I Think I Want a C4 ZR-1

[efnfast]

Lets see:
salad shooters
saw blades
A molds
?
They all had A/C. Some early ones had manual A/C, most came with climate control.

[BlackZR1]

Originally Posted by RichieDMD

how many different wheel styles did the ZR-1 come with during its 6-year run? I believe I read the ZR-1 had a wider tire than the standard Corvette...so I assume they had their own specific wheels. Where they the same design (aesthetically) as the standard Corvette of their respective year?

Welcome RichieDMD,
This website has an excellent chart of all the C4 wheels by year:
https://mirrockcorvette.com/c4-parts-guide/wheels/

[RichieDMD]

Originally Posted by BlackZR1

Welcome RichieDMD,
This website has an excellent chart of all the C4 wheels by year:
https://mirrockcorvette.com/c4-parts-guide/wheels/

That is perfect...Thanks.


I prefer a more stock look but I definitely like the rims on the 1994 and later cars better. Is it common to swap them...and if so, are they difficult to find (specifically the rear wheels as they are wider)?

[32valvZ]

Very common to swap to A Mold wheels. Theyre reasonably easy to find and surface in the F/S sections of this site, the forum and ebay too.

[EvanZR1]

Originally Posted by HAWAIIZR-1

I understand and you don’t want to rush. He just sent me a message that it seems some lucky member here is going to buy the car. That was quick and not surprising at his price point. You’re doing the right thing to take your time and learn. The right one will fall into your lap here.

If I hadn't been in the middle of building a house, I would have bought that car even though I don't like black. Good advice though, be patient and discriminating. Don't jump on the first one that comes along unless it's the right car.

Originally Posted by RichieDMD

I really am trying to learn as much as I can about these cars and figure out exactly what I want. I do think I want a car that is either 1990 or 1993. I don't want a newer one than that. As odd as it sounds, the reason for this is I don't want a passenger air bag. My wife has been a little against this idea of selling the Camaro and buying one of these in part because our young kids (3 and 5) won't be able to enjoy it with me as much...
I really think Red is what I want...so in 1990 that is Bright Red and 1993 its Torch Red. Is there much difference in the colors? I know in 1990 1565 were made in Red and in 1993 only 59 were. So, the 1990 will be a lot easier to find. I wonder what the cost difference between an otherwise similar red 1990 and 1993 would be.


As far as originality...I'm OK with some mods. Just nothing crazy. Little improvements and upgrades are great. I don't want anything that has been heavily altered or hot rodded. I also have to worry about Oregon emissions standards so there's that too.

This is perfectly sound reasoning, also there's really not much actual performance difference between any of the years. Early 375HP cars are a little lighter than the later 405HP cars, so performance ends up being about the same. Choosing red makes things a lot easier as that's by far the most numerous color. I specifically didn't want black, red or white this time around so had a much more limited selection of cars. As to mods & emissions, porting and/or gears will have little to no impact on emissions and are two of the more common mods. Long tube headers without cats are one of the other common mods, and will impact emissions. However, check your states requirements as any C4 ZR-1 is over 25 years old at this point, which should let it be registered as an antique, which often eliminates it having to pass emissions.

Originally Posted by efnfast

Lets see:
salad shooters
saw blades
A molds
They all had A/C. Some early ones had manual A/C, most came with climate control.

Correct, three different wheel options. Personally I never cared for the salad shooters or saw blades when the cars first came out, and always preferred (and still prefer) the 5-spoke A-molds. Now however, I do really like the look of the 90 with the original salad shooter wheels. Really gives the 90 a unique look even among other C4 ZR-1s. Of course, it's not too unusual to see custom wheels, there's a decent number of ZR-1s with them. My favorite is the Shelby wheels, which were pretty popular.
Obligatory pic:

[WARP TEN]

Originally Posted by HAWAIIZR-1

So well said Bob! So happy to see you’re here for life despite selling your C4 Zs. I loved my 90, but so happy to have a 95 now. There are some lifetime friendships made here for sure.

