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Giving some serious thought ZR1...help? (LONG

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Old 10-07-2017, 10:30 PM
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Z51JEFF
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Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95
A friend of mine has an 85 he's restoring that he drives to work a couple days each week. I may sit in it this week, not sure if the seats are exactly the same but seating position will at least be close, I would assume headroom between them is a wash.
The seats are different. These are the seats in my 91.
Old 10-07-2017, 10:49 PM
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6SpeedTA95
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Originally Posted by Z51JEFF
The seats are different. These are the seats in my 91.
Narrower seat I guess? My memories of C4s are that all of them had significant side bolsters.
Old 10-07-2017, 10:57 PM
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Z51JEFF
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Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95
Narrower seat I guess? My memories of C4s are that all of them had significant side bolsters.
It's not really a narrow seat it's those damn side bolsters. The 94-95 seats are more like the 84-87 seat in that they don't have the large bolster.

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Old 10-08-2017, 12:00 AM
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Dominic Sorresso
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Originally Posted by Z51JEFF
It's not really an arrow seat it's those damn side bolsters. The 94-95 seats are more like the 84-87 seat in that they don't have the large bolster.
I like the 90-93 seats because they hold me in well. And they indicate to me when I should stop stuffing my face. Like a good pair of pants, those seats help me maintain a helathy weight.
Old 10-08-2017, 12:06 AM
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Zrxmax
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I swapped in an 89 sport seat to replace and preserve my drivers seat. It is a tad more comfortable on long drives for me.
Old 10-08-2017, 03:45 AM
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Z51JEFF
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Originally Posted by Dominic Sorresso
I like the 90-93 seats because they hold me in well. And they indicate to me when I should stop stuffing my face. Like a good pair of pants, those seats help me maintain a helathy weight.
If I could get in your garage I'd move them in a hair once a week.😂
Old 10-08-2017, 10:10 AM
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6SpeedTA95
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Originally Posted by Zrxmax
I swapped in an 89 sport seat to replace and preserve my drivers seat. It is a tad more comfortable on long drives for me.
How difficult was that? I would consider swapping for another C4 seat or if C6 or C7 seats fit and putting covers on the original seats. If memory serves me right the leather on those seats is pretty crappy. Everyone I know with a C4 has had issues with leather cracking no matter how well cared for it seemed.
Old 10-08-2017, 11:13 AM
  #28  
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x2 on sitting in one first...Ill be honest at 6ft6 its gonna suck unless you change seats and perhaps do some more modding. 6'3" and it was not remotely comfortable.

The engines are as durable as guys claim, had a high miler myself that did not live an easy life. At close to 180k it still burned about as clean as a new one;we thought the guy gave a fake smog it was hard to believe.

Last edited by cv67; 10-08-2017 at 11:14 AM.
Old 10-08-2017, 11:16 AM
  #29  
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I bought a 94 also because of the seats and interior. I fit much better in the later sport seats being 6'3 #260. Don't be afraid of a modded one, Mine drive like stock.
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Old 10-08-2017, 11:16 AM
  #30  
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Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
x2 on sitting in one first...Ill be honest at 6ft6 its gonna suck unless you change seats and perhaps do some more modding. 6'3" and it was not remotely comfortable.

The engines are as durable as guys claim, had a high miler myself that did not live an easy life. At close to 180k it still burned about as clean as a new one;we thought the guy gave a fake smog it was hard to believe.
Are they worse than the C5s inside for room? I had a C5 Z06 for several years.

edit: perusing edmunds specs which may or may not be accurate and it shows about 1 inch less headroom in the C4 vs the C5, similar legroom.

That would mean a seat swap may be necessary for me, I would certainly appreciate any thoughts or recommendations on that, and how hard is a seat swap? Something manually adjustable would eliminate need for electronics and probably put me another inch or two closer to the ground which would be good.

Last edited by 6SpeedTA95; 10-08-2017 at 11:26 AM.
Old 10-08-2017, 11:28 AM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by RichS
I bought a 94 also because of the seats and interior. I fit much better in the later sport seats being 6'3 #260. Don't be afraid of a modded one, Mine drive like stock.
If something is modded I'm worried about hurting the long-term value of the car, what should I look for in that regard? Numbers matching? The modded one posted here 368 cu in is a fantastic looking car TBH. But in 10 or 15 years how bad is the value hurt on a car that's been modded?

That's why I don't mind minor bolt ons, exhaust systems eventually die, so putting on something stainless or a short throw shifter or K&N intake, etc don't really bother me. But internal work does...maybe it shouldn't but I could use some education in this regard.

