ZR1 Conversion
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 871
Likes: 15
From: Shepherdsville Kentucky
ZR1 Conversion
I heard ZFDoc did a base to ZR-1 conversion but couldn't find any info on it. Does anyone have links or stories of this being done? I have access to the rear quarters/supports/doors/rear bumper of a 90 ZR-1 that the body shop is telling me should be a relatively simple install.
Last edited by 89 Vett; Feb 4, 2013 at 10:09 AM. Reason: Spelling
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
If you can afford the bodywork sure (being a look alike)
Doing the motor heck no youll have more in the car than if you sold yours and just bought a real one. That stuff is NOT cheap and theres a lot of it
Doing the motor heck no youll have more in the car than if you sold yours and just bought a real one. That stuff is NOT cheap and theres a lot of it
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,564
Likes: 110
From: Austin Texas
I heard ZFDoc did a base to ZR1 conversion but couldn't find any info on it. Does anyone have links or stories of this being done? I have access to the rear quarters/supports/doors/rear bumper of a 90 ZR1 that the body shop is telling me should be a relatively simple install.
Replaced the doors, rear clip & rear bumper. I've seen it...it looks like a ZR1 except it now has an LSx motor in it.
You'll need the fender liners from it as well.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,414
Likes: 2,745
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
Racer
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 347
Likes: 25
From: Rockford Illinois
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,564
Likes: 110
From: Austin Texas
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 871
Likes: 15
From: Shepherdsville Kentucky
I still have the stock L98 but have more hp than a ZR-1 and with a supercharger (next year?) would be more in the ballpark of a new ZR1. Outside of all that I also like the wider quarters without having to stick flares on. I'm not interested in posing so there'll be no badges or what have you. Just wider fenders.
I hope to find a fabrication shop that can modify the stock flat rear bumper rather than go with the "ZR-1" bumper. So far I haven't had any luck.
I'll make sure to ask about the wheel well shrouds... hadn't thought of that.
I hope to find a fabrication shop that can modify the stock flat rear bumper rather than go with the "ZR-1" bumper. So far I haven't had any luck.
I'll make sure to ask about the wheel well shrouds... hadn't thought of that.
Last edited by 89 Vett; Jan 16, 2015 at 03:57 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,564
Likes: 110
From: Austin Texas
I still have the stock L98 but have more hp than a ZR-1 and with a supercharger (next year?) would be more in the ballpark of a ZR1. Outside of all that I also like the wider quarters without having to stick flares on. I'm not interested in posing so there'll be no badges or what have you. Just wider fenders.
I hope to find a fabrication shop that can modify the stock flat rear bumper rather than go with the "ZR-1" bumper. So far I haven't had any luck.
I'll make sure to ask about the wheel well shrouds... hadn't thought of that.
I hope to find a fabrication shop that can modify the stock flat rear bumper rather than go with the "ZR-1" bumper. So far I haven't had any luck.
I'll make sure to ask about the wheel well shrouds... hadn't thought of that.
Same can be done with the body molding...Vette Daddy has done it on occasion. You'll need to add 1.5" to each side molding to make it work...making sure the holes to secure it to the bumper fascia line up.
Some junkyard should have what you need...
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,414
Likes: 2,745
I still have the stock L98 but have more hp than a ZR-1 and with a supercharger (next year?) would be more in the ballpark of a ZR1. Outside of all that I also like the wider quarters without having to stick flares on. I'm not interested in posing so there'll be no badges or what have you. Just wider fenders.
I hope to find a fabrication shop that can modify the stock flat rear bumper rather than go with the "ZR-1" bumper. So far I haven't had any luck.
I'll make sure to ask about the wheel well shrouds... hadn't thought of that.
I hope to find a fabrication shop that can modify the stock flat rear bumper rather than go with the "ZR-1" bumper. So far I haven't had any luck.
I'll make sure to ask about the wheel well shrouds... hadn't thought of that.
You might assume more power but it just "ain't the same" !
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,128
Likes: 70
From: Pineville Louisiana
Bill did this back in 90 I believe and the car still looks great a few years ago he removed he L98 and installed a LS motor. Last I heard the car is still going strong.
http://www.zfdoc.com/
http://www.zfdoc.com/projects.htm
Also here is Bill's latest project he helped develop:
I have wanted to go this route on our 89 and use the original style bumper instead of the ZR-1. Keep us posted if you decide to go this route.
Cheers,
Daniel
http://www.zfdoc.com/
http://www.zfdoc.com/projects.htm
Also here is Bill's latest project he helped develop:
I hope to find a fabrication shop that can modify the stock flat rear bumper rather than go with the "ZR-1" bumper. So far I haven't had any luck.
