FX3 shocks. Another option is QA1 coil over shocks. Two way control (compression and rebound) QA1s are not cheap and correct poundage of coils, I have no idea.

[Ccmano]

I changed mine. I'm running a 96' LT4 cluster. You have to move the LCD screen from the 90' to the later cluster. Luv mine.
Read this to the end...
https://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=30162&highlight=Cluster

H
:cheers:

[secondchance]

The early, digital instrument swap would not be a minor undertaking, I bet.

Aside from coolness, seeing as how I have defeated the key anyway (Haibeck chip), I could just use a stock corvette bezel.

I do prefer the flying buttress look of the earlier interior. Hmmm. Decisions!

Early digital instrument panel (1984 - 1989?) will require early dashboard (flat) and corresponding radio bezel and shifter bezel.
Although I have also owned 84 Z51, I have no idea what mod is involved to make it bolt up to 91 vette.

[Erik]

I changed mine. I'm running a 96' LT4 cluster. You have to move the LCD screen from the 90' to the later cluster. Luv mine.
Read this to the end...
https://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=30162&highlight=Cluster

H
:cheers:

Duh!
Lt4 Cluster. Brilliant you are.

[Ccmano]

While off topic, I'm also running 96' GS brakes. Looks good but still compatible with stock J55 brakes. I don't race so I don't need big a$$ calipers. Just some bling.
H
:cheers:

https://farm66.staticflickr.com/65535/49868434481_a40e49131e_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iYGLbv)

https://farm66.staticflickr.com/65535/49868739617_d7a64ca022_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iYJjTt)

[secondchance]

Well, long story short - I was offered a deal on Fikse 18? Profil 10s. When I put these on 13? front and 12? rear calipers didn?t quite fill the void inside. That led to 14? and 13? vented disks and needed calipers to bite these rotors. Like I said, it all worked out.

[Erik]

And I thought the stock brakes felt pretty good so far! :)

[-=Jeff=-]

Just of out of curiosity, has anyone switched a pre-90 digital one into a ZR-1? Must be an even bigger challenge, as there was no production Corvette with a 7000 rpm redlined tach.
No But I swapped the early dash (89) to a later model (1991) in my 89 back in 2002.. lots of work..


I believe, most likely, 91 (and perhaps 90) cluster, headlight switch, radio bezel and shifter bezel along with door handle trims can be replaced with 92 (black/yellow) or 93 (black/white?) pieces.
Headlight switch and main cluster for 94 and 95 most likely will plug in as far as I know. However, 94 and 95 radio bezel and shifter bezel will not work due to early cars having flying buttress between the center console and passenger seat.
If you are willing to replace the dash board, you can use 94 and 95 radio bezel and shifter bezel.
Finding 93 to 95 ZR1 specific instrument cluster (because of 7,000 plus rpm) is going to be a challenge and expensive. Also, finding clean ZR1 specific radio bezel with secondary key is going to be a challenge.
If you have time and money, anything is possible.
Even then, splicing in pre-90, all digital instrument would require some electronic wizardry.

Hi gents.
Has anyone changed the interior instrument panel from the early orange on grey to the late white on black? I've seen bits and pieces of the changes, like I believe there are some wiring changes between the early gauge cluster and the later one?

Is there a thread somewhere that goes into this? Searched around and didn't come up with anything.

This has my name all over it.. I will attach my pictures here again.. I have a 1990 here is what I did most recently


LT4 cluster, there are 2 Warning lights that changed, Door Ajar and Brake maybe. Also the LCD from your 90 is needed ( but is plug and play)
1994-96 Door panels
1994-96 True Vette carpet (Torch Red and Black)
1994-96 Passenger side lower hush (dash pad was modded for it)
1994-96 Driver side console side
Hybrid Radio Bezel and Console bezel to fit
1994-96 AC Vents (custom fitted)
1994-96 Sport seats (but look like base seats)
All back with white lettering.. all are a direct swap except the LCD of the cluster, also the ASR button is there but not functional


I have a conversion PCB from Batee that allows the 92-96 LCD (however the added functions are not there)

Being we have a 1990 the Power key is easy to add, but I don't have the lettering near it.

I also replaced the DIC with an LCD. there is no black DIC that has the full power light like our 1990. In the pictures I have the splash ZR-1 in Red for full power and White when not. Considering changing it to be off completely with the key off. I printed a bezel adapter to fit the LCD to the bezel

[Erik]

No But I swapped the early dash (89) to a later model (1991) in my 89 back in 2002.. lots of work..






