dwe8922

I am hoping to make a purchase in the Fall, and am hoping to get some advice between the two cars. I've driven a Z06 a few times, both on the road, and on track in a student's car at a DE. It had good power, and I enjoyed the handling. I've also driven a ZR1 briefly, and never really got the chance to push it. It felt like it had more power and a more sophisticated ride, but I drove the two cars over a year apart.

I've had in my mind for a long time that I would buy a Z06 one day. I had a C4 ZR1 briefly a long time ago, and really miss that car, so ZR1 has always been in the back of my mind too. I generally prefer the lighter track focused car. I drive a GT3 almost as a daily car, and club race a GT3 based race car. I've watched pretty much all of the youtube reviews on both cars, and the opinions seem to vary widely (I guess that is to be expected). I even found an old Evo issue reviewing the ZR1 and Z06. I think either car would be a lot of fun, and but with the current pricing, either car is a possibility. I plan to drive the car regularly along with the GT3. I won't take it to the track often, but will on occasion, so I want it to be able to hold up in that environment (I've driven 2 C7 Z06's on track, and both overheated on me; not with my student driving though).

Reliability wise, I'm assuming that the ZR1's seem to be pretty well sorted out without any real know drivetrain issues. I'm assuming the same for the Z06 after having the heads redone for about $3k?

These are the pros and cons as I see it from my (limited) experience with both cars. Any advice?

Z06 PROS
-lighter weight
-normally aspirated
-lower cost
-steel rotors

Z06 CONS
-valve guide issue
-stiffer ride

ZR1 PROS
-magnetic shocks
-more power
-body kit
-ceramic rotors performance/no dust
-shorter gear ratios

ZR1 CONS
-heavier weight
-hood plexiglass
-less peaky torque curve than NA
-ceramic rotors cost

Thanks,
David

MTPZ06

You can get a Z07 equipped Z06 car that will offer Mag ride and CCB's. Heck, look at 2011 Carbon edition...its essentially a ZR1 with an LS7. Look into the "brick mod" if you plan on pushing a lot of heat through that ZR1 blower on a track. Cheap, but necessary.

Che70velle

reasonable suspicion

zr1 has the same valve issue
zr1 25k more initial cost for like condition, mileage
zr1 easier to modifyfor increased power
zr1 mag shocks expensive

NotreOkc

I have owned both. Both are fantastic in their own ways. But, now having my ZR1 I would NEVER go back to the Z06. I like the clear lens and the CC rotors will last the life of the car if you do not track it much.
Just my opinion.
And the ZR1 does not have the valve guide issue. Insert eye roll.

jayyyw

This.

ZR1 is also much more expensive to mod, but the ceiling is much higher as well.

NotreOkc

What are you basing either of these opinions on? Same valve guide issue and more expensive to mod?

MTPZ06

Not looking to debate or convince you of anything...believe what you want, but there have been incidents. Less ZR1's produced, less incidents obviously...but they certainly aren't immune to the same failure. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...on-the-cf.html

Again, the number of incidents means little to me these days...all that matters to me is if my car is affected. If I had a ZR1, I'd at least take a look at what I had going on under the valve covers. As long as people are aware that there could be an issue, that's what I care about these days...what they choose to do with that information is on them.

StealthFRC

NotreOkc

I hear you, no debate here. Momma didn't raise no fool so I do have an extended warranty (for generally anything that might go wrong).
I would not call this an "issue" with the ZR1. But that is just me.

jayyyw

Just because you wouldn't call it an issue, doesn't make it a non-issue. I know ZR1 owners that have had valve guides out of spec and know of one that dropped a valve.

As for more expensive mods: $1200+ and +porting - snouts, $900 CAIs, Reinforced bricks, $2000 supercharger porting, $2500+ cooling mods, $1000 boost throttle bodies, etc....

reasonable suspicion

yep

NotreOkc

If that is the case then every engine has "issues." So you know of 1 out of ~4600 LS9 engines that dropped a valve? Was it modded?
Again, I would not call that an "issue."

Tonylmiller

I'd buy the ZR1. Unless I was going to track it. For strictly track use, I would go with the Z06.

jayyyw

Okay, you just want to argue. Have a nice day.

NotreOkc

Not at all. Based on the sheer numbers I do not call it an issue. You do.
Have a good one as well.

StealthFRC

more expensive mods but you end up with a faster car with a much more reliable motor that would be way more user friendly while driving.

TXshaggy

MOTOWN Z

Why is it every single time a ZR1 is mentioned it turns into a pointless pissing match? we all love these cars , but ill take a ZR1 any day over a Z06 it doesn't mean Z06 owners need to be butt hurt over who's car is better!

jayyyw

Believe I said that.