Frettin' over Vettin'
12-25-2007, 12:21 AM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Frettin' over Vettin'
Hey guys, I'm a soon to be new Vette owner. I'm getting my retirement stable together and really want to add a Corvette. I was thinking a C5 vert until I started reading about this ZR1 thing. That's the best looking engine I have seen. I have a LT1 in my Impala and I thought it was good looking. I've just about talked myself into one....but I have a few questions that I haven't found while searching.
In my price range I'll probably be looking at a 90-92 model. These things apparently have a 3" wider rear than my wife, or a standard Corvette. If someone were to hit me in the rear and destroy the.....bumper cover, facia..whatever it's called, would a replacement be available. How about the different doors, available?
Are there aftermarket cams available and do they make much difference? Would these heads benefit from some porting? How easy would it be to get a 90-92 up to 425-450 HP. What would I need? I'm a master tinkerer, Lord help me.
Are the bodies as squeaky as I've heard, like....are they as squeaky as my hip replacement. Do they sound like the Tin Man having sex on a metal roof, using a coffee can for a condom? and are the wind leaks very bad at cruising speeds. For example Mach .13. (100 MPH)
I know these are a lot of questions but I have read 5,319 posts in the last week and my bi-focals are steaming up. At least you fine, knowledgeable folk have changed my mind about the C-5 ragtop.
SO far I have a 50 foot sailboat, 30' power boat, (Scarab) 36' motorhome, 1995 Impala SS with flames and wheels that would do a drug dealer proud, fo shizzle. (Whatever that means...It's a black thing. Also a Chevy K1500 extended cab, 1990 Eagle Talon TSi, AWD and a 67 Alfa Duetto. Yeah, I need a Vette about like another pee-pee to get me into twice as much trouble, but trouble is my middle name. I've got the bug.
Thanks for any info you may have, and one final thing, why shouldn't I get a C5 Convertible instead of a really cool ZR1? Merry Christmas all.
--Bill--
In my price range I'll probably be looking at a 90-92 model. These things apparently have a 3" wider rear than my wife, or a standard Corvette. If someone were to hit me in the rear and destroy the.....bumper cover, facia..whatever it's called, would a replacement be available. How about the different doors, available?
Are there aftermarket cams available and do they make much difference? Would these heads benefit from some porting? How easy would it be to get a 90-92 up to 425-450 HP. What would I need? I'm a master tinkerer, Lord help me.
Are the bodies as squeaky as I've heard, like....are they as squeaky as my hip replacement. Do they sound like the Tin Man having sex on a metal roof, using a coffee can for a condom? and are the wind leaks very bad at cruising speeds. For example Mach .13. (100 MPH)
I know these are a lot of questions but I have read 5,319 posts in the last week and my bi-focals are steaming up. At least you fine, knowledgeable folk have changed my mind about the C-5 ragtop.
SO far I have a 50 foot sailboat, 30' power boat, (Scarab) 36' motorhome, 1995 Impala SS with flames and wheels that would do a drug dealer proud, fo shizzle. (Whatever that means...It's a black thing. Also a Chevy K1500 extended cab, 1990 Eagle Talon TSi, AWD and a 67 Alfa Duetto. Yeah, I need a Vette about like another pee-pee to get me into twice as much trouble, but trouble is my middle name. I've got the bug.
Thanks for any info you may have, and one final thing, why shouldn't I get a C5 Convertible instead of a really cool ZR1? Merry Christmas all.
--Bill--
12-25-2007, 12:38 AM
#2
Drifting
In my price range I'll probably be looking at a 90-92 model. These things apparently have a 3" wider rear than my wife, or a standard Corvette. If someone were to hit me in the rear and destroy the.....bumper cover, facia..whatever it's called, would a replacement be available. How about the different doors, available?
-----Bumpers and doors are out there but you'll have to do some hunting and be willing to pay.
Are there aftermarket cams available and do they make much difference? Would these heads benefit from some porting? How easy would it be to get a 90-92 up to 425-450 HP. What would I need? I'm a master tinkerer, Lord help me.