This has my name all over it.. I will attach my pictures here again.. I have a 1990 here is what I did most recently


LT4 cluster, there are 2 Warning lights that changed, Door Ajar and Brake maybe. Also the LCD from your 90 is needed ( but is plug and play)
1994-96 Door panels
1994-96 True Vette carpet (Torch Red and Black)
1994-96 Passenger side lower hush (dash pad was modded for it)
1994-96 Driver side console side
Hybrid Radio Bezel and Console bezel to fit
1994-96 AC Vents (custom fitted)
1994-96 Sport seats (but look like base seats)
All back with white lettering.. all are a direct swap except the LCD of the cluster, also the ASR button is there but not functional


I have a conversion PCB from Batee that allows the 92-96 LCD (however the added functions are not there)

Being we have a 1990 the Power key is easy to add, but I don't have the lettering near it.

I also replaced the DIC with an LCD. there is no black DIC that has the full power light like our 1990. In the pictures I have the splash ZR-1 in Red for full power and White when not. Considering changing it to be off completely with the key off. I printed a bezel adapter to fit the LCD to the bezel

Damn, Jeff. You do have this all sorted out.

I wish you were my neighbour. :)

You've convinced me that it's very doable. And not that hard to do. Nor likely horribly expensive.

How come your sports seats look like regular seats?

I guess my goal is to not change the car radically, but rather find that best variants of ZR-1 parts to upgrade it.

[-=Jeff=-]

If you do go down this path and want an LCD. I fitted a 5" but had to trim the PCB to make it work, I also did a 4.3 version but like the 5" better. I can supply you with the bezel, but it is suggested you get a DIC a to 'gut' to make it work. There are other parts needed as I need to compile a list for the LCD. I have ideas for the added functions of the LCD but need to by a second LCD so I have one on my work bench for testing

[-=Jeff=-]

How come your sports seats look like regular seats?



Missed this question..

I prefer the style and 'sit' of the standard seats. So I had some covers custom made to fit the sport seat frames and side bolsters. I find the base style with the 'extra' help of the sport bolsters is a good combo.

I like the 90 style seats but they get uncomfortable due to the power recline motor location and the way I fit/sit in the seats..

being a bigger guy these are very comfortable now

[Erik]

If you do go down this path and want an LCD. I fitted a 5" but had to trim the PCB to make it work, I also did a 4.3 version but like the 5" better. I can supply you with the bezel, but it is suggested you get a DIC a to 'gut' to make it work. There are other parts needed as I need to compile a list for the LCD. I have ideas for the added functions of the LCD but need to by a second LCD so I have one on my work bench for testing

Thanks.
That part I'll have to kick around.

Still sorting out my thoughts around the gauges!

[Erik]

Missed this question..

I prefer the style and 'sit' of the standard seats. So I had some covers custom made to fit the sport seat frames and side bolsters. I find the base style with the 'extra' help of the sport bolsters is a good combo.

I like the 90 style seats but they get uncomfortable due to the power recline motor location and the way I fit/sit in the seats..

being a bigger guy these are very comfortable now

Interesting.
I'm 6'4, and not scrawny, so it's an issue for me too.

Where is the power recline motor located?

[-=Jeff=-]

Interesting.
I'm 6'4, and not scrawny, so it's an issue for me too.

Where is the power recline motor located?


On driver side.. front left corner.. it would not sit right with my legs..

I am also 6'4"

[Erik]

On driver side.. front left corner.. it would not sit right with my legs..

I am also 6'4"

Not that I've driven it that much yet, but I can't say it was perfectly comfortable there. Did you lose any headroom with the swap?

[-=Jeff=-]

Not that I've driven it that much yet, but I can't say it was perfectly comfortable there. Did you lose any headroom with the swap?

Not that I can tell.. I have more head room with the transparent roof vs the Painted roof due to the headliner

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

Hi gents.
Has anyone changed the interior instrument panel from the early orange on grey to the late white on black? I've seen bits and pieces of the changes, like I believe there are some wiring changes between the early gauge cluster and the later one?

Is there a thread somewhere that goes into this? Searched around and didn't come up with anything.

