tehcarguy

I have been looking at a 93 ZR-1 that's locally for sell, it has 57k miles on it. In fact, its now driving me crazy I want it so bad. Now I know nothing about the Lt-5, and was wondering if you guys could let me know some common problems with it. Also what mods are available for it? I know with the L-98 in my 86 there are millions of mods you can do to it.

zr1fred

Most of the problems are C4 generic. The LT5 part is very reliable. There are quite a few mods you can do, but be advised they will probably deduct from the value of the car. You may want to look at ZR-1s that have already been modified. For some reason, 1993 is an expensive year for ZR-1's.

JetJock

I think that the first thing that you will have to get used to is sticker shock. 16 injectors are not cheap. You can find parts for the engine and the car. They sometimes may cost more because they were only used on that engine. Find someone that has a ZR-1 and see if they will talk to you about it and maybe let you drive it. It's more different than you can imagine. The sound, the power and the feel is unbelievable. I've had four C-4's and two of them were ZR-1's. The LT5 is easy to work on and a whole lot easier than a L98. There are a lot of mods to do to a LT5 if you've got the money such as porting, exhaust, gears and even changing it to a 368 or a 415. The common problems are starters, coil packs, injectors, clutch, hoses, etc. The LT5 is bulletproof. It's the accessories that will give out on it. I think that it is worth it.

In 93, they only made 448 of them vs 21,142 of the rest of them. In 2001, they made 5,773 ZO6's. In 2009, they made 1,415 ZR1's. Only the ZR-1 was made in such low numbers in 92, 93, 94 and 95. That's my opinion.

pantera1683

This biggest problem you will have with the LT5 is finding a way to wipe the permagrin off your face every time you drive the Z.

pantera1683

Oh yeah, another problem you will have is resisting the urge to lift the hood and stare at that piece of automotive art every chance you get.

tehcarguy

Thanks guys. The reason I asked about the LT-5 is because I've only ever worked on pushrod motors.

tomtom72

It's an absolutely wonderful car! But then I'm a bit biased

Check out this link and I think you will get a very good over view of some of the issues that could come up. Link:

http://zr1netregistry.com/

There is also a link to our forum:

http://www.zr1.net/forum/index.php

I would just say that if you are sure you want a ZR-1, and the market is very favorable to buyers right now, try to put some serious thought into what you want to do with the car. If you want a garage queen for shows, or if you just want one to drive at every possible opportunity? I would just say if the answer is the latter, then get a car from an involved owner who has already added all the "enhancements".
Tom

Graybeard ZR1

Just one thing, if you think you might not want to buy it, DON'T DRIVE IT. You won't feel the same way about your C4 again. No matter how many bucks you've put into your old car, you won't be able to resist the 7,000 rpm screamer.

MRDZR1

Stop thinking about it and go get it!!!

Paul Workman

Each LT5 was assembled like a Rolex watch. Extreme attention was paid to tolerances and balancing and overall fit and finish. The DOHC with 4-valves per cylinder allows the LT5 to breath so much better than the 2-valve configuration that it is possible to get well over 500 hp from the motor on stock cams. Ever listen to or try to drive a 500 hp SBC in traffic? Forget about ever passing any kind of emissions with a big overlap cammed pushrod motor!

The intake and exhaust valves are smaller than 2-valve motors, so they are lighter in weight, don't require as heavy a spring tension to close the valve and move the rockers/pushrods -- which means less wear AND sustained very high rpm operation that would quickly cause a pushrod motor to self destruct..IF it could get to 7000 rpm for any length of time (in the first place)!

The torque curve is wide and very flat, allowing the LT5 to "pull like a freight train" all the way to redline.

Mods. The road to modding the LT5 upward to around 700+ hp is well documented. IF you have any experience with porting, you can do you own plenum and Injector Housings (IHs) and bolt on some long tube headers and a free flowing exhaust and you could very well be seeing 370-380 RWHP, and that will make all of the C5s nervous and be on par with what the LS3 C6s put down! Want some more? porting the heads and tuning and how does 420-430 RWHP sound? Not too shabby for a stock cam, stock bottom end 350 ci motor with good street manners and mileage to boot! (Check out Marc Haibeck's site at ZR-1 Specialist.

You won't often find a mechanic at the local GM dealer that has even seen an LT5. Having some mechanical ability and aptitude will serve you well. But, for specialized gurus, there are several scattered about the country that make their living working on these beauties. AND know that the ZR-1's "Brotherhood of the Beast" is out there eager to help you with whatever may come up.

