Asking patience and assistance... I am coming over from the C6 forum to ask some questions about the ZR1... I have been looking at acquiring one for some time now and NOW I am getting very serious..have my sights on what appears to be a very low mileage (sub 7K) and in excellent+++ condition 1991 ZR1... I know the engine from the 1991 model changed over to the later year ZR1's in HP and some other details.. is there any inherent issues etc between the pre 405 hp versions and the later versions other than the obvious HP gain? I have many other questions (just trying to get by the learning curve) but this is all for now
Thanks for any input
Michael
Last edited by C6FirstVette; 11-12-2007 at 06:16 PM.
Asking patience and assistance... I am coming over from the C6 forum to ask some questions about the ZR1... I have been looking at acquiring one for some time now and NOW I am getting very serious..have my sights on what appears to be a very low mileage (sub 7K) and in excellent+++ condition 1991 ZR1... I know the engine from the 1991 model changed over to the later year ZR1's in HP and some other details.. is there any inherent issues etc between the pre 405 hp versions and the later versions other than the obvious HP gain? I have many other questions (just trying to get by the learning curve) but this is all for now
Thanks for any input
Michael
Like was said, '93 not '91. However the 1990 model year did have some specific differences, some hoses and fittings are a little different. 1990 is also the only year the exhaust valves didn't have seals. The '90 unique parts can be a little harder to find sometimes, though really there are almost as many 1990 cars as there are '91-95s put together.
Other than that, there are no significant reliability or functional type differences. If you plan on modding it, the main differences were exhaust and intake ports, so if you change those you pretty much eliminate the 375 vs 405 differences. If you won't be modding it, the 405 horse motor does seem to be stouter out of the box.
I've seen your C6 before I'm pretty sure at some local events. If I can help you out with your search, let me know.
4 bolt block, improved rod and piston, a bit tighter tolerances on the intake to injector housing port matching, better cam tensioner, later 93s (all late lt5s were made in 93) had dunns heads which incorporated the machining changes into the casting. also had egr, redesigned cams, a few improvements here and there, but nothing that major. all the lt5s are very well put together and the differences are pretty small. they are ALL very good engines.
having owned a 90, 93, and 2 95s, I can tell you that all the LT5s are VERY well built. I think the later cars more so than the LT5 had a bunch of small refinements, mainly in the c4 platform, quality control, better shocks, ASR, ect.... the HP differences are fairly small as the earlier cars perform right with the later and bit heavier zr1s.
rarity is the big thing, the last 3 years only 448 cars rolled each year.
I'm very partial to the 95, I like the seats (easier to get into and out of the car, very comfortable), wheels, and quality control the most, but they are also still pricey.
the bargains are the early cars, and the 90 is very distinctive.
I'm right down the road in alex va and the prez of the zr1 club if you need some help. the zr1 is an amazing ride, one that you won't forget! it has quite a bit of character and the lt5 is quite the revver with great durability.
And I like the pre-94 ZRs because of the seats. The 94-95s started to show the kind of seat they'd be using for the C5s, ie. for the wide hip crowd. INCOMING!
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92 Black Rose/Black ZR-1 #458
92 Aqua/Grey ZR-1 #474 SOLD
84 Xfire Z51SOLD
All very good information for a potential ZR-1 owner to start whetting his whistle (actually good information for anyone). I favor the early ZR's (probably because I have a '91). I like the fact that there is no traction control and I like the seats and steering wheel, as well as the cockpit feel the dash gives. I think in '94, that feel was lost.
And I like the pre-94 ZRs because of the seats. The 94-95s started to show the kind of seat they'd be using for the C5s, ie. for the wide hip crowd. INCOMING!
I'm 5'10"/155 LBs soaking wet so I know what you mean. The seats in my '93 fit me perfect with the side bolsters run all the way in. I used to take books and towels with me to autocross events in my '71 coupe so I could wedge myself in, otherwise I would slide all over the place.
Thanks all...all good info... ZR1 Registry is now becoming my night time reading site I have to admit the early ZR1 seats look great and since I am not of the 'wide in the beam' type look perfect!
Michael
I like the '90, because it is the most unique bodystyle. It is a touch lighter, so the H.P. difference should not make a bit of difference in performance, but it is also not unique in that there were more made. Clearly the later models continued to be a little more refined, but if I don't get much fatter I like the sport seats!
I think for the money the 375 hp cars are the best bang for the buck. I have my white 91 z for sale which kills sme but for the money you can buy lots of new stuff for the price of the 405 hp cars. Eitherway a great buy if wanting a vette to hang onto for the long haul.
I have a fairly nice, low mileage 91. At one time, I had one and my wife had one, both 91s. I can't say enough good things about our ZR1's. It doesn't seem to take much to make the difference between the factory 375Hp and 405Hp engines insignificant.
Both Aurora40 I live in your neck of the woods. Aurora has a nice 90 and like I said I have a fairly nice 91. We could probably work out you being able to see them side by side.
In the next year or two I'm going to trade my C6 coupe for a ZO6. I'd love to help a ZO6 owner into a ZR1. Especially if it increases the head count of ZR1s in the DelMarVa.
Good luck and let me know if you'd like to check out a 91.
Corvette Store
Question on the ZR1 375 vs 405 engines>>>
INCOMING!
