Hello ZR-1 folks,

My name is Steve Swan, I'm active on the non-ZR-1 side of The Forum, owing a '94 Base auto driver and a beautiful '96 LT4 with Z51 option.

I'm thinking the ZR-1 i would like to own, a '94 or '95, however i would consider the first year '90. Thoroughly studying and always learning whenever i can about my '94, doing much of my own work on it, the improvements of pre-94 LT1's, the pleasure and reliabity I'm experiencing driving it on trips, has me attached to the 94-96 cars.

Diliigently studying and on the front end of my learning about the LT5's, there's differences I'm not exactly finding answers to between the 90-93 nd the 94-95 cars. I consistently read "all ZR1's are good cars," or "there is no bad ZR-1." A few differences that matter to me is the small but still important to me updates in electronics seen with the 94-95 cars improving their performance, serviceblilty and reliability. And things like a DIC with more functionality. Also R-134a in the 94-95 cars.

I guess what i'm wondering nd anting to learn more about is the aforementioned factors/features between a 90 and the 94-95 that make one or the better for convenience of operation as well as serviceability and reliability such a things needing addressed that parts are no longer available or make serviceabity not as easy.

I spoke briefly with Marc Heibeck who said his preference is the 94-95 cars but didn't get any specifics as to why, at least any more than i mentioned in paragraph 2.

As far as finding the ZR-1 that "fits the bill," I'd want to know ownership history, service/maintenance histories, a very clean car with 30,000-70,000 miles with minimum of issues needing to be addressed. I missed a super clean '94 with a great ownership/service history, 71,000 miles that sold for $30,000.

This being said, I look forward to hearing from you. And, unless there as a ZR-1 available that i could not walk away from, i'd probably need to let my LT4 go for the sake of not having temp-controlled garage/shop space to accommodate 3 cars.

Thanks again,

Steve Swan
Fort Collins, Colorado

 

Steve, I agree that a later Z (94-95) is likely the best course of action. A number of standard C4 issues were resolved by then and the later ZR-1’s had a ported intake for more horsepower (stated 405hp vs 375 for the earlier LT5 engines) and the DNS (Dreaded No Start) was “resolved” too. While many early ZR-1s, including mine, had the DNS that we owners needed to resolve, I don’t recall owners of later ones complaining of that issue.

I love my 90 because it has the “old” front end and the “new” rear end. I just like the looks best. But, when it comes to reliability I bet the later models are better as verified by Marc Haibeck. Many owners like the later seats too.

Good luck on your search.

 

@ghlkal I like the looks of the 1990 also. As much, if not a bit more than later years. If the primary issues of the 90 are addressed, I wonder if it's just as good in it's own way? And it comes down to individual preference? Just has its unique characteristics that one learns work with, adjust to. Does your 90 have a digital oil temps? The digital RANGE for fuel button stands alone? Does yours have AVERAGE MPG? And INSTANT MPG. Your seat bladder switches in hip boosters? Is the DNS an easy-ish fix? Thanks again for your reply.

 

@ghlkal there's what appears 2b a very nice red/red 1990 on bat, ends Saturday afternoon.
I've been following the different markets. What do you think a fair market price is for this one?

 

I suppose i should also say I want the car 2b a mostly unmolested example and mostly original, cat back exhaust upgrade ok! Living in Colorado, we have to pass emissions.

 

Any one from any year is likely more of a thrill than you have experienced.
Where else can you buy a true SUPER CAR for under $50,000.00 that can scream to 7200 RPM yet get close to 30 MPG on long drives and still drive other exotic cars of the day nuts.
The diffrences at this point are minimal.
375 horse cars are a bit lighter due to their bumpers etc. and as such run almost identical to the 405 cars
Pre 92 need injectors, but liikely done by now.
Seats are different depending on year but all good.
My only suggestion is to buy from a Forum / Registry / ZR-1 Owners owner, as most of them know the cars inside out and tend to not tolerate items that are sub par.
Miles are of little to no concern wether under 2k or over 100k. Records of updates are important, and if they don't have them, you will be in the dark, but that might get you a lower price to compensate for it. Carfax can help.
Best of luck and we are here to help.

Marty

 

I hope you find what you are looking for.

 

Not all of us...No E Check in Fremont County...

Were you able to connect with Grant in Durango on his Steel Blue 90? That's a rare car and a great driver. I wouldn't really worry too much about "issues" with these cars... there aren't many anymore because most problems have been sorted by previous owners. As Marty states, buying from an enthusiast is the way to go. You'll likely get a good history and receipts for previous work and/or upgrades. All 3 of the Z's I have purchased have been from forum or registry members and I have had 3 pretty good cars.

ZR-1s are really only different under the hood. (of course different doors, rear 1/4's and rear bumper) The rest of the car is a C4.... so the rest of the car will have the same issues as any other C4 as far as wear and tear and problems. Bose amps, seat tracks, tilt steering slop etc. etc. That said, at least for me, there is a kind of pride of ownership with these cars... bringing them to car shows is really allot of fun and a great chance to teach people about the ZR-1 history. Its very surprising how little is known by the general public about these cars and the rich history that comes with them.... lots of misconceptions and mis-information floating around out there.

