Make into Track Car, or sell along? advice? - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

cbaclawski · 08-18-2017

Hello,
Background:
I'm the proud owner of a 1990 zr1 with the lingenfelter 368 package (work done in 1996 @ 45k, not original) that I purchased about 18 months ago. I like the car, and I've spent quite a bit of time and money getting everything "right" (brakes, clutch, coils, plugs, thermostat, sensors, etc. etc. etc.)

As of now its what I'd call "street driver" quality with about 83k total. It has a rebuilt title due to an incident with a trailer prior to my purchase, and I feel like it's probably worth ~15k on a good day(It really does run strong and everything works perfectly at this point). I'm not willing to sell it myself, so going through a consignment lot I'm probably looking at getting 12k for it after all commissions.(I have way more than that in it for whatever that's worth)

Input wanted:

I find myself lacking space to store it, and I don't really drive it much. I've also recently become obsessed with Track day driving. I currently have 2 cars I run on the track, but both are relatively low HP "momentum cars", and I am a very average (at best) track driver.

If this car is destined to be a garage queen, I think the space is better used elsewhere, BUT if I spend some more coin and do some road track upgrades (roll cage, harnesses, new radiator, etc.) It seems like it might be a really fun/cool track car.

What would you do if you were in my shoes? Sell it for whatever I can get, or is it worth it to convert to a track car and sell one of the other 2 similar track cars?

I like the history/story of the ZR1, and the "vintageness" of tracking it is part of the appeal. The obvious advice of sell it and buy a c5 z06 that's faster/cheaper/more common for the track really isn't something I'd be interested in. If I'm going to track a corvette, it'll be this one.

Honestly seeking input, I need the parking space, and I'm about 50/50 on which way I want to go... How much do you think it might cost to get the car semi "race ready". Wouldn't want to go full on race car and spoil the character of the car, but safe and reliable with decent track performance...

Thanks for reading! (I know it all boils down to what I want, just wondering what you guys might think)

Curt

Ronstar · 08-19-2017

I would track the Zr-1!
I don't think a C5 zo6 is faster than your 368,and the roar of that LT-5 at WOT is addicting.
Throw some sticky tires on it and I think you will be impressed with it on the track!

Demps · 08-19-2017

I track a '91 & love it! I do it for love of the motor. I've learned a lot over my years but here's what's applicable here: someone will always have a faster car. Or 'faster horses, older whiskey, younger women, & more money'.

You get a few folks coming to the pits to see if it's a real ZR-1.

Ted

RussMcB · 08-19-2017

Not sure if this affects your decision, but installing a cage isn't required. You could track it as is (with good pads, tires, etc.), without affecting the interior (to install the cage).

A nice race seat would be a big improvement. And you're right - a new, bigger radiator is probably needed.

A Lingenfelter 368 package sounds pretty special. You might be undervaluing your car.

What are your two current track cars? I sold my Spec Miata race car to buy my ZR-1. You will find the ZR-1 doesn't stop or corner near as well as a newer, smaller car, but it's nice to have more power coming out of corners (even more so in your case).

cbaclawski · 08-19-2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronstar

I would track the Zr-1!
I don't think a C5 zo6 is faster than your 368,and the roar of that LT-5 at WOT is addicting.
Throw some sticky tires on it and I think you will be impressed with it on the track!

Thanks, I really don't get the same excitement seeing the c5 either...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demps

I track a '91 & love it! I do it for love of the motor. I've learned a lot over my years but here's what's applicable here: someone will always have a faster car. Or 'faster horses, older whiskey, younger women, & more money'.

You get a few folks coming to the pits to see if it's a real ZR-1.

Ted

Truth!

Quote:

Originally Posted by RussMcB

Not sure if this affects your decision, but installing a cage isn't required. You could track it as is (with good pads, tires, etc.), without affecting the interior (to install the cage).

A nice race seat would be a big improvement. And you're right - a new, bigger radiator is probably needed.

A Lingenfelter 368 package sounds pretty special. You might be undervaluing your car.

What are your two current track cars? I sold my Spec Miata race car to buy my ZR-1. You will find the ZR-1 doesn't stop or corner near as well as a newer, smaller car, but it's nice to have more power coming out of corners (even more so in your case).

The 2 track cars are a highly modified e46 BMW(non-m), and a pretty much stock rx-8, I doubt either of them stop or corner as well as your spec miata did either, lol

As far as undervaluing the car, you may be right, but between the rebuilt title and my unwillingness to handle the transaction myself, I'm trying to be realistic.

I know I don't NEED a cage, and it already has upgraded brakes, but at the very least I'd want a good race seat and 6 pt harness. At least a track bar to attach the harnesses would be needed, and at that point I'd probably just go ahead and cage it. Someday I might want to enter a time trial event or something. I do want to maintain as much of the original character as possible though, not looking to make a full on race car.

Thank to all, I'm starting to lean pretty heavily in the "Track it!!" direction...

Curt

RussMcB · 08-19-2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbaclawski

Thank to all, I'm starting to lean pretty heavily in the "Track it!!" direction...

Curt

Not sure how far away you are, but we're going to Road Atlanta 9/22 and Atlanta Motorsports Park 10/22, with a fun, laid back club:

http://www.jzillatrackdays.com/

cbaclawski · 08-19-2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by RussMcB

Not sure how far away you are, but we're going to Road Atlanta 9/22 and Atlanta Motorsports Park 10/22, with a fun, laid back club:

http://www.jzillatrackdays.com/

I'm in charlotte, so not too far at all. I've been wanting to do a road Atlanta day for a while...

