Meet Bluey! 1994 #353 - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Prez1967 · 07-06-2020

I picked up a 1994 ZR1 (#353) two days ago and figured I'd start a thread documenting my ownership of the car.

Long story short, I've been a Corvette lover since I was in Middle School. One of my classmate's parents had an orange '78 with side pipes that would reset our heartbeats every time he would get picked up from school and the seed was planted!

The first Corvette I ever drove was a 1996 Torch Red/Black LT4 car at Ernie Swanson's Oldsmobile (it was pre-owned) and when I mashed the gas to the floor and felt the power push me back into the seat, I knew that one day I'd have a C4.

I've been through my share of cars and figured it was time to get into a C4. The biggest hurdle for me was that i'm 6'6" tall with a 36 inseam and a size 16 shoe. I sat in a bunch from time to time but they all felt tight. Of course these were cars of friends and I didnt really mess with seat adjustments, etc.

Years ago I considered a ZR1 and actually contacted Jim (QB93Z) and he offered to show me around his collection but life got in the way and I never got to meet up with him.

Last weekend I was at our local Cars and Coffee and saw a BEAUTIFUL red C4 roll into the lot. Shiny Fikse Wheels with super wide rear tires and a Corsa exhaust note to die for!. I walked over and realized it was a ZR1!

The owner of the car was none other than Dredgeguy here on the forum! Charlie let me sit in his car and it was the first time I realized what the right combination of seats/top I needed to give me enough space to be comfortable in the car.

He was kind enough to show me his car, talk about his ownership experience, common issues etc and told me about a well sorted car that may be available up north. He said that the owner was well known in the ZR1 community and if that car was still available, it would be the ideal car to pick up.

I went home and got hunting on the forums. Came across the car Jim told me about for sale by "FU" here on the forum! Sent Frank a message and the car was everything I was looking for!

Flew up on Friday and the car was as Frank advertised. It was surreal walking out of the airport and seeing the cars wide rear humps in the distance. Frank fueled her up for me and we exchanged some signatures and $$$ at his house and away I went!

I had to stop outside of his neighborhood to do a YouTube style Unveil to my wife and kids (the first time I purchased a car that they knew nothing about!) and while my wife isnt thrilled about the body style or the flip up headlights, she understands my enthusiasm for the car and my life long infatuation with the brand. My boys were tickled! I decided to name her Bluey after the kids favorite cartoon character

Specs on the car:

1994 Corvette ZR1 #353
88k miles
Admiral Blue with Grey/Black Interior
Dana 4.10 rear with upgraded half shafts
Jim Boudreau Built 6speed tranny
Jim Boudreau Short Shifter
Ron Davis Aluminum Radiator
C5 Brakes with Earl's Stainless Lines
Baer Eradispeed Rotots
Custom Cold Air Intake
Marc Haibeck chip with deleted Secondaries
Marc Haibeck Ported Intake Manifold
Snow Meth Injection (not hooked up)

Paint has some flaws but its damn great for the price I paid. Interior needs a steam/shampoo and the drivers seat has some bolster wear. Drive home took a litte under 5 hours but no issues on the trip. Temps and pressures were within range and the AC blew cold

Hit up the local Cars and Coffee on Saturday and met up with other ZR1 guys that knew the previous owner and had a great time talking tech and going over the car.

Got the car on my lift last night and changed the oil. Hit the fuel filter with some PB Blaster and let it sit overnight since the bolts were not budging. Took the wheels off to inspect the suspension. Pics to follow.

Looks like I got a steering rack leak, maybe tie rod ends? Upper ball joints have built up grease but maybe they were overgreased? Rear suspension bushings are cracking (looks like a full RideTech coilover setup with bars and bushings may be in the future after all.

I was a little perplexed on where to fit the jack pads on the front. I think I found a good option but im open to suggestions should there be a better option.

Driving the car, I realized that if I rotate my head back, my head can make contact with the main hoop of the car. This is my only real safety concern currently. Should I get rear ended, its gonna hurt. I need to see about lowering my seating position by at least half an inch (1 full inch preferred) so that I can remove this worry. Seat needs to be recovered anyway so im sure the upholstery shop can reshape the seat bottom for me. I had ordered a new Blue Tinted Targa Top from Melrose the other day but i'm cancelling the order today. Since I'll sit lower after the seat modification, no need for the $1300 expense. Especially since the car is running the factory catback.... I need some CORSA in my life!

