C4 ZR1 Track Car: The Beginning
I've been kicking around an idea for a new track car for a few years now. My '91 has already been "massaged" and I saw only disaster dropping the new motor into it.
So, I started looking for a donor roller ZR1 to use as the basis for my new track car. With the wide tubs, a 335 series tire can sit in back and besides, it'll be a little different. Well, Thursday night I glanced in this section and there it was...a '92 Seafoam Green ZR1 with some frame damage under the passenger door for a fair price. I emailed Brett, and lo & behold he was coming to MY town to pick up another Seafoam Green '91 this weekend. So, we made the deal and he brought the car down and dropped it off this morning...minus the LT5 and ZF6 :rock: Plans are to do a complete cage in it, tucking the pipes as far out of the way as we can get them. Door bars are gonna be a necessary evil if I ever plan to run it down the 1/4. I don't intend to strip it to bare bones..I'm gonna leave it with a full interior and use selective weight reduction methods like a carbon fiber hood (-80 lbs) along with some other diet menu items. I've already purchased all the parts for my 427 SBC a few years ago and have sent them off to the machine shop. Target HP/TQ will be 750/700 running a Rocket block with raised cam, Brodix T1 M2 227's w/ Jesel shaft rockers, an all forged bottom end and a Victor intake set up for fuel injection. C/R will be set at 12.5 or 13:1, and I'll be using E85 in it. I have another ZF6 to stuff in it. All I need to do is get the frame pulled and get started on the structural upgrades underneath before moving on to cosmetic fixes. I know some of the ZR1 guys won't be happy...but it isn't worth restoring to me. If someone WANTS to do it after I get tired of it (Ha!) they are welcome to do so. I don't intend to just hack it up... So, a full C6 StopTech or Brembo brake upgrade will be in the works, along with Rippie FX3 coil overs and all the track upgrades to the suspension needed to make it stick (heim links, poly bushings, etc). I'm going to take my time and get it ready for next year...it'll save the wallet from shock and ensure things are done right the first time. Really looking forward to this...been thinking and planning it for quite a few years. Now that I've found the perfect donor car, I can move ahead. Hang on...should be a fun ride! I'll post some pictures of it when I can... |
What class do you plan on racing in with those HP/TQ numbers?
|
Good luck with the build Joe!! Sounds like it is going to be a monster!! :rock::cool:
|
Originally Posted by Kubs
(Post 1580323525)
Good luck with the build Joe!! Sounds like it is going to be a monster!! :rock::cool:
I just hope it's good enough to humble Aaron a little bit...:rofl: @rednels: It is going to be NCCC Group 3 RP. Other than that, I'll just be doing track days and having fun. I don't plan on running SCCA with it, and don't really know what class it would fall into for them. Besides...after seeing what happened to Aaron out there playing with other cars, I'm not so sure I want to be rubbing in close proximity to others. :toetap: I also plan to do some Open Road Racing in West Texas and Nevada with it...flat out for miles. |
Awesome! :smiliedrool:
|
Originally Posted by 1991Z07
(Post 1580323224)
I've been kicking around an idea for a new track car for a few years now. My '91 has already been "massaged" and I saw only disaster dropping the new motor into it.
So, I started looking for a donor roller ZR1 to use as the basis for my new track car. With the wide tubs, a 335 series tire can sit in back and besides, it'll be a little different. Well, Thursday night I glanced in this section and there it was...a '92 Seafoam Green ZR1 with some frame damage under the passenger door for a fair price. I emailed Brett, and lo & behold he was coming to MY town to pick up another Seafoam Green '91 this weekend. So, we made the deal and he brought the car down and dropped it off this morning...minus the LT5 and ZF6 :rock: Plans are to do a complete cage in it, tucking the pipes as far out of the way as we can get them. Door bars are gonna be a necessary evil if I ever plan to run it down the 1/4. I don't intend to strip it to bare bones..I'm gonna leave it with a full interior and use selective weight reduction methods like a carbon fiber hood (-80 lbs) along with some other diet menu items. I've already purchased all the parts for my 427 SBC a few years ago and have sent them off to the machine shop. Target HP/TQ will be 750/700 running a Rocket block with raised cam, Brodix T1 M2 227's w/ Jesel shaft rockers, an all forged bottom end and a Victor intake set up for fuel injection. C/R will be set at 12.5 or 13:1, and I'll be using E85 in it. I have another ZF6 to stuff in it. All I need to do is get the frame pulled and get started on the structural upgrades underneath before moving on to cosmetic fixes. I know some of the ZR1 guys won't be happy...but it isn't worth restoring to me. If someone WANTS to do it after I get tired of it (Ha!) they are welcome to do so. I don't intend to just hack it up... So, a full C6 StopTech or Brembo brake upgrade will be in the works, along with Rippie FX3 coil overs and all the track upgrades to the suspension needed to make it stick (heim links, poly bushings, etc). I'm going to take my time and get it ready for next year...it'll save the wallet from shock and ensure things are done right the first time. Really looking forward to this...been thinking and planning it for quite a few years. Now that I've found the perfect donor car, I can move ahead. Hang on...should be a fun ride! I'll post some pictures of it when I can... wow, please keep thread updated with pics. |
how could you?
naw I'm just kidding, thats an awesome project keep us posted on the progress. |
Originally Posted by RDnomorecobra
(Post 1580324148)
wow, please keep thread updated with pics.
