Corvette ZR-1 unveiled.

[Tave]

Oh hey, I found it. Thanks for nothing.

From MT:

Angelelli saved the Z06 for last because prior experience suggested it would be a handful. "This one is definitely the most difficult to drive because of the low grip and high power." He doubts tires are the only culprit. "The front seems soft and heavy, and the rear seems to stiff and very light. So when you go into all the corners, you have enormous oversteer. Off power, on power, on brake - everywhere." Angelelli also felt the chassis could use more torsional rigidity. He praised the steering and the limited-slip differential, however, and reckoned he'd love to take a Z06 out hunting Ferraris on the Italian autostrada, but for a twisty road - he'll choose the 911 or Exige. "

So I hope they sorted it out, otherwise that extra power isn't the improvement the numbers suggest.

[280Z Turbo]

If it wasn't for the hood bulge you could just get a z06 hood.

I'm guessing its flush with the hood surface, so no you couldn't cover it up without doing a completely ass horrible job. You shouldn't have to do that on a (probobly) 100K limited build car.

Dude...if you've got money for this car, then you have got money to have a good custom shop "fix" that for you.

What a silly reason to hate a car.

[Tave]

Hardly.  IIRC the last ZR-1's performance was only marginally better then the base Vette because the engine (designed and built by Mercury Marine) was much heavier then the base Vette's engine.

What are you talking about? The ZR-1 was the fastest production vette until the C5 Z06 was released. 0-60 in 4.6 with a top speed over 180+ mph. In any event, I wasn't talking about how fast it was, so I'm really confused by your response. I was talking about the build of the motor.

From Wiki:

the huge performance of the LT5 engine was matched by its robustness. As evidence of this, a stock ZR-1 set a number of international and world records at a test track in Fort Stockton, Texas on March 1, 1990, verified by the FIA (F?d?ration Internationale de l'Automobile), including seven new international records:

100 miles (160 km) at 175.600 mph (282.601 km/h)
500 miles (800 km) at 175.503 mph (282.445 km/h)
1,000 miles (1,600 km) at 174.428 mph (280.715 km/h)
5000 km at 175.710 mph (World Record)
5,000 miles (8,000 km) at 173.791 mph (World Record)
12 Hours Endurance at 175.523 mph (282.477 km/h)
24 Hours Endurance at 175.885 mph (283.059 km/h) for 4,221.256 Miles (World Record)
These records remain unbeaten today by any production car, including both the Corvette C5 and C6 Z06s

[VetteZ06]

Wow, that's candy for my eyes. Just gorgeous. I don't know if I'd be able to decide between the blue or the black. I love the look of the rear end with the lip spoiler.

And, just as Mr. Wallace promised me, it has carbon ceramic brake rotors.

[SVT666]

What are you talking about? The ZR-1 was the fastest production vette until the C5 Z06 was released. 0-60 in 4.6 with a top speed over 180+ mph. In any event, I wasn't talking about how fast it was, so I'm really confused by your response. I was talking about the build of the motor.

PERFORMANCE

1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1

Engine:
375hp 350 c.i. V-8

Transmission:
Six Speed Manual

Axle ratio:
3.45:1

Weight
3520

Acceleration
Sec.

0-60 mph
4.9

Standing 1/4 mi.
13.4@109 mph

Source:
Car & Driver 9/1990

Road & Track had a comparo in 1991 between the newly introduced Viper RT/10 and the ZR-1 with the Viper beating it and R&T calling it the new King of the Hill.

[Raza]

Hmm...I think the coolest aspect of the last ZR-1 was its endurance motor and ability to run at full power forever and ever.

Not saying this one won't, but to me, it doesn't seem quite as special as the original. It's just another Vette with more power.



Like you said, hopefully the big rubber out back will help put the power down. And hopefully they've fized whatever it is that sends the Z06 flying all over the place. What was the name of the race-car driver that reviewed it awhile ago. I'm trying to search the Spin but am comming up blank. Was it Andrellini? Something like that? I know it starts with an "A."

Max Angelelli. 

As for the car, I hate the duel side vent aft the front wheels, prefer the brake ducts on the C5 Z06; why are the ones on this so high up?  They look weird.

Then again, I don't like the C6 much anyway, but the standard, unadorned model looks much better to me. 

[Tave]

PERFORMANCE

OK. I pulled that number from Wiki and have no idea if it's right, but why do I have to say for the third time, "I'M TALKING ABOUT THE ENDURANCE OF THE MOTOR?"

I have no doubt the new ZR-1 will be faster, but I'm skeptical that its engine will match the original for quality of build/durability.

[gasoline]

I go away for a moment and look what explodes! Cool.

[Raza]

ZR-1 was co-developed with Lotus. 

It's also my favorite iteration of Corvette!

[MX793]

GT-R what? 

If this thing can't beat the Nissan around the 'Ring by a sizable margin, I will be surprised.  I like how "project Blue Devil" gets its own shade of blue, too.  Clever.

Faster, sure, but the GT-R is both fast and something you could conceivably drive day to day, including in rain and even snow (AWD FTW).  I'd like to see somebody try to handle this thing on slick roads.

[SVT666]

I have no doubt the new ZR-1 will be faster, but I'm skeptical that its engine will match the original for quality of build/durability.

