bigcityvette

The LT4 in my opinion is more pratical interms of cost of maintence and availabilty of qualified people to perform the maintence.

But the ZR1 is bad as hell and also 6 years older.


FEEDBACK PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MYCoupe

From a maintenance stand point the LT4 is going to be cheaper in the long run. As far as power, you can make an LT4 run with a stock 90 ZR-1 w/o investing a ton of money. The LT4 will also have the newer interior (which I happen to like better).

The ZR-1 will be more unique and will always draw a crowd, plus it will also be worth more long term if you plan to keep it.

corvetteronw

If the price were the same and they were both in good condition and well maintained I would get the ZR1. The LT4 would be a nice driver because it has newer technology but the rush from the Z's power and prestige wins.

H P Bushrod

I'll take the LT4. For everyday use and parts availability, It can't be beat. I'm know the ZR1 has more power and is the exotic motor, but when and if something goes wrong with it, I wouldn't want the bill to repair it.

cv67

LT4- Daily driver
ZR-1 Weekend toy

Kevs435

I'd take the LT4 if you're looking for the best bang for the buck. ZR-1's are definitely a good buy, but if something breaks, it will be much more expensive to fix. I would agree that the ZR-1 has a better future in terms of collectibility. From a performance standpoint, they're closer than most people think. I worked at a Chevy dealership when the ZR-1's came out and was very impressed. Nothing I'd driven compared to it. However, I owned an LT4 for a couple of years and was impressed with it, as well. Check out the link below of a drag racing shootout between a '94 LT1 6 speed and an LT4. Powershifting at 6,500 (not something I did with mine), the LT4 owner cracked into the 12.90's. Bottom line: You can't lose with either the ZR-1 or the LT4.

http://www.fierolt1.com/lt1_vs_lt4_1.htm

Brian9

Id take the LT4 coupe over a 90 zr1 becuase of the upgraded bodystyle (front and side) but I would take a 91-95 zr1 over a LT4 coupe any day

aboatguy

I know that it wasn't one of your options but I'd take a 95Z over an LT4!

raptornails

Can't I just have both ...I guess I would have to go with the LT4 only because I always feel the need to modify and tweak, and the 4 would be cheaper to do that with.

Rapid Fred

LT4

How about a GS vert? Collectible, open air, new interior, less maintenance hassle. Pretty easy choice for me!

USAFPILOT

I have the LT4 and C5. I have to say I love both. I bought the LT4 to see if I would really enjoy the C4. I found I like it more than the C5, dont know why but I do.

That being said. The LT4 is super fast. Cant be that much slower than a Z, however. Once my truck is paid off, I think I will be in the market for a ZR1. I also prefer a 91-95, but wouldn't pass up a sweet 90. The 90's have the interior I like, it's only the front thats different.

I saw a steel blue one and really liked it. I also like the Black with red interior, but my LT4 is black, so it could be over kill. Only time will tell.

NEVERL8

Thought long and hard before I bought my LT4. The ZR1 is a wonderful car with an exotic motor that sounds unlike any other vette ever made. I looked at the numbers, though, and I could not justify the ZR1.

The LT4 makes 355 to 360 HP at the crank. My bone stock LT4 dynoed at 305 RWP and many others report the same power. The LT4 is giving up 30 HP to the early ZR1s and 50 to the later ones. The ZR1s weigh almost 200 lbs more so the power to weight ratio of the two cars are not that far off (at least for the 385 HP Zs). Also, since I have the Z51 suspension the cornering and stopping are also very close. Since the performance difference between the two cars are close I did not want to take the chance with the LT5 motor. Beautiful engine, work of art, hand built, but damn if something goes wrong with it you are in for a world of hurt.

I guess I am too analytical about things. The emotional side says get the Z. It is an awsome car. The drive every day go fast side of me, and let me work on it and mod it myself side, says go with the LT4. Granted, the LT4 will hever have the exotic cache of the Z, but the LT4 is one helluva car.

corvetteronw

Has anyone attended Gordon Killebrew's ZR1 class? I have heard that he tells attendees not to be afraid of the repairs.
Also, when I went down to Vette2Vette's shop this summer to pick up my hard top Jason told me that Gordon was going to teach him how to work on the ZR1s.
It is nice to have these folks as a resource. I'm sure there are plenty of knowledgeable experts at the Registry too.

kwd1

ZR1 will hold it's value better.

Only thing I don't like about the early ZR1s is they didn't have the ASR. I think it came out in 92.

hippy

With the price of parts and availability of ZR1 parts I would stick with a LT4 car.

C5Jimmy

'96 LT4= nice

LT5 (ZR1)= cooler, considering the exotica aspect, way cooler

...If I'm gonna spend that cash on a car....I'm going with a Z06!
(lets face it, just a way better car than both...no hard feelings!)

90Vettfan

correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the '90 interior dash and the '96 dash the same? thought the '89 year was the cutoff for the older square dash with the breadloaf on the pass side?....

Brian9

Kevs435

You're right. The '90 was the first year for the new dash. The seats in the '90 are different from the '96, but they're both nice.

rocco16

I see this all the time and, frankly, believe it's just wishful thinking.

I dyno'd my stock LT4 immediately after a friend dyno'd his stock LS1. Same morning, same dyno, same place.
His pulled 316rwhp. His LS1 is factory rated at 345cshp.
Mine pulled 311rwhp. Which means the LT4 was putting out 340cshp at the most. This is assuming his LS1 was representative and not down on power at the time.
All this BS about LT4's putting out 350-380hp is mighty hard to believe with the facts I see....
(several months later, during an LT1Edit dyno tune, my car came up with max 307rwhp....for what that's worth)


Larry
code5coupe