Change in Plans

[edram454]

Well Jeff, I miss not being part of the historical aspect of the zr-1 and eventually not being a zr-1 owning member of this forum. The cars are quite different in many aspects. There is no questions that the LT-5 feels sounds like a much more refined powerplant. It applies the power smoothly and then the secondaries kick in and the power comes on that much stronger until you shift. The z06 engine feels less refined and the power comes on hard after 2900 rpm when the big 600 lift cam kicks in and it hurls it down the street. The z06 will burn the tires 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear. I burned the tires with traction control on at half throttle going 40 miles an hour in 2nd gear. It will go to 6500 rpm before a shift is required.

The z06 does not have any rattles or noise coming from the body or another place. It feels very light as opposed to the zr1 which feels heavy. I feel lower to the ground in the z06 as compared with the zr1. I believe the z06 will outperform a modded zr1 in everything except maybe top speed.

The zr1 makes lots of noise, rattles, body grunts... the targa top,,, lots of noise that in inherent to the 1990 z. A better comparison would be a zr1 against a c5 coupe. The z06 fixed roof coupe,,(hardtop), has much more structural rigidity and it makes a huge difference when performing any driving maneuver. There is a wide difference in technology in both cars and even the engines where the lt5 uses 700 pounds of aluminum and different metals to make up is girth, the ls6 is only 400 pounds complete. the ls6 block weighs only 103 pounds. Weight kills the zr-1 against the z06. Both are great cars. Nothing really special about the z06 except that it is a z06. Like the zr1, the z06 is a whole car engineering effort. It isnt just an engine,, its special suspension, special transmission, the windshield is half as think as a regular c5, titanium exhaust,, half the insulation of a regular c5 etc... they really tried to make this a club racer. The zr-1 s laden with weight.. options... more and more girth makes for a less maneuverable car. Maintenance is nearly impossible for a zr-1 owner unless he is a dynamite or a pete type of guys, the availability of knowledgeable mechanics are few and far between. That is a major drawback. The lack of parts, ecm, vss, body panels,,transmissions, etc... is unsettling. The z06 can be fixed at walmart. I hope that gives you an idea of the difference..the zr1 is a highway cruiser and rides like one. the z06 is a track car on the street.

ed ramos #3028

[-=Jeff=-]

Ed thanks for the detailed info/perspective. The thought has crossed my mind on a Z06, but my son in not so many words says the Z06 looks ordinary or like a Daily Driver


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[edram454]

I agree. It looks oridinary even though it is a z06. Do not compare performance or handling because the zr1 is thoroughly outgunned. Out of respect, I would never race a zr-1 on the street. It would take the biggest of strokers to give my z06 a battle.

ed ramos #3028

[mike100]

I can relate to your description and assessment of ZR-1 ownership. I want to have my cake and eat it too, but there are only so many cars I can support at one time. Maybe I won't be able to sell my car...we'll see...then I will throw another $1500 at it and keep it for a little while longer.

One option I keep in the back of my mind is that I really don't mind a regular $6000 LT1 C4 for use as a DD or an 'outside car'. Having a beater that will still be worth $5000 after you burn the tires off of it is really liberating. It might be hard to give up 100-&-something hp, but i really do enjoy those 300hp cars when I get the chance to drive them. They just aren't scary and the off idle torque of the small block is easy to drive in traffic. I know I will just keep coming back to C4's.

[-=Jeff=-]

Originally Posted by edram454

I agree. It looks oridinary even though it is a z06. Do not compare performance or handling because the zr1 is thoroughly outgunned. Out of respect, I would never race a zr-1 on the street. It would take the biggest of strokers to give my z06 a battle.



ed ramos #3028

Oh I agree. I was looking at it from a similar perspective. I can do a lot of work myself, but the ECM, CCM and IM concern me. The ZF is the same as most C4s with exception of the input shaft. I know the C5 is refined in a lot of the areas. I drove my friends 2002 Z06. While I like it, it is a tough choice. I wanted the ZR-1 since it came out.

