Chris987

I'm not too familiar with pre c5 vettes, but I am with Ferrari's. What would win in a drag and what would win on the track? The TR comes with 428 hp and the regular Testarossa has about 390hp.

phrogs

I dont know but I would love to add a carbed boxer to my garage!

91mongoose

Don't know - but I can tell you which one I'd trade my left nut for. (here's a hint - I own a ZR-1 and still have my left nut )

cv67

Neither of them are drag cars, but most run of the mill Testarossas usually run 13's. I hesitate to even say that because someone will start a war over it. My buddy this, Motor Trend said that...

Chris987

This is a buyer's market right now for used Ferrari's for anyone that is really interested. You can get a great Testarossa for for around 80k, maybe less. There are quite a few 512 TR's on www.dupontregistry.com
going for around 100k. Everyone I talk to on FerrariChat.com swears that the TR is worth the extra money. I have yet to drive either so I can't say. The TR is one of my favorites cars though. A Ferrari icon. How much hp does the zr1 have?

Rkreigh

the red head TR is a beautiful car but if you think the ZR-1 maint is high you better check again before you take the plunge. if you decide to buy one, make sure the schedule maint is up to date.

I have seen a low mileage (30k) TR go as cheap as 55k, but you will quickly get buried in repair/maint bills if the car hasn't been taken care of.

the ZR-1 is the "american ferrari", great DOHC power, but fixes at close to vette prices with drastically reduced costs. top end is simiilar.

a drag race will go to the ZR-1 but not by much. top end favors the ferrari by a bit though.

as far as the chick magnet factor, no contest, ferrari hands down!!!

phrogs

You can seriously reduce your ferrari maintenance cost if you do what alot of us do with the ZR1's

the parts to do the 30K service is pretty inexpensive you just need to be able to get thos camshaft belts on thats where all those $5000 tune up bills come from and its total BS in my eyes

WydGlydJim

Definitely my Z, because that badazz LT-5 was built by union workers!

ZZZZZR1

I had the opportunity to drive both a stock '95 ZR-1 and a stock '86 Testarossa back-to-back last summer. Seat of the pants 1/4 mile would go to the ZR-1, and the top end...well, I never got to find out. Ron is right; the maintenance and repair expenses are astronomical, but the sound of that 12 cylinder engine.....

I have to admit, there was something about that Ferrari...a really intersting car to drive. Did I mention the sound of that 12 cylinder engine?

Z-07 freak

512TR Still my favorite Farrari.

See if you can find the June-1989 issue of Road & Track. It has a great article comparing the ZR-1 (1989 version) aginst a Testarossa and a Countach.

Yibbutkeen

I had a carbed 308 - INCREDIBLE when running right, but a maintenance pig. Once between mechanics it was tuned by this old italian guy. He just used his ear and a screwdriver. The best that car ever ran.

Also with Ferraris, you HAVE to drive them regularly - one that has been sitting is going to need a full set of seals - about 2 grand on the 308 in the early 90s, gonna be more on a tr.

the testarossas go for 50-75, 512 trs 80-120 or so and 512m's a bit more. Just like a corvette, buy the best newest example you can find. Figure 5-8k for the major service every 15000 miles, I'm not sure what the minor (7500 mile) service goes for.

Michael_

Does somebody has that article? Could not find it anywhere online.
Also how does the 1985-1989 Base Corvettes (L98) stack up to the 1990 ZR1 handling wise?

Michael_

Anyone?
I do not necessarily need the article, if someone know the results that would also do.
Mainly interested in Handling 512TR vs ZR-1 and 1990 ZR-1 vs 1985-1989 L98 Corvette.

Tom400CFI

I would think that the handling differences between a ZR-1 and any other C4 would be so small as to be mitigated by the drivers and/or basic suspension tuning (alignments/bars/shocks).

There is no "magic" in the ZR-1 suspension. It's a tuning evolution (both for handling AND ride) of the 1984 C4 parts and pieces.

81c3

Other than the 315 rear tires and weather or not any other C4 would also have the FX3 option

Tom400CFI

The 315 tires help. The FX3 is more for compliance/comfort....not for "more performance". An early C4 is still "stiffer" than an FX3 car in it's firmest setting.

81c3

Didnt seem like that to me... My 86 & 89 seemed less firm than my ZR-1 in its firmest setting especially with brand new shocks up front... Before changing them, I was able to ride around in sport mode with comfort...I really never used tour... too "spongy".... after replacing them, I often use tour now for around town on the crappy streets around here...

This is a base 1990 just as an example....
Courtesy of Forum Member & Contributing Editor, Hib Halverson
Model year Suspension RPO Front Spring Rate (N/mm)
1990 Z51 115.5 R9G 115.5 CNV FE1 93.1 FX3 93.1

This is a ZR-1
Courtesy of Forum Member & Contributing Editor, Hib Halverson
Model year Suspension RPO Front Spring Rate (N/mm)
1990 FX3 93.1 ZR-1 96.2 Z51 115.5 R9G 115.5

So I wonder what the spring rates increase to combined with the FX3 in its firmest setting... So 96.2 Plus the FX3 firm setting equals what?

Tom400CFI

It doesn't equal anything. Spring rates are rates and shock damping is damping. Adding more damping doesn't change spring rate.

I mean, you can go look up raod tests for '85 - '89's and see lateral G's, slalom's etc and compare that with ZR-1's. I bet they're all well w/in a tire change of one another.

Michael_

Thanks, that already helps a lot.
I just bought a copy of that Car & Track Issue. I'm already very excited to find out how the ZR-1 compared to the Testarossa and Countach.

C4 Corvettes are so cheap these days, from time to time i think about adding one to my rig.
I like those with the early exterior and interior best (1985-1989) and they are already starting at about 5000$ in good condition.
And even 20000$ for a 1990 ZR-1 is most likely still a good deal if they can keep up with a testarossa and countach.

I mean you can get a car with sharp handling starting at as low as 5 grand.
I think you really cant go wrong here. Especially if you buy one with the Z51 Package or shell out big bucks and get a ZR-1.

As i would love to have a really sharp handling car in my rig,
i might really buy one at some point.

Edit:

Can you also fit those 315 Tires on a regular 1985-1989 C4?

Tom400CFI

They'll fit. They will stick out of the fender well just a touch.