NEW to the ZR-1. Any words to the wise?

[New ZR-1 Owner]

So I'm getting my first ZR this weekend. I'd like to know EVERYTHING there is to know about the LT5, specifically if there is someone out there who has a modified one and what type of luck you have had with it. Any different maintenance issues? Will a modified LT5 have a chance against the new LS7? I'd just love to chat with anyone who knows all about the ZR's. Mine will be a '94 with 22,000 miles.

[Aurora40]

Yeah, have fun with it!

[New ZR-1 Owner]

One other thing. I read an article that came out recently (I think) that finally pitted the LT5 (375 hp) against a 2002 Z06. Both were raced by a professional driver and then the respective owners. I do believe that the LT5 won out by a hair. So... how does the LT5 stock 405 compare to the LS6 and the newly arrived LS7 Z06. Just wondering if a Haibeck modified would be anywhere in the ballpark to a new ZO6. Any objective guesses assuming 580 hp (475 rwhp) on the LT5?

[Z Factor]

I'd like to know EVERYTHING there is to know about the LT5,

First, hello and welcome to the forum. :handshak:

Second, may I suggest you list your location by going into your User CP so that others will have a general idea where you live. :thumbsup:

You will find that many people have modified their ZR-1's from simple bolt-ons to full blown race cars with nitrous and turbos. As to maintenance issues and everything there is to know, I'd suggest you review these links first;

http://www.zr1netregistry.com/ZR1_faq.htm

http://www.zr1netregistry.com/ZR1_specs.htm

You will see other related links so have some fun exploring everything about ZR-1's.

You should also join the ZR-1 Net Registry, (link provided)


http://www.zr1netregistry.com/index.htm

Feel free to ask any specific questions as we have some very helpful and knowledgeable members here.

:cheers:

[We Gone]

Welcome & Congrats... Don't forget to turn the Key On :mrgreen:

Tell us where you are from..I'm sure any members near you would love to you and talk ZR-1's

[Aurora40]

One other thing. I read an article that came out recently (I think) that finally pitted the LT5 (375 hp) against a 2002 Z06. Both were raced by a professional driver and then the respective owners. I do believe that the LT5 won out by a hair. So... how does the LT5 stock 405 compare to the LS6 and the newly arrived LS7 Z06. Just wondering if a Haibeck modified would be anywhere in the ballpark to a new ZO6. Any objective guesses assuming 580 hp (475 rwhp) on the LT5?

That seems pretty unlikely. The 2002 Z06 is a few hundred pounds lighter, has 30 more horsepower, and can hook up a lot better. I think completely stock, the Z06 would beat a 375 horse ZR-1 pretty easily, at least in the 1/4 mile.

[petefias]

[QUOTE=how does the LT5 stock 405 compare to the LS6 and the newly arrived LS7 Z06. Just wondering if a Haibeck modified would be anywhere in the ballpark to a new ZO6. Any objective guesses assuming 580 hp (475 rwhp) on the LT5?[/QUOTE]

You're comparing a 10+ year old car against the "latest and greatest". I think you would need at least 600 hp to outaccelerate the new Z06. You would loose on a road course. The ZR1 is much heavier than the Z06.

I posted a very similar question and the consensus was that it is a loosing proposition to build a ZR1 415 instead of buying a stock new Z06.

Chevy brags about performance/cost ratio, I'd say try this scenario: buy a used ZR1 for $20K that already has a some mods on it. For the price of a Honda Civic you won't stop smiling.

Pete '95 #442

[Nick]

Congrats and welcome to the club! I think you'd be hard pressed to keep up with a new Z06, but once you get your car and spend some time at 7,000 rpm's, I'm not sure you'll really care...:cool:

[cuisinartvette]

Good to hear the enthusiasm, your'e definitely in the right place.
You'll pick up some great pointers here from guys who know how to make these beasts run. To give you some encouragement I recently bested a C6 M6 at the track by .5 in the 1/4, and was traction limited. These arent the latest and greatest as the above poster stated, but they are IMO a great bang for the buck!

[WB9MCW]

post a pic....congrats :)

[Chedberg]

First of all, Congrats!

It is doubtful that a stock 90-92 ZR-1 would beat a 02-04 Z06 in the 1/4, and touch and go for a 93-95. I remember an old Corvette Fever article from 2001 where a new Z06 (new in 2001, 385hp) was raced against a ZR-1 (93-95, 405hp) and it was a very close call. On the flipside, the ZR-1 has a higher top speed.

As for the the LS7, check out Mark Haibeck's presentation from the '05 Gathering:
http://www.zr1specialist.com/HAT%20Web/presentations/The%20Perfect%20LT5.pdf

Based on the new SAE rating of the LS7, the power to weight calculation should be:
'06 Z06 - 3130/505=6.198
'93 ZR1 385ci - 3483/565=6.164 <--- '06 Z06 Killer

All of his past presentations are here:

http://www.zr1specialist.com/HAT%20Web/presentations/Presentations%20Page.htm

Once people start modding the crapola out of the LS7, it is over :(.

