Digital Disaster

Yesterday I spoke with a friend who owns a well-known local Corvette performance shop and he strongly discouraged me from buying a ZR-1.
He said some parts are impossible to find (oil pan gaskets) and others are wildly expensive. He had two Zs in his shop with major damage due to injector failure.
His recommendation if I insisted on buying a ZR-1 was to buy a car with well under 50K miles and still be prepared for frustration and expense in maintaining it.
Are his points valid and is it getting that hard (and expensive) to keep these things on the road?

Jeffvette

Oil pan gasket 90-92 39.99
http://www.whiteracingproducts.com/i...ail?v=1&pid=97


Oil pan gasket 93-95 49.99
http://www.whiteracingproducts.com/i...ail?v=1&pid=96

An entire gasket kit for a rebuild is 469.99
http://www.whiteracingproducts.com/i...il?v=1&pid=110

I find it hard to believe there is major damamge due to injector failure. You would notice a problem like that and stop driving... well unless you're a fool.

phrogs

um no the parts are easy to find especially gaskets

some parts are expensive but these motors can take a beating I havent heard of to many engines failing except for bad repair work ( miss timing the cams) injectors causing the motor to fail? Im not buying that cause!

where are these cars with the bad motors??? Id buy them



when you can buy a complete motor for 5k thats good enough to grab a spare,

but its up to you I do all my own work but some of it has to be sent out, so if your the kind of guy who would have to send the car out to be fixed and it sounds like your friend doesnt have a clue how to work on the LT5 it could cost you $$$ if you had a problem but I havent heard of to many LT5s with problems except those that have been worked on by people who dont have a Fing clue what they are doing


all your LT5 needs can be had in 2 palces


www.whiteracingproducts.com

and

www.lt5-parts.com

ShawnZR-1

I love these myths! Keep 'em coming!
The last time I checked, there were two Z's on the registry with over 200,000 miles on the original engine. Mine has 138,000.

Parts hard to find? Not if you know where to look and it sounds like your friend either hasn't taken the time or just doesn't know what he's talking about.

Go drop $40 on The Heart of the Beast. Read it. You'll buy a Z the next day!

DDSLT5

No offense - your friend doesn't know his head from his ***. Buy a Z - make it a low mile one (under 50K) for some added peace of mind. No more issues here than a regular vette.

8388

Hey these cars really suck. keep saying that, and those of us that know better will continue to take advantage on lower prices and keep adding to the collection. Works for me. Yeah these cars suck. I can go for another ZR1, maybe two

phrogs

you dont need anymore let us little guys have some fun ok!

Digital Disaster

Thanks for the replies. I'm looking at a black '91 this afternoon.
One other question: Is there that obvious a difference in power between a 90 - 92 and 93 and up?
Thank you

8388

Thay are all great cars. Test drive more than one then make up your mind.

LPE385

This is good information, harder to do than most cars but try to drive as many cars with in reason. If you think a 405hp car is in your budget then really try to drive one of those as well. Good Luck.

cward

If I were you, I would find someone that has a ZR-1 go with you to look at the car. There are a few things to be careful of on a Z. One easy one: Make sure all the syncros in the trans are good. Or if they aren't, that reduces the price.... by a couple of thousand. Also, go to www.zr1.net and look at the ZR-1's there for sale to get an idea of prices. If you are going to drive the car alot, then I would suggest you not pay for a low mileage car. Get one with 25K + miles and then drive it to your hearts content. However, if you want to drive it only on weekends and short trips, then a low mileage might be right.

Curtis

Aaron71771

I've had mine for almost three years, replaced the coils, the purge solenoid, clutch, pressure place, clutch slave and master, clutch fork (twice!), and did the tune up stuff, wires, plugs, fluid changes. It's mostly been a trouble free car for me and if I have the means, I would not hesitate to pick up another ZR-1, or two or three... These cars are just too much fun to own, and the community is too good to pass up for the price.

The service manual is a god send.

