Hello all...this is my first post. I'm not new to Corvettes but new here. I'm amazed at the amount of knowledge and information this site has. My first Vette was a 1994 C4 Coupe. I also had a 1994 ZR-1. After a few years of being without, I'm getting the itch to have another and my heart has always been with the C4. I consider it a real "drivers car". I'm not a racer and I don't track my cars. I just like standing on it now and again to bring that nasty grin to my face.

I'm looking at a few options and I'm wondering what it would be like to own a ZR-1 again. I had mine for two years and the only major problem I had was I needed the rear end rebuilt. Otherwise the car was fairly trouble free. That being said, I don't think I had the car long enough to really get a feel for the reliability of it...specifically the LT-5 engine. As I said, I'm not terribly hard on my cars, but being a low volume engine that has been out of production for over 25 years...well...if something goes really wrong I might possibly be in some real deep kimchee. So for those with more extended experience, can you enlighten me as to how much of a risk I might be getting into with a motor like that. I've read that these motors are pretty bulletproof, and I'd like people's opinions. And if something does crater, what would be my repair options/possibilities. And no...it will not be a daily driver.

As an aside: A friend (who is a good guy but tends to think he knows everything) said that the LT-5 is "just another engine and any qualified mechanic should be able to fix it." I really didn't want to get into it with him as I know he's never pulled into a Chevy dealer and saw the service staff scatter like mice when they saw "ZR-1" on the fender.

I'm also considering a 1996 Collector's Edition for different reasons, but I realize that's a whole different ballgame.

Apologies in advance if this has been covered elsewhere. I put this in General Discussion in case there were any former ZR-1 owners that could offer any input. Suggestions and opinions would be greatly appreciated and I look forward to posting more. Thanks!!

 

LT5 is bulletproof if taken care of. If the thing sat you are almost guaranteed issues with the fuel system (i.e. injectors) because it only runs half the injectors when not in full power so they tend to get gummed up. If you get one that has been taken care of and driven you should be fine. My personal opinion is you want something that has been consistently driven at least 1000 miles a year.

The 1996 LT4 is my personal favorite but I'm biased (currently own one and it's not my first). With that said I'd buy a Z in a second.

 

LT5 is so over-engineered that its bulletproof. It'll probably run longer than you will. If a ZR1 is in your price range, get it.

 

As stated the LT5 is a brute that will go well over 200,000 without ever needing to be opened up or rebuilt. The fuel injectors fail in 90/92s and will need to be replaced if original. You should have posted this in the ZR-1 section. Contrary to popular myths parts can easily be found,the one part that next to impossible to find for my 91 was a rear CORVETTE emblem. Any and all questions you might have an be answered on the ZR-1 Registry or on the ZR-1 Forum here.

 

I know nothing about the LT5 engine, except the articles i have read over the years, My main guess as to why the cars were avoided, might have been the ability to work on them yourself, they are a bit intimidating to some owners. Which means you have to pay someone to work on them, Finding someone that knows how to, might be harder than you think, but even if its not hard, be prepared to pay.

SBC like the L98, Lt1, LT4, are common engines, and pretty much anyone with mechanical ability can do most of the work on them. even if your not so inclined, there are tons of mechanics that can work on the chevy 350 engine.

Were things can get sketchy is when it comes to the electronics, or ECM modules for those cars, if you can find one, again be prepared to pay.

Just some thoughts on it.

I'm just repeating some of what I had read, I have no actual experience with the LT5, except to say they are a cool engine.

Cheers

 

Not sure your location but if you are anywhere in the MD/VA/PA area you have great support. Same for TX and IL areas. In the MD area we have the Wazoo group where we get together once a month or so and all pitch in to work on our ZR-1's. Deal is whatever car we work on the most that day, the owner has to buy the pizza. I purchased my car with 50,000 miles in 2012 and now have 107,000 miles on her. She still runs very strong. As stated before, early Z's will need injectors if they are original but other than that the engine is bulletproof. You will find Z owners are very willing to give suggestions and solutions on this and the ZR-1 Net Registry forum. Get one that has been driven and enjoy. If you can find one with some mods, even better! Good luck and keep us posted.

