Bans25

Hi all,

I am going to look at a 368 zr-1 on sunday, sounds like the car isn't in quite the cosmetic shape that my Z is it but has all the toys that mine doesn't have..

There is are a couple items that the owner brought up that I want to run by you guys.

1) He mentioned that the car uses a quart of oil every 400-800 miles depending on how its driven (Does this seem excesive?)

2) mentioned that the valve train is louder than a stock ZR-1.
(would any of the work for a 386 cause the valvetrain to be louder?)

If this car is in decent shape (Still have to decide if its worth giving up a little cosmetics for a extra 100+ HP..) then I think I may go for it and sell my stock 90.

-Bill

GTB/ZR-1

Bill, the 368 will use some oil(mine does) and yes, how much depends on driving habits, but that sounds a bit high.
Now the extra valvetrain noise... I don't think so--be careful of that. The head/Cam '99 LS1 we have does make more noise, but that's typical of an OHV engine, not an OHC.
Cosmetics are a personal decision. Personally, my rides
must absolutely be mint--it adds so much to the presence, and people really appreciate a cherry car. Don't be too lenient on its looks--JMHO
Good luck!!!

VetBoyZR1

You're not buying Ron's old 368 that's not really a 368 are you??? Are you sure it's a 368?

Bans25

:confused: Not sure of the car your talking about, but its not that one! :)

What is the typical oil usage for a 368, driven semi hard?


[Modified by Bans25, 11:19 PM 6/27/2003]

90 Corvette ZR-1

Which car Ron's black 93?

DDSLT5

Ron would never misrepresent his car. My 368 had no extra valvetrain noise - so beware. If it is just at start up, then its just a cam chain tensioner - no worries. If it is present at all times, then I would suggest not purchasing that car. Who did the 368?

90 Corvette ZR-1

I just want to clear up my last post. Having met Ron I know that he would never try and pass the black car off as something its not. I know (think) that he had another car that was a 368. Im just trying to figure out which car he is buying.

DDSLT5

No worries Kevin - I don't thing anyone mean't any harm. Ron did think it was a 368, but he recently found out is was a 475 hp top end package done by LPE - with new pistons, and rods - blueprinted bottom end. Great car, but not a 368 - is in fact a very strong 350 cid car! :seeya

Bans25

Its a DRM 368 w ~14K miles on the motor

DDSLT5

Bill - please be careful - at first, LPE did the motors for DRM, then Doug did his own motors when demand went up - and he went through a bit of a learning curve on the first motors. Some say that he skips a few essential steps even on the later motors, which make them "not so reliable" as the other tuners. I don't know for sure, but some of the DRM engines required complete rebuilds - Bob Hall's DRM 385 was completely rebuilt by LPE after he acquired it. Like I said before, if you hear noise other than the normal chain rattle at start up - be wary!! :seeya

cvette

It might be helpful to you to give some more info on the owner of the car. Maybe someone here knows the car and could shed some more light on the subject. JMHO

Bans25

The owner of the car is Andrew Kopperl, he has owned it since new.

A26B

:skep:

Lurker, you have any input on this or just prefer to remain in the shadows? Maybe an IM would suffice better. :cool:

Bans25

I am leaving in a few.. Will let you guys know what I think when I get back..

Rkreigh

a 368 shouldn't make more valvetrain noise unless different cams are used which can make a bit of a racket. take along a mechanics stethoscope and have a listen up and down the cam covers. if there is a problem with a lifter or valve spring (which is rare) you will notice more noise in a particular spot. some of the early cars do seem to have noisier valve trains/chain drives compared to the later cars IMHO based on listening to quite a few.

FYI, my 93 ZR1 (all black car) with 24K miles is for sale. it's an LPE 475 car NOT a 368 which I learned in BG this year. when I purchased the car I had assumed it was a 368 based on the HP level and not knowing any better. see details in the c4 for sale section and I will be happy to honestly answer any questions.

it's a very nice ride but I moved on and bought a 95 398 LPE car with a bit more zots!!! :reddevil

Bans25

Well I looked at the car today, and drove it.. But what was even better was when the owner took me for a ride. He is a professional driver and boy can he drive and that car does ride great and handles!!