RussMcB · 08-20-2017

Unfortunate timing. That track club was at Charlotte a couple of weeks ago. :-)

USAF Retired · 08-20-2017

I say track the Z.

emmvette · 08-22-2017

Track the ZR-1. Leave the original seat, its really good and add a bar or partial cage so you can install good 6 pt harness. My car works well on the track and has a larger radiator, upgraded brakes, original seat with reinforced harness / roll bar and 5 pt belts, oh - and a little extra power :-)

08-18-2017	#1
cbaclawski Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: waxhaw, nc Posts: 93	Make into Track Car, or sell along? advice? Hello, Background: I'm the proud owner of a 1990 zr1 with the lingenfelter 368 package (work done in 1996 @ 45k, not original) that I purchased about 18 months ago. I like the car, and I've spent quite a bit of time and money getting everything "right" (brakes, clutch, coils, plugs, thermostat, sensors, etc. etc. etc.) As of now its what I'd call "street driver" quality with about 83k total. It has a rebuilt title due to an incident with a trailer prior to my purchase, and I feel like it's probably worth ~15k on a good day(It really does run strong and everything works perfectly at this point). I'm not willing to sell it myself, so going through a consignment lot I'm probably looking at getting 12k for it after all commissions.(I have way more than that in it for whatever that's worth) Input wanted: I find myself lacking space to store it, and I don't really drive it much. I've also recently become obsessed with Track day driving. I currently have 2 cars I run on the track, but both are relatively low HP "momentum cars", and I am a very average (at best) track driver. If this car is destined to be a garage queen, I think the space is better used elsewhere, BUT if I spend some more coin and do some road track upgrades (roll cage, harnesses, new radiator, etc.) It seems like it might be a really fun/cool track car. What would you do if you were in my shoes? Sell it for whatever I can get, or is it worth it to convert to a track car and sell one of the other 2 similar track cars? I like the history/story of the ZR1, and the "vintageness" of tracking it is part of the appeal. The obvious advice of sell it and buy a c5 z06 that's faster/cheaper/more common for the track really isn't something I'd be interested in. If I'm going to track a corvette, it'll be this one. Honestly seeking input, I need the parking space, and I'm about 50/50 on which way I want to go... How much do you think it might cost to get the car semi "race ready". Wouldn't want to go full on race car and spoil the character of the car, but safe and reliable with decent track performance... Thanks for reading! (I know it all boils down to what I want, just wondering what you guys might think) Curt

08-19-2017	#2
Ronstar Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 182	Re: Make into Track Car, or sell along? advice? I would track the Zr-1! I don't think a C5 zo6 is faster than your 368,and the roar of that LT-5 at WOT is addicting. Throw some sticky tires on it and I think you will be impressed with it on the track! __________________ Ron Thompson 1990 421ci ZR-1 2010 ZR1 (stock)

08-19-2017	#3
Demps Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Niceville Posts: 998	Re: Make into Track Car, or sell along? advice? I track a '91 & love it! I do it for love of the motor. I've learned a lot over my years but here's what's applicable here: someone will always have a faster car. Or 'faster horses, older whiskey, younger women, & more money'. You get a few folks coming to the pits to see if it's a real ZR-1. Ted

08-19-2017	#4
RussMcB Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Marietta, GA USA Posts: 1,160	Re: Make into Track Car, or sell along? advice? Not sure if this affects your decision, but installing a cage isn't required. You could track it as is (with good pads, tires, etc.), without affecting the interior (to install the cage). A nice race seat would be a big improvement. And you're right - a new, bigger radiator is probably needed. A Lingenfelter 368 package sounds pretty special. You might be undervaluing your car. What are your two current track cars? I sold my Spec Miata race car to buy my ZR-1. You will find the ZR-1 doesn't stop or corner near as well as a newer, smaller car, but it's nice to have more power coming out of corners (even more so in your case). __________________ Russ McBride, [COLOR="Red"]Car Sold 8/2020[/COLOR] #1635, Marietta, GA USA, 1991 ZR-1, #766 (bought 1/1/2015) MS3-Pro, OBX, SW X-Pipe, Borla, Hurst, SLP, Goodyear F1 GS-D3, Kenwood. HOTB 2016Q3 [IMG]http://zr1.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=316&pictureid=2873[/IMG] [IMG]http://zr1.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=336&pictureid=2985[/IMG]

08-20-2017	#8
RussMcB Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Marietta, GA USA Posts: 1,160	Re: Make into Track Car, or sell along? advice? Unfortunate timing. That track club was at Charlotte a couple of weeks ago. :-)

08-20-2017	#9
USAF Retired BANNED Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 95	Re: Make into Track Car, or sell along? advice? I say track the Z.

08-22-2017	#10
emmvette Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Central Iowa Posts: 190	Re: Make into Track Car, or sell along? advice? Track the ZR-1. Leave the original seat, its really good and add a bar or partial cage so you can install good 6 pt harness. My car works well on the track and has a larger radiator, upgraded brakes, original seat with reinforced harness / roll bar and 5 pt belts, oh - and a little extra power :-) __________________ [CENTER][SIZE=4][COLOR=red]1990 ZR-1 Red / Red[/COLOR][/SIZE][/CENTER]