1990 ZR1 Info
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
1990 ZR1 Info
Getting real close to buying a 1990 ZR1 that's pretty low mileage...Can anyone clue me in on the highs or lows of this car...OK for weekend driver as I don't want a garage queen? Comfort vs a C5 or C6? I would imagine a lot of cost for cams & headwork.
Thanks in advance
Greg
Thanks in advance
Greg
#2
Le Mans Master
C4 is very cockpit oriented with more difficult ingress and egress if you are a bigger or somewhat immobile guy. The LT5 engine speaks for itself...it's a great piece, one of the best looking engines to ever reside in an american car for sure, and it's pricey to fix. 1990 was the year of the highest production volume and I'd gauge it as the least desirable of all ZR1's, though never the less, desirable. C5 and C6 is a better car...that's the bottom line, but a ZR1 is a joy to keep. At this stage, these aren't being generally purchased as drivers, more being purchased as keepers.
Go on the ZR1 registry if you haven't already, that's the place to find good ones. Ownership records and maintenance are key otherwise the price goes down. In the end, it's a C4...your main issues are the expensive weather seals and things that dry rot and leak.
I guess I'll add, with low mileage/not driven...look for leaks and look for a car that was still driven frequently, even if for small stints. Check the date code on the tires...they may have great tread depth but may be out of their service life. Ask about how the car was stored, if fluids were removed or if the car just basically sat. Ask what environment it was kept in, what the current owner knows about the car from the prior owner, etc. Look underneath the car and be sure the floor/pan isn't cracked from being jacked up improperly...that happened a lot to C4's. With a ZR1...I'd seek to get a PPI from someone knowledgeable about the cars.
Oh yeah...and wrong forum.
Go on the ZR1 registry if you haven't already, that's the place to find good ones. Ownership records and maintenance are key otherwise the price goes down. In the end, it's a C4...your main issues are the expensive weather seals and things that dry rot and leak.
I guess I'll add, with low mileage/not driven...look for leaks and look for a car that was still driven frequently, even if for small stints. Check the date code on the tires...they may have great tread depth but may be out of their service life. Ask about how the car was stored, if fluids were removed or if the car just basically sat. Ask what environment it was kept in, what the current owner knows about the car from the prior owner, etc. Look underneath the car and be sure the floor/pan isn't cracked from being jacked up improperly...that happened a lot to C4's. With a ZR1...I'd seek to get a PPI from someone knowledgeable about the cars.
Oh yeah...and wrong forum.
Last edited by RC000E; 04-19-2015 at 02:30 PM.
#3
Team Owner
ZR-1 not ZR1 those started in 2009.
#4
Drifting
Thread Starter
#5
Race Director
#6
Getting real close to buying a 1990 ZR1 that's pretty low mileage...Can anyone clue me in on the highs or lows of this car...OK for weekend driver as I don't want a garage queen? Comfort vs a C5 or C6? I would imagine a lot of cost for cams & headwork.
Thanks in advance
Greg
Thanks in advance
Greg
All I can add is my buddy bought one new in 91 and still has it he never had any big issues that I know of except for the leather on the drivers seat scuffing pretty easy other than that it was a beast in it's day and still will hold it's own today...as far as comfort goes compared to my ZR1 and other Vettes I've had it rides a bit on the rough side but not much more than my 10 ZR and about the same as the C6 Z06 and C5 Z06 I had...I personally think it would be a great weekend driver.
#7
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Here is just 1 link to a great site. Highs..just open the hood and drool or run it up 7K RPM's. If you want a touring car buy a C5. If you want something not everyone has Buy the ZR-1.
http://www.zr1netregistry.com/Market...yersGuide.aspx
http://www.zr1netregistry.com/Market...yersGuide.aspx
#8
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Absolutely. My 1990 ZR-1 is a great weekend driver, and not a garage queen.
Lows ... tech. There are no electronic aids to help you drive
Highs ... RPMs. 7K ... try that with an LSx
My advice is to get it if you like it and don't try to compare it to a C5 or C6.
Lows ... tech. There are no electronic aids to help you drive
Highs ... RPMs. 7K ... try that with an LSx
My advice is to get it if you like it and don't try to compare it to a C5 or C6.
#9
Drifting
Thread Starter
thanks for the replies...very helpful.
