Just……can’t……stop!!!!
2:56pm Feb 5 2024: Received email from Forum Friend @Blue Bucket List (who i met on my 89 fly and drive field rescue!) with a link to a black 90 ZR-1 #2610, located in Redmond WA, with an asking price of $7500 usd.
Within a couple hours and plenty of discussion with Forum Friend @ChumpVette the decision was made to put an offer on the car and $6000 was accepted, by the seller holding the car with a $500 zelle deposit. I sent Chump the balance, he was going to pick up the car. Keep in mind....very little was known about the car at this point. Just the first set of pictures below. We could see some parts missing and components kittywompus.
The seller, an 18 year old kid in Redmond WA, University student taking business —-all he knew is that he was in waaaaaaay over his head with this car and he was honest about it. His very first response to me was "THIS IS A BIG PROJECT". In all caps. haha. Its too bad. At 18yo he had already owned an 85, and an 89.
He had bought the car spontaneously over craigslist, from Arizona, and paid to have it transported to WA. He was pretty deflated about the car when it showed up, it was not what he was led to believe. Understatement
Here are the pictures we had at time of sale:
(How many parts can you guys see missing?)
WHAT THE….somethings died inside
Not withstanding everything you see in these pictures, a deal was struck for $6000 to pickup the car and a $500 deposit was sent.
I didn't mind that the car looked horrible, was missing parts, and evidently had an ecosystem in the rear cargo compartment. My desire has been to build a track weapon zr-1, investing into the LT5, doing a 368, 378, or 391 with full porting yaddah yaddah. Yeah, that is expensive, but its what I want. I like the one year only body. I think the black lends itself well to being lowered, some comp grey coloured wheels, I wasn't too concerned about the paint quality, the interior, or anything really. Things can be refurbed. I also own, and track/HPDE a 91 #888. A red/saddle Canadian car. Love that car and far too nice to trim up into a track missile. This car represented my chance to build the track missile.
Upon arrival into Refmond, it was pretty clear to Chump, that there existed deeper issues, …much ….d33per…..A facetime video call was had, and the decision to remove the DS Cam cover (whose bolts were loose) was made. What he found....was not like any LT5 he'd ever seen. It appears that this engine possibly blew a head gasket, and maybe the Arizona owner was attempting to remove the head...and then just walked away from it, partially disassembled, open to the elements. See the horror below.
how in heavans name does this happen
Based on these revelations, the price was commensurately lowered — a lot, as it should’ve been, Chump handed over my cash and towed the beaten down ZR-1 home. Likely somewhat regretting his decision to help me out!! lol. Thnx bud!!!
The next day, a casual no big deal list arrives via txt:
along with a few more pieces of info:
Ive tried to track him down, looks to be a Dr in about his 70’s. If any ZR1 owners know him, hook me up!
so at least the paint can be polished up. Chumpvette tells me the front and rear bumper will need to be resprayed.
doh!!!! oh yeah, sounds like these are visible on the top too. dang.
Ok, no big deal, Ive done alot of refurbs…..,other than “engine”.
So lets talk about the engine goal: as much audacious hp and cam, as is possible, while ensuring that the engine can take routine track abuse a few times per week. Honestly if there was a way to maintain the nikasil, and achieve more hp than a c6z06, i would. I am a member at a local track, im very passionate about C4’s on track.
So as Chumpvette counselled, the prudent thing to do, is fly down to Portland for a weekend of tearing down the LT5, to see just how bad it is. And make a plan. Possibly crate the parts up ship them out. Maybe the block and pistons are good? Then it could just be cams and porting. Who knows.
I was not actively looking for another project car. And certainly not a ZR-1 project car. But sometimes you have to take it as it comes.
So, we invite you to follow along as I learn, from Chump, how to go over and plan a ZR1 build plan. Should be a great learning thread for C4 owner’s interested in eventually getting a ZR-1.
Lets see if we can take this Bot Fly of a Z and turn it into a fire breathing track missile. Will take some time, and will have fun along the way.
Im searching for a name for this car. Truth is i want to build a formidably capable high performance car….so have a name like Petris Dish ain’t going to cut it…Even though it might smell like a bacterial culture inside right now. Might be a two-stage nomenclature thing, like when its gets resuscitated maybe its born again or something with a new name. Gotta feel bad for the car right now! Like a Groin Kick Wince.
Here is the carfax report! Anyone know this car?
twenty years is one heck of a gap!!!!
THIS CAR HASN’T MOVED under its own power IN 20 YEARS. was the last time the mileage was recorded and it hasnt added a mile since september 16, 2003.
I fly out at 6am tomorrow to portland. I sure appreciate Chumpvette humouring me on this one. Its not going to be easy but i think the car is good hands. Sux to see a mighty Z in this shape. We’ll make it right!
So, follow along if you like!!! And don't hold back!
We need a name for this car. ALL SUGGESTIONS WELCOME! It was t until just now i saw the mileage matched 2003. Incredible. Reminds me of Skyfire in Transformers that had been in a slumber forever. He was all beat up and battle scarred and creaked and groaned as he worked out his kinks waking up.
