1991Z07

I've been kicking around an idea for a new track car for a few years now. My '91 has already been "massaged" and I saw only disaster dropping the new motor into it.

So, I started looking for a donor roller ZR1 to use as the basis for my new track car. With the wide tubs, a 335 series tire can sit in back and besides, it'll be a little different.

Well, Thursday night I glanced in this section and there it was...a '92 Seafoam Green ZR1 with some frame damage under the passenger door for a fair price. I emailed Brett, and lo & behold he was coming to MY town to pick up another Seafoam Green '91 this weekend. So, we made the deal and he brought the car down and dropped it off this morning...minus the LT5 and ZF6

Plans are to do a complete cage in it, tucking the pipes as far out of the way as we can get them. Door bars are gonna be a necessary evil if I ever plan to run it down the 1/4. I don't intend to strip it to bare bones..I'm gonna leave it with a full interior and use selective weight reduction methods like a carbon fiber hood (-80 lbs) along with some other diet menu items.

I've already purchased all the parts for my 427 SBC a few years ago and have sent them off to the machine shop. Target HP/TQ will be 750/700 running a Rocket block with raised cam, Brodix T1 M2 227's w/ Jesel shaft rockers, an all forged bottom end and a Victor intake set up for fuel injection. C/R will be set at 12.5 or 13:1, and I'll be using E85 in it.

I have another ZF6 to stuff in it. All I need to do is get the frame pulled and get started on the structural upgrades underneath before moving on to cosmetic fixes.

I know some of the ZR1 guys won't be happy...but it isn't worth restoring to me. If someone WANTS to do it after I get tired of it (Ha!) they are welcome to do so. I don't intend to just hack it up...

So, a full C6 StopTech or Brembo brake upgrade will be in the works, along with Rippie FX3 coil overs and all the track upgrades to the suspension needed to make it stick (heim links, poly bushings, etc).

I'm going to take my time and get it ready for next year...it'll save the wallet from shock and ensure things are done right the first time.

Really looking forward to this...been thinking and planning it for quite a few years. Now that I've found the perfect donor car, I can move ahead.

Hang on...should be a fun ride! I'll post some pictures of it when I can...

Rednels

What class do you plan on racing in with those HP/TQ numbers?

Kubs

Good luck with the build Joe!! Sounds like it is going to be a monster!!

1991Z07

Thanks Mike...

I just hope it's good enough to humble Aaron a little bit...

@rednels: It is going to be NCCC Group 3 RP. Other than that, I'll just be doing track days and having fun. I don't plan on running SCCA with it, and don't really know what class it would fall into for them.

Besides...after seeing what happened to Aaron out there playing with other cars, I'm not so sure I want to be rubbing in close proximity to others.

I also plan to do some Open Road Racing in West Texas and Nevada with it...flat out for miles.

Aardwolf

Awesome!

RDnomorecobra

wow, please keep thread updated with pics.

Bakerking31

how could you?









naw I'm just kidding, thats an awesome project keep us posted on the progress.

1991Z07

Fitting that my birthday was Saturday, and being a St. Paddy's Day boy I got a GREEN car for my birthday!





The real deal...the King!

Frame Damage from Guard Rail





8K RPM Tach

Assorted Interior Pieces

Soon to be filled with 427 cubic inches of small-block power

I got a new passenger door, new rear & front bumper cover, dog-leg and passenger rocker panel in the deal. Some pretty good bones for a track car...

rasrboy

Way cool Joe, congrats and happy B-Day too.

I get first dibs to test that beast!



Aaron

gkull

Don't be dissappointed when each of those numbers are over 100 or more lower.

Scooter70

Sounds like an awesome project. Is the rear tub narrower on the ZR1 to fit the bigger tire? I thought the difference was just in the body/quarter panels. How much front tire can it up there?

1991Z07

Please...curb your enthusiasm

I have 2 MAJOR things in my favor:

1. This guy built my 355 I currently run in my '91. It is a TPI motor, using Arizona Speed runners and an Accel base that's been port matched. I get MORE power from my 355 than Lingenfelter did from his 383's with the SuperRam (JL-1) intake on it. My numbers were 425/525, Lingenfelter's were 430/480. I'm doing it with 28 cu/in LESS displacement.
   
2. He's already built around 10 of these 427 motors, with fairly consistent results. They have ranged from 695 HP (carb, wet sump) to 750 HP (fuel injected, dry-sumped w/ vacuum pump on the block). The 750 HP motor I personally watched on the engine dyno. It made 745 HP before the vacuum was turned on.

He builds motors for drag racers, drag boats and just plain old FAST lake boats. Been doing it for over 30 years, and I've known him for 20 of them. I've seen some fairly amazing stuff roll through there.

My problem is going to be keeping everything BEHIND the motor in one piece.

He tells me that's HIS job...to break $hit behind the motor

1991Z07

The frame for the ZR1 is identical to the L98 cars. Where they got the extra width was the body...3" per side. It starts from the hood/door and flares to the back of the doors.

ZR1's came with 315's as OEM tires, but when the Vipers came out with 355's, lots of ZR1 owners either widened their rear rims or bought new wheels to accommodate the extra width. They fit...and look massive on there.

I run 295's on my '91 on the street, and when I use race rubber I use 25.5”x11.5”x18” (front) & 25.5”x12”x18” (rear). The fronts on race rubber JUST rub at full lock on the sway bar, so that is basically my limit...an 11.5" tire inside the wheel wells.

I've seen some people like Nathan here running 315's up front, but it limits the lock to lock turning of the steering wheel.

I like my cars with a low C/G...



Which means I need to fit the tires inside the fender lip.

Black89Z51

This is going to be a great project. My only word of advice is to make the roll cage bar by your head as high and as far out as you can. If you need any pictures on how I did my car, I'll be glad to take them.

1991Z07

I'm going to have him tuck it up inside the top...as far away from my noggin' as possible.

gkull

I'm an engine builder and dyno operator. When building engines there are some physical absolutes. One of them is the relationship of TQ and cubic inches. So little 427 ci does not make 700 foot pounds N/A even in a SR cammed motor producing peak power @ 7600 rpm with 18 degree heads.

So your little 227 cc heads won't even.

Dyno's also have a correction factor. I can Micky the numbers and get some great print outs also

By the way my personal 7500 rpm 434 doesn't produce 700 foot pounds of TQ either

1991Z07

Hey Aaron!

You would be welcome to...you bring the tires and I'll provide the ride.

Harris Hill is only 30 miles away.





Circuit of the America's is about the same...

GS023

Going to be way cool!



Hope you had a good Birthday.

Joe

travisnd

Subscribed!

1991Z07

I guess we'll just have to wait & see then, won't we

P.S. There are at least 3 or 4 members in the C4 section using those heads on 427 & 434 Dart motors making well over 650 HP as well...

Also...there was no monkeying with the "numbers"...the engine builder is NOT the dyno owner or operator. They ran it, printed it out, tuned it, ran it, printed it out until it was right. They had a F.A.S.T. tuner flown in to set it up.

Joe White, who OWNS the dyno, is a VERY well respected engine builder in his own right around these parts. He has ZERO incentive to "fudge numbers" on a motor he didn't build.

Thanks for your "professional opinion"...I'll believe what I've seen with my own eyes thank you.