How reliable are ZR1's
 

I'm thinking about buying a ZR1 I was wondering how reliable are they and how expensive to maintain.

They're no more expensive to maintain than a regular C4. Really.

And the engine is very reliable. Moreso than any other GM engine, IMO. Remember, Mercury Marine manufactured them, and they build marine based motors - which are far better engines than those for automotive application.

the LT5 is an anvil. you can beat on it day in day out and it will come back for more.

people that are scared of the zr-1s are the ones that don't own them.

very few engine problems, the normal c4 stuff of course.

now that they are affordable, they are one of the best deals out there for a serious performance car with some serious pedigree

I simply point you to this thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...05&forum_id=50

My real world experience with the King of the Hill. :cheers:

can I find a ZR1 under $17,000
 

It seems that ZR1's are very reliable and easy to maintain. I'm just wondering if I can find one I can afford. Ive wanted one for ever. but who hasn't

I got a 122k on mine (Biz and others worked it before me) and I take good care of it but drive it like it was stolen. I am not afraid (in fact just last night) to crank it up pushing near 7k on the tach through the gears. Just hard to find a place to wind it up. Love it and once you get to know the unique items its a easy beast to work with. Enjoy

Maintenance is just like any other Corvette except the motor is much better in all respects. The only problem is that Merc Cruiser built the LT5 and on a very wet road the rooster tail gets annoying. Seems their years of building boat motors spilled over into some of our ZR1s...It really is the King Of the Hill!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3.../beastwake.jpg :rofl:

can I find a ZR1 under $17,000
 

If you are serious about buying a ZR1 check these sites to get started out. http://zr1netregistry.com/ZR1_sale.htm
http://www.usedcorvettesforsale.com & Ebay. There are deals out there.

Tomcat74 :flag:

17k Z's are out there, just gotta keep your eyes peeled, they do pop up from time to time. May have a few miles on them , but if they are maintained it doesnt matter.

two cents from a newbie Z owner
 

From your avatar you are a C4 owner? If so you are more than 1/2 way there with all the things to know about a C4. The LT5 is truly the anvil like Ron said...hand built kind of like the new ZO6 motors only we were first! :D The only difference is getting used to the layout of an LT5 as compared to a standard american motor...it's a bit strange at first but once you think about it and get to know it you will see the advantages of the LT5.

I think it is a fact that the rest of the systems in a C4 will give more trouble than the LT5 will give. LT5's will be running long after other motors have had to be rebuilt or have quit for good. JMHO. :D

Oh, did I mention this. If you think your present vette can cure a bad day...just wait till you get your ZR-1! :yesnod:

:cheers:

For what it's worth...The ZR-1 Triathlon guys just ran the crap out of our cars for 4 days, Drags, Road racing and Street Play and no one had any mechanical issues. There was ONE incident of a bad coil and ONE blown radiator hose. That is the extent of the problems we had as a group. Let me tell you...we ran our cars hard during road racing. REALLY hard! Never under 4K RPM around a 3.5 mile track....and it always asked for more. Yes Oil temps and engine temps rose...but that is to be expected...no damage to any of the engines...and Breck Alberts has 168,000 on his motor! He ran Saturday and Sunday in the Road Racing. I will say this too...even the C5Z06s and the C6 ZO6s did not incur any problems that I am aware of. Corvette Engineering in the motor department is very well done! Lotus or otherwise (ZR-1s and Z06s anyways).