SCALF

I would like to "refresh" the engine compartment of a '91 ZR1. Can;t seem to sourse the intake - up gaskets here in Raleigh. Can some one point me in the right direction for an intake/cam cover set and, color match information?

All info appreciated...

ccmano

www.Jerrysgaskets.com you can't go wrong with Jerry.
H

SCALF

Is there a gasket between the head and cam cover or, is it a machined fit?

I am also needing a reverse lockout button for the shifter...

ccmano

No, no gasket for the valve covers. It does require a special sealer. Jerry can provide that too.

As for the shifter, if your messing with that anyway, get rid of the reverse lockout, chevy did in 94'. I highly recommend changing to a short shifter, it makes a world of difference. The original is so long it's like rowing a boat. Most like the Hurst, I have one, B&M makes one and Bill Boudreau the ZF trans guru (http://www.zfdoc.com), shortens the stock shifters. All eliminate the lockout, it's simply not needed.

H

SCALF

Thank you very much for your help, ccmano!

phrogs

if you want to tear apart the top end so you can powdercoat there are plenty of threads on this or PM me and Ill tell you what needs to happen.

Wish I saw this post last week I just drove through raliegh.

ccmano

Your welcome! Have you started on the project yet? A few other things to consider.

To remove the driver side valve cover rear bolts the brake booster will have to be removed. However you simply need to unbolt it from the firewall (4 nuts inside the footwell) and slide it forward slightly for access to the bolts. No need to unhook everything from the booster or the master cylinder. Just leave it all hooked up, lines and all, slide it forward and your good to go.

You will also need a breather cover gasket. If it's the first time in there guaranteed the breather cover is loose.

Valve covers, plenum, injector housings, air horn, throttle body and coolant side tubes can easily be repainted or powder coated. For paint, remember to use a high temp paint. For best paint results use a high temp clear coat, it will give that deep powder coated look. I painted partially because I'm cheap, like to do things myself, don't trust powder coaters with the cam covers (cam bearings are machined into the covers) and because Marc Haibeck recommended it over power coating for longevity.

Lgaff here on the forum can provide inexpensive replacement valve cover emblems if yours are toast.

Think about getting stainless bolts for putting it all back together. Jerry can provide a set or get them directly from McMaster&Carr. It adds a nice clean custom touch.

Finally there's the "while I'm in there" stuff...
Injectors, if they're original replace them, they will go bad at the worst possible time!
Coils and wires... 20 years old?
Breather hoses if not replaced already will be hard as a rock.
PCV hoses likley in sad shape.
....and finally porting of the plenum and injector housings. Adds 20hp and can't be seen from the outside.

It's a fun project, did it myself in 08'-09'

Here's the results... Good luck with your project.
H

Z51JEFF

You can still get the reverse lockout **** from the dealer.

SCALF

Thanks guys. Excellent info!

Sorry we did not hook up phrogs!

Z51jeff... no dealers in my area have them or can order them.

LT5corsa

I would get a Hurst Shifter... VERY inexpensive and will allow you to shift much easier (includes reverse lockout).



David

FU

Very nice

A26B

Man, your engine really looks good Hans!!! The silver & SS bolts were made for each other, right along with the red plug wires. WOW!!

ccmano

Thanks guys

Jerry, I was just talking about you to someone yesterday, are going to do a second try on putting a Stillwater event together?
H

SCALF

Thank you, Hans. That is gorgeous under the hood. Can you send me paint info please.

I hope to get close to that look. You set the bar pretty high!

Gary

LT5corsa

Gary,

That is Marc Haibeck's work....


www.zr1specialist.com



David

SCALF

Thanks for the link, David... still trying to put correct names together...

VetteMed

Care to elaborate on this? This is the first I've heard of this issue.

ccmano

No... actually it's my work. Haibeck simply made some recommendations like the paint instead of powdercoat.

Marc told me that he was having problems with powdercoating chipping and cracking particularly around the bolts. He simply told me that he was having better results with paint. You do need to do the two stage paint (clear over color) to get that deeper powdercoat look.

The paint I used was BMW wheel paint by Wurth, both silver and clear. Lgaff is the one that recommended it to me. It's worked out well for the past year. Be sure to sand lightly between coats.

I do like the way it came out.
H

guinnessdood

If you decide to go with the B&M shifter...make sure you get it modified by Bill Boudreau otherwise it's just JUNK. He will explain to you why.

Also...when you put the new breather gasket on...use some Blue Loctite on the threads so that they don't loosen up due to vibration. The Blue Loctite is generally a good idea in many places under the plenum...PITA to go in just to tighten things up. The coolant bypass of the plenum is a good mod to do too...

A26B

Hey Hans,
Sorry about being so slow to respond. I saw your post, but didn't have time to respond, then forgot about it.

No, to a second attempt at a Stillwater Event. The response was too poor. It was so poor, that if it was 4 times greater, it would barely be enough. Those that did register were as passionate about participating in track events as I am, just not enough of us to make it practical.

Jerry