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04-28-2014 | #1 |
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 24
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Questions/Help on buying a ZR1
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.
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04-28-2014 | #2 |
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: South Dakota/California
Posts: 3,788
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Re: Questions/Help on buying a ZR1
Welcome to the ZR1.net Forum
ZR-1 inspection TIPS Initial Maintenance TIPS More information in Signature
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Left Clickable links -Solutions- LT5 Modifications/Rebuild Tricks Low Mileage ZR-1 Restoration 1990 Corvette (L98) Modifications LT5 Eliminated Systems LT5 Added Systems LT5/ZR-1 Fluids 1995 LT5 SPECIFIC TOP END REBUILD TRICKS Last edited by Dynomite; 04-28-2014 at 01:28 AM. |
04-28-2014 | #3 |
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 24
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Re: Questions/Help on buying a ZR1
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!! |
04-28-2014 | #4 | |
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: South Dakota/California
Posts: 3,788
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Re: Questions/Help on buying a ZR1
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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
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Left Clickable links -Solutions- LT5 Modifications/Rebuild Tricks Low Mileage ZR-1 Restoration 1990 Corvette (L98) Modifications LT5 Eliminated Systems LT5 Added Systems LT5/ZR-1 Fluids 1995 LT5 SPECIFIC TOP END REBUILD TRICKS Last edited by Dynomite; 04-28-2014 at 06:17 AM. |
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04-28-2014 | #5 |
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Freedom Pa
Posts: 275
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Re: Questions/Help on buying a ZR1
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.
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04-28-2014 | #6 | |
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: South Dakota/California
Posts: 3,788
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Re: Questions/Help on buying a ZR1
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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
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Left Clickable links -Solutions- LT5 Modifications/Rebuild Tricks Low Mileage ZR-1 Restoration 1990 Corvette (L98) Modifications LT5 Eliminated Systems LT5 Added Systems LT5/ZR-1 Fluids 1995 LT5 SPECIFIC TOP END REBUILD TRICKS Last edited by Dynomite; 04-30-2014 at 06:49 PM. |
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04-28-2014 | #7 | |
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Portland Oregon metro area (Washington side)
Posts: 3,207
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Re: Questions/Help on buying a ZR1
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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
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Scott Vett owner since 1979._It's about the car and the people |
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04-28-2014 | #8 |
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 85
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Re: Questions/Help on buying a ZR1
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!!!
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Dr. Pete "Frankenstein's" Ported and Polish combo Cam retiming & Chip Tune Corsa Exhaust No Cat SW Stainless Long Tube Headers MSD Coils DRM Coil Overs Hurst Shifter ZF Doc Beam Plates Center Force Dual Friction |
04-28-2014 | #9 |
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 24
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Re: Questions/Help on buying a ZR1
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.
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04-28-2014 | #10 | ||
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 2,479
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Re: Questions/Help on buying a ZR1
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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.
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Robert J. DeMarco [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] [COLOR=blue]G[/COLOR][COLOR=red]rand[/COLOR] [COLOR=blue]S[/COLOR][COLOR=red]port[/COLOR] Registry Lifetime Member NCM Lifetime Member #2655 Pacecar Registry Member [COLOR=red]ZOOM Charter Member - ZR-1 Owners of Michigan[/COLOR] [COLOR=plum][I]ZR-1[/I] Registry member since 2012 [/COLOR] [COLOR=black]1990 LPE "368" Aerobody ZR-1, Last ZR-1 built by John[/COLOR] 1991 Callaway Aerobody ZR-1, DRM 500 1991 Shinoda Aerobody Spyder, 1998 Pace Car |
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