New member, former C5 Z06 owner, considering a ZR-1

[Hog]

I want to inject some fact, that the GEN III SBC was first released in the Corvette(Y-body) in 1997 with the LS1. The 2nd usage of the GEN III SBC was in 1998 in the Camaro/Firebird(F-body). Both the Y and F body cars use the aluminum block and aluminum heads which comes with RPO LS1.
The LS1 then was uprated for MY 2001. Horsepower is increased from 345 @ 5,600 rpm to 350 @ 5,600 rpm. Torque increases from 350lb/ft @ 4,400 rpm to 360lb/ft @ 4,400 rpm. (375lb/ft for manuals) compression was 10.1:1.

The 5.7 LS6 was introduced for MY2001 at 385hp@6000rpm/385lb/ft@4800rpm, compression was 10.5:1. The changes from LS1 to LS6 involved different blocks all the way up through the cylinder heads. It was far from an LS1 with different heads. Even the injectors were changed from 3.3 g/sec(26.2 lb/hr) to 3.6 grams/sec(28.6 lb/hr). A new intake manifold was designed for LS6, to cut costs, it was introduced on 2001+ LS1's as well on both the Y and F body cars. It accounted for a 5hp and 5 lb/ft on its own.
Then for MT 2002 the LS6 was uprated +20hp and +15 lb/ft torque to 405hp@6000rpm/400lb/ft torque@4000rpm.

The first time a GEN III SBC was ever used in a truck was for 1999, for the 255hp@5200rpm/285lb/ft torque @ 4000rpm 4.8L LR4, 265hp @5000rpm/320lb/ft torque @ 4000rpm5.3 LM7 in iron block/aluminum head configuration, and in the 3/4 ton truck came the 300hp @4800rpm/355 lb/ft torque @ 4000rpm 6.0 LQ4 which was an iron block/iron head configuration.

The GEN III SBC was in production for two full model years prior to the truck seeing the new engine. The GEN-III SBC was not designed from a truck engine.

The 255hp@4600rpm/330lb/ft torque@2800rpm Vortec 350 L31 continued on in 3/4 ton trucks through MY1999, in the SUV's through MY2000 and in the fullsize vans through MY2002. In Mexico you could get the Vortec 350 through MY2010. In marine form it was available through 2013.

The 2004 ZO6 was a quick beast. Its suspension and tires allowed for bone stock 11 second 1/4 mile passes.

Run #1
1.98 60-foot 12.29 at 117.03mph
Hotlapped run #2
1.96 60-foot 12.16 at 117.84mph
Run #3
1.94 sixty 12.03 at 117.83mph
Run #4
2.06 60-foot 12.21 ET at 117.73
Run #5
1.90 60-foot 1/8th mile 7.80 at 94mph. 11.97 at 118.80mph

OEM 2004 ZO6, right down to the stock air filter
http://www.superchevy.com/features/0...vette-feature/

So much of acceleration run tests, esp. street encounters will be decided by the drivers skill. A good driver may beat a bad driver, even if the bad driver has a 200hp advantage. If you really want to know whats quicker or faster, go to the drags and get those performance characteristics on paper.

[edram454]

excellent information. you are correct on all counts. Nothing wrong with a zr1 4 cam. engine is best thing about it period. a real work horse and as stable as they come. Unfortunately, technology will eventually win in the end. It took me a while to accept the fact that the ls platform was here to stay. they make power, cheaply!! lots of it. I can buy a 376 ls3 crate motor pushing 525 horsepower for 6500!!! new. I can buy a supercharger for 5400 and push over 600 rwhp!!! then again, when will i ever use that? My only comment was to the gentleman considering a zr1 is to buy modded if he wants to be relevent and not get killed at every stop light buy mustangs....camaros.... late model vettes... challengers.....330-340 horse wont get it done any more. In the day, KOTH..today court jester unless modded.

[5ABI VT]

Originally Posted by edram454

excellent information. you are correct on all counts. Nothing wrong with a zr1 4 cam. engine is best thing about it period. a real work horse and as stable as they come. Unfortunately, technology will eventually win in the end. It took me a while to accept the fact that the ls platform was here to stay. they make power, cheaply!! lots of it. I can buy a 376 ls3 crate motor pushing 525 horsepower for 6500!!! new. I can buy a supercharger for 5400 and push over 600 rwhp!!! then again, when will i ever use that? My only comment was to the gentleman considering a zr1 is to buy modded if he wants to be relevent and not get killed at every stop light buy mustangs....camaros.... late model vettes... challengers.....330-340 horse wont get it done any more. In the day, KOTH..today court jester unless modded.