This car is probably a long-term keeper for me unless values do something crazy and go up 3x in 10 years or something. In which case maybe you sell...but that's not likely.

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Old 10-08-2017, 12:28 PM
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Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95
If something is modded I'm worried about hurting the long-term value of the car, what should I look for in that regard? Numbers matching? The modded one posted here 368 cu in is a fantastic looking car TBH. But in 10 or 15 years how bad is the value hurt on a car that's been modded?

That's why I don't mind minor bolt ons, exhaust systems eventually die, so putting on something stainless or a short throw shifter or K&N intake, etc don't really bother me. But internal work does...maybe it shouldn't but I could use some education in this regard.

This car is probably a long-term keeper for me unless values do something crazy and go up 3x in 10 years or something. In which case maybe you sell...but that's not likely.
There are usually two types of people that want a ZR-1. The ZR-1 Purest, then the rest of us.

These cars aren't appreciated by many Corvette people therefore I think the market won't change drastically in 10 or so years. Usually people don't buy cars worrying about appreciation value. It's an Emotion thing for me.

The people that mod a ZR-1 know what effect it has on the performance and the cost to do so. People looking to mod know that it's usually Way cheaper to buy a car with the mods you want than to mod it yourself.

I'm not trying to change anyones mind about modding, just stating, what I think is, the difference.


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Old 10-08-2017, 02:16 PM
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I agree with Randy, when I bought my 1991 ZR1 it was modified and I have no regrets.
I also have a 2004 BMW 760LI Modified with no issues. I'm 6'3'

Manfred E.......
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Old 10-08-2017, 05:58 PM
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I've had my car for goin on 10 years now and can't imagine owning anything else. I do believe the rise in values is right around the corner,there seems to be a lot of interest in ZR-1s and C4s in general. As far as trying to keep the leather looking nice I've had covers on the seats for 99% of the time I've had the car and I've bent over backwards to keep them looking nice. On the driver side bolster I've covered it with foam before the cover goes on. Every once in awhile I'll take the covers off to visit my seats.



Last edited by Z51JEFF; 10-08-2017 at 06:32 PM.
Old 10-08-2017, 06:22 PM
  #35  
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Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95
How difficult was that? I would consider swapping for another C4 seat or if C6 or C7 seats fit and putting covers on the original seats. If memory serves me right the leather on those seats is pretty crappy. Everyone I know with a C4 has had issues with leather cracking no matter how well cared for it seemed.
Leather cracking is a result of the leather drying out. I like Lexal as a cleaner and preservation product. If you live in a hot climate your leather will likely suffer.

Perhaps certain leathers have different life spans due to other factors.
Old 10-08-2017, 09:51 PM
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Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95
If something is modded I'm worried about hurting the long-term value of the car, what should I look for in that regard? Numbers matching? The modded one posted here 368 cu in is a fantastic looking car TBH. But in 10 or 15 years how bad is the value hurt on a car that's been modded?

That's why I don't mind minor bolt ons, exhaust systems eventually die, so putting on something stainless or a short throw shifter or K&N intake, etc don't really bother me. But internal work does...maybe it shouldn't but I could use some education in this regard.

This car is probably a long-term keeper for me unless values do something crazy and go up 3x in 10 years or something. In which case maybe you sell...but that's not likely.
You won't lose a dime, a dime on Randys car.....Dude its a no brainer.....Been in this Corvette game now for 20 years now.......That car has the finest parts.....
Old 10-08-2017, 10:45 PM
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93 and older C4 seats rock

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To Giving some serious thought ZR1...help? (LONG

Old 10-08-2017, 10:46 PM
  #38  
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If an LS6 doesn't light your flame as you said then not much else in your price range will. A cammed LS6 pushing 480+ crank HP is a sweet thing.

Seems like you want a money pit to chase a non-existant goose.
Old 10-08-2017, 11:55 PM
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Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95
How difficult was that? I would consider swapping for another C4 seat or if C6 or C7 seats fit and putting covers on the original seats. If memory serves me right the leather on those seats is pretty crappy. Everyone I know with a C4 has had issues with leather cracking no matter how well cared for it seemed.
The 89 seat bolts into the 91 seat bracket system. One reason they might be a little more comfy is the fact they have been used and the foam is a little bit softer as compared to the ZR-1 seat.
Old 10-08-2017, 11:57 PM
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Originally Posted by ~Josh
If an LS6 doesn't light your flame as you said then not much else in your price range will. A cammed LS6 pushing 480+ crank HP is a sweet thing.

Seems like you want a money pit to chase a non-existant goose.
I really like the idea of finding a nice clean 92 to 96 manual trans C4 and making the LS6 swap. I know a few have done it based on what can be found in the C4 section here.


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