-----Don't bother with cams, they don't have a good hp per dollar ratio. Headers, exhaust and a ported intake will easily net you 450+hp
Are the bodies as squeaky as I've heard, like....are they as squeaky as my hip replacement. Do they sound like the Tin Man having sex on a metal roof, using a coffee can for a condom? and are the wind leaks very bad at cruising speeds. For example Mach .13. (100 MPH)
-----Like all C4's Z's are prone to body flex and squeeking. Wind leaks are not much of an issue as long as your weather stripping is in good shape
I know these are a lot of questions but I have read 5,319 posts in the last week and my bi-focals are steaming up. At least you fine, knowledgeable folk have changed my mind about the C-5 ragtop.
SO far I have a 50 foot sailboat, 30' power boat, (Scarab) 36' motorhome, 1995 Impala SS with flames and wheels that would do a drug dealer proud, fo shizzle. (Whatever that means...It's a black thing. Also a Chevy K1500 extended cab, 1990 Eagle Talon TSi, AWD and a 67 Alfa Duetto. Yeah, I need a Vette about like another pee-pee to get me into twice as much trouble, but trouble is my middle name. I've got the bug.
Thanks for any info you may have, and one final thing, why shouldn't I get a C5 Convertible instead of a really cool ZR1? Merry Christmas all.
-----C5 Vert and ZR-1 are very different animals, just depends on what floats your boat. Personally I like my HP served up at a screaming 7200rpm.
-----Bumpers and doors are out there but you'll have to do some hunting and be willing to pay.
Are there aftermarket cams available and do they make much difference? Would these heads benefit from some porting? How easy would it be to get a 90-92 up to 425-450 HP. What would I need? I'm a master tinkerer, Lord help me.
-----Don't bother with cams, they don't have a good hp per dollar ratio. Headers, exhaust and a ported intake will easily net you 450+hp
Are the bodies as squeaky as I've heard, like....are they as squeaky as my hip replacement. Do they sound like the Tin Man having sex on a metal roof, using a coffee can for a condom? and are the wind leaks very bad at cruising speeds. For example Mach .13. (100 MPH)
-----Like all C4's Z's are prone to body flex and squeeking. Wind leaks are not much of an issue as long as your weather stripping is in good shape
I know these are a lot of questions but I have read 5,319 posts in the last week and my bi-focals are steaming up. At least you fine, knowledgeable folk have changed my mind about the C-5 ragtop.
SO far I have a 50 foot sailboat, 30' power boat, (Scarab) 36' motorhome, 1995 Impala SS with flames and wheels that would do a drug dealer proud, fo shizzle. (Whatever that means...It's a black thing. Also a Chevy K1500 extended cab, 1990 Eagle Talon TSi, AWD and a 67 Alfa Duetto. Yeah, I need a Vette about like another pee-pee to get me into twice as much trouble, but trouble is my middle name. I've got the bug.
Thanks for any info you may have, and one final thing, why shouldn't I get a C5 Convertible instead of a really cool ZR1? Merry Christmas all.
-----C5 Vert and ZR-1 are very different animals, just depends on what floats your boat. Personally I like my HP served up at a screaming 7200rpm.
Last edited by locobob; 12-25-2007 at 12:41 AM.
12-25-2007, 02:44 AM
#3
Hey guys, I'm a soon to be new Vette owner. I'm getting my retirement stable together and really want to add a Corvette. I was thinking a C5 vert until I started reading about this ZR1 thing. That's the best looking engine I have seen. I have a LT1 in my Impala and I thought it was good looking. I've just about talked myself into one....but I have a few questions that I haven't found while searching.
In my price range I'll probably be looking at a 90-92 model. These things apparently have a 3" wider rear than my wife, or a standard Corvette. If someone were to hit me in the rear and destroy the.....bumper cover, facia..whatever it's called, would a replacement be available. How about the different doors, available?
Are there aftermarket cams available and do they make much difference? Would these heads benefit from some porting? How easy would it be to get a 90-92 up to 425-450 HP. What would I need? I'm a master tinkerer, Lord help me.
Are the bodies as squeaky as I've heard, like....are they as squeaky as my hip replacement. Do they sound like the Tin Man having sex on a metal roof, using a coffee can for a condom? and are the wind leaks very bad at cruising speeds. For example Mach .13. (100 MPH)
I know these are a lot of questions but I have read 5,319 posts in the last week and my bi-focals are steaming up. At least you fine, knowledgeable folk have changed my mind about the C-5 ragtop.