I'll have to create an account with imageshack or find another option to host pictures.

So far so good!!!

dredgeguy · 07-06-2020

Great update and hope we have a Wazoo maintenance gathering soon. Phil (Jagdpanzer) just redid his suspension so hopefully you will meet him soon to discuss all your options. Your car has all the right mods and beautiful color!

Prez1967 · 07-06-2020

Lets see how these picture attachments work :-)

Walking out of the MacArthur Airport:

Prez1967 · 07-06-2020

Meeting up with Frank to collect the car:

Prez1967 · 07-06-2020

Initial Inspection Pictures:

Prez1967 · 07-06-2020

Window Sticker:

conesare2seconds · 07-07-2020

Apsis steering wheel? It?s spiffy.

Prez1967 · 07-07-2020

Quote:

Originally Posted by conesare2seconds

Apsis steering wheel? It?s spiffy.

Is that what that is? I didnt realize it wasnt stock. I liked the thicker rim where I rest my hands and the flatter top profile.

Lucky me?

Prez1967 · 07-11-2020

Ive been restoring my 1993 Mustang GT for over a year now. Its getting its interior put back in this week and still needs some final touch ups but I finally got the cara together for a family picture!

Pardon the soap residue on the driveway, was powerwashing a couple days ago

Prez1967 · 07-12-2020

Now that I figured out how to resize pictures in ImageShack...

Here are the main problem areas in the suspension:

Front Ball Joints:

Excessive wheel weights on front wheel:

Cracks in the rear suspension bushings:

Steering Rack Leak:

Then we have some grease/oil build up around oil pan:

Its all about the journey!

07-06-2020	#1
Prez1967 Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Finksburg, MD Posts: 244	Meet Bluey! 1994 #353 I picked up a 1994 ZR1 (#353) two days ago and figured I'd start a thread documenting my ownership of the car. Long story short, I've been a Corvette lover since I was in Middle School. One of my classmate's parents had an orange '78 with side pipes that would reset our heartbeats every time he would get picked up from school and the seed was planted! The first Corvette I ever drove was a 1996 Torch Red/Black LT4 car at Ernie Swanson's Oldsmobile (it was pre-owned) and when I mashed the gas to the floor and felt the power push me back into the seat, I knew that one day I'd have a C4. I've been through my share of cars and figured it was time to get into a C4. The biggest hurdle for me was that i'm 6'6" tall with a 36 inseam and a size 16 shoe. I sat in a bunch from time to time but they all felt tight. Of course these were cars of friends and I didnt really mess with seat adjustments, etc. Years ago I considered a ZR1 and actually contacted Jim (QB93Z) and he offered to show me around his collection but life got in the way and I never got to meet up with him. Last weekend I was at our local Cars and Coffee and saw a BEAUTIFUL red C4 roll into the lot. Shiny Fikse Wheels with super wide rear tires and a Corsa exhaust note to die for!. I walked over and realized it was a ZR1! The owner of the car was none other than Dredgeguy here on the forum! Charlie let me sit in his car and it was the first time I realized what the right combination of seats/top I needed to give me enough space to be comfortable in the car. He was kind enough to show me his car, talk about his ownership experience, common issues etc and told me about a well sorted car that may be available up north. He said that the owner was well known in the ZR1 community and if that car was still available, it would be the ideal car to pick up. I went home and got hunting on the forums. Came across the car Jim told me about for sale by "FU" here on the forum! Sent Frank a message and the car was everything I was looking for! Flew up on Friday and the car was as Frank advertised. It was surreal walking out of the airport and seeing the cars wide rear humps in the distance. Frank fueled her up for me and we exchanged some signatures and $$$ at his house and away I went! I had to stop outside of his neighborhood to do a YouTube style Unveil to my wife and kids (the first time I purchased a car that they knew nothing about!) and while my wife isnt thrilled about the body style or the flip up headlights, she understands my enthusiasm for the car and my life long infatuation with the brand. My boys were tickled! I decided to name her Bluey after the kids favorite cartoon character Specs on the car: 1994 Corvette ZR1 #353 88k miles Admiral Blue with Grey/Black Interior Dana 4.10 rear with upgraded half shafts Jim Boudreau Built 6speed tranny Jim Boudreau Short Shifter Ron Davis Aluminum Radiator C5 Brakes with Earl's Stainless Lines Baer Eradispeed Rotots Custom Cold Air Intake Marc Haibeck chip with deleted Secondaries Marc Haibeck Ported Intake Manifold Snow Meth Injection (not hooked up) Paint has some flaws but its damn great for the price I paid. Interior needs a steam/shampoo and the drivers seat has some bolster wear. Drive home took a litte under 5 hours but no issues on the trip. Temps and pressures were within range and the AC blew cold Hit up the local Cars and Coffee on Saturday and met up with other ZR1 guys that knew the previous owner and had a great time talking tech and going over the car. Got the car on my lift last night and changed the oil. Hit the fuel filter with some PB Blaster and let it sit overnight since the bolts were not budging. Took the wheels off to inspect the suspension. Pics to follow. Looks like I got a steering rack leak, maybe tie rod ends? Upper ball joints have built up grease but maybe they were overgreased? Rear suspension bushings are cracking (looks like a full RideTech coilover setup with bars and bushings may be in the future after all. I was a little perplexed on where to fit the jack pads on the front. I think I found a good option but im open to suggestions should there be a better option. Driving the car, I realized that if I rotate my head back, my head can make contact with the main hoop of the car. This is my only real safety concern currently. Should I get rear ended, its gonna hurt. I need to see about lowering my seating position by at least half an inch (1 full inch preferred) so that I can remove this worry. Seat needs to be recovered anyway so im sure the upholstery shop can reshape the seat bottom for me. I had ordered a new Blue Tinted Targa Top from Melrose the other day but i'm cancelling the order today. Since I'll sit lower after the seat modification, no need for the $1300 expense. Especially since the car is running the factory catback.... I need some CORSA in my life! I'll have to create an account with imageshack or find another option to host pictures. So far so good!!! Last edited by Prez1967; 07-06-2020 at 08:44 AM.