WOW!
While I am not in love with orange and gray either it seems like a heck of lot just to escape the clashing colors. I understand, but there are far better mods that can be made that will give more bang for the buck. The orange and black somehow looks quite a bit better.
Keep us posted if you make the change!
:cheers:
Marty

[-=Jeff=-]

WOW!
While I am not in love with orange and gray either it seems like a heck of lot just to escape the clashing colors. I understand, but there are far better mods that can be made that will give more bang for the buck. The orange and black somehow looks quite a bit better.
Keep us posted if you make the change!
:cheers:
Marty

Marty it depends on what your focus is.. I did it because when I am driving the car I am seeing all that stuff. I found the Black/white better and swapping the parts is pretty straight forward and could be do for a reasonable amount.. their are just a few pieces that are pricey.

[Erik]

Marty it depends on what your focus is.. I did it because when I am driving the car I am seeing all that stuff. I found the Black/white better and swapping the parts is pretty straight forward and could be do for a reasonable amount.. their are just a few pieces that are pricey.

That's about the same thing I was gonna say. :)

I concentrate a lot on the things I connect with every time I drive. Wheel, seat, shifter and, of course, gauges.

I do have a touch of colour blindness in around the line between green and grey. So maybe the grey colour with the yellow looks particularly bland and cheap to me. It just seems a relatively easy and inexpensive mod, that will make every drive more enjoyable.

[Erik]

WOW!
While I am not in love with orange and gray either it seems like a heck of lot just to escape the clashing colors. I understand, but there are far better mods that can be made that will give more bang for the buck. The orange and black somehow looks quite a bit better.
Keep us posted if you make the change!
:cheers:
Marty

While I responded to the major part of your question in the post above, I was just curious what you would consider the good bang for the buck mods.

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

While I responded to the major part of your question in the post above, I was just curious what you would consider the good bang for the buck mods.

Short throw shifter, any of them
Hurst shift knob
Shift Light
Additional straps under the seat cushion
Cupholders that hold a real cup
Sonar Like Radar Detection
Sirius XM Radio Capability
Sun visors that do not droop at the ends
Calibration of the tach
Speaker rebuilds

Your driving experience will be so greatly enhanced that you will no longer focus on the yellow / gray situation.

:cheers:
Marty

[Erik]

Short throw shifter, any of them
Hurst shift knob
Shift Light
Additional straps under the seat cushion
Cupholders that hold a real cup
Sonar Like Radar Detection
Sirius XM Radio Capability
Sun visors that do not droop at the ends
Calibration of the tach
Speaker rebuilds

Your driving experience will be so greatly enhanced that you will no longer focus on the yellow / gray situation.

:cheers:
Marty

1) I like the stock shift knob
2) Never needed a shift light.
3) Thinking of removing the existing straps
4) Don't drink in my Corvette
5) Radar Detectors big time illegal up here
6) I've had XM in my last three cars and never used it. The sound quality is dreadful for music. And I do pod casts for talk. Bluetooth or an auxiliary input would be nice.
7) My visors are fine. No visor Viagra needed here
8) Never thought about it. Will have to figure out if mine is off
9) Rebuilt fronts in the garage awaiting installation. Rears and deck go next.

Nope. None of those will come close to making up for truly lousy gauges. Something that I use constantly.

[-=Jeff=-]

Different strokes for different folks

I agree with Erik and did some of Marty's suggestions
I have a Hurst Short throw
C5 Shift Knob custom stitched by Flyman 27
Shift light, had one in my 89.. not really needed now for me
Changed to Later C4 seats
Never found a GOOD solution for a cup holder (would be useful for my Travel Coffee when I drive it to work)
No Radar detector
I have an Alpine iLX207, has XM, HD and Car Play..
replaced with Visor without Vanity Mirrors..
Tach, yeah mine is not off by too much
Rebuilt speaker? I replaced..

Again, I made my 1990 my own car..

[Erik]

Different strokes for different folks

I agree with Erik and did some of Marty's suggestions
I have a Hurst Short throw
C5 Shift Knob custom stitched by Flyman 27
Shift light, had one in my 89.. not really needed now for me
Changed to Later C4 seats
Never found a GOOD solution for a cup holder (would be useful for my Travel Coffee when I drive it to work)
No Radar detector
I have an Alpine iLX207, has XM, HD and Car Play..
replaced with Visor without Vanity Mirrors..
Tach, yeah mine is not off by too much
Rebuilt speaker? I replaced..

Again, I made my 1990 my own car..

