Questions/Help on buying a ZR1

[J-Bonez]

I am flying out to look at this 1992 zr1 with 42,000 miles. It has a chip and a tune, and a catback exhaust. "The car was completely stripped down and repainted with all new weatherstripping in 2010. The engine got all new gaskets and hoses and was painted along with the car. The work was done at Vettestorations in Southfield Mi." Everything else should be stock. I owned a 1994 LT1 and when I bought it the Adjustable suspension electronics were disconnected by the ABS computer under the rear compartment. So I plan on checking that. What else should I be looking for to make sure everything is in running order? I have a 600 mile drive home if I purchase this car and want to make sure I am not buying someone else's problems. I've waited my entire life to finally afford this ZR1 and I don't want my Dream Car to blind me of issues it may have. What advice can you ZR1 owners give me on what to test/ look for ? before handing this owner a ton of cash.

[Dynomite]

Welcome to the ZR1.net Forum

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[J-Bonez]

Thank you dynomite. as to you reply :
Oil pressure idling?
Oil pressure at 3,000 rpm hot?
Stock Exhaust?
Do you know if the secondaries function with power switch ON?
What is the time between vacuum pump cycling with ignition key on?

What should the oil pressure be idling? and at 3,000 rpm hot?

What are the secondaries that i need to check with power switch on?

and what time range am i looking for between vacuum pump cycling with ignition key on?

I really appreciate all your help and hope to soon be in the ZR1 brotherhood!!

[Dynomite]

Originally Posted by J-Bonez

Thank you dynomite. as to you reply :
Oil pressure idling?
Oil pressure at 3,000 rpm hot?
Stock Exhaust?
Do you know if the secondaries function with power switch ON?
What is the time between vacuum pump cycling with ignition key on?

What should the oil pressure be idling? and at 3,000 rpm hot? Gauge oil pressure is a bit varied between gauges but 50-60-75 psi

What are the secondaries that i need to check with power switch on? This is a bit difficult to explain and in any event if the vacuum pump cycles and then stops and the indicator light is on when you turn the power switch, your secondaries should be working which function at Wide open Throttle (secondary throttle ports.....32 valve of which 16 throttle ports are secondary)

and what time range am i looking for between vacuum pump cycling with ignition key on? A bit varied again but 5-10 seconds to a minute or so is workable....just make sure the vacuum pump (under passenger head light) does turn off for at least a few seconds

I really appreciate all your help and hope to soon be in the ZR1 brotherhood!!

Look for oil leaks under the oil pan and water leaks around the water pump or radiator hoses.

Check the oil level and color of oil (should be light transparent NOT BLACK).
Check coolant level in overflow container under passenger head light.
Check brake fluid level and make sure clutch releases. It is hard to check clutch fluid level as reservoir is hidden under ECM just in front of drivers side behind left front tire high point on engine (should be removable flat black cover held on with Velcro on top of ECM)

Fire it up and listen for any knocks of any kind just in case.
Let it warm up until temperature stabilizes which should be mid gauge between 100 and 260.....around 180 more or less.
Idle should be around 800 after it levels out.
Idle should be smooth.
Rev it up and listen for any hesitation.
Just check overall condition of paint and interior for stains of any sort.

Actually.....Anything except a rare rod knock or other knock and except for any serious dents or exterior damage or interior carpet stains/trim breakage are easily fixable. But when you get it home...do a compression check for starters and then post up photos and any questions you may have

Would be nice if someone from the Forum could stop by and look at the Z with you just in case.

If the fluid levels are where they should be and the items above check out with the clutch disengaging so you can shift easily, you should be able to drive it almost anywhere

Others I am sure will add suggestions....would be nice to post up photos beforehand so we can all take a look

[alnukem]

I agree with dynamite, I would ask if a forum member was available to look at the car with you. I would also do a Compression check there! Unlike other V8's, these require the engine to be pulled to change a head gasket.

