90 ZR-1 need some info

[GTOger]

I think what we're saying is nobody seems to have enough information on the car to tell you "oh, here is an itemized list with costs of everything you'll need to do."

And FWIW I don't think that any of the issues we are mentioning, or the issues that you have mentioned, are totally unique to ZR-1s. Take any car that has been sitting that long and you're bound to come up with a list of needs.

A lot depends on what you want to do with it. You're right to rethink the car. Rethink it over and over again. I know lots of guys who buy their cars without ever seeing them in person, but I couldn't do it. For me, I need a feel for the car. We need to have a conversation and get to know each other.

You could buy the nicest 20+ year old car on the planet and I promise you will still spend time & money on it at some point. You'll need to be OK with that before you can move forward.

[LGAFF]

Its all small stuff.....I would not sweat it

[efnfast]

Originally Posted by Z06scentair

Maybe its time to rethink this car.

That may depend on the price.

[Racinfan83]

From the perspective of a guy who got one with 17k on it this spring - And I had NO experience with Vettes at all...

So far - I had the injectors and coils replaced, new MAP sensor hose, one of the secondary actuators was bad and fixed as well. Radiator pulled and cleaned, new thermostat, put a Haibeck chip in it which totally fixed the high temp at idle issue. Third brake light switch was bad. Changed A/C over to R -134. Tires were bad (and this with 95% tread) - I assume they were flat spotted from sitting in one spot for long time. Seat lumbar pumps don't work - and I presume the bladders are bad too (haven't got that far yet). Headlight motors rebuilt. I have also LED'd the interior and underhood lights, put new rear package tray & trim in, and many other odds and ends just to get the car as perfect as possible. I figure I have dropped about $3500 in it since I got it. But now it is a blast to drive, looks good enough that I have won best in class in a show already, and it keeps me busy when I need something to tinker with....
So it just depends on how mechanically inclined you are - and if you can spend some money on it a bit at a time. I think the end result is worth it...

[GTOger]

Oh yeah, I forgot about the headlight issue. Nobody likes a winking Vette, and they all do it. IIRC that was about $10 and an hour in the garage....

Same thing with the lumbars. They all fail.

Currently on my "to do" list is the 3rd brake light switch and reverse lights are inop. Does it take maintenance? Oh yeah. The car absolutely sticks its hand out from time to time. But on the flip-side, there's no payment to a bank, and I've had very few cars in my life that have consistently delivered the grins & chuckles this one does. When it's good, it's very, very good.

[Z06scentair]

Originally Posted by GTOger

Oh yeah, I forgot about the headlight issue. Nobody likes a winking Vette, and they all do it. IIRC that was about $10 and an hour in the garage....

Same thing with the lumbars. They all fail.

Currently on my "to do" list is the 3rd brake light switch and reverse lights are inop. Does it take maintenance? Oh yeah. The car absolutely sticks its hand out from time to time. But on the flip-side, there's no payment to a bank, and I've had very few cars in my life that have consistently delivered the grins & chuckles this one does. When it's good, it's very, very good.

Thank you once again......I honestly feel this is the car in my heart.....when these feelings come to me the car usually comes to stay.


I'm not scared to wrench as I said before. Have just never turned a wrench on an LT5.

Im still mulling.....would be a relieve if someone here pops up and says that was my car and this has been done or that has been done, even negitive advice at this point would be useful.

[Z51JEFF]

Originally Posted by Z06scentair

Thank you once again......I honestly feel this is the car in my heart.....when these feelings come to me the car usually comes to stay.


I'm not scared to wrench as I said before. Have just never turned a wrench on an LT5.

Im still mulling.....would be a relieve if someone here pops up and says that was my car and this has been done or that has been done, even negitive advice at this point would be useful.

Whats the car going for?The next Z you look at will need the same amount of work if not more if its an early car,injectors will need to be replaced regardless of miles.The one of the only maintenance items that need attention in a 90-92 are the injectors,all of the other items that fail in the car for the most part are C4 related.The injectors in my 91 died at 8000 original miles.I havent read all the posts here so I may have repeated some info here.The injectors alone with gaskets will cost maybe $800-$1000 depending on what injectors you go with.I just checked out the add,the cars a little high on price by a few thousand put if its a nice car id pay what the owner wanted but the injector issue would be something to negotiate on the final price.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by Z06scentair

Maybe its time to rethink this car.

you're looking at a 20 year old car, they will have problems...i've been chasing them for 5 or 6 consecutive years, injectors, o2 sensors, ac locking up, now a bad ecm and a vacuum leak. Don't expect this car to run perfectly, I'm shocked every time mine starts at this point. If you're not prepared to work on a car, don't buy a zr-1, or any other 20 year old car. Buy a c6. Not trying to sound like an ***, but that's just the way things are

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by LGAFF

Its all small stuff.....I would not sweat it

small stuff can add up. $550 for injectors, same for labor if you can't do it yourself, gaskets, pumps, wires, plugs....you can be over $3,000 easily

[XfireZ51]

Originally Posted by Kevin

you're looking at a 20 year old car, they will have problems...i've been chasing them for 5 or 6 consecutive years, injectors, o2 sensors, ac locking up, now a bad ecm and a vacuum leak. Don't expect this car to run perfectly, I'm shocked every time mine starts at this point. If you're not prepared to work on a car, don't buy a zr-1, or any other 20 year old car. Buy a c6. Not trying to sound like an ***, but that's just the way things are

You really need to get your Z over here so some of us can do a once over on it.