I think most ZR-1 owners realize that the car they have is special and therefore they tend to be taken care of maybe better than the base C4... that said, there are some "rags" out there. Look for one that has had upgrades done if you can. Short shifters are nice, Corsa or other exhaust systems, Bose unit and amps addressed, injectors done already, maybe even one with a 4:10 rear gear set... These cars love to be driven... Buying one with very very low miles can get you a beauty queen, but you'll spend money getting it in great driver condition.

Don't be afraid of the LT-5.... they're hand built with very close tolerances and are still very stout. You don't often see where guys post up about any part of the LT-5 that "broke" on them. Maintaining one is a little more expensive for an oil change, but not really bad.

Good luck on your search and keep us posted on what year and car # your looking at. Buy and read "The Heart of the Beast" by Anthony Young... its an enjoyable read.

John

 

Any year ZR-1 will be a blast for you, but when I started by ZR-1 search (way back in 1993!) for the reasons mentioned I focused on the 405 HP cars--at the time just the '93 and '94. Bought my '93 in 1994 and kept it for 13 years and 70,000 miles. When I bought my next one I focused solely on the 1995 and eventually bought my Polo Green one, on which put 10,000 miles plus a Haibeck 510 HP package. Haibeck maintained and neither car ever left me stranded by the side of the road. Never have the no-start condition. Considerations that went into my requirements for a ZR-1: The '93-95 cars are more rare, with only 448 built each year, in stock form the have a bit more power, many C4 and early car related issues were addressed and the seats were a bit more comfortable in the 94-95 cars for someone who had expanded a bit over the years. But all are very similar and a lots of fun. If you find a car with Marc Haibeck improvements, (particularly an engine upgrade) or service, those are a plus, not a minus. Good luck on your quest!--Bob

 

Yes, if the issues are addressed, it really is personal preference. No, the 90 doesn't display oil temp on the dash. There are some parameters that can be displayed on the HVAC display such as coolant temperature. In that regard, the later cars have an advantage. It does display RANGE, AVG and INST MPG. Bladder switches are near the seat bottom.

DNS isn't a difficult fix, if you know what is really causing the no start.

Most modified Zs can still pass emissions.

I'm going to DM you my phone number and see if you want to chat sometime.

Gary

 

Between the 6 years of production there isn’t one major difference between any one year that would make it hugely less desirable, my opinion. What it comes down to is which features one likes the best. Some prefers the 94 seat design over the 93 seat design,some prefer the 91 dash design over the 92 dash design,some prefer the 90 frontend over the 91 frontend. There is no major performance advantage from 90-95 even thought the later cars have the 30 extra HP. It all comes down to the details when deciding on the right car.

 

Well-stated and accurate.

Marty

 

One big difference is the 90 and 91 Z's do not have ASR Acceleration Slip Regulation traction control. It was standard in the 92-95's.

 

I find the lt5 to be very DIY friendly. Pulling the plenum is easy. Especially if the secondaries are removed. Of course, stuff like swapping cams isn't as "easy" as swapping an sbc cam. I'm going to get flack, and that's fine. The lt5 is amazing, no doubt. But the lt4 is so much value, imo. My favorite thing about the zr-1 isn't the engine, it's how it looks from behind. That said, I have rode in a fully ported and cammed stock cube lt5. Dayum, wow, is all I can say about that.

 

@81 c3 John, thank you for your thougths. Overall, it sounds like finding the ZR-1 a person is looking for comes down to preference to year of car, features. colors, etc. Sounds like the earlier cars have some minor issues that the factory addressd in later models. injectors for example. Grant's and my conversation about his car seems to have devolved. I reached out to him saying i'd like to talk to him about his ZR-1 after i said i as looking for a 94-95, whence he followed up saying he was busy with work and would call when things slowed down for him. I have ot heard from him nor have i reached out as i guess this is one of those times that i'm taking my time looking at ZR-1's and also learning along the way.

 

@ZR1Bob The LT5 engine is an impressive work of art. Thanks for sharing your ownership experience. I suppose I'm open to nay year, although i'm going to be patient in my search forwhat i most want and and at the same time what presents its self as a deal i'd decide i could not pass by, namely a price that would obviate my desire for a particular year... i think where i'm at, at least at this moment is a 94 or 95 or a first year 90. Beings i have such a wonderful experience in the reliablity and feature with my 94 base, i suppose that's biased me somewhat. As far as the pre-93 cars, if issues have been addressed or price obviates any issues a pre-93 may have and weren't such that i'd be spending more money that i prefer and more or less spending the time necessary to resolve these issues, some ownership and maintenance history would help assuage such concerns. Will keep looking!

 

@DRM500RUBYZR-1 Thanks Marty for your thoughts and acknowledging the generosity of fellow ZR-1 owners willingness to help. As mentioned elsewhere, it does seem to boil down to preferences i's like to have withthte car i decide to purchase. Defintely ownership and maintenance history are important to know or at least have some idea. As far aas mileage, depeding on ownership transparency, mileage rangeing from 30,000 to 70 or even 80,000 miles would be ok with me. I'll keep my search going and eventually the car i can't pass by will appear.

 

@Z51JEFF Thanks for your thoughts, especially "It all comes down to the details when deciding on the right car." Depending on provenance, I'm open to almost any color combination and mileages between 30 to 80,000 i's consider.

 

@Dredgeguy Thanks for your noting that 90-91 cars do not have ASR. Anytime i drive my 94 and 96, i habitually turn the ASR off.

 

I’d have to agree on that one,the car just looks perfect from the back.