Looking to get into my 1st ZR1

[Growler]

Awesome, thank you for all the input guys!! Clearly an awesome website to be to learn about these cars.. I found a bunch of them online, and one local.. All stock except for one Lingenfelter car with 57k on it.. That many miles kind of pushes me away to be honest.. The age of the car and the maintenance issues aren't an issue as it would be the newest, and least complicated of my hot rods.. The two others are in quadruple hp territory, so there's more maintenance than driving them.. How reliable are the hopped up ZR1's? It effect their value down the road at all?

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Originally Posted by Growler

Awesome, thank you for all the input guys!! Clearly an awesome website to be to learn about these cars.. I found a bunch of them online, and one local.. All stock except for one Lingenfelter car with 57k on it.. That many miles kind of pushes me away to be honest.. The age of the car and the maintenance issues aren't an issue as it would be the newest, and least complicated of my hot rods.. The two others are in quadruple hp territory, so there's more maintenance than driving them.. How reliable are the hopped up ZR1's? It effect their value down the road at all?

I think others might agree with me to still consider the Lingenfelter car. That is low miles for the age and for an LT5, and these cars don?t do well sitting. They are meant to be driven. Buy the best car you can find with good maintenance records, etc. It will save you in the long run to not look for a cheap, questionable car. Best wishes and looking forward to your joining the family. Aloha!! 🤙🏼


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[Ccmano]

If your concerned about reliability because of mileage, it's simply not a factor. Many 150k mile cars are running around, some over 200k. Reliability of the mechanicals are outstanding for this engine. I've inspected 200k mile engines with internal wear you would expect to see on a 50k mile engine. The electronics are generally more affected by age and duty cycles than mileage. Low mile cars have their own set of problems from excessive time sitting without running and frequent starting and stopping without warming up. Given the age of these cars a 50k mile car is probably in the sweet spot of drivability and mileage.

On the other hand if your into low mile cars for their (theoretical) value retention or NCRS appeal, you probably already know what your looking for.
Good luck with your search.
H

[tiegsd]

Welcome to the obsession! I took a chance on my 1990, lots of issues that I'm still working through 3 years later, but I always wanted one and have not been disappointed. It's an absolute joy to drive. Also, this forum is simply the best, tons of experience and knowledge, and willingness to go above and beyond for members and non members alike. Don't really have advice since I think it's already been covered other than do some homework and then take the plunge! Best of luck!

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[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by Ccmano

If your concerned about reliability because of mileage, it's simply not a factor. Many 150k mile cars are running around, some over 200k. Reliability of the mechanicals are outstanding for this engine. I've inspected 200k mile engines with internal wear you would expect to see on a 50k mile engine. The electronics are generally more affected by age and duty cycles than mileage. Low mile cars have their own set of problems from excessive time sitting without running and frequent starting and stopping without warming up. Given the age of these cars a 50k mile car is probably in the sweet spot of drivability and mileage.

On the other hand if your into low mile cars for their (theoretical) value retention or NCRS appeal, you probably already know what your looking for.
Good luck with your search.
H

OP:

Yep! Hans is right! You cannot compare anything you know about SBCs to the LT5. I've been rebuilding and hotrodding SBCs going back to the late 60s. But, these LT5 motors all were hand assembled and tested. With a 12Qt oil pan and regular changes (basic maintenance), these motors are just getting broken in at the 100k point! In fact, I saw a car sent to Marc Haibeck for "freshening up" that had 170k miles and was used as a track car. It had some wear, but it was still w/in factory tolerances throughout! Try THAT with just about any motor you can name!

Point is, I wouldn't give a 57k motor a second thought, long as it was maintained (of course).

[Growler]

Thank you for all the replies guys, awesome info.. A modded ZR1 would be my preference as a 500-600hp car would be fun but very slow compared to my other hot rods, so who in the ZR1 world other than DRM and LPE would be a reputable builder for these cars? I ask because the last hot rod I bought a couple years ago was supposed to be a "top shelf build" with no short cuts taken.. Yeah, that ended up a gut job and needing a complete new drivetrain minus the block.

[Growler]

Originally Posted by EvanZR1

I think pretty much everything has been covered. My biggest piece of advice, if you're looking to mod one, see if you can find one that's already done. Will be way cheaper than doing it all fresh (speaking from experience).

I'll echo the sentiment that there's nothing else like a C4 ZR-1, it's American muscle combined with European exoticness. The LT5 at 7000+ rpm is a joy (especially a modded/built one). It may not sound like much, but the extra revs over the 6500 of an LS1/2/3/6 make a big difference (especially in my case with a 7400rpm limit). I've had C5s (including Z06), C6s (GS & ZR1) and C7, and my modded C4 ZR-1 is the most raw, driver focused driving experience of any of them. The only one that compares for fun/uniqueness is my C6 ZR1, but that car has over 200HP more, an incredible sound (between the exhaust & blower whine) and is an even rarer color.

And that's EXACTLY why I'm in love with these cars.. The other Z06's and ZR1's are impressive no doubt, but not terribly unique or different compared to the other models.. The C4 ZR1 is just different.. Different then, and different now.. It's the unicorn of the corvette family.. Plus Mercury Racing has always pumped out the baddest motors in offshore racing. Be cool to have some custom cam covers made up that have Merc Racing on them instead of Corvette

[32valvesftw]

Don't kid yourself a 500 - 600hp C4 Z is not slow at all. Way fast for any public road.

[Growler]

Originally Posted by 32valvesftw

Don't kid yourself a 500 - 600hp C4 Z is not slow at all. Way fast for any public road.

It?s objective. Had a C5Z in that power range, fun power range for the street, but nothing crazy..

[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by Growler

And that's EXACTLY why I'm in love with these cars.. The other Z06's and ZR1's are impressive no doubt, but not terribly unique or different compared to the other models.. The C4 ZR1 is just different.. Different then, and different now.. It's the unicorn of the corvette family.. Plus Mercury Racing has always pumped out the baddest motors in offshore racing. Be cool to have some custom cam covers made up that have Merc Racing on them instead of Corvette

Um, yeah... As you get into these cars, as someone said: these are a "hands-on" car - a lot to learn - these ain't your basic pushrod mills! (For example: The cam covers make up the retaier caps for the cams - are in integral part of that particular engine and ARE NOT interchangeable. Or, porting the heads requires an engine pull as cam timing is easier with the engine out - including the work to remove/reinstall it - than attempting to do it while in the car...stuff like that!)

For the mechanically inclined, they (DOHC motors) aren't at all that difficult, but each has their quirks - dos and don'ts - that pretty much eliminates most of the dealer mechanics from consideration (many dealer mechanics have never even seen an LT5 before). However, There are some specialists around the country, e.g., Marc Haibeck (ZR1 Specialist), Pete Palatsidis in the Chicago area and Steve (Cross Flags Performance) in the Tx area (and there are others too).

Anyway... NO WORRIES on that 57k mileage...she's still just a baby!!! Or paraphrasing Dorthy - speaking of the LT5: "We aren't in pushrod land any more, ToTo!!"