Reliability, Maintainability, Supportability and Availability
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 817
Likes: 1
From: Arizona
Reliability, Maintainability, Supportability and Availability
I am currently taking a Reliability, Maintainability, Supportability and Availability class and have a project to complete for this class. I have chosen to do my project on the ZR-1 due to the noted reliability and durability of the LT-5 engine. However, in order to complete my project, I will need to acquire some data. I don’t know yet exactly how this project will turn out, and what areas will be the emphasis, but the direction will depend on the amount and type of data I’ll be able to acquire. I need some help acquiring this data and will be requesting some of it here from ZR-1 owners.
There are many definitions of reliability, maintainability, supportability and availability, but I’ll offer these:
Reliability can be defined simply as the probability that a system or product will perform in a satisfactory manner for a given period of time when used under specified operating conditions.
Maintainability, like reliability, is an inherent characteristic of system or product design. It pertains to the ease, accuracy, safety, and economy in the performance of maintenance actions. A system should be designed such that it can be maintained without large investments of time, cost, or other resources (e.g., personnel, materials, facilities, test equipment) and without adversely affecting the mission of that system. Maintainability is the ability of a system to be maintained and is a design parameter.
Supportability pertains to the degree to which a system can be effectively supported, both in terms of built-in design characteristics of the prime mission-related elements of the system and the characteristics of the overall maintenance and support infrastructure which includes personnel, supply support and related inventories, test equipment, and maintenance facilities. Such characteristics should include standardization (the utilization of standard components), functional packaging, interchangeability, accessibility, self-test and diagnostics, and compatibility among the various elements of support and the prime mission-related elements of the system. The emphasis is on system design.
Availability is simply the percentage of time a system is available for the intended operational use. Availability thus is a function of reliability, maintainability, and supportability of the given system.
I think this will be an interesting project, as the ZR-1 will have some unique aspects regarding these topics. The endurance record speaks to the reliability of the LT-5. That the ZR-1 has some unique parts that are no longer available from the manufacturer will be addressed as part of the supportability analysis. I only plan to address this report in regards to the ZR-1, and mostly in regards to how it differs from the regular C-4. Again, I’m still undecided what this report will turn into, as that will likely depend on the data I’m able to acquire. In any event, if I’m able to do a decent job, it could turn out to be interesting reading to ZR-1 owners or prospective buyers.
There are many definitions of reliability, maintainability, supportability and availability, but I’ll offer these:
Reliability can be defined simply as the probability that a system or product will perform in a satisfactory manner for a given period of time when used under specified operating conditions.
Maintainability, like reliability, is an inherent characteristic of system or product design. It pertains to the ease, accuracy, safety, and economy in the performance of maintenance actions. A system should be designed such that it can be maintained without large investments of time, cost, or other resources (e.g., personnel, materials, facilities, test equipment) and without adversely affecting the mission of that system. Maintainability is the ability of a system to be maintained and is a design parameter.
Supportability pertains to the degree to which a system can be effectively supported, both in terms of built-in design characteristics of the prime mission-related elements of the system and the characteristics of the overall maintenance and support infrastructure which includes personnel, supply support and related inventories, test equipment, and maintenance facilities. Such characteristics should include standardization (the utilization of standard components), functional packaging, interchangeability, accessibility, self-test and diagnostics, and compatibility among the various elements of support and the prime mission-related elements of the system. The emphasis is on system design.
Availability is simply the percentage of time a system is available for the intended operational use. Availability thus is a function of reliability, maintainability, and supportability of the given system.
I think this will be an interesting project, as the ZR-1 will have some unique aspects regarding these topics. The endurance record speaks to the reliability of the LT-5. That the ZR-1 has some unique parts that are no longer available from the manufacturer will be addressed as part of the supportability analysis. I only plan to address this report in regards to the ZR-1, and mostly in regards to how it differs from the regular C-4. Again, I’m still undecided what this report will turn into, as that will likely depend on the data I’m able to acquire. In any event, if I’m able to do a decent job, it could turn out to be interesting reading to ZR-1 owners or prospective buyers.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 14
From: Vacaville, CA
Create a spreadsheet that tracks the year, mileage, and parts replaced due to time/mileage or failure. (You can make few threads as separate categories; engine, transmission, driveline, electrical, and body then put failed parts under each thread as polls and then just count the replies). Just a thought! 
