Am considering purchasing a C4 ZR1, but am totally new to C4's.
While looking at possible candidates, have noticed that some have
painted/powdercoated the engine to match the car's exterior color. How
difficult would it be to either replace or restore those painted/powder coated parts to original, and what would be a reasonable cost estimate.
Thanks for any help or comments.

56v225
56 225hp
67 L79 350hp Conv

 

The OEM finish on the LT5 does not hold up well, so there’s 3 options you’re going to find:
1. The OEM finish hasn’t been maintained and looks like crap.
2. The engine has been refinished, which can cost a couple grand and will hold up much better than stock.
3. Someone has taken great care of the original finish, which is fairly rare.

You can’t make it look “original” if it’s been refinished, but you can get close. Check the ZR1 dot net forum and ZR1Specialist for more info.

 

Jerry's Gaskets sells the original paint for restoration projects.

If you don't like color, It is no big deal removing the plenum and cam covers and injector housings and refinishing them.

Marc Haibeck can refinish them for you, if you don't want to try it yourself.

Nothing like a fresh coat of paint to freshen up the look of the LT5!

 

Thanks for the quick responses....sounds like a reasonable fix.
Thanks again
Dan

 

It does not cost a couple grand to have these parts refinished,with all of the current options for a PC finish I would venture to say it is 100% possible to match the OEM look. I’ve seen the stock finish in several different shades of silver and even over time turn an almost solid grey. The only issue I have with sending out these parts to have to have them PC’d is something happening to the cam covers,the cam covers are a matched set to the heads to nothing can happen to the cam covers. Now getting the cam covers off is a job all it’s own animal. As mentioned the OEM finish is pretty fragile as far as cars goes,it’s very easy to stain the finish when getting anything on it. How I care for mine is I’ll wipe it down with the motor stone cold with diluted Windex and then go over it with a damp towel. Cars only got 24,000 miles but it is 27 years old. With all the Zs on the market with cash in hand if I were in the market I might pass on a car that had a less than satisfactory finish on the motor. When the time comes I’m not sure what I’ll do when it comes to a refinish as the original finish on mine still looks pretty good. The nicest I’ve seen yet was a silver with very fine metallic in high gloss clear coat. There was a member years ago that had a yellow 94 and the finish on the motor in that car looked like just gorgeous.

 

Jeff,
I agree! That’s the exact aesthetic (powdercoat) on my engine:

 

Repainted with paint from Jerry's, while in car!

 

While the repainted engines show in this thread look fabulous, they do not have that gritty look of an original. While that may only be important to investors and NCRS types - it is a different finish.

 

 

Thanks to all for submitting the engine photos that helps considerably.

 

Original Paint on my 91, was later redone to fine silver by Marc H.



Fine Silver

 

I also had Marc Haibeck do mine in fine silver with black and reused original bolts (Marc has a good supply of takeoff bolts if yours are a bit rusty). I wanted it to look as close to stock as possible and I was happy with the results. The "Haibeck 350 510 HP" letters are decals and can be removed or not installed in the first place). But I admit I had mine done when Marc did the 510 package. That's what you really want to do; the refinishing is just the icing on the cake. And I don't think NCRS docks you much for a refinish since the original finish as noted does not hold up well.--Bob

 

If you think they look good,

You should hear them as they sing going from 3,000 rpm to 7,000!

Then you will surely have witnessed their "shine"


Marty

 

 

I had Marc Haibeck do mine in bright red, it’s like candy!!

He also did the 510 HP package along with Corsa’s and 4.10 gears, amazing!!

 

Mine.......done by Marc Haibeck

 

Phil you have a PM.

 

My first 91 the finish was a bit darker after the previous owner used Meguires on it. My current car is the nice glossy silver Marc does. I would like to have my cam covers polished and the plenum painted in either black or the car's color.

My first ZR1 a 91 with factory paint.


Current 91 with Marc's glossy silver with the hint of metallic.


Here is one of my favorites I snapped a pic of at the 2018 Corvettes at Carlisle show. Love it.


Complete polish on a Callaway car.


Finish on a black widow ZR1


Finish on a fellow Turquoise ZR1 owner's and also a forum member's car.
To me unless you are planning on doing NCRS judging or really trying to keep your car stock I love the possibilities available to owners.

 

 

Looks great!!! I will get a couple of cans just to have.

It is accepted by NCRS that there are several shades of silver/grayish that are accepted and the paint could come from several suppliers. Some are very bright while others are grayer. I would argue that given the number of low mileage ZR-1s out there, you should be able to find a very clean car/engine for reasonable money if you want stock. Unfortunately the collector car world has not figured out how great these cars are. Buy one while you still can and enjoy it!!!

Love my 90.

Thanks
Joel