C5 Z06 vs C4 ZR1
#21
Race Director
Member Since: Feb 2002
Location: Compound in the Grove, Ga.
Posts: 11,328
Received 910 Likes
on
583 Posts
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
2015 C4 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '16
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
First I believe the OP may be better off with a C5z as a DD.
I would hope that GM made improvements and advancements to the Corvette platform.
I would hope that GM made improvements and advancements to the Corvette platform.
Last edited by FASTAZU; 06-02-2014 at 08:56 AM.
#22
Race Director
#23
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2003
Location: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
Posts: 20,161
Received 640 Likes
on
444 Posts
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
When GM sold out its inventory of LT5 parts a few people were waiting to buy the lot. Immediately the world wide prices skyrocketed. An unfortunate result of capitalism, aftermarket vendors and the rarity of of the LT5. The LT5 looses big due to parts cost and availability.
So the performance comparison of the two motors is the real comparison and your WAG is way off the mark. Open the clamshell hood on a ZR and most go "Ooooh" for a very good reason! Yet its numbers are not that impressive on the track with 1/4 mile times of 13.1sec. @ 111mph with the 405hp variants as tested by R/T. 0-60 in 4.7 seconds
The Z06 is rated 405hp and R/T ran 11.97sec. @ 118.8mph on stock tires. 0-60mph in 3.91 seconds.
OK bragging rights give the ZR is faster at the top end.... if you can find a place to open her up.
And YES I've driven a few ZR1's and can easily say the ZR at full tilt is an impressive sound. The engine bay is beautiful. Yet for a DD or to recommend a ZR above a Z06? Not a good choice as finding any Chevy house to assist you with a simple engine problem makes most mechanics heads explode.
And to be fair, the C6 Z06 puts the C5 to shame. My C5 has already felt the C6 pain
So I've been reviewing the JC Whitney catalogs for 100 hp and figure it'll cost me about two grand. Can you add 100hp for 2K on a LT5? If you can find the performance parts, just the gasket kit and general maintenance items will eat that much up quickly.
Not hatin', just sayin'
Last edited by JrRifleCoach; 06-02-2014 at 12:36 AM.
#24
Race Director
Member Since: Feb 2002
Location: Compound in the Grove, Ga.
Posts: 11,328
Received 910 Likes
on
583 Posts
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
2015 C4 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '16
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
The ZR-1 was never intended to be a 1/4 mile car. It was built to compete with the high end European cars and put the Corvette back in the performance world.
Last edited by FASTAZU; 06-02-2014 at 12:13 AM.
#25
I'm obviously confused since I'm still very new to C4s. Are you saying that in 90k miles of ZR-1 ownership, you had zero repairs? And no maintenance expenses other than oil? In 90k miles you changed no other fluids? No spark plugs, no wires, no filters? Or did you chance all of the above 3 times & just count them as things you elected to do?
#26
Race Director
Member Since: Feb 2002
Location: Compound in the Grove, Ga.
Posts: 11,328
Received 910 Likes
on
583 Posts
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
2015 C4 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '16
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Waste of time.. Just keep spreading the myths....
Last edited by FASTAZU; 06-02-2014 at 01:34 AM.
#27
Use your brain of corse I changed the oil filter and every time I changed the oil, and yes I did all the other normal maintenance done on any car at the recommended intervals. Cleaned the plugs never changed them still have the original plug wires. And your statement is correct no other repairs nothing broke...
My point is it cost no more to maintain the ZR-1 than any of the other Corvette's I have owned My 91 has been modded at 55k miles to 500HP this was elected at my choice. at the time I did this it still had and still does have the original wires coils and all sensors. My 90 I put 40k miles on and driving between Atl. and Tampa for many years Nothing ever broke on it, it never let me down.
I am not going to get in a pissing contest with you. AGAIN MY POINT IS IT DID NOT COST ANY MORE THAN NORMAL MAINANCE COSTS THAN AY OTHER CAR I HAVE OWNED>>>>
My point is it cost no more to maintain the ZR-1 than any of the other Corvette's I have owned My 91 has been modded at 55k miles to 500HP this was elected at my choice. at the time I did this it still had and still does have the original wires coils and all sensors. My 90 I put 40k miles on and driving between Atl. and Tampa for many years Nothing ever broke on it, it never let me down.
I am not going to get in a pissing contest with you. AGAIN MY POINT IS IT DID NOT COST ANY MORE THAN NORMAL MAINANCE COSTS THAN AY OTHER CAR I HAVE OWNED>>>>
Since when is asking for clarification considered an invitation to a pissing contest? You need not get excited or yell at me with your caps. I comprehend perfectly............& can do so while spelling properly as well.
#28
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2003
Location: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
Posts: 20,161
Received 640 Likes
on
444 Posts
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
I've got a few Lt5 Mobil 1 oil filters if your interested.
I've read those were discontinued
I've read those were discontinued
#29
Race Director
Member Since: Feb 2002
Location: Compound in the Grove, Ga.
Posts: 11,328
Received 910 Likes
on
583 Posts
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
2015 C4 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '16
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
OK you win.. not only can you spell better but you must have a better education level.
#30
Race Director
Member Since: Feb 2002
Location: Compound in the Grove, Ga.
Posts: 11,328
Received 910 Likes
on
583 Posts
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
2015 C4 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '16
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
#31
Race Director
How in the hell did you come up with a full second+ between two cars that both have 405 HP?Like I said,its a toss up in the 1/4 mile.That 13 second 1/4 mile time was not an average time for a ZR-1,abit on the slow side and most were into the 12s right out of the box.