As far as supportability; I think GM dumped the Z and should have supported it longer; (It was their poster child for three to four years!!!!). I'd be interested to see if they have/had a standard term that they support specific part categories; suspension vs body vs engine...). I know that as a parts customer at a Chevrolet dealer I have tried to get different suspension parts for an '85 and they will have certain bolts, but not the washers or nuts...seems strange but they may have sold-out the other pieces. One item that was very standardized years ago on all GM parts was that symetrical parts have even numbers on the left side of the car while the similar part on the right side was odd. They didn't seem to follow this rule in all cases though.
As far as supportability; I think GM dumped the Z and should have supported it longer; (It was their poster child for three to four years!!!!). I'd be interested to see if they have/had a standard term that they support specific part categories; suspension vs body vs engine...). I know that as a parts customer at a Chevrolet dealer I have tried to get different suspension parts for an '85 and they will have certain bolts, but not the washers or nuts...seems strange but they may have sold-out the other pieces. One item that was very standardized years ago on all GM parts was that symetrical parts have even numbers on the left side of the car while the similar part on the right side was odd. They didn't seem to follow this rule in all cases though.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 817
Likes: 1
From: Arizona
Create a spreadsheet that tracks the year, mileage, and parts replaced due to time/mileage or failure. (You can make few threads as separate categories; engine, transmission, driveline, electrical, and body then put failed parts under each thread as polls and then just count the replies). Just a thought!
As far as supportability; I think GM dumped the Z and should have supported it longer; (It was their poster child for three to four years!!!!). I'd be interested to see if they have/had a standard term that they support specific part categories; suspension vs body vs engine...). I know that as a parts customer at a Chevrolet dealer I have tried to get different suspension parts for an '85 and they will have certain bolts, but not the washers or nuts...seems strange but they may have sold-out the other pieces. One item that was very standardized years ago on all GM parts was that symetrical parts have even numbers on the left side of the car while the similar part on the right side was odd. They didn't seem to follow this rule in all cases though.
As far as supportability; I think GM dumped the Z and should have supported it longer; (It was their poster child for three to four years!!!!). I'd be interested to see if they have/had a standard term that they support specific part categories; suspension vs body vs engine...). I know that as a parts customer at a Chevrolet dealer I have tried to get different suspension parts for an '85 and they will have certain bolts, but not the washers or nuts...seems strange but they may have sold-out the other pieces. One item that was very standardized years ago on all GM parts was that symetrical parts have even numbers on the left side of the car while the similar part on the right side was odd. They didn't seem to follow this rule in all cases though.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 817
Likes: 1
From: Arizona
Sorry! 
I just wanted to provide the definitions for those that were interested in the specifics. I can hopefully simplify it a little:
Reliability: How often does it break down given expected stress levels and required durations.
Maintainability: How long does it take to perform maintenance, either scheduled maintenance or when it does break down? Things considered in maintainability are things like access: do you have to remove other parts to remove the part needing maintenance; are special tools required; is special training required for those performing the maintenance; etc?
Supportability: What is involved in keeping the system operable, such as spare parts availability?
Availability: This is simply how often is the system available for it inteneded use as a percentage? This is just a function of the above three items.
Anyway, as you can see, the ZR-1 willl be an interesting topic for each of these items and I think the final report will end up discussing the things that are unique to the ZR-1, both the good and the not so good.
I just wanted to provide the definitions for those that were interested in the specifics. I can hopefully simplify it a little:Reliability: How often does it break down given expected stress levels and required durations.
Maintainability: How long does it take to perform maintenance, either scheduled maintenance or when it does break down? Things considered in maintainability are things like access: do you have to remove other parts to remove the part needing maintenance; are special tools required; is special training required for those performing the maintenance; etc?
Supportability: What is involved in keeping the system operable, such as spare parts availability?
Availability: This is simply how often is the system available for it inteneded use as a percentage? This is just a function of the above three items.
Anyway, as you can see, the ZR-1 willl be an interesting topic for each of these items and I think the final report will end up discussing the things that are unique to the ZR-1, both the good and the not so good.