I’ve been meaning to ask your experience about the C7 community and if you’ve found similar love, passion, and friendships like this community? I only know the ZR-1 Net and Registry since Mom (Dave Bright) welcomed me with open arms in 2003 and I’ve been glued and obsessed since. I feel like the C4 ZR-1 has a special following and family, but I could be wrong. By the way, I’m still hoping you buy another ZR-1. [emoji1317]🤙🏼

Craig


Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry

Thanks Craig--
The C4 ZR-1 group is special in ways that the other forums I haunt are not (several Corvette and BMW forums). I think this is related to several factors. First, The group is relatively small, as befitting the relatively small production run of C4 ZR-1. Second, there is a passion related to the engineering of the LT5 engine that not everyone has for other cars. Third, we have been around ZR-1s for along time--many of us joined Larry Merow's ZR-1 Registry in the early '90s, and certainly the ZR1 Net Registry in the early 2000s, and many of us have been going to annual "Gatherings", first at Bloomington then the NCM, since the early '90s. Fourth I think it is special that the group includes so many specialists and experts in all or some things ZR-1. Graham Behan still participates, March Haibeck too, Brett Henderson, Hib Halverson, the FBI and Wazoo groups, and many others. Corey Henderson, Bill Boudreau, Dave McLellan and Dave Bright also, not so much on the forum, but in the community and often at Gatherings or other events. I am proud to be part of this group and glad you haven't kicked me out for getting one of them new-fangled supercharged Corvettes...

As to the other Corvette groups or forums, I do enjoy participating in the forums, but there isn't really a club like ours, other than on a more local level. BMW does have a large and active national group, although I don't participate in it like I do here. While I have good on line relationships with a number of Z06 folks, I have not yet gone to one of their national annual gatherings. I would hope to next year perhaps; they hold it in April. It would be nice to meet with some of them face to face. I did get to do that once with a few at a smaller get together we did at the Air Force museum in Dayton Ohio a couple years ago.

As for buying another ZR-1, well I am afraid I would have to buy a new wife first. I regularly threaten to take her down to CarMax for an appraisal and possible trade in but she isn't too keen on that idea. As she points out, at this stage she is probably fully depreciated--as am I, of course.... --Bob

[MarkSS]

I will give a little perspective and hopefully help as someone who has owned a couple 4th gen Camaros as well as a couple ZR-1s. You didn't mention if you have driven one yet or not, which I would recommend for anything before purchasing, but I will attempt a comparison here. I will base it off of my 99 SS Camaro, because the LS1 cars are significantly quicker than the LT1s (my other Camaro was a 96 Z/28).

To be honest, a stock ZR-1 is not a lot faster than a stock SS Camaro. However, the power delivery is quite different. The LT5 loves revs and really comes alive above 3500 rpm all the way to redline around 7000. The sound is also unique and, though the LT5 sound isn't special at idle, it is at speed... I never get tired of it.

The ZR-1 is a more refined touring car than the Camaro and has a very good, almost too soft ride in touring mode. If I am going to be on a road with corners, I usually turn the dial up to Sport or Performance, but on the interstate or on city streets I usually leave it in touring. Launches are fun and more effective in touring because you get more weight transfer to the rear.

I actually have a slight preference on shift feel for the T56 in the Camaros compared to the ZF in the Corvettes, but the ZF 6 speed is quite durable so there are rarely issues there unless it has been powershifted a lot, which can cause the synchros to fail.

I haven't experienced any ZR-1 specific problems with either of them I have owned, as the LT5 is very reliable. The one I am hoping not to have to deal with is starter failure, as it is hard to access and requires removal of the plenum. This may be the most common issue specific to the ZR-1. I have had to replace headlight motors, and Bose amps as they are prone to failure on any C4. My first 1990 had the dreaded airbag light that I had fixed and then it came on again the week I sold it... my current car has not had this issue, which is usually related to corrosion on the ground for it.

I love Camaros and currently have a 14 Z/28, but the ZR-1s are a unique part of Corvette history, still fun to drive, and deserving of the King of the Hill title for their day.

Have fun in the search and I think you will have a blast with a ZR-1.

[RichieDMD]

Originally Posted by MarkSS

I will give a little perspective and hopefully help as someone who has owned a couple 4th gen Camaros as well as a couple ZR-1s. You didn't mention if you have driven one yet or not, which I would recommend for anything before purchasing, but I will attempt a comparison here. I will base it off of my 99 SS Camaro, because the LS1 cars are significantly quicker than the LT1s (my other Camaro was a 96 Z/28).