Just making a counterpoint and sharing my thoughts and not trying to argue with you specifically. While the engine is the best part of the ZR-1 for some people like me the exterior styling and width of the body is also the best part. I had always dreamt of modifying and putting on wide wheels which the z swallows with ease and a lowered c4 exterior to me is far prettier than the c5 Zo6.
You are also correct technology will win in the end. That is why GM is rumored to be making another DOHC LT5. If you ask me it's been a dark age of farm tractor technology since 1995. The appeal was always dohc for me.. and when I was buying my z technology did win in the end
The LS platform does make power cheaply but being relevant in terms of performance hardly deters anyone from wanting 60s/70s and soon 80s musclecars (and 90s a time after). With resto mods becoming the norm it's proof people will want beautiful and significant cars and many will just modify them to the performance they would like. Sure the Lt5 is expensive to build but how cool is that that in the future nearly NOONE will swap an LT5 out of a ZR-1 ? They can make over 700 hp NA, and look like nothing else out there. Why would anyone want to ? They won't. I have minor work on mine and it runs relevant enough. I put 3 car lengths on a brand new gt350 mustang belonging to a co worker. Not bad for a 90s supercar vs a $90k cdn 526 hp high rpm voodoo V8 with the gimmicky 'flat plane crank' that has so caught the interest of its fan base. The gt350 is quite relevant today and is an example where it's special features are valued over peak power, dyno numbers and 1/4 mile times. Also notice .. that no one who loves that car or wants one cares about how a modified c5 can beat it in performance.

[rush91]

One thing I have learned, is you can't compare different generation cars. You just can't. If GM would of continued the LT5 program into the C5, our C4 LT5s would be looked at as the beginning. The C5 LT5s would be more refined, more efficient and better performers. But we know history and that wasn't the case.....So for me when I see debates about this, it makes no sense. A stock C4 ZR-1 will smoke any factory Vette ( or any factory car made ) before 1989. A stock base C5 will beat any stock ZR-1, except in top speed maybe.....A stock C6 will probably hang with a C5 ZO6 in a drag. Its called learning from previous Gens and making improvements. If it wasn't for the ZR-1 program, we would be having these debates. The Corvette performance wouldn't be know as it is now as world beating...
All I see is the crowd that forms around my Beast first, when I'm out cruising with other Vettes and not the 3 other ZO6s or the C7 Grand sports.......Is that what I think it is? Or holy **** I've never seen one....I bet it runs like a bat out of hell.

[Patriot Dude]

This has certainty turned into a lively debate that I never intended but great info on both cars has been shared. I do not expect the ZR-1 to be better in a lots of ways, such as structural rigidity or interior quality (though the Z06 does not excel here) it seems like much of the emphasis is being put on drag racing and stoplight drags, and in that case an AWD Subaru can be a formidable foe but they don't carry much history or mystique. Hopefully I can get a chance to check out a ZR1 and see if it's something I would cherish, I am capable of plenty of mechanical work if I have a good service manual, at the same time I don't want to be paying to rebuild an LT5, or any other engine for that matter. It is highly unlikely that would happen anyways, I'm not looking to push the limits here and I know the LT5 is supposed to be extremely robust. I remember having limited tire options with the Z06, I have a feeling the ZR1 is much worse.

[HAWAIIZR-1]

To the OP, Proof of concept is the former members/owners that keep coming back here after they sell their cars. I loved my SVT Lightning truck and there is nothing like it, but I don't hang around their forums still wishing and dreaming. Find someone in your area from here and they will let you drive or ride in one to solidify your decision. There is nothing like the C4 ZR-1. Best wishes.


Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry

[Racinfan83]

I remember having limited tire options with the Z06, I have a feeling the ZR1 is much worse.

You are correct on that one. Very limited - though available. I bought a full set of stock sized Nitto 555's shipped to me for less then $600. There are more expensive options and even some Sumitomos that are less. There are other wheel options if you want to go that way that get you into a more obtainable tire size as well. Don't let tires deter you.
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