Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

Hey everyone,

I'm planning to purchase a C4 ZR-1 in the next few months. It was my favorite car growing, up and now I'm ready to own one.

My goal is to purchase a Z in good to great condition, and get it completely road ready at a very reliable LT5 shop. I may also add an after-market BB exhaust (if it has a stock system).

I live in Massachusetts, and am looking for advice from members. I don't consider myself a mechanic by any stretch so my plan will be to bring the car to a reliable shop consistently.

If you were in my position would you ship the Z back and forth from a tier 1 shop somewhere in the US or are their options you recommend near Massachusetts for regular LT5 maintenance.

Looking forward to the process, and can't wait to be part of the club.


Andrew

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

Hi Andrew,

If you can, make it down to Corvettes at Carlisle show at Carlisle, PA. ZR-1 net registry, I believe, is the largest club presence at the event. You can expect to see 50 to 60 C4 ZR-1s at the event. I am sure that you will get more than enough suggestions, opinions and perhaps even run into ZR-1 or two for sale.
Also, ZR-1 net registry serves the best pulled pork sandwich bar none.

https://carlisleevents.com/events/ev...es+at+carlisle

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

Thanks for the tip, I'l definitely try to make it down. Sounds like fun.

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

You have come to the right spot for all things LT5.... I too am not a mechanic, but have totally surprised myself in the work I have done myself. I can do oil changes myself, 3 years ago I could of never dreamed of that. I've replaced the front air dam, all window seals, shift knob, battery, coolant flushes, and even repaired a huge hole in my seat bolster....The LT5 is pretty much bulletproof if maintained, as any engine. Don't be intimidated by it

Don't be afraid to ask questions on here....When I was buying mine I asked 1000 questions, and got answers on question asked. The members here are some of the nicest folks in the Corvette world, and are the most knowledgeable LT5 gurus on the planet. Good luck in your purchase, be patient and research what you want.

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

See all of the advice given to "vermatrix" on another thread. Good advice by secondchance, come to Carlisle. I'm headed there from NH.
There are Corvette shops around, the problem is the LT5 engine. Don't let that diswade you. Lots of advice here. I've got a decent local mechanic that comes to my house to work on mine. I like being hands on, but don't trust myself alone.

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

Great advice. Thanks for the quick responses. Carlisle is on this list if I can swing it. Never considered someone coming to my house to help out but that's a great idea. You probably learn a lot that way. My biggest concern would be screwing something up.

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

Welcome.

You can find well taken care of, low mile Z's, ready to rock and roll if you are thorough and patient. There are many for sale both here and on the ZR1 Net Registry - http://www.zr1netregistry.com/Market...1sForSale.aspx

Feel free to post up any details or questions about a car you might be considering. This is a great community of enthusiasts and experts.

All the best in your hunt...
"G"

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

I've had my eye on this one:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1991-Chevro...kAAOSwtRRdJ9ml

Seems to be priced a bit high for the mileage but the color combo is unique. Would be interested in thoughts.

I'm also struggling to pull the trigger on a 90-92 because I believe those years don't have a passenger airbag. My wife would of course be riding with me from time to time and I don't think I could enjoy driving around knowing she is less safe than me. Any thoughts on that?

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

Have you checked what is available on the site here? Demps is selling his 94 w/20k miles for the same price as that 91. It will have dual airbags also.

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

Yes, I've checked it out. I'm just not a white car guy. If it was black, charcoal or dark red metallic I would be all over it.

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

Gotcha... I know there was a charcoal 90 for sale on here don't know if it still is or not. Good luck with your search!

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

I MIGHT be selling mine. 1990 black on black, I think it has 38k miles . I never have time to drive it. all I do is work. and have a business opportunity maybe coming up this weekend. Like some have said keep an eye in the for sale section. I hate to sell it but we'll see...
Im also in TN

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

Carlisle to TN? Not that bad a ride.

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

I may also be selling my 1990 Z. Same reason as Corbusa-no time. No passenger side airbag-but that never bothered me and members on the forum don’t seem to be concerned about this issue. Anyway, my Z is polo green with saddle interior, 16,000 miles. New injectors, serviced at a reputable shop and otherwise original and mint. Good luck with your search and let me know if you have any interest. I am in NJ.