Jeff, do you have any more pics of your car anywhere?

[-=Jeff=-]

What would you like to see?

I have a bunch of pictures not sure I have them all online.. tell me what you would like to see and I can get some

Here are some album of photos

https://photos.app.goo.gl/iCGWT985EAPe5mFn8

https://photos.app.goo.gl/PGis9tpZn3dosVcD6

https://photos.app.goo.gl/qkcWeK4K6ZKTgYVU9

https://photos.app.goo.gl/NQSLn5eyemfDrxag9

I don't have many recent pictures though

[-=Jeff=-]

here is my Member Rides thread

http://zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=28765

It needs some updates too

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

1) I like the stock shift knob
2) Never needed a shift light.
3) Thinking of removing the existing straps
4) Don't drink in my Corvette
5) Radar Detectors big time illegal up here
6) I've had XM in my last three cars and never used it. The sound quality is dreadful for music. And I do pod casts for talk. Bluetooth or an auxiliary input would be nice.
7) My visors are fine. No visor Viagra needed here
8) Never thought about it. Will have to figure out if mine is off
9) Rebuilt fronts in the garage awaiting installation. Rears and deck go next.

Nope. None of those will come close to making up for truly lousy gauges. Something that I use constantly.

Erik,
Very well, as you please.

Changing the color will not upgrade the performance of the gauges as I am sure you know.
Might be easier to change the color of the lens on your sunglasses and as suggested improve aspects to make driving the car more FUN.

As you own the car longer, your focus on the gauges will lessen.
After 25 years with my current one, rarely have the gauges ever alerted me to anything of import, other than excessive speed. Therefore a quick glance is all that is needed at this point.
Perhaps that is why the orange fails to annoy me.
Might also have to do with owning an Atomic Orange Pace Car, as well as loving the 1700 mile Brazen Inferno Orange Solstice I just scored for the dealership yesterday.

At any rate, CHANGE AWAY!

Life is preciously short.

If white paint on gauges will make you smile more, then have at it ASAP!

ENJOY that ZR-1!

:cheers:
Marty

p.s.
You failed to mention the shifter. That means more to me than my engine mods or any other mod. I LOVE IT!

[Erik]

Erik,
Very well, as you please.

Changing the color will not upgrade the performance of the gauges as I am sure you know.
Might be easier to change the color of the lens on your sunglasses and as suggested improve aspects to make driving the car more FUN.

As you own the car longer, your focus on the gauges will lessen.
After 25 years with my current one, rarely have the gauges ever alerted me to anything of import, other than excessive speed. Therefore a quick glance is all that is needed at this point.
Perhaps that is why the orange fails to annoy me.
Might also have to do with owning an Atomic Orange Pace Car, as well as loving the 1700 mile Brazen Inferno Orange Solstice I just scored for the dealership yesterday.

At any rate, CHANGE AWAY!

Life is preciously short.

If white paint on gauges will make you smile more, then have at it ASAP!

ENJOY that ZR-1!

:cheers:
Marty

p.s.
You failed to mention the shifter. That means more to me than my engine mods or any other mod. I LOVE IT!

Marty, I'm guessing you are trying to be helpful, but you are coming incredibly close to sounding really condescending.

This might amaze you, but this is not my first car, my first performance car, my first Corvette or my first C4. I'm driving it daily right now, in New Brunswick, in December, to learn and connect with the car while I can before the snow hits. I'm looking for flaws, weaknesses and things to be corrected over the winter. There are actually very few things about it from a design perspective that bother me. But yes, the instrument panel colour choices are just plain stupid and don't work. You know who agrees with me? The Corvette team at GM. They walked this colour combo back almost immediately and stopped tinkering once they got it properly sorted, in white on black. Not coincidentally, the same colour combo used in every other serious performance car. Why? Because it works. It's quick and easy to read at a glance. Which is the goal of any instrument panel, especially in a car you are driving fast. Plus, that grey plastic just looks cheap.

I've never been a NCRS kind of guy, so I'll never take it for judging. If I can do some minor tweaks to make it work better for me, then I will. And yes, popping out the gauge cluster from and earlier C4 and popping one in from a later one is not a major mod. It will look factory, because it is factory. I've been looking at pricing already, and it won't be expensive. So I get to tinker with my car, I get to do it pretty inexpensively, and I get a car that works better for me. How is this a bad thing?

