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Post by msmann911 on Dec 17, 2015 8:51:08 GMT -6
Thinking about purchasing C4 ZR1 for use in open road racing. What is the experience of those of you who have done this in the past or continue to do this? My experience is exclusively Corvettes--C5 ZO6 and base coupes. Also have had a C6 coupe in the past. Am I asking for trouble with maintenance? Is the issue with a heavier car, smaller brakes, and lack of some of the advanced traction control options on the C5 make this a more difficult car to drive at speed at the various ORR events? (SORC, BBORR, and Silver State) I will say that the C4 ZR1 is an awesome looking corvette that has a unique engine and exclusive history.
many thanks, Scott Mann
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ungn
New Member
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Post by ungn on Dec 22, 2015 16:17:34 GMT -6
Joe or Wayne can give you specific ZR1 tech, and their do's/don't, but here is some general tech:
Brakes don't matter much until the 110 mph class or faster and even then aren't a huge factor at the SORC. At the BBORR in the 140 class, I rarely used my brakes on the course. Letting off the gas at 168 mph will rapidly slow a car enough for most corners with just a little added brake.
The ZR1 gives you RPM which means you can run faster in a stronger gear. The more you accelerate in 4th or 5th gear and the less you try to accelerate in 6th gear, the longer the transmission will live. US Car manufactures didn't think of 6th gear as a "acceleration gear" until very recently - it was always an "economy gear". We tore up multiple Transmissions at SORC and BBORR trying to use 6th as an acceleration gear before we figured this out. The great thing about a 7,000 RPM motor is that you don't have to do this.
For pure, straight line speed, C4's have less aero drag than a C5 or C6 and a ton less than a C7, so there is a lot less aero load at speed. A horsepower will go a little further in a C4 than in a later Vette (and a LOT further than one in a C7).
As far as Stability/traction control in later Vettes, that seems to be more trouble than its worth for ORR. A stable front end alignment with a lot of caster will make a stable Aero (Center of Pressure behind the CG) car go straight down HWY 285 @ 165 mph no matter how rough the pavement or how strong the crosswinds. I have heard more horror stories about stability controlled vettes wanting to "swap ends on the straights" at the Sanderson courthouse than I can count, when I didn't notice anything at all (wind or road) that could have caused such a thing, and we typically averaged over 155 mph for the first 30 miles before we slowed to our average speed at the south finish.
The ZR1 was one of the greatest cars in the world when it came out. Until they become impossible to fix due to a lack of spare parts, they need to be driven as they were intended. |
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Post by msmann911 on Dec 22, 2015 22:04:35 GMT -6
Many thanks Chris for your expertise and comments!
Scott
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Post by emmvette on Mar 2, 2016 11:51:45 GMT -6
I have run a 1990 ZR-1 for several years. Prior to this car, I had an '04 Z06. I don't think you will have much to worry about. Either car would run great if in good condition. The LT-5 is a very well designed engine and one that has been taken care of doesn't stand any more chance of failure or issues than a newer Z06 in my opinion. My car is predominantly a track car and has survived very well. If there comes a time when you want or need to have engine work done, there is nothing on the engine that will be hard to work with. (expensive, maybe) Having said that, there are a couple parts that are getting hard to find, but there are also a couple key people to know who are able to help direct owners to needed parts or upgrades. There are also many hoarders of parts like myself that have "no longer available" parts laying around. We throw nothing away if it can be rebuilt ;-) Like most cars, there are forums with people who know and love the car and members are more than willing to help out or provide guidance / parts as needed. I can't say I know of anybody who had to stop using a C4 ZR-1 due to parts that weren't available. Some have chose not to use the car due to these rumors, but that's really a personal choice. If you like the car and want one, get it. You only live once, and if you buy right you should be able to sell for the same amount if you change your mind. Not much to lose since the car is at its maximum depreciated value.... That's just my 2 cents worth  |
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Post by msmann911 on Mar 14, 2016 16:01:00 GMT -6
Thanks!
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