2:56pm Feb 5 2024: Received email from Forum Friend @Blue Bucket List (who i met on my 89 fly and drive field rescue!) with a link to a black 90 ZR-1 #2610, located in Redmond WA, with an asking price of $7500 usd.
Within a couple hours and plenty of discussion with Forum Friend @ChumpVette the decision was made to put an offer on the car and $6000 was accepted, by the seller holding the car with a $500 zelle deposit. I sent Chump the balance, he was going to pick up the car. Keep in mind....very little was known about the car at this point. Just the first set of pictures below. We could see some parts missing and components kittywompus.
The seller, an 18 year old kid in Redmond WA, University student taking business —-all he knew is that he was in waaaaaaay over his head with this car and he was honest about it. His very first response to me was "THIS IS A BIG PROJECT". In all caps. haha. Its too bad. At 18yo he had already owned an 85, and an 89.
He had bought the car spontaneously over craigslist, from Arizona, and paid to have it transported to WA. He was pretty deflated about the car when it showed up, it was not what he was led to believe. Understatement
Here are the pictures we had at time of sale:
(How many parts can you guys see missing?)
WHAT THE….somethings died inside
Not withstanding everything you see in these pictures, a deal was struck for $6000 to pickup the car and a $500 deposit was sent.
I didn't mind that the car looked horrible, was missing parts, and evidently had an ecosystem in the rear cargo compartment. My desire has been to build a track weapon zr-1, investing into the LT5, doing a 368, 378, or 391 with full porting yaddah yaddah. Yeah, that is expensive, but its what I want. I like the one year only body. I think the black lends itself well to being lowered, some comp grey coloured wheels, I wasn't too concerned about the paint quality, the interior, or anything really. Things can be refurbed. I also own, and track/HPDE a 91 #888. A red/saddle Canadian car. Love that car and far too nice to trim up into a track missile. This car represented my chance to build the track missile.
Upon arrival into Refmond, it was pretty clear to Chump, that there existed deeper issues, …much ….d33per…..A facetime video call was had, and the decision to remove the DS Cam cover (whose bolts were loose) was made. What he found....was not like any LT5 he'd ever seen. It appears that this engine possibly blew a head gasket, and maybe the Arizona owner was attempting to remove the head...and then just walked away from it, partially disassembled, open to the elements. See the horror below.
how in heavans name does this happen
Based on these revelations, the price was commensurately lowered — a lot, as it should’ve been, Chump handed over my cash and towed the beaten down ZR-1 home. Likely somewhat regretting his decision to help me out!! lol. Thnx bud!!!
The next day, a casual no big deal list arrives via txt:
along with a few more pieces of info:
Ive tried to track him down, looks to be a Dr in about his 70’s. If any ZR1 owners know him, hook me up!
so at least the paint can be polished up. Chumpvette tells me the front and rear bumper will need to be resprayed.
doh!!!! oh yeah, sounds like these are visible on the top too. dang.
Ok, no big deal, Ive done alot of refurbs…..,other than “engine”.
So lets talk about the engine goal: as much audacious hp and cam, as is possible, while ensuring that the engine can take routine track abuse a few times per week. Honestly if there was a way to maintain the nikasil, and achieve more hp than a c6z06, i would. I am a member at a local track, im very passionate about C4’s on track.
So as Chumpvette counselled, the prudent thing to do, is fly down to Portland for a weekend of tearing down the LT5, to see just how bad it is. And make a plan. Possibly crate the parts up ship them out. Maybe the block and pistons are good? Then it could just be cams and porting. Who knows.
I was not actively looking for another project car. And certainly not a ZR-1 project car. But sometimes you have to take it as it comes.
So, we invite you to follow along as I learn, from Chump, how to go over and plan a ZR1 build plan. Should be a great learning thread for C4 owner’s interested in eventually getting a ZR-1.
Lets see if we can take this Bot Fly of a Z and turn it into a fire breathing track missile. Will take some time, and will have fun along the way.
Im searching for a name for this car. Truth is i want to build a formidably capable high performance car….so have a name like Petris Dish ain’t going to cut it…Even though it might smell like a bacterial culture inside right now. Might be a two-stage nomenclature thing, like when its gets resuscitated maybe its born again or something with a new name. Gotta feel bad for the car right now! Like a Groin Kick Wince.
Here is the carfax report! Anyone know this car?
twenty years is one heck of a gap!!!!
THIS CAR HASN’T MOVED under its own power IN 20 YEARS. was the last time the mileage was recorded and it hasnt added a mile since september 16, 2003.
I fly out at 6am tomorrow to portland. I sure appreciate Chumpvette humouring me on this one. Its not going to be easy but i think the car is good hands. Sux to see a mighty Z in this shape. We’ll make it right!
So, follow along if you like!!! And don't hold back!
We need a name for this car. ALL SUGGESTIONS WELCOME! It was t until just now i saw the mileage matched 2003. Incredible. Reminds me of Skyfire in Transformers that had been in a slumber forever. He was all beat up and battle scarred and creaked and groaned as he worked out his kinks waking up.
. Any time i start a thread like this, I always leave an exit strategy where i will at least be whole. Life is short. This past summer taught me that. the plans for the car are such that the engine condition (cylinder bore for example) will most likely not matter. 
