lgaff

Would you be afraid of buying a 1990 Zr-1 with 122K miles? Any special concerns with regard to motor. Asking is 13K OBO, clean title. Good condition, etc

Also, would you give up a mint 1990 L98 for a ZR-1 with that many miles, I currently have a 1990 with 50K new shocks/dual exhaust/ SS mufflers, UD pulleys, 1.6RR, etc. I will need to part with this one to buy the ZR-1

Lgaff

corvette1989bham

LT5 itself will last a long time, small items are needing constant attention, if you dont ENJOY working on your car and looking for parts then DONT buy the ZR1 , if you want a extremely cool car and hobby go for it, but it isnt a no maint. car. its a hands on relationship.

jonszr1

Hope this helps I have 2 zs Ibought one with 95 k 2 yrs ago it now has130 on it has headers and ex and still as of 2 wks ago 370 rwhp. car 2 158k stk except ex 348rwhp both are solid as a rock . Had to replace sec vaccume on both and original inj in one but have 2 killer cars for 21k life doesnt get much better than that

Scoob

If the ZR1 in question was well maintained I'd make that swap in a heartbeat.

Peaven

Tomcat74

I bought a High mileage ZR1. The only real issue for me was the Bose music system. Doctor Don & Bose took care of that for less than 600 dollars & I'm factoring in my Time. It was taken care of & the owner had a paper trail. I believe the only issue you will have with a ZR1 high miles will be all the money you save over a low mile ZR1. Wash it, Wax it & Change the Oil drive Hell out of it.

Tomcat 74
1991 ZR1 #906

lgaff

Is working on a Zr-1 much harder than an L98, I've pulled and rebuilt a motor before(L98) and do all of my own mainten......is the Z plenum, etc really that difficult. My expereince is that anyone can work on a car, you just have to get over the fear of it and dig in.

Lgaff

Scoob

I concur. 99% of the things that will go wrong with an LT5 motor are easily taken care of by a competent mechanic. I'm definitely a novice DIY guy but I'm not afraid to jump in and have a look. I figure if it's already broken how much worse can I make it? The plenum does look intimidating but if you take your time it's pretty straight forward, plus you have the considerable experience and knowledge of this group and the ZR1 registry to help you along.

JaySS

Pulling the LT5 plenum is far overrated as difficulty goes.

I would say it is easier than pulling the upper plenum and runners on a TPI car.

-J

Tomcat74

Go to http://www.pnwzr1.net/PNWZR1.htm there is a step by step instructions with pics to help you though the Plenum pull & reinstall.
There should be or ZR1 folks in your area to help you though it.

Tomcat 74

phrogs

if you get into timing the camshafts youll need special tools which many of us on the forum have.

other than timing the cams the engine is the same as any other I have come accross

there are some special conciderations but its not hard to work on

ZR-1 Scott

"Would you be afraid of buying a 1990 Zr-1 with 122K miles? Any special concerns with regard to motor. Asking is 13K OBO, clean title. Good condition, etc....."

Lgaff,
If you pass on this car please post the information or PM me with the details. I am currently without a ZR1 and $13K to join the club is to good for me to pass up.

Scott

LeoLily

Try http://www.corvettetraderonline.com/search.php if you're wanting to buy a ZR-1. Last time I looked they had a white one for under $15k... Good luck!

gunnerja

Dido. Mine has 128k and 405 RWHP and runs strong. A vacuum pump and a AC compressor has been the only issue. Remember drive them like you stole it. I would easily trade up to a ZR1 from a L98 piece of **** Oh wait I did that already. Enjoy

Rkreigh

the LT5 can typically go 200k or more miles if well taken care of. the nikasil liners, rings, pistons, bottom end, and cams ect are premium materials and really hold up well if maintained.

it all comes down to the condition of the car. I would rather pay a bit more for one that doesn't have issues rather than one that wasn't well taken care of. sometimes bargains don't turn out that way if you run into some serious problems.

see if the car has maint records, and is in good cosmetic, do a health check, if so, 13k is VERY reasonable. but you can buy some early low miler cars for a few grand more that might be better IMHO.

buy the best quality car you can afford. the lt5 will eat up miles and run forever. the engine is an anvil. beat on it hard and often.

jabrun

I agree, I pulled one in a hotel parking lot one time for a guy who had a hose blow off underneath.

gunnerja

Did mine in a hour and a half (watching closely to make sure everything went back right) and did it from a blog on ZR1 registry and pics from here. Easy! Much easier than the TPI from my L98.

RICHARD TILL

Buy the car. My 90Z #2161 has 112k miles. the only money i`ve spent on this car is for tires, gas, oil and a starter. bought the car in 1998 and i know the plugs have at least 70k on them. went on a 650 mile trip two weeks ago (got 25.3 mpg) and its going to talladega this weekend. the only thing that ever crosses my mind when away from home is "what if the water pump went out". the looks and comments you`ll get on this car are worth a lot. when an admirer asks about it, they`ll listen just as long as you`ll talk. dont let the miles scare you.

BiZ

At 100k miles the motor is just getting broke in.

cward

I know of one Z that ran pretty fast with 105k on the engine. And pretty quick with a little spray. :-)

Curtis