ZR1 Conversion
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,564
Likes: 110
From: Austin Texas
I have the ZR-1 quarters, doors, rockers, wheel wells, supports under the quarters, spacer for the doors, and rear bumper cover on the way.
I'm still pursuing modifying the flat rear, but I'll have the bumper cover just in case. This is off a 90 ZR-1 so the trim will align.
I definitely like the idea of combining two rear flat bumper covers. I'll have to float that idea with the guy doing the work. At the moment it will be a custom fiberglass mold.
I'm still pursuing modifying the flat rear, but I'll have the bumper cover just in case. This is off a 90 ZR-1 so the trim will align.
I definitely like the idea of combining two rear flat bumper covers. I'll have to float that idea with the guy doing the work. At the moment it will be a custom fiberglass mold.
The Corvette lettering embossed into the cover...you can't just take a section out of the middle, cut the bumper in half and spread it...the lettering will be screwed up.
You'll have to:
- Mark the center line on the bumper,
- Cut out the Corvette lettering square,
- Cut remainder of rear bumper in half down centerline,
- Stretch bumper 3"
- Measure width of hole where the embossed section was,
- Cut 3" wide "T" from scrap rear bumper, with the Corvette embossing cut the width from Step #5,
- Insert into bumper,
- Bond/weld the material back together & smooth seams,
- Make mold from plug.
I think that's it...
Of course...I haven't looked closely at mine and compared it to my '91...but then there's the exhaust notches underneath. I don't remember if the ZR1 is spread further out, or is it the same distance as a standard 'vette to keep the mount points for the mufflers in the same place?
It's definitely involved...but the end result is certainly going to be worth it.
Edit: Or were the pre-91's lettered by applying it over the cover? Been too long since I had my '86, and I don't look that close at the rear end of a Corvette...I'm usually in front
This is the tail of an '89 ZR-1...and the lettering is on top of the cover, not embossed.
Last edited by 1991Z07; Jan 31, 2013 at 12:48 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,128
Likes: 70
From: Pineville Louisiana
I thought about this over the last few days and found a flaw with my theory...
The Corvette lettering embossed into the cover...you can't just take a section out of the middle, cut the bumper in half and spread it...the lettering will be screwed up.
You'll have to:
I think that's it...
Of course...I haven't looked closely at mine and compared it to my '91...but then there's the exhaust notches underneath. I don't remember if the ZR1 is spread further out, or is it the same distance as a standard 'vette to keep the mount points for the mufflers in the same place?
It's definitely involved...but the end result is certainly going to be worth it.
Edit: Or were the pre-91's lettered by applying it over the cover? Been too long since I had my '86, and I don't look that close at the rear end of a Corvette...I'm usually in front
This is the tail of an '89 ZR-1...and the lettering is on top of the cover, not embossed.
The Corvette lettering embossed into the cover...you can't just take a section out of the middle, cut the bumper in half and spread it...the lettering will be screwed up.
You'll have to:
- Mark the center line on the bumper,
- Cut out the Corvette lettering square,
- Cut remainder of rear bumper in half down centerline,
- Stretch bumper 3"
- Measure width of hole where the embossed section was,
- Cut 3" wide "T" from scrap rear bumper, with the Corvette embossing cut the width from Step #5,
- Insert into bumper,
- Bond/weld the material back together & smooth seams,
- Make mold from plug.
I think that's it...
Of course...I haven't looked closely at mine and compared it to my '91...but then there's the exhaust notches underneath. I don't remember if the ZR1 is spread further out, or is it the same distance as a standard 'vette to keep the mount points for the mufflers in the same place?
It's definitely involved...but the end result is certainly going to be worth it.
Edit: Or were the pre-91's lettered by applying it over the cover? Been too long since I had my '86, and I don't look that close at the rear end of a Corvette...I'm usually in front
This is the tail of an '89 ZR-1...and the lettering is on top of the cover, not embossed.
Daniel
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 871
Likes: 15
From: Shepherdsville Kentucky
The lettering is applied to the bumper for pre-1991 so that won't be a problem. In fact I had replaced the plastic lettering with stainless steel some time ago.
The exhaust will be an issue however, I'll have to nudge it over to align with the wider bumper cover.