Your problems with the LT5 will probably be peripheral stuff that after 20 years needs replacing. Starters can be bought new or rebuilt, the secondary vacuum system can be refreshed - OR yanked completely out and run on all 16 injectors all the time (and still have the same gas mileage!).

And, they're just so damn gorgeous!!



Here's a 500 hp 350 LT5 built by Marc Haibeck. Note the very nice idle too!



No doubt about it, you'll have no regrets. Get ready for a serious case of "permagrin!" Hope this helps ya make up you mind!

P.

Rkreigh

lots of mods available, but the good news is that you are starting at 405 hp and going up! the 93 is a great ZR-1, and 57k miles is only about 25% of what a well maintained LT5 will go (maybe more!)

where are you at? chances are one of the zr1 gang can help you look over the car and see if it's a good one.

the LT5 is an anvil that will dent more than a few hammers

car runs wot without sweating and the LT5 is a very well built engine (maybe one of the best, certainly in it's day it was KOTH for quality bar none)

EvanZR1

Have only had mine for about a month now, and I'm absolutely in love with it. Have had an LT1 C4, and an 01 Z06, and the ZR-1 is by far my favorite. Driving it is a blast, and whenever you open the hood, people just gather around to stare at it.

JetJock

The one thing about a ZR-1 is that you will never ever look at another C4, or for that matter another Vette, the same way again. Except for the new ZR-1 LS9 engine, all of the other Vette engines are kinda boring to look at. The LT5 is a beauty of design and function. Ask Evan about it. He's been smiling since the day he got his Z back home. Both him and Carlos are brand new ZR-1 owners and they love them. There is no substitute.

AT T 2D

I just took a drive in my '94 after having it in storage for a few months. I can't believe how much more I enjoy driving this car than my 2008 LS3.

Paul Workman

Clarification: There were just under 7000 ZR-1s built for the entire 6-year run; just under 600 for MY 92. I'm guessing the 21,142 is the C4 production for that year perhaps? I dunno.

P.

ZR-1DUDE

The best mod in my book is gears. Put some 4.09s or whatever flavor they have these days 4.10, 4.11, etc.,

Exhaust is next - it can get a little stupid. My exhaust is a tad extreme, but man it is cool. Watson headers, random tech cats, x pipe, 3" tri flows (the old ones that will make you deaf).

The reality is the car doesn't really justify much in the way of mods. Gears and exhaust would be my choice and drive it.

If you really want more HP - should go newer generation.

D.

bb62

1990 ZR-1s - 3049, Other Corvettes - 20597
1991 ZR-1s - 2044, Other Corvettes - 18595
1992 ZR-1s - 502, Other Corvettes - 19977
1993 ZR-1s - 448, Other Corvettes - 21142
1994 ZR-1s - 448, Other Corvettes - 22882
1995 ZR-1s - 448, Other Corvettes - 20294

Total Production in any year adds the two numbers in each year.

JetJock

Paul, what I said was that in 1993. If you look in Corvette Black Book, which is the only reference book that I know of, it states that 448 ZR-1's were built in 1993, the rest is other coupes and convertibles. Pg 104.
They had a total of 21, 590 built including ZR-1's. In 1992, they built 502 ZR-1's. The rest of the Corvettes built that year were 19,977.
Supposely, they built 6,939 ZR-1's over that six year time span. Just giving stats on how rare these cars are.

Bowtiefan

The one down side to the ZR-1 is that it is not a good autocross car. My '91 that I bought from the original owner has 4.09 rear gears and a chip and was dynoed at just over 400 hp at the rear wheels, but it still does not have the low end grunt needed for autocrossing, and, it is nose heavy. He autocrossed it like this until '07 when I bought it so he could get a new Z06 which he likes better. Don't get me wrong, I love my Z, but after a few autocrosses I went back to my 400 hp '72 Corvette autocross car because it is more fun. BUT, out on the road it's a different story. The sad part is, and that was one of the complaints when they were new, unless you really know your Corvettes, it is hard to tell the difference between a ZR-1 and the standard Corvette. For what they are, most people would like a little more recognition. Then on the other hand, they make for a great sleeper!
Ken

ZR-1DUDE

That is a good point.

What do you want to do with the car?

I have a 2002 Z06 and a 1994 ZR-1. Totally different cars - but still way cool.

D.