I agree, but, we don't know GM's side of what they do (warranty). It could be that they don't want the extra load that stickier tires would put on the drive train, and they are trying to control how the car is used with the gearing. IE If you put in 3.90's the car would be at around 58mph [(66mph*3.42)/3.9] in first, probably rolling into an Enzo killing 60mph in 3s, with track tires, but, your gas mileage would be up the creak because of the short 6th.
My guess is they have pulling the supercharger pulley out under control too? But, most couldn't use more horsepower anyway. If she would hold up I vote for the 'GM surprise' mid year with maybe just track and drag radials, not slicks. DON'T WANT TO BUST HER UP TO BAD!
Location: siberia or some place with similar weather
Posts: 253
Re: How do you feel about the new ZR1?
I'd like - not that GM cares about my peace of mind or opinion, nor should they as I'm not that important of a guy in the grand scheme - to hear from GM why they select the tires they do for the Corvette line while everyone around them piles on super-sticky rubber.
But to the topic of the thread, based on what I've read from people that have driven the ZR1, it sounds like its my perfect car. Everything I love about the Z06 only more, and everything I don't like about the Z06 (basically just the lack of grip, wheel hop in 1st, and tail-twitchiness) is fixed.
It sounds perfect, like Eric's "all that and a box" car.
I'm going to own one some day. a 2010. A chum of mine can get the 2009, pay out the arse, and have 1st year demons. And I'll sip a cup of envy for 12 months, only to have my revenge when his roof flies off and I get one cheaper. With a couple of tweaks!
This is almost like Deja Vu . . . when the "last" ZR-1 first came out. Lots of similar talk, magazine cover stories, etc. The new KOTH Corvette deferred to go into production as a 1990 model was the baddest Vette to beat all comers (at that time).
That was 19 years ago, and THAT ZR-1 was only a paltry 375hp Corvette, and no where near the standard of today's C6 Z06, which of course took 15 more years of R&D, and a whole new breed of GM engineers. (Thank you Dave Hill).
Nevertheless, people went totally gaga over the Lotus DOHC 32 valve, V8 powered LT5 ZR-1; admittedly it was (and still is) an incredible looking mill under the hood and the car's performance on road courses at that time, was indeed phenomenal.
The ZR-1 of the C4 era, was actually an "option". It was still based on the L98 C4 of the time. Even Lotus' had to accomodate the old chassis in that the behemonth LT5 had to fit between and assemble to the chassis from beneath the frame rails. Worse yet, Lotus had to compromise the engine to maintain the 4.4" bore centers of the traditional small block.
A $27k option, but an option just the same, the MSRP on the 1990 ZR-1 was $58,990 as I recall and when it first hit the dealers, the first owners ponied up closer to a 100k to buy one. Sadly, most of those intoductory year cars became garage queens. Many more sold for heavily a discounted price just a few years into the build. It was wise to wait to buy then, and probably just as wise now, UNLESS you're "rich guy" with money to burn.
Three years later GM bumped the LT5 up to whooping 405hp and the 1990-1992 375hp models were yesterday's news. Still, by 1993 as the C4 was nearing the end of the line, the Corvette was loosing ground to the new Dodge Viper, and GM engineer's were embarassed by the lost pride in the traditional Detroit iron and the relative prestige garnered by the "foreign" designed LT5. Game ON!
Now you can get a much better all around performer Corvette in a base model C6 than the last of the ZR-1s for about $20k LESS. The obsolete L99 evolved to the LT1 and not long after that to the LS1 and then the LS6 and we were right back to where the old ZR-1 left off, only in a much more affordable Corvette. Incredibly, in a time of green peace and strick emission controls, CAFE standards, gas guzzler tax penalties and the like, the LS7 and now the LS9 shocked the auto industry.
Only now you can get a thoroughly refined and drop dead gorgeous C6 Corvette for about $60k LESS than the new ZR1, or get a new Z06 for about 30k LESS. What has NOT changed in the lifespan of the Corvette is the national speed limit. It is still 65mph, and that makes the end of this abbreviated history lesson rather pointless.
admittedly it was an incredible looking mill under the hood and the performance on road courses at that time, was indeed phenomenal.
It can be argued that it still is. And many do just that. Remember, it set the following world records which were only surpassed by the Volkswagen W12 in 2001.
FIA Category A, Group II, Class 10 INTERNATIONAL RECORDS
100 Miles @ 175.600 MPH
500 Miles @ 175.503 MPH
1000 Miles @ 174.428 MPH
5000 KM @ 175.710 MPH
5000 Miles @ 173.791 MPH
12 Hours Endurance @ 175.523 MPH
24 Hours Endurance @ 175.885 MPH for 4,221.256 Miles
Can the ZR1 do so? It's highly unlikely we'll ever know as GM no longer attempts such record runs.
I remember checking out the old ZR1 in magazines and not liking 50/50 weight distribution going to 52/48 or so and all that that implies. GM handled that this time, but, keeped the name, I believe, the same as the situation was similiar and to mark there achievement this time. Cool!
Location: siberia or some place with similar weather
Posts: 253
Re: How do you feel about the new ZR1?
Quote:
Originally Posted by jub jub
The ZR1 continually keeps on impressing me and I got to have one now.
Thats how I feel about it too. I'm gambling on next summer having lower prices. And on the aftermarket coming out with same-shape rubber ground effects that won't break so I can take the CF stock ones off and put those on.
I wouldn't count on that either. The ZR1 is and will likely always be an exclusive car as far as GM dealers are concerned, thus will probably command a premium price, one way or another.
Similarly, both "ZR 1" models added motor with weight up high, and the healthy added expense, to there current model year car counterparts. In my opinion those correlations were the criteria, and logic, for the name. Similar criteria, similar name, make sense? Thanks, "No-doubt" interesting how you would know that (are you a secret GM Corvette Engineer)? Your scary!, and I know I am!
If by "weight up high" you mean an overhead cam engine for the ZR-1 and a supercharger for the ZR1, you're right. Both have additional mass placed higher when compared to the typical GM V8. However, with the ZR1 that is offset somewhat by keeping the engine as low as possible due to the engine cradle and frame design.
As far as the naming convention, it's no secret and has been widely publicized. GM made it a point to differentiate the two by calling the new car the "ZR1". They even stated they did not use the hyphenated RPO code for this very reason.
P.S. Actually "No Doubt" are you saying they lowered the new ZR1's LS9 motor relative to the Standard C6's (LS7 & LS3), or is the C6 lower relative to the C4 ZR-1? Please clarify because if the latter is the case then both set-ups would certainly have inpacted the weight transfer. I recommended to a ZR-1 owner I know that he look for the new shock system in kit form for his old dog.:mad:
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Remember, it set the following world records which were only surpassed by the Volkswagen W12 in 2001. 
2002 Z06 Millenium Yellow/black. All options except museum delivery & BSM
Re: How do you feel about the new ZR1?
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