Winter Projects One Year Later>>> - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

ZR1Vette · 01-03-2009

After I acquired my ZR-1 in December 2007, I embarked on the first round of winter projects starting in Jan 2008... this was the view for a couple months back then>>

Well, now one year later it is time for round two of winter projects so afamilar view>>

I had to replace the upper control arm (right side) due to a blown ball joint seal... in fact the entire seal was torn and smashed
Here is the old and new control arms>>

Job was really a lot easier than expected...the C4/ZR-1 shop manuals are really coming in handy...very specific torque specs required.

For anybody having to do this...just remove the center wheel well cover and strut actuator and you have easy access to the control arm nuts-to- frame and once removed control arm easily removes>>

Next job was to switch out brake pads and rotors... in last year's winter projects I installed EBC ceramic pads and EBC sport rotors.. well, I just did not like the feel so went back to OEM rotors (zinc coated) and my pads of choice- Porterfield R4S..

Next project are injectors etc....Phil and Dave have volunteered to come over and "hold my hand" being a newbie at removing the plenum. Also,decided to replace the tires... the GS-D3s are 7+ years old with very little mileage, but they are showing the aged induced hardening.

I think that is enough for this year's round ;-)

32valvZ · 01-03-2009

Great pics

Jagdpanzer · 01-03-2009

Michael
Hate having to be to one to break it to you pal, but the finish on your exhaust pipe just before it connects to muffler is starting to dull a little.
Otherwise it's looking fabulous.

RedSled · 01-03-2009

Looks good as always Michael!

- Keith '90 Red/Red #1383

Aurora40 · 01-04-2009

Looks good! Any idea how that happened with the balljoint? Let me know if you need any help with the injectors, though it sounds like you've got it covered.

HIZNHRZ · 01-04-2009

Michael, car looks great as usual. I'm wondering if I could invite myself over to watch changing out your injectors. I've been under my plenum twice now, once with help and once solo, and the process is still not something that I'm confident with. I figure the more I either do it or watch it happening the better.

ZR1Vette · 01-04-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aurora40

Looks good! Any idea how that happened with the balljoint? Let me know if you need any help with the injectors, though it sounds like you've got it covered.

The cotter pin for the slotted upper control arm ball stud had clear evidence of being removed and reinstalled....not sure why, but clearly the reason for the ball joint grease cover failure was whoever did the work way over torqued the nut (spec is 33 flbs and bet the nut was somewhere north of 60 flbs) and caused the cover to fail.
Since the new control arm install will be interesting to see if alignment is still correct (used the same number and in same locations alignment shims).

ZR1Vette · 01-04-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by HIZNHRZ

Michael, car looks great as usual. I'm wondering if I could invite myself over to watch changing out your injectors. I've been under my plenum twice now, once with help and once solo, and the process is still not something that I'm confident with. I figure the more I either do it or watch it happening the better.

Absolutely invited...in fact the more the merrier... make it another ZR-1 gathering (I will supply food and drink)... just need to lock in a date...looks like sometime soon after Jan 17 (Maryland ZR-1 gathering)

ZZZZZR1 · 01-05-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZR1Vette

Absolutely invited...in fact the more the merrier... make it another ZR-1 gathering (I will supply food and drink)... just need to lock in a date...looks like sometime soon after Jan 17 (Maryland ZR-1 gathering)

Jan 18th? Or the next weekend?

tomtom72 · 01-06-2009

Man that car is soooo cherry!

Kind of doing the same project....sort of, 4 new arms from corvette recycling. I figure that while I'm in the neighborhood I should do the bar ends & mounts, outter tie rod ends and the rack mounts....figure OEM parts for that stuff too; any opinions on that choice? I was thinking poly stuff...I don't feel like taking apart the new arms to toss new bushings in the can...

...too cheap...

My b-joint & tie-rod covers came blown up as std equipment. I let'em live on borrowed time long enough. I figured that someone tried to grease'em without hanging the front end...just lazy I guess?

The plenum pull is a nice excersise to do as it lets ya see all our stuff & how it all "connects". I came away with a better understanding....I'm a muscle memory type learner

......one thing...a long torx set, T-15(?) or a pack of three at sears or autozone for the plenum. The outside plenum bolt on the even bank @ the fire wall (last bolt so to speak right below the fuel line block?). Loosen the 2 bolts in that block enough so you can swivel the fuel lines or you may not get a good seat with the torx bit on that last rear plenum bolt....my fuel lines were in the way & the torx went on cocked.