There is no reason not to believe this engine will be as durable and have the build quality of the last ZR-1 motor.  GM builds the best and most bullet proof V8 in the world.

[Tave]

There is no reason not to believe this engine will be as durable and have the build quality of the last ZR-1 motor.

Well so far the ZR-1 is one of the most durable motors on the planet, so yeah, there's every reason to believe others won't match it.

GM builds the best and most bullet proof V8 in the world.

Then why hasn't the C5 or C6 Z06 broken the ZR-1's endurance records?

(I don't know either, maybe they haven't even tried, or maybe they know they can't)

[gasoline]

Max Angelelli. 

As for the car, I hate the duel side vent aft the front wheels, prefer the brake ducts on the C5 Z06; why are the ones on this so high up?  They look weird.

Then again, I don't like the C6 much anyway, but the standard, unadorned model looks much better to me. 

Same thing I was thinking. But overall I like the C6.

[gasoline]

There is no reason not to believe this engine will be as durable and have the build quality of the last ZR-1 motor.  GM builds the best and most bullet proof V8 in the world.

That's right.

[SVT666]

Well so far the ZR-1 is one of the most durable motors on the planet, so yeah, there's every reason to believe others won't match it.

Then why hasn't the C5 or C6 Z06 broken the ZR-1's endurance records?

(I don't know either, maybe they haven't even tried, or maybe they know they can't)

My guess is they haven't tried.

[Tave]

On a somewhat more embarrassing note, my friend's mother owns a C4 ZR-1, and according to her husband, she has never exceeded 55 mph in it

[Raza]

On a somewhat more embarrassing note, my friend's mother owns a C4 ZR-1, and according to her husband, she has never exceeded 55 mph in it

I'll give her 15,000 for it.

[Tave]

I'll give her 15,000 for it.

Convincing her would be the easy part. Her husband is another matter...

[FlatBlackCaddy]

I like the old ZR-1, thought about getting one before i got my Z. I just can't handle the digital revolution that the interior had going on. Awesome motor though.

[Raza]

Convincing her would be the easy part. Her husband is another matter...

Nothing a shovel can't take care of...

[GoCougs]

Hardly.  IIRC the last ZR-1's performance was only marginally better then the base Vette because the engine (designed and built by Mercury Marine) was much heavier then the base Vette's engine.

The LT-5 was likely as light or lighter than the base L98 and LT-1 engines as each used iron blocks (where as the LT-5 was all aluminum).

The ZR-1 was a materially quicker/faster car than the base 'Vette. It had anywhere from a 105 to 130 hp advantage.

[565]

I have no idea why people remember the ZR-1 as having such impressive acceleration when it was such a disappointment for its power rating.

Here it is getting beaten in acceleration by every car in the test except for the 255hp RX-7.



The ZR-1 had the most HP of any car in that test (405hp).  That power didn't start showing up until the extreme top end, displayed in that high top speed number.

The much less powerful and similarly heavy Supra had no trouble beating the ZR-1.

Overall the ZR-1 had trouble pulling much of a lead over the upgraded LT-1 and especially LT-4 corvettes until well into the triple digits.

[280Z Turbo]

I have no idea why people remember the ZR-1 as having such impressive acceleration when it was such a disappointment for its power rating.

Here it is getting beaten in acceleration by every car in the test except for the 255hp RX-7.

The ZR-1 had the most HP of any car in that test (405hp).  That power didn't start showing up until the extreme top end, displayed in that high top speed number.

The much less powerful and similarly heavy Supra had no trouble beating the ZR-1.

Overall the ZR-1 had trouble pulling much of a lead over the upgraded LT-1 and especially LT-4 corvettes until well into the triple digits.

I have four words for you:

Double Over Head Camshafts

[GoCougs]

At least in that test, the relatively high 1/4 mile trap, and the highest top speed by quite a margin, speaks to traction issues IMO.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I have four words for you:

Double Over Head Camshafts

No, Toyota just = the magic company of awesomeness that can pull horsepowers out of thin air and make perfect automobiles

[93JC]

If I'm not mistaken, that's the 5.3 liter V8 that's used in GM's full-size FWD sedans.

LS4

[280Z Turbo]

No, Toyota just = the magic company of awesomeness that can pull horsepowers out of thin air and make perfect automobiles

Back in the 90's Toyota was cool. They used to make the twin turbo Supra and Mid engined MR2.

Now they've grown up, got married, had a kid, and you can't party with them anymore.

[the Teuton]

Back in the 90's Toyota was cool. They used to make the twin turbo Supra and Mid engined MR2.

Now they've grown up, got married, had a kid, and you can't party with them anymore.

Pretty much.  Also, the Supra was a loss leader in America.  They could not make a profit on it, as it probably should have been selling for closer to $60k in America than $40k in turbo form.  Toyota actually had to lower the price of the car to keep in selling in the US.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Pretty much.  Also, the Supra was a loss leader in America.  They could not make a profit on it, as it probably should have been selling for closer to $60k in America than $40k in turbo form.  Toyota actually had to lower the price of the car to keep in selling in the US.

It's their fault for not having an efficient manufacturing process like Chevy Corvettes did. 

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Back in the 90's Toyota was cool. They used to make the twin turbo Supra and Mid engined MR2.

Now they've grown up, got married, had a kid, and you can't party with them anymore.