Minimum Restoration of a 1990 ZR-1 - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Dynomite · 07-01-2014

For those wondering what to do when you receive your first ZR-1 here is a short list of the Minimum Restoration of a 1990 ZR-1 (something I do to ALL ZR-1s).

This list is a Minimum and keeps the LT5 Stock in appearance and function (except for TB Coolant Elimination and some other items that cannot be seen).

List of What should be Done if it Needs it or NOT
The very first think I do is check Compression shooting for 210 lbs within 5 lbs each cylinder (see item #10).

1. Change ALL Fluids (Includes Coolant with NAPA Green).

LT5/ZR-1 Fluids

2. Add Differential Drain Plug, Billet Aluminum Belt Tensioner Pulley, Debree Screen, Gun Metal Oil Cap and 60/80 Amp Starter Relay.
Associated with Debree Screen is Clean Radiator (including Oil Cooler) of ALL Oil and dirt using Engine Cleaner and Hot Pressure Washer.

LT5 Added Systems

3. Remove Plenum and Block TB Coolant at Injector Housing (Undetected and appears stock). Also check Water Pump Area and Thermostat Area and other areas for coolant leaks. Tighten Bolts, Hose Clamps as required or replace Components/gaskets/hoses as required.

LT5 Eliminated Systems

4. With Plenum Removed, Recondition Starter Solenoid, Check Injectors Resistance which should be around 12 Ohms each (I use RC 205s if required), Check Coils, Check and fix any vacuum leaks, Check Fuel Pressure at Fuel Rails (should be around 45-50 lbs).

Starter, Starter Relay, Wiring Harness, Battery, and Plugs Tricks
Fuel Injector Resistance Plenum In Place TIPS
Checking fuel pressure TIPS

5. With Plenum Removed, Steam Clean Under Starter and Clean Valley Drain, Tighten/replace gaskets and use red Loctite where required.

6. Replace Plenum with New Gasket (dry gasket with no sealant applied). Replace Plenum Bolts with NO Loctite as no need with TB Coolant Blocked at Injector Housing.

7. Check and re-install INFL REST Sensors (Drivers Side and Passenger Side). Replace Battery Hold Down Bolt with Allen Head Stainless Steel Bolt.

Ignition Key Codes and Clearing INFL REST Codes

8. Clear Ride Control Codes by first fixing replacing associated FX3 shock or Shock Actuator.

Bilstein Shock Applications and Self Alignment TIPS

9. Check for Oil Leaks or Clutch Master/Slave Leaks and clean/add fluid as appropriate.

10. Replace Plugs. While Plugs are out check Compression shooting for 210 lbs within 5 lbs each cylinder (Check Compression with fully charged battery).

11. In general Clear ALL Codes after Fixing Systems and adding Marc Haibeck Chip AYBKG Haibeck AYBKG

12. If Sound System is NON Working....Replace associated BAD Speaker Amps with Nissan Max 975s.

13. LAST BUT NOT LEAST.....adding Carter Bling.

1. Set Throttle Cable Billet Brackets.
2. One Fuel Line Billet Clamp (87 and 91 in red).
3. Two Brake Reservoir Tops.
4. One Oil Filter Cover with Etching AMSOIL 10W-40.
5. Coolant Reservoir Top.
6. Coolant Overflow Top.
7. Power Steering Reservoir Top.
8. Winshield Wiper Reservoir Top.
9. TB Top polished Billet Aluminum with Chev and LT-5.

14. Add Lee's MAP Sensor Cover with ZR-1 Year and Car Number.

Lee's MAP Sensor Cover

15. Replace Sagging Headliner.

See Robert Custom Headliner

16. Check Tire Pressure (I start at 30 psi), Fill gas Tank with Clean New 91 Octane and Go for a Ride

I will add more if I think of anything I normally do to ALL ZR-1s.

8cam · 07-01-2014

You forgot

17. Remove grimy taillight louvers.

Nice writeup! I've done about half of that to mine still have a few minors items to attend to, but it's running beautifully.

Dynomite · 07-01-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4cam

You forgot

17. Remove grimy taillight louvers.

Just a little dust and besides............. That is a 91' and does not apply

Kevin · 07-01-2014

I'd add fuel pumps to this list as well

Dynomite · 07-01-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin

I'd add fuel pumps to this list as well

4. With Plenum Removed, Recondition Starter Solenoid, Check Injectors Resistance which should be around 12 Ohms each (I use RC 205s if required), Check Coils, Check and fix any vacuum leaks, Check Fuel Pressure at Fuel Rails (should be around 45-50 lbs).