Tom

01-03-2009	#2
32valvZ Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sunshine State Posts: 1,071	Re: Winter Projects One Year Later>>> Great pics __________________ [B]1990 #2815[/B] [COLOR="Red"][B]Red/Red[/B][/COLOR] Ported Plenum & IH (by Pete) Haibeck Chip Rebuilt FPR (by Phil) FIC Injectors Watson LT Headers 3" Stainless Works exhaust Lingenfelter Open Air Lid Bill B Built Transmission Shifter & C Beam Plates [FONT=Impact][COLOR=red]1992 [COLOR=black]#[/COLOR] 091[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Impact][COLOR=#ff0000]Red/[COLOR=silver]Gray[/COLOR][/COLOR][/FONT] [B]SOLD[/B]

01-03-2009	#3
Jagdpanzer Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 2,661	Re: Winter Projects One Year Later>>> Michael Hate having to be to one to break it to you pal, but the finish on your exhaust pipe just before it connects to muffler is starting to dull a little. Otherwise it's looking fabulous.

01-03-2009	#4
RedSled Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Germantown, Maryland Posts: 522	Re: Winter Projects One Year Later>>> Looks good as always Michael! - Keith '90 Red/Red #1383

01-04-2009	#5
Aurora40 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Leesburg, VA Posts: 2,713	Re: Winter Projects One Year Later>>> Looks good! Any idea how that happened with the balljoint? Let me know if you need any help with the injectors, though it sounds like you've got it covered. __________________ Bob Saveland Former owner of #2517 [IMG]http://a.random-image.net/aurora40/vette.jpg[/img]

01-04-2009	#6
HIZNHRZ Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Germantown, MD Posts: 738	Re: Winter Projects One Year Later>>> Michael, car looks great as usual. I'm wondering if I could invite myself over to watch changing out your injectors. I've been under my plenum twice now, once with help and once solo, and the process is still not something that I'm confident with. I figure the more I either do it or watch it happening the better.

01-03-2009	#1
ZR1Vette Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Reston, Virginia Posts: 939	Winter Projects One Year Later>>> After I acquired my ZR-1 in December 2007, I embarked on the first round of winter projects starting in Jan 2008... this was the view for a couple months back then>> Well, now one year later it is time for round two of winter projects so afamilar view>> I had to replace the upper control arm (right side) due to a blown ball joint seal... in fact the entire seal was torn and smashed Here is the old and new control arms>> Job was really a lot easier than expected...the C4/ZR-1 shop manuals are really coming in handy...very specific torque specs required. For anybody having to do this...just remove the center wheel well cover and strut actuator and you have easy access to the control arm nuts-to- frame and once removed control arm easily removes>> Next job was to switch out brake pads and rotors... in last year's winter projects I installed EBC ceramic pads and EBC sport rotors.. well, I just did not like the feel so went back to OEM rotors (zinc coated) and my pads of choice- Porterfield R4S.. Next project are injectors etc....Phil and Dave have volunteered to come over and "hold my hand" being a newbie at removing the plenum. Also,decided to replace the tires... the GS-D3s are 7+ years old with very little mileage, but they are showing the aged induced hardening. I think that is enough for this year's round ;-) __________________ Michael :cheers: [I][SIZE="2"]1990 RED on RED #566[/SIZE][/I] [I][SIZE="2"]WAZOO MEMBER[/I][/SIZE]

01-06-2009	#10
tomtom72 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Jacksonville, FL USA Posts: 4,645	Re: Winter Projects One Year Later>>> Man that car is soooo cherry! Kind of doing the same project....sort of, 4 new arms from corvette recycling. I figure that while I'm in the neighborhood I should do the bar ends & mounts, outter tie rod ends and the rack mounts....figure OEM parts for that stuff too; any opinions on that choice? I was thinking poly stuff...I don't feel like taking apart the new arms to toss new bushings in the can......too cheap... My b-joint & tie-rod covers came blown up as std equipment. I let'em live on borrowed time long enough. I figured that someone tried to grease'em without hanging the front end...just lazy I guess? The plenum pull is a nice excersise to do as it lets ya see all our stuff & how it all "connects". I came away with a better understanding....I'm a muscle memory type learner......one thing...a long torx set, T-15(?) or a pack of three at sears or autozone for the plenum. The outside plenum bolt on the even bank @ the fire wall (last bolt so to speak right below the fuel line block?). Loosen the 2 bolts in that block enough so you can swivel the fuel lines or you may not get a good seat with the torx bit on that last rear plenum bolt....my fuel lines were in the way & the torx went on cocked. Tom __________________ 1990 ZR-1, Black/grey, #2233, stock. ZR-1 Net Reg Founding Member #316 & NCM member