I found a ZR-1 engine . . .
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 108
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From: Siloam Springs AR
I found a ZR-1 engine . . .
I found a '94 ZR-1 engine and was wondering how hard that would be to transplant into my '92 LT1 car? And are they more expensive to rebuild if it needs it?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,516
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From: Windermere FL
Gosh I think about things like this all the time. And I keep coming to the conclusion that I could buy a C6 for what it would take to have someone else do it right for me since I don't have the place or equipment to do it.
I would think that someone that has a blown up ZR-1 would give you decent $ for it. I would think that transplanting a LS would be about as painful and probably cost about the same and give you better results.
I would think that someone that has a blown up ZR-1 would give you decent $ for it. I would think that transplanting a LS would be about as painful and probably cost about the same and give you better results.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: Bartlett Illinois
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Thats like buying a heart without the body. A ZR-1 is a C4 on the outside but has a complete different DNA, organs, muscles etc.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Phoenix AZ
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but ya know, if you buy the engine now, and a wrecked ZR-1 down the road, it would just be swap swap swap. You could separate the LT-5 wiring and add it to your harness. Remember, the LT-5 has 2 fuel pumps and bigger fuel lines, basically a dual ECM, and wider back end.
If the wrecked ZR-1 was hit in the front, you could sell the engine and the rear of the car for what you paid for it.
At Barrett-Jackson auction, there was a GM executive's 93 corvette up for auction.
It was a stock bodied corvette in teal with an LT-5 engine. So it can be done................the wheels in the back go round and round round and round, alll up in smoke!
(sing it to the tune of "the wheels on the bus")
If the wrecked ZR-1 was hit in the front, you could sell the engine and the rear of the car for what you paid for it.
At Barrett-Jackson auction, there was a GM executive's 93 corvette up for auction.
It was a stock bodied corvette in teal with an LT-5 engine. So it can be done................the wheels in the back go round and round round and round, alll up in smoke!
(sing it to the tune of "the wheels on the bus")
Last edited by coupeguy2001; Sep 15, 2010 at 01:51 AM.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 24
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From: Ft. Myers FL
I would think that for what you could sell your 92 for and what the ZR-1 motor would cost, you could pretty much buy a ZR-1. Or at least it would be close enough to make the project seem not worth the effort.
There was a guy selling one on Craigslist around here for a while. I think he got down to about $15,000 before he moved it.
There was a guy selling one on Craigslist around here for a while. I think he got down to about $15,000 before he moved it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: S.L.C. UT
If you want more power, you can easily make more power than the ZR1 with alot less hassle and expense. And a stroker will make alot more torque. 405hp is nothing by todays standards. A mild 383-396 can easily make 500-550hp with good street manners. And bigger motors will make more power than that with good street manners.
And the cost of doing anything with a ZR1 engine is going to be alot more than a first gen SBC,
Last edited by tpi 421 vette; Sep 18, 2010 at 02:24 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,554
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From: Romeoville IL
The input shaft on the ZF 6 speed in the ZR-1's is also different. It's a lot of work, I would say for cost effectiveness it would be better off just buying a ZR-1 instead of trying to clone it.
That being said, if it's it's what you want to do go for, just be ready for little stuff to start adding up.
That being said, if it's it's what you want to do go for, just be ready for little stuff to start adding up.