ZR1Blex

It sounds like your local Corvette shop may be against ZR-1s due being afraid of them (i.e. lack of knowledge). First, the oil pan gasket should rarely go bad as long as the oil pan bolts are occasionally torque down to spec (easy task). Second, the LT5 is "bulletproof" (proven by the endurance testing it was subjected to) and shouldn't give much, if any trouble as long as it is maintained properly. Third, I doubt the injectors were truly the problem in regards to the failed engines. If you worry about the original injectors causing problems, you can replace them with RC stainless steel units. Fourth, I suggest that you visit www.zr1specialist.com to see what a ZR-1 specialist charges to perform certain maintainence/repairs so you can see it really isn't that expensive to run (unless you choose to modify). Fifth, unless you are a die hard collector who wants a Ruby 93' 40th Anniversary ZR-1 or the last year '95; I recommend that you buy an early one (90-92) as they are a great value. I also suggest that if you want a modified one buy it that way as it is much more cost effective than trying to modify an original one. Best of luck.

knightsm

Bob, if I, a Limey, many miles away from your hallowed shores, can successfully run and maintain a ZR, how much easier it must be for you.
All your above countrymen seem to think you should spend some of that hard earnt marine biologist pay and get the "KING" . If we all wanted the easy life we would all drive a ricer, coloured white!

zipnz

Well, first off, I'm going to have to agree with the (Ace) mechanic on this one. Here's why:

1. ZR1's were produced in limited numbers, just like my Delorean.
2. Parts are regularly being discontinued, just like my DeLorean.
3. If you can find a part, it's expensive, just like my DeLorean.

BTW, anyone know where I can get my hands on a stock Flux Capacitor?

OK,OK, I'm just kidding. That grease monkey obviously has no first hand experience with these awsome beasts. Better for us, hell, he'd probably hurt himself anyway. Sounds like a KIA man to me.

See y'all!

jabrun

Even if oil pan gaskets weren't available you could make one from gasket material or RTV silicone. The main parts of an LT-5 that are uncommon are very durable. A ZR-1 is the only car I've ever driven that keeps running better the harder you run it, just make sure the fluids are up to temp before you put the hammer down. Have you ever seen the great American race? Most of those cars are from the 1930's and parts have to be pretty scarce yet they are able to run them coast to coast in the Summer heat without too many problems. The ZR-1 not sharing it's engine with any other vehicle it is what makes it special and exotic.

jhong321

The ZR1 is a rare breed and should be treated like one it's not for everyone. As for the relibillity I have 135,000 and it still running strong (knock on wood) There are going to be some problems but that normal for any 15 year old car. Just be happy you are not buying a farrari or lambo Now thats a expensive car. If you want relibility buy a toyota if you want to be "king of the hill" you know what you have to do.
Then you can join the rest of us Kings

66CorvetteCoupe

I too am very interested in owning a Z car and had concerns about the maintenance and costs of owning one. After speaking with several owners and a good friend that is a GM certified ZR master mechanic this is what I learned. Common problems are starters, water pumps and fuel pumps, hmm no worse than any other SB chevy. The life span of of one of these engines if properly cared for my outlast the car. Jim Watson my good friend once crewed for one of the Morrison Road Race ZRs he told me that before one of the 24 hr races they blew up the LT5 in the race car, not wanting to miss the race they borrowed one of the crews daily driver ZR removed the engine put it in the race car and ran the 24 race without a hitch. After the race the LT5 was put back into the street car and continued to run just fine. Do that with your average small block !!! My mind was made up now all I got to do is find one I can afford !!

Digital Disaster

I certainly appreciate the response.
The '91 I looked at today is beautiful and pretty much spotless top to bottom, inside and out and has just 24K miles.
Clear CarFax but I'm pretty sure it's been reshot as the black paint is spectacularly glossy and perfectly smooth, something my last 2 C4s (or any C4 from the factory I've ever seen) have not been.
He'll take $24.5K and I'm seriously considering it.
Even though it's not the car the Z06 is, I figure I can have some cheap fun for a few years and at least not lose my *** when it's time to sell and how many of these do you see on the street every day?
Judging from prices I've seen, it's fair, no?

8388

I wouldn't want to own a C5 Z06 when the C6 Z06 comes out. But for those who do.