I have a 71 LT-1 and have done most of the restoration myself but I am not a mechanic. Thinking of buying a ZR-1 but with 4 valves and all the other high tech stuff on the motor it appears that any motor work would be very expensive compared to what I'm used to. Any comments on the costs of maintaining a ZR-1 motor--that doesn't include all those electric gizmos on the new cars. Love the older vets because they are very easy to repair. Thanks
The ZR-1 is a C4 w/all the options and the LT5 was free. The motor is about as carefully built as could be humanly possible. They were built by Mercury Marine, hand assembled and MM did all the final machining and double checking. The motor internally has very few weak points that would lead to parts failures down the road, head gaskets if you use the wrong coolant, the timing chain guides have start-up oiling issues in the early cars like 90 thru 93(?)...but that issue is mostly just the "chain rattle" which is not a sign of impending failure.
Try both places for the truth on the motor. If you are really interested see if you can get The Heart of the Beast book as it will give you lot of insight to design & build.
just a fwiw, my first vette was a 72 LT-1 and I really did think that car was pretty darn good at the high rpm work.....my only other vette is my 90 ZR-1, and that car revs like a F1 motor, makes my LT-1 seem a bit slow.
Tom
P.S. Now is probably a great time to buy a ZR-1 as the prices appear to be very favorable on most of the cars that I see listed. I sincerely wish I had extra cash, I'd be a buyer in this market.
Last edited by tomtom72; 05-10-2009 at 08:45 AM.
Reason: forgot something
Your title asks how expensive is it to have work done. I'd say very. I'd say that's true even of a $3,000 '84. If you pay someone to do the maintenance and upkeep on any car, especially an older sports car, it gets pricey fast.
That said, they are no more or less expensive to maintain than any other C4 if you can turn a wrench.
I have a 71 LT-1 and have done most of the restoration myself but I am not a mechanic. Thinking of buying a ZR-1 but with 4 valves and all the other high tech stuff on the motor it appears that any motor work would be very expensive compared to what I'm used to. Any comments on the costs of maintaining a ZR-1 motor--that doesn't include all those electric gizmos on the new cars. Love the older vets because they are very easy to repair. Thanks
The engines require no work to keep them running. They go well over 100k easily. I have one with 72k and one with 27k. Change the oil once a year (5,000 miles) and your good to go. As the others have said, just standard things that need fixed as with any other C4. Drive one, you'll buy it.
__________________ John Boyd 1991 ZR-1 #473 RED/BLACK 36k miles (For Sale) 2000 HARLEY BRONZE PEARL Roadglide (For Sale)
I have an LT1 and recently replaced the water pump. When searching the online car parts sites they had my LT1 pump for about $200 and the ZR1 pump closer to $500.
Not sure if that is the sort of info you are looking for??
I'm the original owner for 16 1/2 years and the only thing I've done to the engine is replace the water pump for $300. After 3 1/2 years as a daily driver, now I drive it a couple of times a year on trips but it's main use is as a race car for my daughter and me. We make sure we exercise the beast to the max too, it is shown no mercy on the track with regular visits to 7000+ RPM...that's what the rev limiter is there for! The car loves it and keeps coming back for more. If I had to worry about breaking it, I wouldn't be racing it.
the LT5 is an anvil that enjoys being beat on. go ahead and dent your hammer! I've had 4 of them and had zero engine problems. it's a very stout build across the board from 90 - 95
the under plenum vacuum system can cause some problems, and don't wash the engine or you can roach the starter.
once you get a service manual, it's a fairly short learning curve and there is LOTS of help. timing the cams is fairly involved and you'll need about $500 of special tools to do a full boogie rebuild, but my bet is that YOU will wear out before the car will.
I've put about 80k miles on the LT5, all of them HARD miles including many drag strip runs, it's a very well built engine and the start of the "close tolerance" mills we see today. the LT5 set the bar for quality and is a pretty solid piece. alot of "old school" chevy guys are afraid of them because they are used to working on pushrod engines.
it's a DOHC, but overall, a very simple design in comparison to your garden variety honda or bimmer!!
I have an LT1 and recently replaced the water pump. When searching the online car parts sites they had my LT1 pump for about $200 and the ZR1 pump closer to $500.
Not sure if that is the sort of info you are looking for??
I had 2 ZR-1s since 1991 - 91 thru 96 and 2000 and on going.
I have logged 98,000 on the first one and my current one, a 94, has 104,000.
My first one I had to replace primary fuel pump (now we know its same as same era Suburban 454), battery, spark plugs and a starter (yes, I washed the motor!).
My current one I replaced battery, an alternator, vacuum lines under the plenum, spark plugs, EGR (only 93-95s have this gizmo), rear brake pads, wheel bearings (all 4 corners) and fuel injectors.
To be honest, I prefer to work on the car myself because I don't like to take a chance with sloppy technician cross-threading, especially since this is an all aluminum motor (so are LS series now a days).
LT5 has unusual vacuum system for 2ndary operation and mechanics who are not familiar with LT5 seem to get stumped and lost sometimes - thank god for these forums and LT5 gurus who step in eagerly to help!
Yes, some parts are more expensive relative to LT1, LT4 or L98. However, I consider this to be a small price of admission.
I have a 71 LT-1 and have done most of the restoration myself but I am not a mechanic. Thinking of buying a ZR-1 but with 4 valves and all the other high tech stuff on the motor it appears that any motor work would be very expensive compared to what I'm used to. Any comments on the costs of maintaining a ZR-1 motor--that doesn't include all those electric gizmos on the new cars. Love the older vets because they are very easy to repair. Thanks
You wouldn't believe how many times people ask this question.... I think it is asked once a month and the other question is "aren't ZR-1 parts not available?".
If you do a search or scan back to see... You will be amazed. There is a great brotherhood out there for questions and then again for "hands on help".
If you do decide to get one, I can guarantee you lots of help and lots of enjoyment from the Beast!
I have a 71 LT-1 and have done most of the restoration myself but I am not a mechanic. Thinking of buying a ZR-1 but with 4 valves and all the other high tech stuff on the motor it appears that any motor work would be very expensive compared to what I'm used to. Any comments on the costs of maintaining a ZR-1 motor--that doesn't include all those electric gizmos on the new cars. Love the older vets because they are very easy to repair. Thanks
I have owned several c-4's 94, 96lt4, ect. Sold them quickly. The lt-5 is a keeper. Its a lot of fun to work on, I really hate to work on cars. I bought a Fixer type of zr-1 which needed many things. Trans, fx-3, brakes, fixed everything cheaply. I now have her up on stands installing a Fidanza flywheel? Why? Its a blast to work on.
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How Expensive is ZR-1 to Have Work Done On?
