DRM Widow Maker #001

[jerrydirks]

Well it has been nearly six months since my last post on the Widow Maker. Finally met with Doug Rippie and sent the car back to him for diagnosis and repair. The missed shift did cause upper end damage. Doug replaced all needed parts, complete rebuild of the engine, and I am now breaking in the engine. It is really tough to limit the throttle to 1/2. Doug did re-sign the original 1996 build and dyno sheets as well as the engine. This is the real deal!

Doug, Randy, Todd of DRM have been wonderful to work with. They were fair on the repair cost and the engine is running better than ever. These guys are really great!

[bobbyhi]

Glad to see that it is finished. Looking forward to seeing you at the Mystic Lake event in a couple of weeks.

[flyin ryan]

I'm sure everyone here, including myself, would like to see some pics :).

[ZRWON]

Well it has been nearly six months since my last post on the Widow Maker. Finally met with Doug Rippie and sent the car back to him for diagnosis and repair. The missed shift did cause upper end damage. Doug replaced all needed parts, complete rebuild of the engine, and I am now breaking in the engine. It is really tough to limit the throttle to 1/2. Doug did re-sign the original 1996 build and dyno sheets as well as the engine. This is the real deal!

Doug, Randy, Todd of DRM have been wonderful to work with. They were fair on the repair cost and the engine is running better than ever. These guys are really great!
Jerry, Thanks for the update...all good news! It's great that old, unusual Vettes are kept as "built" and documented...esp ZR-1s with Rippie's handiwork. You are lucky to have and enjoy that treasure!
Did you get Jim Van Dorn's DVD of his presentation at Corvette Museum Memorial weekend? If not, you should get it...lots about Rippie that would interest you.

[jerrydirks]

Thanks for the best wishes.....I am smiling.......how do I obtain a dvd of JVD that you referenced. Thanks. I will take some photos, black on black with black engine.

[ZRWON]

Thanks for the best wishes.....I am smiling.......how do I obtain a dvd of JVD that you referenced. Thanks. I will take some photos, black on black with black engine.
Send him an email at this address;
jim@automastersofbg.com
He didn't charge anyone for it...not even postage, but he did ask every one send him a donation to him for one of his favorite charities in BG. I can't remember which one.
Better yet, call him @ (270) 842-0454 7:00am (CST) open to 4:00pm Monday thru Friday, and ask him for the DVD and if he's not busy tell him what you have and have done. If he has time you might be very pleased you got him started talking. Jim is one of the very special people in my life. ..one in a million! I will never be able to repay him for all his help and kindness over the years even if I live to be 100 (I'm now 75).

[ZRWON]

Thanks for the best wishes.....I am smiling.......how do I obtain a dvd of JVD that you referenced. Thanks. I will take some photos, black on black with black engine.
Jerry, Here's my black LT-5. as done by JVD... look familar?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v346/zrwon/beast2LT5.jpg

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/c4/zr1/blackwidow.html

[Polo-1]

I'm sure it was a pricey bill. Glad to hear it was fixed right. DRM.=D>

That's the 402 car, right.

[jerrydirks]

This widow Maker is a 385CI, 12.1 / 1 compression and all the internal goodies. It still amazes me that in 1996 when this engine was built, Doug got 589HP on just the motor. This is quite a feat!

From the outside all the black motor do look alike.

The dyno seperates them!