I Bought a ZR-1!!!! 1995 #121

[Matt B]

Originally Posted by RichieDMD

Thanks.

The pace car was cool...but the problem was it was too boring to drive. I loved looking at it, but when I got it my daily driver was a 2002 SS Camaro...and LS1 car with a 6-speed. The pace car, being the same generation but a decade older, was very similar in many ways but worse. It was an LT1 car (so cast iron, lower HP, and that dreaded Optispark was always looming) and it was an automatic. When I upgrade my daily driver, I kept my beloved 2002 Camaro and I found that when I wanted to drive a V8 I always picked the 2002. The Pace Car just sat in the garage. Even though I really liked both...when the time came to finally get a ZR-1 and I needed to let one of the Camaro's go, the choice was obvious.

I did some quick research on the model and your summary ist what I thought. Might be a bit boring...
I like the C3 & C4 pace car but very much. But nothing beats a ZR-1

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[Norwegianmopar]

Originally Posted by RichieDMD

Well, she got delivered a couple hours ago and I took her for our first spin. It was awesome...everything that I was wanting.

The condition of the car is superb. It has a couple very minor paint chips but for a 26 year old car...I don't think they get much better outside of a museum.

The car drives very nice. It's fast...but not insanely so. I honestly figured it would be a little faster than my 2002 SS Camaro (which has some minor aftermarket work done) and slower than my daily driver 2017 BMW M3. I think my expectations were accurate.

What really drew me to the ZR-1 was the fantastic history and cool story.

When I decided to sell my 1993 Camaro Pace Car...I did it because it was too similar of driving experience with my 2002 Camaro (but worse in every measurable way)...but it had a better story/history. I choose to keep the more fun car to drive and sold the story. So, I wanted a car with just as good of a story but that was just as fun to drive (but also had a different feel).

I think this is exactly that...I'm in love.

If I'm honest, it doesn't feel like it has the brutish raw power of the Camaro even though it has more HP. I think the reason for that is the ZR-1 is so well balanced and refined. It's really drivers car and not a V8 deathtrap (like the Camaro).

I think my little car collection suits me really well. I have a luxury performance daily driver, one of the coolest Corvette's ever built, and a sentimental deathtrap Camaro.

I suppose your car has stock rear end gears which doesn't make it feel rocket fast. Myself just love the 4.10 rear end gears which makes it a whole different experience. Test drove a stock one once and it felt "slow" compared to mine. Of course I have Watson headers and Corsa exhaust as well as lightweight flywheel that also makes a difference, but the rear end gears are the most bang for the buck upgrade wise in my view. 20210701_182157.jpg

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[RichieDMD]

Originally Posted by Norwegianmopar

I suppose your car has stock rear end gears which doesn't make it feel rocket fast. Myself just love the 4.10 rear end gears which makes it a whole different experience. Test drove a stock one once and it felt "slow" compared to mine. Of course I have Watson headers and Corsa exhaust as well as lightweight flywheel that also makes a difference, but the rear end gears are the most bang for the buck upgrade wise in my view. Attachment 16219

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Lower gears would certainly liven it up a bit...but honestly I really like it as is stock. I think I might hot rod the Camaro a little but keep the ZR-1 original.

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Originally Posted by RichieDMD

Lower gears would certainly liven it up a bit...but honestly I really like it as is stock. I think I might hot rod the Camaro a little but keep the ZR-1 original.

Richie, You have other cars that are faster than the Z so keeping it stock might be a great idea. At least until you get tired of it and no longer exciting. I went through the modding phase on my 90Z with 500+HP with cams and gearing with light weight flywheel and all. It was fun. When I got my 95Z it was supposed to stay totally stock. That lasted maybe a month. [emoji38] But I vowed I?m not going to overdo and put too much into this one. All I did was get crazy with the extra power and pounded it all the time. I guess I?m getting older so going more looks and comfort, concentrating on the handling and suspension. You?ll know in time. I wish I left mine totally stock. I?m at the point of no return now. [emoji23]


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