Cheers,
Daniel
Last edited by Daniel_Mc; Jan 30, 2013 at 11:07 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,564
Likes: 110
From: Austin Texas
Bill did this back in 90 I believe and the car still looks great a few years ago he removed he L98 and installed a LS motor. Last I heard the car is still going strong.
http://www.zfdoc.com/
http://www.zfdoc.com/projects.htm
http://www.zfdoc.com/
http://www.zfdoc.com/projects.htm
Just wish I'd have had more time to spend there...but I had a blowout on the bus before getting there and was over 4 hours behind schedule going to California.
Car is scary fast...sounds great and purrs like a kitten.
I have wanted to go this route on our 89 and use the original style bumper instead of the ZR-1. Keep us posted if you decide to go this route.
Last edited by 1991Z07; Jan 30, 2013 at 12:16 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,128
Likes: 70
From: Pineville Louisiana
Like I said above...3" of "donor material" centered on a similar year rear bumper should do it. I think the rest of the stuff on the body moldings is actually the same. Hard to say for sure until you do it...but the distance didn't change from the outer side to the turn into the plate well. They just put 3" in the middle to stretch the width (I think).
Daniel
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,564
Likes: 110
From: Austin Texas
The route I looked at was doing just that. Add the 1 1/2 inches to each side of the plate area and that "should" do it. I never looked into the moldings much as I just expected to have to cut the 90 ZR'1's stuff. Also I never could find a donor car at a good price. I probably don't need to sink more money in the 89 anyhow
Daniel
Daniel
Find a wrecked C4 in the yard...one where maybe the quarters are trashed. Cut the center section from the deck surround (and hopefully find a trashed bumper cover...where one side or the other is screwed up) and I'll bet you could get out of there for cheap.
What will kill you is the doors & the rocker panels...everything starts to widen from the firewall back...and those pieces are specific to ZR-1's...which is why I went to find a wrecked ZR-1 that was in repairable condition. Vette Daddy had 3 when I got mine...I wanted the later model body to match with my '91.
He had 2 complete shells he wanted $6k/ea. for complete with interior and minus drivetrain. That would have been a bargain...
Last edited by 1991Z07; Jan 30, 2013 at 02:07 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,270
Likes: 26
From: Winchester VA
Cruise-In V Veteran
I hope to find a fabrication shop that can modify the stock flat rear bumper rather than go with the "ZR-1" bumper. So far I haven't had any luck.
I'd love to see someone get it done.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,128
Likes: 70
From: Pineville Louisiana
Well...you could look at it this way:
Find a wrecked C4 in the yard...one where maybe the quarters are trashed. Cut the center section from the deck surround (and hopefully find a trashed bumper cover...where one side or the other is screwed up) and I'll bet you could get out of there for cheap.
What will kill you is the doors & the rocker panels...everything starts to widen from the firewall back...and those pieces are specific to ZR-1's...which is why I went to find a wrecked ZR-1 that was in repairable condition. Vette Daddy had 3 when I got mine...I wanted the later model body to match with my '91.
He had 2 complete shells he wanted $6k/ea. for complete with interior and minus drivetrain. That would have been a bargain...
Find a wrecked C4 in the yard...one where maybe the quarters are trashed. Cut the center section from the deck surround (and hopefully find a trashed bumper cover...where one side or the other is screwed up) and I'll bet you could get out of there for cheap.
What will kill you is the doors & the rocker panels...everything starts to widen from the firewall back...and those pieces are specific to ZR-1's...which is why I went to find a wrecked ZR-1 that was in repairable condition. Vette Daddy had 3 when I got mine...I wanted the later model body to match with my '91.
He had 2 complete shells he wanted $6k/ea. for complete with interior and minus drivetrain. That would have been a bargain...
Ha! Pretty much thought I was the only one who would want to do this. I love the idea, but can't justify the expense.
I'd love to see someone get it done.
I'd love to see someone get it done.
Daniel
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,564
Likes: 110
From: Austin Texas
The 90 Brett had was in good shape and was a deal it was just so nice to cut up. The wrecked one you picked up would have been better but it was still such a strait body. I really like the direction you are taking that car. What i was really hoping for is a Z that was smashed in the front that way I could take the parts I needed from the rear. I already have a donor bumper with damage so I just need another for the ends. You can really tell the narrow bodies cars when they are next to a ZR-1. The 89 is parked next to the Z now in the shop and it’s a huge difference. I had a non vette buddy over and he was walking by them and pointed at the Z asking "What is the deal with this one" LOL
Daniel
Daniel
I'm painting the '92 Z white like my '91...it's 5 different colors right now anyway...NONE of them white
I'll paint the top and halo to look like carbon fiber. With a 2-tone grey/black interior...it should look really nice, even for a race car.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 871
Likes: 15
From: Shepherdsville Kentucky
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.