[Patton]

Got any extra bucks laying around? Learn what parts break often and buy some extras before they are unavialable or just too costly, from secondary vacuum parts :rolleyes: to windhields and a couple plenum gaskets wouldnt hurt!
Oh and,... Drive it!

[New ZR-1 Owner]

First of all, let me comment on this website in general. The guy I bought my Z from said this site was awesome and that there were very knowledgeable people on here that would help me out with anything I needed or wanted to know. He was more than right!!
I feel honored to be a new member of this brethren, even though I am very "green" with regards to my knowledge. I'm learning fast though.
The previous owner had told me that Haibeck had told him that with all the mods on mine ('94 #294) that in a straight away run it just might be able to outrun a new Z06. It dynos out at 480 rwhp and approx 580 otherwise.
I'm quite aware (and a bit sad) that the modified Z06's will make it "game over", but I'll still be proud of this car. It had blown my friggin' mind in the first two days I've owned it. God-like comes to mind.
Anyway, I can't wait to learn more and maybe come to one of this rallys or whatever sometime in the next year. Any suggestions on the best one to try and get to. I'm in Kansas now and will be in Arkansas next year so the closest best event would be best for me.
Thanks again to all of you who replied to my initial post.

[WB9MCW]

rock chock jayhawk go ku!!!! c u are from ku country!!!! :cheers:

[New ZR-1 Owner]

KU born and bred my ZR-1 Friend. I hope to waive some wheat with the car as I go flying by!! When did you graduate? What did you study. Any good Vette get-togethers around here?

Tyghe Nielsen

[WB9MCW]

class of 82 general studies/engineering..drove a 68 bronco back then!!! lol last visit to the hill was 87(bball champ. year).. been a long time bet it looks different now..stay current sort of by reading the ku endowment newsletter/mag..believe it or not in downtown chicago there is a ku club but i never get there since im 50 mi out of the city up by the wisco border in mchenry il.. check out my website for a view...enjoy bryan w

mchenry website (http://learning.ncsa.uiuc.edu/wads/ham/wb9mcw/)

[WyattEurp]

All maybe true about the new z06's but, I am wondering how well these ls7's will hold up in the long run. I have seen countless LS1's that will never see 100,000 miles due to excessive speed, and personaly have 2 zr-1's with over 100 on them, and they have not had an easy life, so i am very curiouse to see how a pushrod engine will hold up at 7,000 rpms

[tomtom72]

Welcome to KOTH, Tyghe!!:handshak:

Nice choice in vintage machinery! Just park next to a 06/Z06 & open both hoods and wait for the crowd to gather & then tell me about it.:thumbsup:

JMHO but it's apples & oranges. One is a NASCAR motor and one harkens back to the F1 motors of the late 60's early 70's. :mrgreen:

Good luck & enjoy her!

Tom

[rbidwell]

Have fun with the Z. If you do not have a service manual, I would suggest that be one of your first investments. Another place for good information is the following site: http://listserv.corvettemuseum.com/archives/zr1net.html. It is easy to do searchs for specific questions. If you have a problem you can post there and will get very good advice. Ron Bidwell

[ZR-1 Mack]

Here's the link to Helms for the service manuals. Looks like they are out of stock . Probably a phone call to them wouldn't hurt if you want one right away . Used manuals are also on Ebay from time to time.

http://www.helminc.com/helm/Result.asp?Style=helm&Mfg=GMC&Make=CHV&Model=CVET&Year=1994&Category=&Keyword=&Module=&mscsid=11G5G3UA6FFJ9NMR40FX4S544RFW5BL1

[ZR-1 Mack]

[quote=ZR-1 Mack]Here's the link to Helms for the service manuals. Looks like they are out of stock . Probably a phone call to them wouldn't hurt if you want one right away . Used manuals are also on Ebay from time to time.


Forgot to say congrats and to enjoy. Where else can you get a 185 MPH car for under 30k. Every time I get in mine... it only takes a minute for the smile to come back. Long live the king:thumbsup:

[rbidwell]

I bought my service manual from the local Chevrolet dealer (Fitchners from the Corvette Forum). Any GM dealer should be able to get one. It also appears that Ekler's, Mid America Motorworks, and Corvette Central have them. Corvette Central appears to be the cheapest. Ekler's, Mid America, and Corvette Central have online shopping. Good luck and have fun.

[ZR-1 Mack]

New ZR-1 owner..Did you find a manual?
Heres one on ebay. You would still need the three supplements.. 90-93 LT5, electrical diagnosis,and service bulletins, but this would at least cover the portions of the ZR-1 that are common to the 1990 C4

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8023921331&ssPageName=ADME:B:BCB:MT:42