[Dynomite]

Originally Posted by alnukem

I agree with dynamite, I would ask if a forum member was available to look at the car with you. I would also do a Compression check there! Unlike other V8's, these require the engine to be pulled to change a head gasket.

I concur on the compression test but I usually delay that test after confirming it is running smooth until I get the Z in my garage. I definitely do a compression test then. I look for 210-230 lbs and within 5 lbs on each cylinder (ALL plugs removed.....three compressions with the starter on each cylinder with fully charged battery).

Priscilla (my wife) hands me tools and runs for parts (even suggests what might be the issue) when I am under/or in the Zs

I just hand the Plugs to Priscilla as I remove them.
Priscilla is the one operating the starter when I do compression tests

[scottfab]

Originally Posted by J-Bonez

Thank you dynomite. as to you reply :
Oil pressure idling?
Oil pressure at 3,000 rpm hot?
Stock Exhaust?
Do you know if the secondaries function with power switch ON?
What is the time between vacuum pump cycling with ignition key on?

What should the oil pressure be idling? and at 3,000 rpm hot?

What are the secondaries that i need to check with power switch on?

and what time range am i looking for between vacuum pump cycling with ignition key on?

I really appreciate all your help and hope to soon be in the ZR1 brotherhood!!

Good luck with the purchase.
I'd take all that you heard and prioritize a list.
Likely you won't have a few days to check it out
so knowing what the high $ fixes are and looking for
those first would be prudent.
FIRST:
Take a scanner and plug it in and dump the error codes the car has!

NEXT:

1. What mods has the car had and are they documented?
Ask owner for paper work (repairs, receipts) this tell a lot.
You're looking for both a well documented car life AND major repairs.

2. Go through all gears looking for how well it shifts.
Check out reverse. A tranny fix will not be cheap. A new clutch job is not that bad $ wise, nor is the clutch slave and master cylinder.
If it shifted ok chances are all of fine.

3. Warm it up good and hot. Test the AC and test how it starts when hot. (checks a lot of things) Smooth idle and quick WOT response.

4. peak at rotors for heavy groves. Test smooth braking.

5. Do a walk around pre-flight check. (headlighs, tail lights, break lighs blinkers) You don't need a ticket on the way home. (good time to look for scratches and other damage)

6. Incidentals: radio/amps, seats, FX3 settings, etc....

7. Remember if the fluids are totally clear/clean it may NOT
be a good sign. It could mean there was work done and could still
have a problem. If the any particular fluid looks ok but not new....
good sign.

Again good luck and be ready to learn stuff

[msorenso]

Welcome,
I like yourself last April Joined the forum and in June of last year purchased my dream car that I have been love with since high school! Many great people here and the passion is very much alive!!! Good luck to you I hope it works out for the best 600 mile drive of your life. I drove mine from Alabama to South Dakota!!!

[J-Bonez]

I spoke with Robert on the phone aka vettepacecar and let me tell you I love the brotherhood already. He is going to give the car a good inspection for me since I am in NJ and I don't want to waste a 550 plane ticket. I can't believe how nice everyone is I just hope no one buys the car before me if all checks out.

[cvette98pacecar]

Originally Posted by USAZR1

If you don't mind,a few questions. How much is the seller asking for the car? If it's been repainted,is it the original color? What catback exhaust does it have installed?
How many ZR-1's have you looked at? What is it about this car that makes it The One?

Clint, I can answer that question. The big fat azz and LT5 engine.

Originally Posted by msorenso

Welcome,
I like yourself last April Joined the forum and in June of last year purchased my dream car that I have been love with since high school! Many great people here and the passion is very much alive!!! Good luck to you I hope it works out for the best 600 mile drive of your life. I drove mine from Alabama to South Dakota!!!

There is nothing better than getting in your Z for the first time and driving her home on a long distance trip and having no problems.
I have been on three of the ventures so far the shortest being 800 miles from Atlanta to Frankenmuth, MI. Total time door to door 10 hours 35 minutes with stopping for gas twice. I forgot to mention the LPE has 254K Miles.