The exhaust will be an issue however, I'll have to nudge it over to align with the wider bumper cover.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,414
Likes: 2,745
You mention a "nudge" - well there's substantially more than a "nudge" required to move the exhaust the required 1.5" each side to now align with the exhaust cove dimension that "YOU" altered. The ZR-1 cover shares I'm quite certain the bumper cove dimensions off all C4's. It's really not as simple a "one of" as you seem to think! It would be much easier and maybe conversational if you're "hell bent" on the early cover to just do a "center outlet" exhaust!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 871
Likes: 15
From: Shepherdsville Kentucky
Yeah, I probably should have put nudge in quotes.
I recently replaced the exhaust system with Melrose headers and 3" back to the mufflers. At the moment it's still clamped together but I doubt there's enough play to be able to get that extra inch and a half. Will probably have to replace a section to make it work.
My goal here is make something that is extremely subtle, if you didn't know C4s really well you wouldn't even know anything had been done to the body.
I recently replaced the exhaust system with Melrose headers and 3" back to the mufflers. At the moment it's still clamped together but I doubt there's enough play to be able to get that extra inch and a half. Will probably have to replace a section to make it work.
My goal here is make something that is extremely subtle, if you didn't know C4s really well you wouldn't even know anything had been done to the body.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,414
Likes: 2,745
Yeah, I probably should have put nudge in quotes.
I recently replaced the exhaust system with Melrose headers and 3" back to the mufflers. At the moment it's still clamped together but I doubt there's enough play to be able to get that extra inch and a half. Will probably have to replace a section to make it work.
My goal here is make something that is extremely subtle, if you didn't know C4s really well you wouldn't even know anything had been done to the body.
I recently replaced the exhaust system with Melrose headers and 3" back to the mufflers. At the moment it's still clamped together but I doubt there's enough play to be able to get that extra inch and a half. Will probably have to replace a section to make it work.
My goal here is make something that is extremely subtle, if you didn't know C4s really well you wouldn't even know anything had been done to the body.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 871
Likes: 15
From: Shepherdsville Kentucky
Parts have arrived
Recieved the ZR-1 parts today. My first home delivery by semi-truck!
Unfortunately the crate was put on the truck via fork lift and the dolly the driver had couldn't raise the crate high enough to clear the welded gate brackets of his door.
I had to unbox and remove the parts in his truck.
Also, we're getting a ton of snow right now!
However, Dino's did a great job of packing these parts up. The crate was 6' x 5' x 3' and weighed over 600 lbs but everything was in good shape and well padded.
I now have:
ZR-1 doors
ZR-1 rear quarters
ZR-1 rear bumper
ZR-1 rear wheel wells
ZR-1 door jams
ZR-1 body trim
What I need:
ZR-1 rockers
ZR-1 rear wheels (89 style 11")
I'm still moving forward with a custom rear bumper so I may have a ZR-1 rear bumper for sale. Or maybe I'll hang it on the wall.
Unfortunately the crate was put on the truck via fork lift and the dolly the driver had couldn't raise the crate high enough to clear the welded gate brackets of his door.
I had to unbox and remove the parts in his truck.
Also, we're getting a ton of snow right now!
However, Dino's did a great job of packing these parts up. The crate was 6' x 5' x 3' and weighed over 600 lbs but everything was in good shape and well padded.
I now have:
ZR-1 doors
ZR-1 rear quarters
ZR-1 rear bumper
ZR-1 rear wheel wells
ZR-1 door jams
ZR-1 body trim
What I need:
ZR-1 rockers
ZR-1 rear wheels (89 style 11")
I'm still moving forward with a custom rear bumper so I may have a ZR-1 rear bumper for sale. Or maybe I'll hang it on the wall.
Last edited by 89 Vett; Feb 13, 2013 at 01:11 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,414
Likes: 2,745
Recieved the ZR-1 parts today. My first home delivery by semi-truck!
Unfortunately the crate was put on the truck via fork lift and the dolly the driver had couldn't raise the crate high enough to clear the welded gate brackets of his door.
I had to unbox and remove the parts in his truck.
Also, we're getting a ton of snow right now!
However, Dino's did a great job of packing these parts up. The crate was 6' x 5' x 3' and weighed over 600 lbs but everything was in good shape and well padded.
I now have:
ZR-1 doors
ZR-1 rear quarters
ZR-1 rear bumper
ZR-1 rear wheel wells
ZR-1 door jams
ZR-1 body trim
What I need:
ZR-1 rockers
ZR-1 rear wheels (89 style 11")
I'm still moving forward with a custom rear bumper so I may have a ZR-1 rear bumper for sale. Or maybe I'll hang it on the wall.