And the shift knob? I'm undecided on that. I'm just enjoying the wonderfully mechanical feel of operating the transmission right now.

How about you do what you consider to be fun and worthwhile with your car, and I'll do what I find to be fun and worthwhile with mine. And I promise, I wont pop by your threads a tell you why what your doing is wrong.

[Erik]

What would you like to see?

I have a bunch of pictures not sure I have them all online.. tell me what you would like to see and I can get some

Here are some album of photos

https://photos.app.goo.gl/iCGWT985EAPe5mFn8

https://photos.app.goo.gl/PGis9tpZn3dosVcD6

https://photos.app.goo.gl/qkcWeK4K6ZKTgYVU9

https://photos.app.goo.gl/NQSLn5eyemfDrxag9

I don't have many recent pictures though


Nothing particular. Sounded like you had done some cool mods and I was just curious how the whole car looked. Thanks. I'll take a peak.

[-=Jeff=-]

The LCD info is not there, I will post some info and pictures

Oh I might have the C68 controller and Headlight switch if you go to white/black

[Erik]

The LCD info is not there, I will post some info and pictures

Oh I might have the C68 controller and Headlight switch if you go to white/black

That would be awesome. Would love to have those! Let me know what works for you.

[Erik]

here is my Member Rides thread

http://zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=28765

It needs some updates too

You have done some incredible work on that car. Nicely done. I can't imagine I'll ever get anywhere close to that. Hope to see it in the flesh next year, if the world returns to normal.

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

Marty, I'm guessing you are trying to be helpful, but you are coming incredibly close to sounding really condescending.

This might amaze you, but this is not my first car, my first performance car, my first Corvette or my first C4. I'm driving it daily right now, in New Brunswick, in December, to learn and connect with the car while I can before the snow hits. I'm looking for flaws, weaknesses and things to be corrected over the winter. There are actually very few things about it from a design perspective that bother me. But yes, the instrument panel colour choices are just plain stupid and don't work. You know who agrees with me? The Corvette team at GM. They walked this colour combo back almost immediately and stopped tinkering once they got it properly sorted, in white on black. Not coincidentally, the same colour combo used in every other serious performance car. Why? Because it works. It's quick and easy to read at a glance. Which is the goal of any instrument panel, especially in a car you are driving fast. Plus, that grey plastic just looks cheap.

I've never been a NCRS kind of guy, so I'll never take it for judging. If I can do some minor tweaks to make it work better for me, then I will. And yes, popping out the gauge cluster from and earlier C4 and popping one in from a later one is not a major mod. It will look factory, because it is factory. I've been looking at pricing already, and it won't be expensive. So I get to tinker with my car, I get to do it pretty inexpensively, and I get a car that works better for me. How is this a bad thing?

And the shift knob? I'm undecided on that. I'm just enjoying the wonderfully mechanical feel of operating the transmission right now.

How about you do what you consider to be fun and worthwhile with your car, and I'll do what I find to be fun and worthwhile with mine. And I promise, I wont pop by your threads a tell you why what your doing is wrong.


Well, thank you very much for your kind comments.

However, if you have issues over the coming years, I will still do my best to help you should you ask.

Likely you never drove one with an improved shifter, correct?

Get you car running correctly, then fuss with whatever.

I am not amazed, and you may recall or perhaps re-read and see that YOU did ask for the suggestions, which I politely offered.

Have a better day.
:cheers:
Marty

[Erik]

Well, thank you very much for your kind comments.

However, if you have issues over the coming years, I will still do my best to help you should you ask.

Likely you never drove one with an improved shifter, correct?

Get you car running correctly, then fuss with whatever.

I am not amazed, and you may recall or perhaps re-read and see that YOU did ask for the suggestions, which I politely offered.

Have a better day.
:cheers:
Marty

My day is great. I'm gonna take a ZR-1 for a drive on some beautiful, winding country roads on an unseasonably warm, sunny day.

If you check back, I asked people who had done this mod for their thoughts and recommendations on doing so. I sure don't recall asking if anyone felt doing this mod was foolish. Maybe it's just me, but I don't consider it to be polite to hop into a thread and tell a guy he's wasting money because he isn't modding things on his car, for his time, effort and money, the way I want him to.

I have not driven one with a modified shifter, and I do hope to do so. It's certainly an improvement I can see doing.

