breakskeet

Actually the first ZR1 option was in 1970. There was actually even a ZR2 in 1971.

cheers!

88BlackZ-51

is that a new word?

GTB/ZR-1

The idea came abt in the mid 80s of a "400/400" world-class engine. Chevy didn't have the technology @ the time to produce an NA motor efficient & tractable enough for production.

They turned to Lotus, as the key was in the heads, as Chevy wanted to keep the standard bore spacing for some reason... The only way to achieve the goals was DOHCs that Lotus was able to produce & they designed the entire engine while they were @ it...

Mercruiser came into the picture as the motors needed to be hand-assembled in a clean-room type setting. They then bagged them & sent them off to the BG plant (fully complete) to bolt them in.

Hopefully that wasn't too long-winded

DoctorV8

If you're gonna flame someone...it's much more effective if you get your grammar right, bro.

88BlackZ-51

oh really!!

that's how we speak in canada, eh! i didnt know i was going to be judged by a english professor.

kurt and i are friends. i am not really "flaming" him as you call it. i typically dont check my spelling or grammar. this is a car forum, i am not writing someone a speeding ticket.

have a good one!

Chicago1

That's how the "Vatos" speak down here. When I moved here from Chicago I asked them if they where Canadian, most of them are to stupid to understand the joke. I call them Canadian Vatos" What's up ehh?" in a spanish tone is how they talk over here.

ztheusa

The production run was too small for GM to deal with. It was right in line with the capabilities of the smaller manufacturers.

It failed because it was too big, too heavy, nobody could work on them, and mostly because pushrod technology improved.

ztheusa

Too bad it was in a Blazer!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RPO_ZR2

breakskeet

Yes that is true, but 12 Corvettes in 1971 were optioned with a ZR2 package......

cheers!

Link:
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...php/photo/1973


This is copied from a ZR2 for sale add:

THE 1971 ZR-2 CORVETTE (454 cubic inches 425 horsepower)


ZR2 454cid/425hp with a M22 4-speed, original drivetrain and original interior. 1 of 12 and believed to be the only Duntov and Bloomington Gold winner.
Description Very rare, special limited production ZR2 Zora Duntov Racer. 1-year-only factory option package offering the best high performance parts the factory had to offer at the time. This is for sale by the second owner who has owned it for more than 20+ years. 1 of 12 produced and 1 of 8 coupes manufactured. This is rarer than the infamous L88. This 1971 Corvette ZR2 has original drivetrain number matching, original interior car, restored by Thorp's Corvettes, 454cid/425hp super car. The ZR2 specification package included the dual plate clutch, M22 Rock-Crusher 4-speed gearbox, JS6 dual-pin heavy duty power brakes, F41 heavy duty suspension and aluminum heavy duty radiator without shroud, front and rear stabilizer bars. Options not permitted were power steering, radio or air conditioning. This super car is all business. Honored and awarded Corvette Bloomington Gold, Top Flight, NCRS Performance Verification Award Zora Duntov. NCRS judging sheets and much original documentation. This is a must-own for the Corvette collector


PS: TAILDRAGGERS DO RULE!!!!!

AFVETTE

the LT5 is art and engineering at it's finest and has aged very well, oh and it sounded so gooood.

Tom

FASTAZU

Nice pic thanks for posting

Z51JEFF

In a way Id have to agree with you considering how G.M. does things,even 25+ years ago.The moter AND the body panels but how Im grateful for their mistake.And just how the C6 ZR1 is blowing everything out of the water the C4 ZR-1 did the same exact thing to cars costing 3-4 times as much 20 years ago.I love mine

Z51JEFF

This has been answered but Ill polish the response a little.At the time G.M. owned Lotus so in a way it was built by G.M. Lotus had the experience building 4 cam motors so thats how Lotus came into the program.Mercury Marine had the experience with casting aluminum on a mass produced motor so thats how they came into the program.What little bit of input G.M. did contribute was abit of an obstacle for all involved.This is what Ive read anyway.These motors are not hard to work on for anybody that works on their own cars.The LT5 is extremely solid so breaking one isnt easy.For your viewing pleasure.[IMG][/IMG]

DDSLT5

Rick - are you drunk posting again?

Doctor V8 is Sanjay and he lives in Texas. You were flaming him with your post - not kurt.


Sanjay pwned your ***!

96LT4

Took these when the ZR-1 first hit the streets back in October of 08 at Petit LeMans.

The new Z drew a huge crowd, but my ole 91 drew the questions and admiration.

88BlackZ-51

that's funny. not sure why i thought it was kurt.

oh well!

xlr8nflorida

The same comparison is being made today between a C6 Z06 and C6 ZR-1 with many people saying the ZR-1 is too expensive and not worth the extra coin. I'm sorry but $105,000+ is expensive just like $60,000+ was expensive in 1990. But in 1990, the ZR-1 was the fastest production car in the world period. That was worth some extra coin. The LT1 didn't come out until 1992 and that closed the HP Gap some.

In regards to little performance advantage over an LT-1? You have to be joking right? I own a LT-1 as well and its a dog compared to a LT-5 - not even close in performance.

The ZR-1 was a dominating beast in its day and it did it Naturally aspirated.

I sometimes wish everybody could drive a ZR-1. Anyone that says that an LT-5 is close to performance to an LT-1 has clearly never driven one or both.

DDSLT5

That was your car? I remember it - clean *** car!!! I respect the ZR1 for its performance, but I stare longingly at the LT5 and respect the HUGE leap Dave McLellan et al made when then embarked on the journey to produce a vehicle that would change all the rules and kick Porsche and Ferrari all over the pavement. The new ZR1 deserves respect from Tom Wallace who flat out went for full performance and no compromise - that is impressive in itself. History repeats itself! GM was almost bankrupt in 90 when the ZR-1 came out, and GM IS bankrupt in 09 when the ZR1 came out.



Still no substitue for 7500 rpm shifts though!

Shurshot

Here is a thread on the original ZR1 option

Doug

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...r1-option.html

DoctorV8

Amen to that, brother!

My 415 is currently getting repainted at Corey's shop in preparation for the NCM display in May. Looking forward to it!