Unfortunately the crate was put on the truck via fork lift and the dolly the driver had couldn't raise the crate high enough to clear the welded gate brackets of his door.
I had to unbox and remove the parts in his truck.
Also, we're getting a ton of snow right now!
However, Dino's did a great job of packing these parts up. The crate was 6' x 5' x 3' and weighed over 600 lbs but everything was in good shape and well padded.
I now have:
ZR-1 doors
ZR-1 rear quarters
ZR-1 rear bumper
ZR-1 rear wheel wells
ZR-1 door jams
ZR-1 body trim
What I need:
ZR-1 rockers
ZR-1 rear wheels (89 style 11")
I'm still moving forward with a custom rear bumper so I may have a ZR-1 rear bumper for sale. Or maybe I'll hang it on the wall.
Dino's didn't have the rockers?
Try "91zrocket" 614-937-5112 scott He's been parting a '90 or '91!
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 871
Likes: 15
From: Shepherdsville Kentucky
I got a hold of the rockers I needed last year, but have yet to find a shop to make the custom rear bumper for me. The car is currently in the shop for a new hood and the owner thinks he can work this one for me too. Unfortunately, once again there's not enough winter left.
Last edited by 89 Vett; Jan 16, 2015 at 04:03 PM. Reason: Added link
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 859
Likes: 17
From: Houston TX
I got a hold of the rockers I needed last year, but have yet to find a shop to make the custom rear bumper for me. The car is currently in the shop for a new hood and the owner thinks he can work this one for me too. Unfortunately, once again there's not enough winter left.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 871
Likes: 15
From: Shepherdsville Kentucky
Yeah, I think that's exactly what I'll be doing. I need to get out there and make a template of my current bumper to make sure it meets up properly with the ZR1 quarter once it's widened. The curve may be different.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 870
Likes: 23
From: Alexandria VA
Recieved the ZR-1 parts today. My first home delivery by semi-truck!
Unfortunately the crate was put on the truck via fork lift and the dolly the driver had couldn't raise the crate high enough to clear the welded gate brackets of his door.
I had to unbox and remove the parts in his truck.
Also, we're getting a ton of snow right now!
However, Dino's did a great job of packing these parts up. The crate was 6' x 5' x 3' and weighed over 600 lbs but everything was in good shape and well padded.
I now have:
ZR-1 doors
ZR-1 rear quarters
ZR-1 rear bumper
ZR-1 rear wheel wells
ZR-1 door jams
ZR-1 body trim
What I need:
ZR-1 rockers
ZR-1 rear wheels (89 style 11")
I'm still moving forward with a custom rear bumper so I may have a ZR-1 rear bumper for sale. Or maybe I'll hang it on the wall.
Unfortunately the crate was put on the truck via fork lift and the dolly the driver had couldn't raise the crate high enough to clear the welded gate brackets of his door.
I had to unbox and remove the parts in his truck.
Also, we're getting a ton of snow right now!
However, Dino's did a great job of packing these parts up. The crate was 6' x 5' x 3' and weighed over 600 lbs but everything was in good shape and well padded.
I now have:
ZR-1 doors
ZR-1 rear quarters
ZR-1 rear bumper
ZR-1 rear wheel wells
ZR-1 door jams
ZR-1 body trim
What I need:
ZR-1 rockers
ZR-1 rear wheels (89 style 11")
I'm still moving forward with a custom rear bumper so I may have a ZR-1 rear bumper for sale. Or maybe I'll hang it on the wall.
Who's installing the parts on your car?
Thanks.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 871
Likes: 15
From: Shepherdsville Kentucky
I would like for Brett Henderson to do the work, but he's incredibly busy. He made a few recommendations that I need to research.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,414
Likes: 2,745
Did you ever get an early rear cover to check for fit to the "wide-body" quarters? If the rear cover doesn't match/fit the quarters there's no accomplishing the "wide-body" without using the actual ZR-1 rear cover.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 75
Likes: 6
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 871
Likes: 15
From: Shepherdsville Kentucky
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 871
Likes: 15
From: Shepherdsville Kentucky
I have a fiberglass round taillight rear now so all the parts are in place. He's going to try and get me in this month, but if not it will be October until I get in there. Price for work will be around $6250 plus or minus a bit. That doesn't count moving the exhaust to match the new openings but that won't take much.