Opinions on this ‘91 please.

[Bob Eyres]

You didn't mention if the sound system was fully functional, many of them aren't. That's something you can beat the dealer up about if it's not.

There are quite a few problems with this car that bring it's value down. Not massive issues that would make you walk away, but even if you bought it for $12K you could have way over $20K in it before it was sorted out.

Unless you have the time, inclination, and skills to rehab a ZR-1, I'd buy a fresher one to start with. As this one does not have a dirt cheap price tag.

BTW, that long crank startup problem, aside from the noise, could be the fuel pumps. I recently replaced mine, and it cured that immediately.

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

Originally Posted by Bob Eyres

You didn't mention if the sound system was fully functional, many of them aren't. That's something you can beat the dealer up about if it's not.

There are quite a few problems with this car that bring it's value down. Not massive issues that would make you walk away, but even if you bought it for $12K you could have way over $20K in it before it was sorted out.

Unless you have the time, inclination, and skills to rehab a ZR-1, I'd buy a fresher one to start with. As this one does not have a dirt cheap price tag.

BTW, that long crank startup problem, aside from the noise, could be the fuel pumps. I recently replaced mine, and it cured that immediately.

Very, very good advice!
Steal a 25k car for 20, rather than getting a 12k car and putting 8 into it.
You will be much farther ahead doing it that way!
There are some very good and very well priced cars out there!
Marty

[B17 Crew]

Originally Posted by Vette73

B-17 crew, there is a member on this forum, had a red 91 Z modified for sale a while back...Look him up, his name is Randy Ransome I believe.....545 HP,polished engine, a lot of money in mods......I think he wanted 25K minimum..Car looked like it was worth every penny..I think he's close to you ...

If it’s the car I’m thinking of, it’s a red car with a white stripe and a ZR-1 “splash logo”. From what I remember seeing here on the Registry, it appeared to be a well-sorted car.

As of today, I decided to shift my focus away from the ‘91 at the dealer and will aim for a ‘94. The ‘95s are more than I want to spend, ‘94s are more affordable for me. There is a really nice Polo Green currently for sale in the upper 20s here on the site, but I will have to save a little more to be able to afford a ‘94, there is a big price increase going from a ‘91 to a ‘94 ZR-1. I noticed today that the dealer dropped the price of DRM Z from 20k to 19k.

Thank you for your input!

B17Crew

[B17 Crew]

Originally Posted by Bob Eyres

You didn't mention if the sound system was fully functional, many of them aren't. That's something you can beat the dealer up about if it's not.

There are quite a few problems with this car that bring it's value down. Not massive issues that would make you walk away, but even if you bought it for $12K you could have way over $20K in it before it was sorted out.

Unless you have the time, inclination, and skills to rehab a ZR-1, I'd buy a fresher one to start with. As this one does not have a dirt cheap price tag.

BTW, that long crank startup problem, aside from the noise, could be the fuel pumps. I recently replaced mine, and it cured that immediately.

Sage advice, thank you. There are too many questions about this particular car, I’m steering away from it and will focus on moving to a ‘94. Time IS a factor for me, I work a lot and my job necessitates quite a bit of call. Fortunately, I’m able to turn a wrench, I currently perform most of the work on my LT-4, but free-time for me is limited, your suggestion of finding a fresher car to start with is entirely appropriate.

B17Crew

[Vette73]

Yes it was the red car with the white stripe ...Don't know if in fact it is still for sale or in your taste...

Lot of car for the money with that one..To me the 91-95 are basically the same car except for the interior..Many will say the later years have Dunn heads and a bit more power....Trust me, if you buy a stock ZR-1 you will mod it so once you get into porting, the years won't make a difference..

[B17 Crew]

Originally Posted by Vette73

Yes it was the red car with the white stripe ...Don't know if in fact it is still for sale or in your taste...

Lot of car for the money with that one..To me the 91-95 are basically the same car except for the interior..Many will say the later years have Dunn heads and a bit more power....Trust me, if you buy a stock ZR-1 you will mod it so once you get into porting, the years won't make a difference..

It’s a nice car, I remember seeing the pics of it. I must admit, I am partial to the later style seats in the Z (‘94-‘95), they provide a little more back/shoulder support for me. I can understand wanting to extract the untapped potential of the Z, I have read about how much potential is there. I saw that Dave McLellan had Haibeck perform some work, 50 hp alone was gained from porting cylinder heads and the top end.

Link: http://www.zr1specialist.com/HAT%20W...ication48a.pdf

I was able to see McLellan’s “Z REX” in the Summer of 2004. I thought his license was great. He had stopped at Bob McDorman’s Chevrolet in a Corvette caravan along with Corvette team members (I think the were on the current Corvette engineering team at the time). The group was receiving a private tour of Mr. McDorman’s collection. I can’t emphasize how gracious Mr. McLellan was, he took time to answer my questions and have a few pictures taken, just an incredible individual.

B17Crew

[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by B17 Crew

It’s a nice car, I remember seeing the pics of it. I must admit, I am partial to the later style seats in the Z (‘94-‘95), they provide a little more back/shoulder support for me. I can understand wanting to extract the untapped potential of the Z, I have read about how much potential is there. I saw that Dave McLellan had Haibeck perform some work, 50 hp alone was gained from porting cylinder heads and the top end.

Link: http://www.zr1specialist.com/HAT%20W...ication48a.pdf

I was able to see McLellan’s “Z REX” in the Summer of 2004. I thought his license was great. He had stopped at Bob McDorman’s Chevrolet in a Corvette caravan along with Corvette team members (I think the were on the current Corvette engineering team at the time). The group was receiving a private tour of Mr. McDorman’s collection. I can’t emphasize how gracious Mr. McLellan was, he took time to answer my questions and have a few pictures taken, just an incredible individual.

B17Crew

We hope you join us soon!

Not knowing what has been don to Dave's ZR-1 prior. But, IIRC, Marc did his "510" upgrade which is essentially porting and headers/exhaust. That would be 105 HP improvement over a stock (405 hp) ZR-1, and 135(!) hp improvement over a stock 90-92 LT5.

My point is, the LT5 was severely under developed upon introduction...obviously. And, to point this out, the 3rd gen LT5 intended for the 1996 MY made 550 hp from that 5.7L block when the plenum was opened up similar to what experimenters had accomplished in the interim. (And, did I mention output improvements were NOT at the cost of drivability???)

The LT5 is truly a remarkable motor, and it just kills owners like us to think of what could be if only GM would take the lead again and develop it as (at least) a 6.2L DOHC. A TT, 6.2 (or dare I say 7.0L?) DOHC in a mid engine (awd?) Corvette would once again be a world beater (as the C4 ZR-1 was at its introduction)!

I can dream, can't I?....

YOU need to join the fun!

[B17 Crew]

Originally Posted by Paul Workman

We hope you join us soon!

Not knowing what has been don to Dave's ZR-1 prior. But, IIRC, Marc did his "510" upgrade which is essentially porting and headers/exhaust. That would be 105 HP improvement over a stock (405 hp) ZR-1, and 135(!) hp improvement over a stock 90-92 LT5.

My point is, the LT5 was severely under developed upon introduction...obviously. And, to point this out, the 3rd gen LT5 intended for the 1996 MY made 550 hp from that 5.7L block when the plenum was opened up similar to what experimenters had accomplished in the interim. (And, did I mention output improvements were NOT at the cost of drivability???)

The LT5 is truly a remarkable motor, and it just kills owners like us to think of what could be if only GM would take the lead again and develop it as (at least) a 6.2L DOHC. A TT, 6.2 (or dare I say 7.0L?) DOHC in a mid engine (awd?) Corvette would once again be a world beater (as the C4 ZR-1 was at its introduction)!

I can dream, can't I?....

YOU need to join the fun!

That is great information. I finished reading Heart of the Beast not too long ago and recall that the potential of the LT-5 had not fully been achieved. I’ve wanted a ZR-1 since 1990, I remember seeing my first one parked at a popular Ocean City, MD restaurant back in the summer of 1990. The red Z was a sight to behold. The input and advice from Registry members has been very helpful, my hat is off to all of you, the amount of knowledge here regarding the LT-5 is impressive.

I have decided on the color I will pursue, going to go after a Polo Green/Light Beige combo (it’s what I have now). Because I’m targeting a ‘94 now, I am moving myself up in the amount of cash outlay to the high 20 range. Going to a ‘94, I will need extra time to save for the shift, but I will be in a Polo Z at some point.

B17Crew