WTB advice please!!

[jaykran]

Ok I pulled the trigger today and bought a ZR1!

It is a 1990 bright red metallic on beige with 29,000 km/ 18,000 miles.

Car is in very good condition, original Canadian car with clean carfax and two owners.

Drivers seat does not recline, radio works but very low to no noise coming out of the speakers and all the buttons on the climate control work except auto.

I did not get a chance to drive it as there was a blizzard here today but will drive before I take it home.

Car started right up, idled nicely and clutch felt good.

A few things of concern, I never drove a ZR1 before, how do I know if the secondary open? When I turn the key forward should I not hear a vacuum noise for about 5 seconds and then it shuts off? I did not hear it on this car. There is an aftermarket switch on the dash by your knee that turns on a fan in the engine compartment, the guy said he was told it was for hot days it cools something but was not exactly sure what. (he is going to try and look into it for me). One last thing when you turn the key forward all the warning lights should come on and then go out, anyone have a pick of all the lights that come on.

Thanks for any advice.

[jaykran]

Sorry it's dark red metallic

[Z51JEFF]

Congratulations! The vacuum pump will cycle for a few seconds and then shut off and cycle again after a short time,just how long varies. The switch for the fan should be eliminated and everything returned to stock,this was a popular addition but never seen it on a Z. The amps in the speakers die in pretty much all of these cars as well as the CDM controller for the stereo. To check to see if the vacuum pump is working unplug the pump and turn the key to on,not started and the pump will run. Locate the pump,follow the hard line up to the ALTERNATOR and there should be a coupling that will allow you to separate the 2 lines. The vacuum pump is down in the right side headlight well bolted to the frame. Not sure on a 90 but my 91 the line for the pump is routed like this. Welcome to the madness.

[ZRXMAX]

When you turn the power key to the right a light will come on in the DIC ( driver information center ) that illuminates the words "Full Engine Power" . As long as you don't turn the key to the left to disable the full engine power mode

the car will stay in full engine power mode regardless of turning the engine off and restarting it anytime. The full engine power mode allows the activation of the secondary injectors once a certain level of throttle angle is applied and the

rpm are at or about 3500 and above. Other factors such as engine temperature and any codes that might come about that cause the check engine light to come on will also disable the operation of full engine power mode.

The owners manual will be handy for you to review and sort out the cars features and get the most enjoyment from your new Z. Congratulations and welcome to the addiction of turbine smooth power under your right foot!

Btw... Dark red metallic is a beautiful color imho !

[george1945]

Great colors. For a good idea on the prices for repairs, go to thle Heibeck Web site. The car normally defaults to Valet mode when the car is turned off. Then you need to turn it to full power each time it is started. The Heibeck chip, is designed to default to full power. So you are required to turn the key to turn full power off. When the car is restarted, it then returns to full power. This feature keeps the secondary ports from getting carboned up. You will notice a HUGE difference between the two modes if you have any doubts about it working or not. The cars pull like a freight train in full power mode.
I will be adding the new chip on my 91. The 90 got it when I had it serviced by Heibeck before taking delivery.
I run hi test, non ethanol, in the 91 since it still has the original injectors and just the standard hi test with ethanol in the 90 since it got new injectors while at the Heibeck shop.
Above all, enjoy a fine and unique piece of Corvette history.

[Bob Eyres]

Congrats on your new purchase.
BTW, on that aux. fan switch, I would leave it connected, but check out the function. If it's the same as mine, it is a three position small toggle switch. In the center position it defaults to the automatic (stock) function. In mine, the left position indicates single fan operation (there are two fans), and in the right position it turns both fans on. You can check this by listening with the engine off. This control comes in handy once in a while, especially here in the south.
I would leave it connected, as it's probably not in a place where it is obvious anyway, (except to NCRS scrutineers)

On that salvage title. After very careful examination there is always a price at which any car is a "good deal". But the price has to reflect the attitudes expressed above about salvage titles. It may make a car way harder to sell. But if you're a keeper, not a flipper, it might be a chance to get a car that's much better, and cheaper, than you thought you could afford. Just sayin'

[jaykran]

I took a pass on the salvage car, I plan on keeping it long enough that I shouldn't matter if it was salvage (Would anyone care if a 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing was mint but had a salvage title?). I passed on it because it wasn't as nice of condition as I was expecting, to many dings and scratches. The one I bought was two car owner, clean history, almost perfect condition (couple of small stone chips) and 15,000 less km on it. I paid $5000 more, to me that was a bargain.

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

GOOD Move!
$5,000.00 well spent!
There could have been far more than $5k in repairs on the other, and you still would have had a salvage car, that was also a shaggy dog.
Better to get the one you did!

Also, regarding your vacuum pump question, seems it was not answered.
The "key" that you turn on is the ignition key, not the valet key.
You turn the ignition key to on, not start.
When you do, you should hear the vacuum pump run.
It is located in front of the passenger side wheelhouse.
The pump should run for about 5 seconds and then shutoff.
If it does not shut off, you have a vacuum leak.
If it does not run at all, you have another problem, or you just started the car recently, and it has NO leaks, but that would be rare.

Dark Red Metallic is an excellent choice!
Enjoy your car, and Congratulations!

Marty

[jaykran]

When I drive the car will I know if the vacuum working?

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

ABSOLUTELY!!!