#33
Thank you for being so accommodating. In turn I'd like to demonstrate my normally agreeable nature by stating without reservation, that I'm in complete agreement with your above assessment.
#34
Drifting
I have never owned a ZR-1. I would like to but that day would only come if I had more money than I know what to do with all of it. I base this off meeting a guy at a Chevy only carshow. He loved his beautiful 1992 ZR-1. The car was so special for so many reasons. The best stock C4 ever made hands down. Any of us who own a C4 love the look of it espcially the wider rear end. The short falls of owning one are obvious and the subjct has been hashed out here again and again. The guy at the carshow warned me flat out of ever buying one. You better have deep pockets should it break down. So is it a given it will break down ? Every used car I have ever owned DOES BREAK DOWN. He had a fuel injector go bad and it cost him a mint to go ahead and replace them all since the top of the motor had to come off. I don't think anyone here is knocking the LT-5 the way the guys who own one are taking it. Truth is we all love it and it gives the history of the C4 it's high mark. But reality of Corvette develpment went with one camshaft not 4. The LS motor and now direct injection is the way it is period. The LT-5 is an oddity. A awesome engine but a rare engine. Then lets not forget the other very important issue this ZR-1 owner mentioned, mechanic ! I would not let any bozo work on my Corvette much less a ZR-1. Going shop rates if you were to take it to a Corvette shop around here is $120-175 an hour. I have a guy who is smart and a former Chevy dealership mechanic retired. He has never workd on a ZR-1. How many have ? Just another can of worms that could be avoided buying a LS powered Corvette. I suppose it is a matter of deep pockets. That is how I see it not about what is faster in the quarter mile or what car can top 180mph. Money.
#35
Race Director
Member Since: Feb 2002
Location: Compound in the Grove, Ga.
Posts: 11,328
Received 910 Likes
on
583 Posts
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
2015 C4 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '16
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
First let me apologize for the caps, I was under the impression you were calling me out because I did not go into detail in regard's to how I maintain my cars. Like I would not do normal things such as change the filter. I guess I took it for granted that everyone knew the point I was trying to get across was in my case there were no extra costs.
#36
Drifting
The C5 Z06 is lighter and has better gearing.
#37
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Oct 2004
Location: South-central Missouri
Posts: 6,314
Received 500 Likes
on
395 Posts
Jon at FIC, a sponsor here, supplies all the proper stainless fuel injectors any ZR-1 can use. And, he provides a kit from Jerry's Gaskets, a supplier for ALL the parts an LT5 can use, including gaskets.
The ZR1 NetRegistry club is a super active support group that can help with parts or expertise or just about anything the ZR-1 needs. My point is, I wouldn't let parts availability or expertise keep you from choosing a ZR-1, if that's what you want.
Mods are mods, of course. But, the LS6 is pretty tricked out from the factory to get to 405 hp. The LT5 has much higher potential than the LS6, assuming stock bottoms and factory cams. (Don't get me started!)
Last edited by Paul Workman; 06-02-2014 at 12:32 PM. Reason: tpyo
#38
Burning Brakes
I had the same choice about 6 years ago when I purchased my 95 ZR-1. Some thoughts:
1. The ZR-1 is far rarer than the C5 Z06. C5 Z06s are everywhere.
2. While it is true that the C5 Z06 is quicker that the ZR-1 (from an acceleration standpoint), the difference is minimal from a street perspective.
3. The ZR-1 is truly the "faster" car - for top end performance. But given that you will likely never get the ZR-1 to 180mph (where the ZR-1 tops out) versus about 174 (where the Z06 tops out), this is just so much bragging rights.
4. The ZR-1 is likely to have much greater historical significant in the long run. It was the first attempt as serious performance (from a power perspective) since the solid lifter big block of the late 60s.
5. While ZR-1 have taken a hit in the past 5-6 years, so have C5 Z06s. Still because of the rarity and historical significance, the ZR-1s will likely have the better long term value - especially the 405hp cars.
6. Clearly the best looking Corvette engine ever made (and I also have a 67 435HP coupe).
7. There is a significant ZR-1 support network. I would check out the www.zr1.net website. Part are obtainable (with the possible exception of the original laminated windshields - but regular C4 windshields fit fine and look great). The LT5 is virtually bullet proof. Most of the issues you will ever have with a ZR-1 is related to normal C4 issues.
Good luck with your choice. Really, neither is a bad choice and both are super Corvettes!
1. The ZR-1 is far rarer than the C5 Z06. C5 Z06s are everywhere.
2. While it is true that the C5 Z06 is quicker that the ZR-1 (from an acceleration standpoint), the difference is minimal from a street perspective.
3. The ZR-1 is truly the "faster" car - for top end performance. But given that you will likely never get the ZR-1 to 180mph (where the ZR-1 tops out) versus about 174 (where the Z06 tops out), this is just so much bragging rights.
4. The ZR-1 is likely to have much greater historical significant in the long run. It was the first attempt as serious performance (from a power perspective) since the solid lifter big block of the late 60s.
5. While ZR-1 have taken a hit in the past 5-6 years, so have C5 Z06s. Still because of the rarity and historical significance, the ZR-1s will likely have the better long term value - especially the 405hp cars.
6. Clearly the best looking Corvette engine ever made (and I also have a 67 435HP coupe).
7. There is a significant ZR-1 support network. I would check out the www.zr1.net website. Part are obtainable (with the possible exception of the original laminated windshields - but regular C4 windshields fit fine and look great). The LT5 is virtually bullet proof. Most of the issues you will ever have with a ZR-1 is related to normal C4 issues.
Good luck with your choice. Really, neither is a bad choice and both are super Corvettes!