Have a great day too. With any luck, Maybe you can stop someone from enjoying a meal you don't like. :)

[WARP TEN]

Just to add my little bit, I found one of the best modifications to both my '93 and '95 was the addition of a short throw shifter. Vastly improved the feel of the car. And in the old days of using CDs a lot, I found that with the stock shifter, if I had a CD sticking out of the unit, I would hit it when shifting into third. Short throw solved that. But by far the most important improvement was that of shifter feel and quickness. I used a Hurst shifter for both cars but Bill Boudreau's short shifter is as good or better. I had Marc use the stock shift knob so unless you shifted it, it was hard to tell it wasn't stock (first picture), although the stock shifter is a bit taller (second picture). Next most important mods were the 4.10 gears and a Corsa exhaust, although as many know I eventually returned to stock exhaust with electric cutouts on the '95.--Bob

[Erik]

Just to add my little bit, I found one of the best modifications to both my '93 and '95 was the addition of a short throw shifter. Vastly improved the feel of the car. And in the old days of using CDs a lot, I found that with the stock shifter, if I had a CD sticking out of the unit, I would hit it when shifting into third. Short throw solved that. But by far the most important improvement was that of shifter feel and quickness. I used a Hurst shifter for both cars but Bill Boudreau's short shifter is as good or better. I had Marc use the stock shift knob so unless you shifted it, it was hard to tell it wasn't stock (first picture), although the stock shifter is a bit taller (second picture). Next most important mods were the 4.10 gears and a Corsa exhaust, although as many know I eventually returned to stock exhaust with electric cutouts on the '95.--Bob

Thanks.
I will definitely keep that in mind. I saw Bills short shifter on his website, but it's good to get some feedback. I like how stock you kept it looking.

It is pretty silly how tall first gear is, isn't it? I do most of my two lane driving in third. And I'm already hunting for a Corsa. GMTA and all that .

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

While I responded to the major part of your question in the post above, I was just curious what you would consider the good bang for the buck mods.

Guess that wasn't you asking for suggestions.
Perhaps you were hacked.
Glad to hear you are enjoying your day.
Oh, and order the filet, it's extremely good today.
:cheers:
Marty

[Erik]

Guess that wasn't you asking for suggestions.
Perhaps you were hacked.
Glad to hear you are enjoying your day.
Oh, and order the filet, it's extremely good today.
:cheers:
Marty

No, from the above it's pretty obvious that I was not asking for suggestions. I was just asking for clarification on your part as to what you thought was a good bang for the buck mod, rather than what you thought of my planned mods. Pretty clear, actually.

Btw, what makes me so lucky as to be deserving of your trolling efforts this week? It's been obvious from the beginning that you have no interest in the mods that I am interested in and that we are discussing in this thread, hat you feel they are a waste of time, effort and money, and that you have decided that you need to point out the error of my ways, and those of some others who have either done them or have been interested in them. So did I win a prize of some kind? Do you just troll people randomly? Is it slow season, and you are bored? Or better yet, no need to answer and just leave us to discuss the stuff that interests us, and is so unpalatable for you.

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

No, from the above it's pretty obvious that I was not asking for suggestions. I was just asking for clarification on your part as to what you thought was a good bang for the buck mod, rather than what you thought of my planned mods. Pretty clear, actually.

Btw, what makes me so lucky as to be deserving of your trolling efforts this week? It's been obvious from the beginning that you have no interest in the mods that I am interested in and that we are discussing in this thread, hat you feel they are a waste of time, effort and money, and that you have decided that you need to point out the error of my ways, and those of some others who have either done them or have been interested in them. So did I win a prize of some kind? Do you just troll people randomly? Is it slow season, and you are bored? Or better yet, no need to answer and just leave us to discuss the stuff that interests us, and is so unpalatable for you.

Yes, certainly award yourself a prize of your choice!
No trolling here.
By all means mod as you see fit, which must have been said at least 3 or 4 times to you in posts, as well as wishing you well with your changes.
Guess you continuously missed that.
As you own the car longer, you will personalize it more and more, and that is a good thing.
The longer you own it, you will develop a deeper trust with the LT-5.
As that happens, that trust will have you focusing on the gauges far less, as they will consistently be in the the proper ranges, and allow you to enjoy the driving experience even more.
That was also the purpose of my suggestions from 28 years with the ZR-1, which were certainly not meant the way you implied.
6,000 ZR-1s have the orange, only the last 900 or so had the white, and after 30 years with the car that has not been a very common complaint.
No matter.
You are entitled to be critical of your own car.
Trolling?
Just trying to help another new owner as I have done for others, but fear not.
I have no further interest in helping someone with such a huge chip on their shoulder.
Enjoy your ZR-1, but by all means replace the starter first.
:cheers:
Marty

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

"What we've got here is failure to communicate." In the 1967 Paul Newman movie classic, that memorable line is used by Captain to justify beating Cool Hand Luke.