Starter, Starter Relay, Wiring Harness, Battery, and Plugs Tricks
Fuel Injector Resistance Plenum In Place TIPS
Checking fuel pressure TIPS

07-01-2014	#2
8cam Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Atlanta Posts: 451	Re: Minimum Restoration of a 1990 ZR-1 You forgot 17. Remove grimy taillight louvers. Nice writeup! I've done about half of that to mine still have a few minors items to attend to, but it's running beautifully. __________________ Mark '90 ZR-1 #1322 Daily Driver, 64k and counting Black/Gray [IMG]http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb49/mlitherland/IMG_0326_zps3d50d8cb.jpg[/IMG]

07-01-2014	#4
Kevin Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: pittsburgh Posts: 4,632	Re: Minimum Restoration of a 1990 ZR-1 I'd add fuel pumps to this list as well __________________ It's not the car, it's the people - Doug Johnson 90 r/r "KEYS ON" nick named "T.L.B"

07-01-2014	#1
Dynomite Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: South Dakota/California Posts: 3,794	Minimum Restoration of a 1990 ZR-1 For those wondering what to do when you receive your first ZR-1 here is a short list of the Minimum Restoration of a 1990 ZR-1 (something I do to ALL ZR-1s). This list is a Minimum and keeps the LT5 Stock in appearance and function (except for TB Coolant Elimination and some other items that cannot be seen). List of What should be Done if it Needs it or NOT The very first think I do is check Compression shooting for 210 lbs within 5 lbs each cylinder (see item #10). 1. Change ALL Fluids (Includes Coolant with NAPA Green). LT5/ZR-1 Fluids 2. Add Differential Drain Plug, Billet Aluminum Belt Tensioner Pulley, Debree Screen, Gun Metal Oil Cap and 60/80 Amp Starter Relay. Associated with Debree Screen is Clean Radiator (including Oil Cooler) of ALL Oil and dirt using Engine Cleaner and Hot Pressure Washer. LT5 Added Systems 3. Remove Plenum and Block TB Coolant at Injector Housing (Undetected and appears stock). Also check Water Pump Area and Thermostat Area and other areas for coolant leaks. Tighten Bolts, Hose Clamps as required or replace Components/gaskets/hoses as required. LT5 Eliminated Systems 4. With Plenum Removed, Recondition Starter Solenoid, Check Injectors Resistance which should be around 12 Ohms each (I use RC 205s if required), Check Coils, Check and fix any vacuum leaks, Check Fuel Pressure at Fuel Rails (should be around 45-50 lbs). Starter, Starter Relay, Wiring Harness, Battery, and Plugs Tricks Fuel Injector Resistance Plenum In Place TIPS Checking fuel pressure TIPS 5. With Plenum Removed, Steam Clean Under Starter and Clean Valley Drain, Tighten/replace gaskets and use red Loctite where required. 6. Replace Plenum with New Gasket (dry gasket with no sealant applied). Replace Plenum Bolts with NO Loctite as no need with TB Coolant Blocked at Injector Housing. 7. Check and re-install INFL REST Sensors (Drivers Side and Passenger Side). Replace Battery Hold Down Bolt with Allen Head Stainless Steel Bolt. Ignition Key Codes and Clearing INFL REST Codes 8. Clear Ride Control Codes by first fixing replacing associated FX3 shock or Shock Actuator. Bilstein Shock Applications and Self Alignment TIPS 9. Check for Oil Leaks or Clutch Master/Slave Leaks and clean/add fluid as appropriate. 10. Replace Plugs. While Plugs are out check Compression shooting for 210 lbs within 5 lbs each cylinder (Check Compression with fully charged battery). 11. In general Clear ALL Codes after Fixing Systems and adding Marc Haibeck Chip AYBKG Haibeck AYBKG 12. If Sound System is NON Working....Replace associated BAD Speaker Amps with Nissan Max 975s. 13. LAST BUT NOT LEAST.....adding Carter Bling. 1. Set Throttle Cable Billet Brackets. 2. One Fuel Line Billet Clamp (87 and 91 in red). 3. Two Brake Reservoir Tops. 4. One Oil Filter Cover with Etching AMSOIL 10W-40. 5. Coolant Reservoir Top. 6. Coolant Overflow Top. 7. Power Steering Reservoir Top. 8. Winshield Wiper Reservoir Top. 9. TB Top polished Billet Aluminum with Chev and LT-5. 14. Add Lee's MAP Sensor Cover with ZR-1 Year and Car Number. Lee's MAP Sensor Cover 15. Replace Sagging Headliner. See Robert Custom Headliner 16. Check Tire Pressure (I start at 30 psi), Fill gas Tank with Clean New 91 Octane and Go for a Ride I will add more if I think of anything I normally do to ALL ZR-1s. __________________ Left Clickable links -Solutions- LT5 Modifications/Rebuild Tricks Low Mileage ZR-1 Restoration 1990 Corvette (L98) Modifications LT5 Eliminated Systems LT5 Added Systems LT5/ZR-1 Fluids 1995 LT5 SPECIFIC TOP END REBUILD TRICKS Last edited by Dynomite; 07-01-2014 at 11:25 AM.