Is my ZR1 gonna start???

[8upZR1]

Hello everyone,

I have been kinda busy lately trying to get all the little details worked out on my ZR1. I am just about ready to put the dash/interior back together and wanted to get some advice from the more knowledgeable. Anyway, I have tossed the ECM, ABS, SRS, gauge cluster, LT5, wiring harness, ride control, DIC, A/C (only partially for now), and just about everything electronic under the hood. I am about to start taking apart the wiring harness for the things that I want to keep. Mainly lights, power mirrors & doors, climate control, aftermarket gauges, etc.

My main question concerns the vehicle's anti-theft system and the ignition key. When I turn the key for the 1st time will it crank & run? There is no ECM or anything like that. Will 12V go from the ignition to the box/coil when I turn the key? If not what am I going to have to do? I was thinking at the worst, run a seperate 12V source to coil through an independent ignition switch. That way the key is only responsible for unlocking the wheel and supplying 12V to accessories. What do you guys think? Anyone response is welcome, thankyou.

If I have to run an independent ignition switch to supply power to coil/box then I was thinking it'd be ideal to use the full pwr key as my switch. Anyone know if it is possible to rewire the secondary switch into simple 12V supply. Sorry if thats a retarded ? but I dont have FSM.

[XfireZ51]

[Tyler Townsley]

When you ditch everything you talk about you will not have to worry about the anti theft system as that controls the ecm which you no longer have and the starter ckt which you are trashing anyway. Since you are really starting from scratch just run the necessary ckts for the starter and dist.

Tyler

[XfireZ51]

This is for a 383 SBC isn't it?

[8upZR1]

Thankyou Tyler,

Thats exactly what I wanted to hear. I dont know how the anti theft system works but I guess it isnt gonna get in the way since it talks to the ECM.


The new motor is a 407 based on a Dart Lil M with AFR 227 heads. Nothing but the nicest stuff in that SBC cause LT5 stuff sells for good $$$ on EBAY. With the "gentle" cam thats in it now it made 663 HP @ 6,500 RPM & 597 ft*lbs @ 4,900 RPM on dyno. Made those #s w/ vacuum pump @ 10"Hg running pump gas w/ octane boost. I am considering E85 since we just got a pump in town & I have an extra carb for the conversion. I run a Mcleod 2 disc w/the ZF. I'm thinking It shouldnt have any problems keeping up with LT5 cars & it definetely shouldnt have any issues with a 250 hit of spray.

Another thing I am considering is a cam swap. I was thinking that I could easily break 700 HP w/ a more aggressive cam. With the belt drive I have it would only take about 30 min and it would only cost me about $350.00 for the cam and all the gaskets and other necessities. Hardest part would be deciding on what gind??? since there are about 100 different off-the-shelf cams in the 260 ish duration range. Can anyone with an LT5 relate to what Im saying in this last paragraph??? Didnt think so. Sorry guys.

[1990 415]

we can't relate to A cam swap, however we can relate to upgrading all 4 cams. you should bring your beast to Bowling Green in May for the Gathering and take it down the quarter mile a few times. She sounds very healthy.

[8upZR1]

There are a few cam swap options for LT5 but nothing like a SBC solid roller selection. Practically overwhelming amount of companies, grinds, etc to choose from. It would be really nice if LT5 had that kind of support but it just doesnt. That makes LT5 insane $$$ if you want to do anything. Also the amount of time & money you put into something like a cam swap for LT5 makes it a major deal. Kinda important to get the specs right the first time around. I didnt know exactly what I wanted for a cam so I just put a conservative grind in it for now and will put something bigger in it once I figure out how much torque the chassis can handle. That type of thing will kill your wallet in an LT5. I spent about 15K for the new SBC, and if I had chosen to put it into the LT5 I would have been able to do almost nothing. It would have taken forever and I would have had to deal with non local people for everything. Just not my thing. If I was to build a top notch LT5 I would definetely want that Nelson billet block and I dont have that kind of flow right now.

Nobody, not even me, disputes the fact that an LT5 is sexier than a SBC, even a nice one. For me it just wasnt a good deal. LT5 stuff sells awesome on EBAY, so much that it payed for the new motor. I didnt much like the EFI and about a dozen other things and that really sealled the deal. I really did like my LT5 when it actually ran hard but that was hardly ever. Perhaps if my ZR1 had been well maintained by the previous owner it would be a different story. When I got it, my ZR1 was totally trashed from neglect. Probably the worst case of ZR1 neglect that I have ever seen. Hopefully soon it will be ready for action.

[lbszr]

Originally Posted by 8upZR1

There are a few cam swap options for LT5 but nothing like a SBC solid roller selection. Practically overwhelming amount of companies, grinds, etc to choose from.

Better hurry, heard Crane Cams closed their doors a few days ago with no warning

[LGAFF]

http://www.autoweek.com/article/2009...NEWS/902279984

[lbszr]

Originally Posted by LGAFF

http://www.autoweek.com/article/2009...NEWS/902279984

That's good to know! Hope they can make it.