JrRifleCoach

There is no doubt the LT5 is a work of art.
And that the GS is a great looking "standout" Corvette.

Whats your goal?
Make their mouths drop open when you lift the hood?
Or point and stare as you roll by?

Thats why I bought up to a C5ZCE. Both worlds at the same price.

cv67

Its probably reliable, too.

FASTAZU

I've had both, the LT5 & LT4 was in a CE but same set-up as GS. It would hang with the stock LT5 from a stop or roll to about 100mph... than the LT5 would be gone.

RichS

I've had my GS since 2000, and bought the Z, 1 1/2 years ago. They are both no longer stock but they defiantly have their own personality's. I really enjoy both cars. I never understood why all the hate remarks come up against other generations or models when someone brings up the GS or ZR-1.

Corvette#2

I'd rather have a ZR-1.

collector man

I agree, but the problem was GM ran out of LT5's. Production of the LT5 ended in 93 with 448 LT5's per year for 3 years. To fill the gap until the C5/LS1 introduction we have the one year wonder LT4. I may be wrong, but this is what I think.

cv67

The bummer is GM already knew how to get 500hp or close out of them it just never happened....soon as the LT4 was released GM was selling LT4 hotcams in their GMPP catalogs that could of changed things but then who would have bought an LS1?
I dont get the arguing either its the same brand car

gerardvg

What about the Callaway twin turbo? a friend had a 91 callaway aero body in the golden pearl yellow that is the most sexy c4 I had seen.

No 1 91 Callaway twin turbo aero body.
No 2 95 last of the ZR1

collector man

I think we're talking factory GM not tuner. Callaway' were Bad ***!

collector man

cuisinartvette you make an excellent point. Maybe a good reliable 400 hp that could be covered under warranty. How hard would it be to sell a new generation small block that's less powerful than the old one? I think it was all about marketing to attract new customers. Spoon feed them a little at a time. The gearheads will work around factory shortcomings anyway.

pologreen1

100% serious... I hate to be a copy cat but if I buy a ZR1 that is the scheme it's getting. Maybe red intake though

i kind of want it on my car, but... a '90 just does not pull it of the same.

Paul Workman

Simply jealousy perhaps and the animosity stemming from the inability to adequately rationalize the inferior performance to his own satisfaction.

Soon as a GS guy (or much less an LT1 guy) tries to point out the "irrationality" of spending "$$$$" more for a ZR-1 over a base 96, I remind them the same could be said about the cost of a paint and serial no scheme over a std 96 LT4 coupe, OR the same rationalization of an LT1 vs. an LT4 Vette. Same thing.

And, to put a sharper point on it, in TODAY'S market the tables are somewhat turned: The GS price point is at or significantly higher than the average ZR-1. So, NOW the argument in favor of the cost premium for the GS is what...PAINT and a special SERIAL NO? To me, that's

Lovely, gorgeous cars, the GS - there's no question. But, jeez! As a "Z" driver, if some GS guy is pushing the GS's as having near performance parity, much less superiority over the Z, there's an old saying that goes: "Don't **** down my back and tell me its raining!"

Tom400CFI

I've never seen a head 2 head on the two cars, but I've read everything there is to read about the ZR-1 and I agree that the best you can do is take the objective data from period articles (the performance "stats") and then the subjective comments and make your own case or opinion.

In all the reading I've done on both cars (and like I said, it's a LOT), I'd say the ZR-1 has produced way more articles, way more positive reactions, way more gushing compliments and accolades than the GS did. I remember in '96 the ZR-1 was discontinued and the GS came out, reading about it. Talk about disappointed! GM gave up on the 4 cam, 405 horse ZR-1 for this warmed over LT1 with tacked on fender flares?? LAME!

OTOH, at the end of the day, I've passed on buying a ZR-1 as it's not the car for me; too much money for the experience.

But if you search all the period articles for both cars, I think you'll find a massive amount of "gushing" over the ZR-1 and a moderate amount for the GS...then throw in the performance results of both and I think you have a pretty clear winner; the ZR-1.

-=Jeff=-

more pictures of the GS ZR-1

1993C4LT1

Perfect!

billschroeder5842

Just BA

3JsVette

Drop dead gorgeous and menacing looking at the same time.

rocco16

The problem with the GS is that the powertrain is the exact same one that is in my base (LT-4) coupe.
The ZR-1 had a unique engine, which makes it a truly unique car.
To me, the GS is paint, glue-on flairs, and larger rear tires.
The ZR-1 has cache' that the GS lacks.
I look at a "GS" on the street and ask "is it a clone?"
I lift the hood on a ZR-1 and all questions are answered.

billschroeder5842

Tom400CFI

I totally