The car has a DRM coil over suspension, roll bar, willwood brake, Borla's. 4.09's etc..
the car has 40K miles, and about 10K miles on the Rippie work.

The car moved right out, seemed to run very strong, had louder valve train noise than my 90 (Owner thinks that is due to the DRM cams) .

This car was very tight (much tighter than my 34K mile 90), not sure if its more due to the coil overs, or the roll bar.

I would have to sell my car if I bought this DRM 91'

the plus's over my 90 (My 90 is 100% stock):
1) 368!!
2) Coil over suspension
3) 4.09's
4) A-Molds
5) Quazar bluw metalic (I love that color)
6) Upgraded brakes (Car stops very well!)
7) The seller has a ton of ZR-1 parts.. heads, starters, block, ign module, other wheels/tires, etc etc... these do not go with the car but can be negotiated for the buyer the car (if the buyer of the car does not want the parts he has other partys ready to buy the parts)
8) Car is a great value with all the mods etc.!

the minuses:
1) Body and interior is not in as good of shape as my 90, don't get me wrong the car isn't bad, just some chips, nicks and a couple scuffs, front bumper is a little wavey. This was a daily driver for the owner for a couple years and has seen a winter or 2.
The interior will need the plasic pieces painted with that grey paint, steering wheel has wear, etc.
The car would look great driving by, but is not a show car.

2) The roll bar will not allow the top to fit in the back! :cry

3) Owner said the car is using some oil (as mentioned above), but I saw now leaks, no sign of a oily exhaust, and no oil on the back bumper etc after we took it out for a hour drive. This is what I consider to be the most negitive, and from what I hear may not be a big deal.


I am really torn! I loved the way the car drove (Had a perm smile on my face) But I talked to my wife tonight and she doesn't think I should do it..
(She would never stop me from buying it if I wanted it..)
She does have valid points

1) We will be spending more $ for a car that isn't in the cosmetic shape mine is in (She like my red/red car)

2) She feels it will be a hassle to sell mine

3) She doesn't understand why I want a "Race car" with a build motor, and the other mods since I normaly do not drive fast, I do not take my car road racing, and I only go to the drag track once in a while..

I can tell she doesn't think its a good idea to buy it, but she is the type that would never stop me (But I would feel guilty afterwards)

I think I am going to pass on this one, I have to inform the seller of this tomorrow and I feel bad about it!!! the car was definltly worth his asking price, he was a great guy and spend 2 hours with me going over the car for a long drive.... if I didn't have my 90' now, or if I was single :) I would be buying it.

Here is the listing on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2420431839

Bans25

Also another thing, the car handled the bumps on the road great, no shimmy, no hopping etc??
My car shakes and hops when hitting road imperfactions, do you guys think its the coil overs that helped this, or the roll bar? or both?.

ZR-the one

Bans:The person who is selling the car is a race car drive ,who has drove in the Rolex series, But it is strange it is not advertice as a 368 but only as a 500hp DRM. usely a 368 will have a little more than 500hp .

Hooked on Vettes

According to Doug Rippie's web- site
http://www.dougrippie.com the DRM500 LT5 package is a 350 with ported heads, plenum, injector housings
and DRM intake cams.

The 368 package is a DRM600/510.

I noticed when the seller first listed his ad on E-bay he called the engine a Black Widow but he latter retracted that statement. He never says the engine is a 368.

Did he mention what the auction reserve price is?



[Modified by Hooked on Vettes, 11:01 PM 6/29/2003]

Bans25

HHmmm.. I didn't notice that, but I think it is the 368 that he has.. he mentioned the new pistons, liners etc.

He is the original owner of the car, the DRM work was done in 97'.