Greg
Greg
#10
Race Director
#11
Race Director
#12
Le Mans Master
Revved my LS6 to 7k at track days...limiter is at 6700 now, post forced induction. Just sayin...
#13
Drifting
LT5 is good to 8K if you want to raise the limiter. Having owned both a C5 Z06 and a C4 ZR-1 together, I found the C4 ZR-1 more entertaining to drive, but the Z06 is easier to get in and out of. I sold the Z06.
#14
Tech Contributor
You did not???
#15
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
Highs: Didn't the LS7 redling at 7k?
OP, C5 or C6 will be much more "comfortable" for DD'ing or driving in general. C4 will be more visceral, more raw, more honest, and IMO, a LOT more fun. You really need to drive them all and see what suits you best.
.
Last edited by Tom400CFI; 04-23-2015 at 09:49 AM.
#16
Melting Slicks
I have been a member here for many years now and I have found that owners of both the ZR-1 and a C5 or C6 seem to keep the ZR-1 and sell the newer car. There are also those that sell a ZR-1 and end up buying another.. there is definitely something special about these cars.
#17
Drifting
I have been a member here for many years now and I have found that owners of both the ZR-1 and a C5 or C6 seem to keep the ZR-1 and sell the newer car. There are also those that sell a ZR-1 and end up buying another.. there is definitely something special about these cars.
#18
Racer
Hey Greg. I purchased a 1990 ZR-1 in Oct 2012 with 11,000 original miles and meticulous records. I have been in love with her every since. I am admittedly not a Corvette guy but I am a ZR-1 guy. I choose to own and weekend drive my ZR-1 because not everybody has one. I dig the exclusivity factor. Very subdued and undercover if you will. My first long drive came last august with the Corvette Caravan from Miami to Bowling Green and it was a complete joy. Enjoyed the sound of my LT-5 that I don't think I even listened to the radio for more than 30 mins. She does have quirks, a few eccentricities, but those are the things I have come to love. Z's have character. In my opinion if you are a true auto enthusiast you cannot go wrong with a C4 ZR-1 whatever the year. Good luck with your purchase and I can help with anything don't hesitate to PM.
#19
Race Director
C4 is very cockpit oriented with more difficult ingress and egress if you are a bigger or somewhat immobile guy. The LT5 engine speaks for itself...it's a great piece, one of the best looking engines to ever reside in an american car for sure, and it's pricey to fix. 1990 was the year of the highest production volume and I'd gauge it as the least desirable of all ZR1's, though never the less, desirable. C5 and C6 is a better car...that's the bottom line, but a ZR1 is a joy to keep. At this stage, these aren't being generally purchased as drivers, more being purchased as keepers.
Go on the ZR1 registry if you haven't already, that's the place to find good ones. Ownership records and maintenance are key otherwise the price goes down. In the end, it's a C4...your main issues are the expensive weather seals and things that dry rot and leak.
I guess I'll add, with low mileage/not driven...look for leaks and look for a car that was still driven frequently, even if for small stints. Check the date code on the tires...they may have great tread depth but may be out of their service life. Ask about how the car was stored, if fluids were removed or if the car just basically sat. Ask what environment it was kept in, what the current owner knows about the car from the prior owner, etc. Look underneath the car and be sure the floor/pan isn't cracked from being jacked up improperly...that happened a lot to C4's. With a ZR1...I'd seek to get a PPI from someone knowledgeable about the cars.
Oh yeah...and wrong forum.
Go on the ZR1 registry if you haven't already, that's the place to find good ones. Ownership records and maintenance are key otherwise the price goes down. In the end, it's a C4...your main issues are the expensive weather seals and things that dry rot and leak.
I guess I'll add, with low mileage/not driven...look for leaks and look for a car that was still driven frequently, even if for small stints. Check the date code on the tires...they may have great tread depth but may be out of their service life. Ask about how the car was stored, if fluids were removed or if the car just basically sat. Ask what environment it was kept in, what the current owner knows about the car from the prior owner, etc. Look underneath the car and be sure the floor/pan isn't cracked from being jacked up improperly...that happened a lot to C4's. With a ZR1...I'd seek to get a PPI from someone knowledgeable about the cars.
Oh yeah...and wrong forum.