 

There are small independent companies such as JERRYS GASKETS and Marc Haibeck that have parts or are having parts made. Marc H offers a rebuild service for the ECMs and JERRYS GASKETS is making a few parts. 99% of the time the motor won't need to be opened up so all the maintenance is on the outside. When the injectors in my 8000 original mile needed to be replaced I got the parts,took plenty of pictures and did the job. Why somebody that does this for a living would shy away from this job,I don't know but I've heard some shops won't work on the cars.

 

This look like fun?

 

That moment when your LT5 needs to be bored because of a scratch in the cylinder wall....

 

If you love the idea of the ZR-1, what it represents, what it was/did etc. Get one. They are very cool period pieces.

If you don't, then there are more practical options.

 

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the input. As stated, I did own a ZR-1 and it was great, but for only two years. My next Vette may be the last one I get, not because I'm close to kicking the bucket, but it would be my 5th. So I'm looking long-term commitment.

BTW...any mod who feels this is a better post for the ZR-1 section feel free to move it.

 

Had plenty of race boats with nikasil liners. I agree, it ain't cheap. But I wouldn't buy one expecting to be inexpensive if there ever is a problem anyway. Thats why I have a gen 1 and a bunch of gen 4s.

 

No problem,big inch LT5 are getting pretty common. 385/440 seems to be the cubes people are going with.

 

I might add prices for C4s in general have finely hit bottom and are on the rise so if anybody wants a ZR-1 best to move in it soon.

 

Well I’d like to agree with you, but in a casual search I found 8 ZR-1’s (1993-1995...the years I’d be considering) all priced from nearly $40K and up. One 1995 with 145 miles on it was $90K (obviously one of the dreamers that paid a $40K “dealer markup” and thought he could make money only to try and recoup his losses).

Old Ride had no ZR-1’s, but they DID have a 1995 Impala SS for $50K!

Hemmings had a few, all priced over $38K. When I bought mine seven years ago, I paid $23K. Apparently, prices have risen and are continuing to do so, albeit slower than the aforementioned dreamer above would like. I do realize that there are other places to search and that there’s a huge difference between asking and sales price, but I think this is a bit more than I’d like to pay. I’m not disputing the value or anything like that...it is, after all, a ZR-1. But now we’re creeping into used Jaguar F-Type territory.

 

@Rogue One,as an owner I've watched prices rise from to toilet to where they are now. And the dreamer with the $90,000 95, I wouldn't be surprised if it sells close to that. It's simple,you can buy a car or you can buy a ZR-1.

 

ZR-1 is not a car ?
Lots of other options when you get in the 90k range

 

My point exactly. When prices start to creep up into that range for a used car...especially one 25 years old or better...there are some pretty amazing options out there. Not saying one is better than the other. It's really about what you want.

Again, I'm not arguing the pedigree or the wow factor of a ZR-1. I was an owner too. I just know that there are many people who bought these cars and stored them away hoping to make a killing financially, only to be disappointed as they are just now starting to approach the point where people might possibly come closer to being able to recoup their investment (specifically those who bought the car with the egregious dealer markups that were applied at the time. Hell, when I was looking at the C6's, I walked out of a few dealerships that put on a $5K markup! ). I don't know if the guy will get his money or not. I hope he does, but to me it seems unlikely. Time will tell.

 

It DOESN"'T look fun ! I gotta do my injectors too this winter on my 41K mile 90' ZR1. I was surprised to see those 2 stubby little coolant hoses under there in the pick. Man, if one of them pops/ blows, a guy is screwed. I wonder if that something you/ others are going to replace ? Or just leave it or ? Thx for the pics, Take care.

 

Those 2 hoses are breather hoses.