Unlike the Captain; My goal was to help.
Erik found some of what I said to be critical or condescending.
Both of those were the farthest from my intentions.
However, my late mother used to say that " The road to hell is indeed paved with good intentions".

Failure to communicate is never entirely the fault of the listener.

George Bernard Shaw, the famous Irish playwright, said: "The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place."

Kindly accept my apology for the misunderstanding.

And that extends to members reading as well.

I will return to helping all as best that I can, and be more careful in my tone.

Erik, Enjoy that ZR-1!
I hope that you had a nice drive yesterday as you had planned.
About time I pull mine out again for some needed "ZR-1 Therapy".
:cheers:
Marty

[secondchance]

Good call, Marty!
We are all stressed due to COVID.
BTW - dual mass you sold me at a great price is having a fine life as part of my LT5. Thank you.:cheers:

[Erik]

"What we've got here is failure to communicate." In the 1967 Paul Newman movie classic, that memorable line is used by Captain to justify beating Cool Hand Luke.

Unlike the Captain; My goal was to help.
Erik found some of what I said to be critical or condescending.
Both of those were the farthest from my intentions.
However, my late mother used to say that " The road to hell is indeed paved with good intentions".

Failure to communicate is never entirely the fault of the listener.

George Bernard Shaw, the famous Irish playwright, said: "The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place."

Kindly accept my apology for the misunderstanding.

And that extends to members reading as well.

I will return to helping all as best that I can, and be more careful in my tone.

Erik, Enjoy that ZR-1!
I hope that you had a nice drive yesterday as you had planned.
About time I pull mine out again for some needed "ZR-1 Therapy".
:cheers:
Marty

Hi Marty.
The offer I made in my PM still stands. I'll happily give you a call and have what I'm sure will be a wonderful chat.
Let me up it a bit. Once this Covid thing passes, let's get together for a bite sometime. I'm buying. You pick the joint.
I certainly can't say that I brought the best of myself to these posts, nor did I give you the benefit of the doubt.
And yes, I had a wonderful drive. I've done more exploring of back roads since I got the ZR-1 back then I did in the last 6 months in my Mustang. The Corvette is just a thrilling drive in a way that the new Mustang just can't match, even if on paper, it does everything better.

[dredgeguy]

Well done Marty and Erik, life is too short and glad we are back on track.
Erik, as the owner of a 92 #246 and in fact Marty was the first owner of my car, I will give you my top 10 mods I enjoy the most:
1) Changing the stock alternator to a 200 amp for more power to my AC blower motor. Marc H did the mod and the AC/heater air flow increased from 10 to 14 mph. Much needed with the high humidity and summer temps in MD but might not be a concern for you up north.
2) Having Dr. Don add an aux input to my stock Bose radio (cassette line) so now I have XM radio crystal clear in my car. The XM is hidden in the center console so everything looks stock. I have a RF repeater hidden in the air vent next to my shift light so the remote control works to change channels. The remote would not see through the center console so until we did the RF repeater, it was useless, now all perfect.
3) Short shifter, I have a Hurst but Bill B. is as good if not better. A much better feel than stock and I love the click sound going through the gears.
4) Stainless Works headers and Corsa exhaust...sounds glorious! Mild going through the neighborhood but lets everybody know it is time to play when you get on it.
5) 4:10 gears....1st gear is short but 6th gear very good on the highway. Am about 1750-1800 rpm at 70 mph
6) Vette to Vette (Gordon K) frame stiffener...locks up the frame very well and gets rid of creaks going over uneven roads.
7) LED lights inside and out....good to be able to see at night again. My old eyes are not as good as previous years and the interior lights just look cool at night.
8) Polished LT5....yup, pop the hood at cars and coffee or a car show and go collect your prize.
9) DeWitts 3 row radiator and Marc H radiator screen. Keeping the car cool when stuck in MD beltway traffic is important.
10) Fikse FM5 polished wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport tires...I just love the look.