I guess worst case it the IM goes I might be better off stuffing a LS7 or LS9 in the car.. those are easier to find.... LOL


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[Vette73]

Very informative post describing the difference between the Z06 and ZR-1...Never drove a modded Z06 but I'm sure it's a blast......I remember sitting in one and noticing how light the door was as opposed to the ZR1.........They did a great job in keeping weight down on the 6....

Didn't realize the ZR1 engine was so heavy......You think back when the car was designed maybe Chevy just should have put a 427 in the ZR1....Dont know if the chassis in the C4 would have matched up with a big cubic inch motor....If you look at the C3 generation the big block Corvettes command much more money than the basic 350,LT-1 aside...

If Chevy wanted more horsepower back in 1990 than why would Chevy opt for the same displacement engine? Just a thought,since most cars that were built with big cubic inch motors back in the day bring in the most money in resale..

[edram454]

Originally Posted by -=Jeff=-

Oh I agree. I was looking at it from a similar perspective. I can do a lot of work myself, but the ECM, CCM and IM concern me. The ZF is the same as most C4s with exception of the input shaft. I know the C5 is refined in a lot of the areas. I drove my friends 2002 Z06. While I like it, it is a tough choice. I wanted the ZR-1 since it came out.

I guess worst case it the IM goes I might be better off stuffing a LS7 or LS9 in the car.. those are easier to find.... LOL


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I agree about the ls7 or ls9. I might even consider a 572 since it weighs about the same as a lt5!!!

ed ramos

[edram454]

Originally Posted by Vette73

Very informative post describing the difference between the Z06 and ZR-1...Never drove a modded Z06 but I'm sure it's a blast......I remember sitting in one and noticing how light the door was as opposed to the ZR1.........They did a great job in keeping weight down on the 6....

Didn't realize the ZR1 engine was so heavy......You think back when the car was designed maybe Chevy just should have put a 427 in the ZR1....Dont know if the chassis in the C4 would have matched up with a big cubic inch motor....If you look at the C3 generation the big block Corvettes command much more money than the basic 350,LT-1 aside...

If Chevy wanted more horsepower back in 1990 than why would Chevy opt for the same displacement engine? Just a thought,since most cars that were built with big cubic inch motors back in the day bring in the most money in resale..

The difference in component weight is incredible. My z06 hood feels like a postage stamp. I am scared it will blow away compared to the zr1 and that huge clamshell. I love the clamshell hood but it weights a ton.

ed ramos

[edram454]

Originally Posted by mike100

I can relate to your description and assessment of ZR-1 ownership. I want to have my cake and eat it too, but there are only so many cars I can support at one time. Maybe I won't be able to sell my car...we'll see...then I will throw another $1500 at it and keep it for a little while longer.

One option I keep in the back of my mind is that I really don't mind a regular $6000 LT1 C4 for use as a DD or an 'outside car'. Having a beater that will still be worth $5000 after you burn the tires off of it is really liberating. It might be hard to give up 100-&-something hp, but i really do enjoy those 300hp cars when I get the chance to drive them. They just aren't scary and the off idle torque of the small block is easy to drive in traffic. I know I will just keep coming back to C4's.

I had two c4 lt1's and the the torque factor was great on the street. They were very torquey and gave you a feeling of immense power. they are nimble cars and inexpensive to boot. can be maintained anywhere. You dont pay the zr1 tax either.

ed ramos

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

Originally Posted by mike100

I can relate to your description and assessment of ZR-1 ownership. I want to have my cake and eat it too, but there are only so many cars I can support at one time. Maybe I won't be able to sell my car...we'll see...then I will throw another $1500 at it and keep it for a little while longer.

One option I keep in the back of my mind is that I really don't mind a regular $6000 LT1 C4 for use as a DD or an 'outside car'. Having a beater that will still be worth $5000 after you burn the tires off of it is really liberating. It might be hard to give up 100-&-something hp, but i really do enjoy those 300hp cars when I get the chance to drive them. They just aren't scary and the off idle torque of the small block is easy to drive in traffic. I know I will just keep coming back to C4's.

Find an LT-4 car!
If you like the LT-1, you will love to drive the LT-4.
For every day (DD) around town driving, likely the best choice of the 3 (LT-1, LT-4, LT-5), and I LOVE my ZR-1!

Marty