To be honest, a stock ZR-1 is not a lot faster than a stock SS Camaro. However, the power delivery is quite different. The LT5 loves revs and really comes alive above 3500 rpm all the way to redline around 7000. The sound is also unique and, though the LT5 sound isn't special at idle, it is at speed... I never get tired of it.

The ZR-1 is a more refined touring car than the Camaro and has a very good, almost too soft ride in touring mode. If I am going to be on a road with corners, I usually turn the dial up to Sport or Performance, but on the interstate or on city streets I usually leave it in touring. Launches are fun and more effective in touring because you get more weight transfer to the rear.

I actually have a slight preference on shift feel for the T56 in the Camaros compared to the ZF in the Corvettes, but the ZF 6 speed is quite durable so there are rarely issues there unless it has been powershifted a lot, which can cause the synchros to fail.

I haven't experienced any ZR-1 specific problems with either of them I have owned, as the LT5 is very reliable. The one I am hoping not to have to deal with is starter failure, as it is hard to access and requires removal of the plenum. This may be the most common issue specific to the ZR-1. I have had to replace headlight motors, and Bose amps as they are prone to failure on any C4. My first 1990 had the dreaded airbag light that I had fixed and then it came on again the week I sold it... my current car has not had this issue, which is usually related to corrosion on the ground for it.

I love Camaros and currently have a 14 Z/28, but the ZR-1s are a unique part of Corvette history, still fun to drive, and deserving of the King of the Hill title for their day.

Have fun in the search and I think you will have a blast with a ZR-1.

Wow, great information here. Thank you for the comparison. I was not expected a stock ZR-1 to be faster than my Camaro SS...I know it might be a little but I wasn't expecting it to be a massive change. The problem I have is I have driven a 02 SS M6 for over a decade every day and then I went out and bought a 93 LT1 Z-28 A4...with higher gears. As much as I love how it looks...its so similar to the 02 but more boring to drive when I'm accustom to the LS-1. I don't necessarily need something way faster...but I need something different. I think the ZR-1 performance will be plenty to satisfy me and provide a different driving experience. To be honest, if the 93 Camaro wasn't so similar to the 02 it would be fine.


To answer your question about driving a ZR-1, I have not. I have never driven any kind of C4. I do think that driving one (or at least riding in one) is needed before I decide to buy one. I didn't drive a LT1 Camaro before I bought one and that was a mistake...probably should have found a random one at a local dealer and test drove it.


I have been reviewing the resources here and I have a question. Is there a known list of exterior colors with the interior colors they came with? I know some models restrict the color of the interior based on the exterior. Lets say for instance, I want a Bright Red 1990. What interior colors will I find? I know Red is a common interior for red cars...but do other interiors exist and if so, how rare are they?

[EvanZR1]

Originally Posted by RichieDMD

I have been reviewing the resources here and I have a question. Is there a known list of exterior colors with the interior colors they came with? I know some models restrict the color of the interior based on the exterior. Lets say for instance, I want a Bright Red 1990. What interior colors will I find? I know Red is a common interior for red cars...but do other interiors exist and if so, how rare are they?

Posted this link in the CF thread, but didn't call it out specifically:
http://www.zr1netregistry.com/Inform...ersColors.aspx
Has all the exterior color numbers by year. I know there were certain interior color restrictions based on exterior color, but I think you could get pretty much anything (other than maybe blue) with red exterior.

[RichieDMD]

Originally Posted by EvanZR1

Posted this link in the CF thread, but didn't call it out specifically:
http://www.zr1netregistry.com/Inform...ersColors.aspx
Has all the exterior color numbers by year. I know there were certain interior color restrictions based on exterior color, but I think you could get pretty much anything (other than maybe blue) with red exterior.

Yes, that was the table I was referencing (I saw it when you posted it before...thanks!)...I just didn't know if there was a known production of interior colors vs. exterior colors. I also only see paint colors on that chart...is there a list of interior colors too or am I just not reading it right?

Is Red the most common interior for red cars with this generation of Corvette?