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Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

Thanks for the heads up. The passenger side airbag requirement definitely limits my options. The Black/Black 90 and Polo/Saddle 90 are colors I'm interested in. Need to think a little bit more about the airbag, but I might decide to get a Z without it. In that case I will reach out. Thanks again!

Andrew

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

If you are carrying a passenger, I doubt you’ll be driving at Mach 1 and recklessly! Passenger airbag shouldn’t determine your final choice.


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Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

Driving carefully doesn't really matter if someone else hit you.

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

A bag sure helps...………………. if it pops.


30 year old tech has proven faulty in many other areas.


Racing helmets for all!


Marty

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

I hit a guardrail going about 45 mph in my 91. No airbag deployment. Seat belt saved me. My opinion is that the first gen airbag would have done more bad than good if it did deploy. Certainly fewer Zs made with the pass. airbag so that is also a factor in your search

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

I'm with you on this one. My wife complained that the 91 didn't have a passenger airbag, and I told her that's what a seatbelt is for. Then I had to explain how first gen airbags were designed with the background that many people still weren't wearing seatbelts (even though they were mandatory), and deployed with way more force than modern airbags, which could be deadly to people to close to it. She didn't realize there was any difference.

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

Cars-on-line.com has a black on black 1995 ZR-1. Maybe someone here knows the car if you are interested.

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

Demps has a 94 listed in the 20s here on this forum too

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

Thanks Steve, that 95 looks like a good one. Does anyone know anything about it?

It appears from the ad that it's in Thompson, PA and the VIN is 1G1YZ22J2S5800274

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

Abull1499,
Log in to ZR-1.net and you will be able to find a good "pre-purchase" checklist that covers most of the common issues to look for on these cars.
A couple of the members here have also posted checklists. Do a search on the forum and you should be able to locate them.
Good luck with your search and be sure to run any questions by the guys & gals here. You will get good knowledgeable advise.
:cheers:

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

Good idea. Thanks Kenny

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

Here's a link to the "Buyer's Guide" on ZR1.net.
http://www.zr1netregistry.com/Market...yersGuide.aspx
Also, attached checklist that Hans was kind enough to share.
Attachment 10086
:cheers:

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

That one in Thompson is only a hour away from me. I could take a ride up to look at it if anyone needed.

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

Hi Rich,

I may take you up on that, but want to do a bit more looking around before. I know I may miss out on it. Thanks for offering!

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

Might be putting these two gems up for sale 95Green 91DarkRed. Send me a PM if you want more info.
Attachment 10088Attachment 10089


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Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

I crashed through a chain-link fence and crushed the bumper. No airbag deployed on my 1990. Lucky, I guess.

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

Not to knock it but I believe that car has been for sale for quite some time..

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

Yes it has been for sale for a long time.

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

Has anyone checked that car out or know if there’s something wrong with it? Has 59K miles which is kind of high, but from what I’m told if the car is maintained well miles don’t mean all that much.



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Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

Might be high miles in your opinion.... but 59k miles on an LT-5 is pretty minimal....so long as the use of the car was overall normal. :cheers:

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

I agree.

60k miles and the LT5 is just getting broken in. Marc Haibeck showed me an engine with 170k on it that was used as a track car. It came in to be "freshened up"; new bearings, rings, etc. According to Marc, it had some wear, of course, but the bearings, sleeves, rings, etc. were still in spec.

It goes back to LOTUS's design and Merc Marine's credit for building an engine built to last in competition. Again....NOTHING about the SBC can be attached to the LT5: not parts, and certainly not wear characteristics, apparently.
It (the LT5) is a completely different animal. Forget everything you know about SBCs, wear and endurance characteristics, etc., when considering the LT5. They don't apply. The LT5 motor is a "clean slate": a complete "do-over", far as V8 design goes...which is ONE of its more intriguing aspects!!

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

chain link fence? wtf dog run out in front of you?

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

Come to the next pizza night to find out the real story..

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

I’ve always been a bit terrified about the airbag going off prematurely in my 91,so much so that at one point I thought about disconnecting it.

Re: Getting Ready to buy a ZR-1
 

I wonder what condition the chain guides were in if they had not been changed out in 170K miles?