Upgrade to 1995 ZR-1?

[WARP TEN]

Originally Posted by Okiedoke

I was thinking of a 2nd one being an "almost ZR1" fund....a 71 or 72 LT-1 coupe. So the ZR-1 would be the go fast car and the "almost" ZR1 for cruising in style. If I take the route of a second ZR-1 fund, then I'd keep the 93-95 Z stock, and be tempted to get the Heibeck 510HP package for the 91. Oh my...where does it all stop? The 650HP package!

I went through something like this dilemma when I got my 95. I had a 93 since 1994 and like the limited production aspect of the later cars. Also they are the best developed as later cars. I sold the 93 in 2007 and after regretting it for several years finally decided to get another. I thought about it and decided to try for a fairly late production 95. Search for a year or so and finally came up with WARP TEN, which when I bought it was all stock with 20k miles. I had to pay a much higher price than I would have for a 90 or 91 but it was what I wanted. Then the stock vs mod debate. I had Marc do a number of mods on the 93 and liked them: 4.10s, Hurst, Corsa. So I did those and then since my engine had a somewhat rough finish the next year I decided to do Marc's 510 package. Delighted I did. Also went back to stock exhaust with cutouts.

What I did was save all the take off parts, so with a little work or not too much money a new owner could put the car back to stock appearance for certification if desired. If I wanted to pursue that I would simply give Marc the car and parts and say make it look stock, which he has done a couple of time for others. My car now has about 30k miles and is in very good original condition. If I sold it I would expect a fairly high price (compared to early cars) but a new buyer would get all of Marc's upgrades for about half price or less and all the parts to return it to stock. So in the end it is all about what is important to you. Since it sounds like you already have a good 91, I would just get all those small things fixed and if you are adventurous get a 510 package just for grins. You could send it to Marc for everything over the winter and end up with a beautiful strong running ZR-1 for about what you would have invested for a late model with some minor mods. Good luck! --Bob

[cvette98pacecar]

Originally Posted by Blue Flame Restorations

The main difference to me between my 91 and 95 was the interior. Besides that, not much.

You not counting the added 150 hp?

[Blue Flame Restorations]

hahahaha the 95 is so tame it feels like my Cobalt.

PETE SPOILED ME FOR LIFE

[ZR1North]

Originally Posted by WARP TEN

I went through something like this dilemma when I got my 95. I had a 93 since 1994 and like the limited production aspect of the later cars. Also they are the best developed as later cars. I sold the 93 in 2007 and after regretting it for several years finally decided to get another. I thought about it and decided to try for a fairly late production 95. Search for a year or so and finally came up with WARP TEN, which when I bought it was all stock with 20k miles. I had to pay a much higher price than I would have for a 90 or 91 but it was what I wanted. Then the stock vs mod debate. I had Marc do a number of mods on the 93 and liked them: 4.10s, Hurst, Corsa. So I did those and then since my engine had a somewhat rough finish the next year I decided to do Marc's 510 package. Delighted I did. Also went back to stock exhaust with cutouts.

What I did was save all the take off parts, so with a little work or not too much money a new owner could put the car back to stock appearance for certification if desired. If I wanted to pursue that I would simply give Marc the car and parts and say make it look stock, which he has done a couple of time for others. My car now has about 30k miles and is in very good original condition. If I sold it I would expect a fairly high price (compared to early cars) but a new buyer would get all of Marc's upgrades for about half price or less and all the parts to return it to stock. So in the end it is all about what is important to you. Since it sounds like you already have a good 91, I would just get all those small things fixed and if you are adventurous get a 510 package just for grins. You could send it to Marc for everything over the winter and end up with a beautiful strong running ZR-1 for about what you would have insted for a late model with some minor mods. Good luck! --Bob

Interesting thread! I pondered the same questions (move to '95; stock vs performance upgrade).

Re the move to later model, I decided to stick with my low-mileage '91 (prefer the 90-93 interior, especially the portion of the console just ahead of the shifter).

Re the stock vs performance upgrade, Bob was kind enough to let me drive WARP TEN last month. Prior to that, I was leaning toward the upgrade; after the run, I fell over completely on the side of Marc's 510 pkg; '91 #666 will be spending the winter of 2015 in Marc's stable. Bob's car is awesome. My biggest surprise was the Hurst shifter; if you like crisp, affirmative shifts, this is a great choice!

Isn't life great when these are the choices we're pondering!

[BigJohn]

Cobalt?

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Originally Posted by BigJohn

Cobalt?

Yep, 91 had around 530 hp and basically no mufflers. The 95 is bone stock and as quiet as a summer breeze....

[Johnny5]

Id keep the 91 and get the heibeck 510 package. I have a ported plenum, IH, cat back exhaust and marcs tune. Im already used to the power and want more.

[thirstyzr1]

Keep the 91. I bought a low km 90 and had the opportunity to buy a 95 with a few more km on it from the same dealer. It was a no brainer for me considering the high cost difference. Im only 38 and I will be long dead before these cars see any real increase in resale value.
I would go with the performance mods. Good Luck.