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...1/IMG_0617.jpg http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...1/IMG_0618.jpg The real deal...the King!http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...1/IMG_0622.jpg Frame Damage from Guard Railhttp://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...1/IMG_0621.jpg http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...1/IMG_0623.jpg http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...1/IMG_0624.jpg 8K RPM Tach :smiliedrool:http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...1/IMG_0619.jpg Assorted Interior Pieceshttp://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...1/IMG_0620.jpg Soon to be filled with 427 cubic inches of small-block powerhttp://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...1/IMG_0625.jpg I got a new passenger door, new rear & front bumper cover, dog-leg and passenger rocker panel in the deal. Some pretty good bones for a track car... |
Way cool Joe, congrats and happy B-Day too.
I get first dibs to test that beast! :rock: :thumbs::cheers::flag: Aaron |
Originally Posted by 1991Z07
(Post 1580323224)
I've already purchased all the parts for my 427 SBC a few years ago and have sent them off to the machine shop. Target HP/TQ will be 750/700 running a Rocket block with raised cam, Brodix T1 M2 227's w/ Jesel shaft rockers, an all forged bottom end and a Victor intake set up for fuel injection. C/R will be set at 12.5 or 13:1, and I'll be using E85 in it.
... |
Sounds like an awesome project. Is the rear tub narrower on the ZR1 to fit the bigger tire? I thought the difference was just in the body/quarter panels. How much front tire can it up there?
|
Originally Posted by gkull
(Post 1580326665)
Don't be dissappointed when each of those numbers are over 100 or more lower.
I have 2 MAJOR things in my favor:
He builds motors for drag racers, drag boats and just plain old FAST lake boats. Been doing it for over 30 years, and I've known him for 20 of them. I've seen some fairly amazing stuff roll through there. My problem is going to be keeping everything BEHIND the motor in one piece. He tells me that's HIS job...to break $hit behind the motor :toetap: |
Originally Posted by Scooter70
(Post 1580327036)
Sounds like an awesome project. Is the rear tub narrower on the ZR1 to fit the bigger tire? I thought the difference was just in the body/quarter panels. How much front tire can it up there?
ZR1's came with 315's as OEM tires, but when the Vipers came out with 355's, lots of ZR1 owners either widened their rear rims or bought new wheels to accommodate the extra width. They fit...and look massive on there. :D I run 295's on my '91 on the street, and when I use race rubber I use 25.5”x11.5”x18” (front) & 25.5”x12”x18” (rear). The fronts on race rubber JUST rub at full lock on the sway bar, so that is basically my limit...an 11.5" tire inside the wheel wells. I've seen some people like Nathan here running 315's up front, but it limits the lock to lock turning of the steering wheel. I like my cars with a low C/G... http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...vette/TWS1.jpg Which means I need to fit the tires inside the fender lip. |
This is going to be a great project. My only word of advice is to make the roll cage bar by your head as high and as far out as you can. If you need any pictures on how I did my car, I'll be glad to take them.
|
Originally Posted by Black89Z51
(Post 1580327374)
This is going to be a great project. My only word of advice is to make the roll cage bar by your head as high and as far out as you can. If you need any pictures on how I did my car, I'll be glad to take them.
|
Originally Posted by 1991Z07
(Post 1580327264)
Please...curb your enthusiasm :toetap:
I have 2 MAJOR things in my favor: He's already built around 10 of these 427 motors, with fairly consistent results. They have ranged from 695 HP (carb, wet sump) to 750 HP (fuel injected, dry-sumped w/ vacuum pump on the block). The 750 HP motor I personally watched on the engine dyno. It made 745 HP before the vacuum was turned on. So your little 227 cc heads won't even. Dyno's also have a correction factor. I can Micky the numbers and get some great print outs also:woohoo: By the way my personal 7500 rpm 434 doesn't produce 700 foot pounds of TQ either |
Originally Posted by rasrboy
(Post 1580325848)
Way cool Joe, congrats and happy B-Day too.
I get first dibs to test that beast! :rock: :thumbs::cheers::flag: Aaron You would be welcome to...you bring the tires and I'll provide the ride. :D Harris Hill is only 30 miles away. http://harrishillroad.com/images/TrackMap.png http://harrishillroad.com/images/Har...oad-Aerial.jpg Circuit of the America's is about the same... |
Going to be way cool!
:lurk: Hope you had a good Birthday. Joe |
Subscribed!
|
Originally Posted by gkull
(Post 1580328488)
I'm an engine builder and dyno operator. When building engines there are some physical absolutes. One of them is the relationship of TQ and cubic inches. So little 427 ci does not make 700 foot pounds N/A even in a SR cammed motor producing peak power @ 7600 rpm with 18 degree heads.
So your little 227 cc heads won't even. Dyno's also have a correction factor. I can Micky the numbers and get some great print outs also:woohoo: By the way my personal 7500 rpm 434 doesn't produce 700 foot pounds of TQ either P.S. There are at least 3 or 4 members in the C4 section using those heads on 427 & 434 Dart motors making well over 650 HP as well... Also...there was no monkeying with the "numbers"...the engine builder is NOT the dyno owner or operator. They ran it, printed it out, tuned it, ran it, printed it out until it was right. They had a F.A.S.T. tuner flown in to set it up. Joe White, who OWNS the dyno, is a VERY well respected engine builder in his own right around these parts. He has ZERO incentive to "fudge numbers" on a motor he didn't build. Thanks for your "professional opinion"...I'll believe what I've seen with my own eyes thank you. |
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:58 PM. |
© 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands