I have another driving update.....but before my review, I am sure we would like to offer prayers and thoughts for people who are or were in the path of the hurricanes, and especially those who lost their lives.... may everyone remain as safe as possible.....
Went out to the 74 today, and met with my high school buddy Paul, who has been helping out with the 74. But today's trip was planned a little different. Paul, who enjoys building car models is now going to build a 94 ZR-1 model kit. So he wanted to get as many pics up close to make sure he builds it correctly.
So we go for a ride in the ZR-1....but more on that later......
My review of today's ride is nothing short of being amazing, to say I am extremely satisfied would be an understatement of major proportions. I feel the need to repeat myself, so I will!!!
The 94 ran fantastic and I now do use 6th gear on the highway. I know many members do not use 6th gear for various reasons and when I first bought the Z three and a half years ago, I also had questions about using 6th gear. At that time, 6th gear at highway speeds seemed very sluggish, and at times on easy acceleration, the engine would lug, almost to the point of demanding a downshift to 5th or 4th gear. And on top of that the engine temp would rise enough to start being concerned, as per the water pump not spinning as much.
Well since after the recent plenum pull with multiple items addressed, and as mentioned on the recent Carlisle trip a few weeks ago, for me 6th gear is the way to go on the highway.
I will explain, I can now cruise anywhere from 65 mph and above without feeling the need to downshift to a lower gear, except in a concerned passing move or other safety factor. I can now cruise about 1700 rpm's at 65, and 1800 to 1900 rpm's at 70 mph and above effortlessly. This is on flat roads, inclines, and whatever is in front of me. I climbed a decent incline at 70 mph today, and held my speed without any problem the entire climb. And no pinging, no lugging from or on the engine. I can pass anyone at will in 6th gear with enough power, no problem. So I used 6th gear on the way out and on the way back, so for me 6th gear is very usable....but that's JMO.
What made 6th gear feel so different now as compared to before???
Could be the replacement of #8 spark plug wire from the ohm test?
Could it be securing #7 coil tower wire to the coil?
Could it be addressing anything that was found?
Could be the new spark plugs?
Could it be that the LT5 runs perfect compared to before?
Or could it be one or more of the above along with other items not listed that now is the result of a usable 6th gear? The answer is....I don't know and may never know.....but all I do know now is that I am a very happy driver, to say the least.
Now with my buddy Paul and the ZR-1. We went for a ride and it was different from the first time he rode in the Z. And that was before the first plenum pull back in January when we found that the secondaries were not operating properly. So today, he was even more amazed than he was before. He in fact said
"this thing is a "Beast" and proceeded to say it doesn't pull like a freight train, oh no, it's like a high speed train that keeps on going"
So I ask him if he would like to drive the "Beast", and of course the grin was, well you know!!! A whole different perspective from the driver's seat as opposed to riding in the passenger seat.......for sure!!! He just couldn't get over the feel, the acceleration, the control, and how smooth it all came together....needless to say, the grin on his face was the best compliment one could give when driving one of our ZR-1's.
And I must add that the idle is still perfect.....I just can't thank everyone enough along the way to getting this task accomplished. It was and still is a really true learning experience, and I am very thankful for that!!!
pics from today....