07-06-2020	#2
dredgeguy Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Ellicott City, MD Posts: 1,713	Re: Meet Bluey! 1994 #353 Great update and hope we have a Wazoo maintenance gathering soon. Phil (Jagdpanzer) just redid his suspension so hopefully you will meet him soon to discuss all your options. Your car has all the right mods and beautiful color! __________________ Charlie __________ Dredgeguy WAZOO Member 1992 Bright Red/Black ZR1 #246 Dana 4:10 gears Polished LT5 by Haibeck Polished Fikse FM5's with Michelin Pilot Sport 2 Stainless Works headers and cats with Corsa

07-06-2020	#4
Prez1967 Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Finksburg, MD Posts: 244	Re: Meet Bluey! 1994 #353 Meeting up with Frank to collect the car: Last edited by Prez1967; 07-12-2020 at 10:32 AM.

07-06-2020	#5
Prez1967 Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Finksburg, MD Posts: 244	Re: Meet Bluey! 1994 #353 Initial Inspection Pictures: Last edited by Prez1967; 07-12-2020 at 10:34 AM.

07-06-2020	#6
Prez1967 Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Finksburg, MD Posts: 244	Re: Meet Bluey! 1994 #353 Window Sticker: Last edited by Prez1967; 07-12-2020 at 10:35 AM.

07-06-2020	#3
Prez1967 Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Finksburg, MD Posts: 244	Re: Meet Bluey! 1994 #353 Lets see how these picture attachments work :-) Walking out of the MacArthur Airport: Last edited by Prez1967; 07-12-2020 at 10:30 AM.

07-07-2020	#7
conesare2seconds Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Greater St. Louis Posts: 490	Re: Meet Bluey! 1994 #353 Apsis steering wheel? It?s spiffy.

07-12-2020	#10
Prez1967 Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Finksburg, MD Posts: 244	Re: Meet Bluey! 1994 #353 Now that I figured out how to resize pictures in ImageShack... Here are the main problem areas in the suspension: Front Ball Joints: Excessive wheel weights on front wheel: Cracks in the rear suspension bushings: Steering Rack Leak: Then we have some grease/oil build up around oil pan: Its all about the journey!