SO far I have a 50 foot sailboat, 30' power boat, (Scarab) 36' motorhome, 1995 Impala SS with flames and wheels that would do a drug dealer proud, fo shizzle. (Whatever that means...It's a black thing. Also a Chevy K1500 extended cab, 1990 Eagle Talon TSi, AWD and a 67 Alfa Duetto. Yeah, I need a Vette about like another pee-pee to get me into twice as much trouble, but trouble is my middle name. I've got the bug.
Thanks for any info you may have, and one final thing, why shouldn't I get a C5 Convertible instead of a really cool ZR1? Merry Christmas all.
--Bill--
In my price range I'll probably be looking at a 90-92 model. These things apparently have a 3" wider rear than my wife, or a standard Corvette. If someone were to hit me in the rear and destroy the.....bumper cover, facia..whatever it's called, would a replacement be available. How about the different doors, available?
Are there aftermarket cams available and do they make much difference? Would these heads benefit from some porting? How easy would it be to get a 90-92 up to 425-450 HP. What would I need? I'm a master tinkerer, Lord help me.
Are the bodies as squeaky as I've heard, like....are they as squeaky as my hip replacement. Do they sound like the Tin Man having sex on a metal roof, using a coffee can for a condom? and are the wind leaks very bad at cruising speeds. For example Mach .13. (100 MPH)
I know these are a lot of questions but I have read 5,319 posts in the last week and my bi-focals are steaming up. At least you fine, knowledgeable folk have changed my mind about the C-5 ragtop.
SO far I have a 50 foot sailboat, 30' power boat, (Scarab) 36' motorhome, 1995 Impala SS with flames and wheels that would do a drug dealer proud, fo shizzle. (Whatever that means...It's a black thing. Also a Chevy K1500 extended cab, 1990 Eagle Talon TSi, AWD and a 67 Alfa Duetto. Yeah, I need a Vette about like another pee-pee to get me into twice as much trouble, but trouble is my middle name. I've got the bug.
Thanks for any info you may have, and one final thing, why shouldn't I get a C5 Convertible instead of a really cool ZR1? Merry Christmas all.
--Bill--
Cams are available at about 3G a set. The stock ones can be retimed and work really well with stock ci. Mine are retimed to 93-95 specs and it holds 361 rwhp from about 5200 to 7100 rpm with headers b@b and no porting, would like to try more aggressive settings. Planning on plenum , injector hous porting this winter and maybe just over 400. If you had heads done 425 shouldn't be hard to get. Check the packages out here to get a idea http://www.zr1specialist.com/ 361rwhp comes out to 420 if your talking at the crank.
Mine relatively squeek free. Now there's B@B I probably wouldn't notice any new speaks, it's not a daily driver either though. I have no wind leaks. Did notice beginning at 160 the air noise is surprisingly loud,not leaks though, just loud, from I don't know wher?
Had a 92 lt1 that seemed to have some rattles though.
With a Scarab and a sailboat it doesn't sound like you need a ragtop and I haven't seen ragtops winning races.
Just not a fan of ragtops, can't help it. Of course my opinion is leaning towards the Z also.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and Good Luck in your search!
12-25-2007, 08:52 AM
#4
Race Director
Member Since: Feb 2002
Location: Compound in the Grove, Ga.
Posts: 11,329
Received 910 Likes
on
583 Posts
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
2015 C4 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '16
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
12-27-2007, 08:57 AM
#6
Instructor
Bill,
Just a thought, but why not get both a ZR-1 and a C5? They are both outstanding cars in their own way. Based on your collection of toys, it sounds like you like variety. If you can't pony up the cash for both right now, go ahead and get the ZR-1. The prices have never been better and there are lots of good choices on the market. Then, get the C5 later. I assure you ... you will not be disappointed with the ZR-1.
Just a thought, but why not get both a ZR-1 and a C5? They are both outstanding cars in their own way. Based on your collection of toys, it sounds like you like variety. If you can't pony up the cash for both right now, go ahead and get the ZR-1. The prices have never been better and there are lots of good choices on the market. Then, get the C5 later. I assure you ... you will not be disappointed with the ZR-1.