msavage99

Just bought a 1990 Zr1 which currently has 6000 miles on it. There were 4000 on it when I got it, but the drive home (from where I got the car) was lengthy and fun!

I love the car and sadly just put it away for the winter. What are the things that I can expect on this car? I'm new to this and have to believe that the car will require some maintenance when I pull it out. I can say that they car is in great, literally runs like it's brand new (looks new too). The only thing I am aware of is that the seatbelt light won't go off and the roof mounted brake light is out. Finally the stereo is shot, but I'll replace that in the spring. The stereo works sometimes, but not all the time.

Any advice on what I can expect in the future will be greatly appreciated!! I love this car and am happy to join the club!!

LT5corsa

hey there,


Fill up the gas tank...

@ least start it once a month and maybe take it around the block...

I believe it's your AMP and not the stereo giving you issues...


Congrats on your Z

msavage99

Thanks for the heads up on the stereo? I suppose I should see what can be done in terms of repair on this -- just figured it would be a lost cause... is this a common issue with C4 bose sound systems? I'd really like to keep it stock if possible.

A1990

Pull it out this winter and send it to Dr. Don. it will be better than new and the turn around time is fast.

msavage99

thanks -- that will be a good winter project!

I'm actually on the east coast in Canada -- not too many z's up here -- any one out there in the area?

_twisted_

ANd he can upgrade the cd so it will play homemade CD's

Crabs

First things first, buy the FSM (Factory Service Manual) from Helms Inc. (if you don't already have them), linkage as follows:
http://tinyurl.com/36cflw

Next, buy a set of fuel injectors (all 16), either RC's or Accel, and get a set of plenum gaskets.
If there's ethanol in your gasoline up there in the great white north you will sooner or later be pulling the plenum and replacing the old injectors.
Stay away from the GM OEM's (Multec) they will fail too, they never updated the design.

It's probably not wise to drive it much in the snow. Even on dry pavement the ZR1 is sometimes a handful, so buy a battery tender to keep the battery charged.
Besides, they don't make snow tires or tire chains big enough to fit the 315's on the rear!

msavage99

thanks so much... again, i'm a bonehead on this stuff... why is it necessary to replace the fuel injectors? are they bad, or is it a performance thing?

No worries.. I won't be in the snow (which leaves me about 2 months to actually drive the thing!)

Crabs

When the LT5 was designed, nobody in their right mind would have put ethanol in gasoline.
The inner seals of the original Multec fuel injectors are degraded by the ethanol and allow fuel to get inside the coils, causing them to short.

djpatrick35

Congrats on the new Z! Welcome to the club, brother! What did you pay for that beast?!

Goldcylon

Welcome aboard, Drive it!!

msavage99

I got the car for 25K -- which I think was a great deal -- it had 4200 miles on it when I picked it up -- we drove over 2000 getting home. It's a shame to put that many on in one trip, and a little stupid, but we had a hell of a time!! The only thing I did before the trip was change oil and put new sneakers on it -- so far, I think I did very well!

secondchance

Congratulations!
I had a 91 back in the early 90s. Went away for a while and got a 94 back in 2000. My first one after 5 years had about 10,000 miles before the wreck. My current one has racked up 93,000 on the odo.
I drive this car daily and it's a dependable car.

FASTAZU

Congrats...

Check the brake light switch under the dash.... do a search on the seatbelt light commen issue with the 90 airbag system.

and last check out the ZR1Net. link in sig..

tomtom72

welcome to the BOB!!

Oh, it;s not a shame to put miles on the car. The Z will love ya for it! My first drive with my Z was to BG from NYC....we had fun!

Enjoy her!


Tom

kmoudy

#Welcome to the Club, YOU got a "GReat" Deal on your ZR1.
In 1990, when the ZR1 was introduced, It was a high ticket item.
Most sold over sticker, as the rich "had to have one" many like yours
were never driven, just stored and admired, like a coin, or a painting.
The sticker shock back then, was a little over $60,000.00
and the only option was the acrylic roof panel.
Many of these cars were bought, as
investments. Stored and covered, now that the owners are getting along in years, they, are slowly starting to hit the market. There are hundred of these cars with less than a thousand miles, many of us believe, they too, will grace another's garage soon.
So, you have a choice,
do i drive it, or store it. I drive mine, except in bad weather, not daily,
but on special occasions, car shows, vette trips, and goin to the store for milk and bread. And everytime i'm in it, i also take a trip,
to 7000 rpm's. which always reminds me, of why i bought the car in the
first place. Purchase the book,
" The Heart of the Beast" by, Anthony Young
it explains, who what when and where. Then drive that bad boy
like you stole it. Plan on attending the "Gathering" In May, Bowling Green
Kentucky. and meet the Brethren. You'll learn more in a long weekend,
than you would in a year on your own.
One last thought, I was at a corvette event, a year or so ago,
we were discussing, my ZR1 and i mentioned, i didn't really like putting
alot of "wasted" miles on the car. He looked at me like i was an idjit.
and said, "the next owner of you're car will really appreciate that"
Don't you like driving it? i said, well sure, he said, then don't worry
about it sparky. I've been driving the hell out of it ever since.

msavage99

good point -- I was commenting last night the I need to buy a car that I don't feel terrible about putting miles on! I think you just convinced me otherwise. I simply love driving the car and I have no intention of keeping the next owner happy since I'm hopeful my daughter will inherit this thing (not too soon) -- I'm 32, so I've got a lot of driving to do!!

I am quite addicted to cars and have gotten the vette bug! I'm sure I'll get another one before long.

turbo-max

i delivered a windshield to a fella that owns 3 different YM vettes, one being a 95 ZR-1 that has only 5 miles on it (YES five) he also has a 67 with 12 miles on it(he drove it it the gas station once) and a 64 (that he said he abused by driving it) has 13k miles on it, but even that one looks like it's brand new still...just amazed me how someone could have these cars and NOT drive them.


btw,congrats on the vette!

Peaven

$25k for a pretty much "new" ZR-1...maintain it and drive it hard and it'll reward you with a helluva lot of fun.