1991 Corvette ZR-1 - Experiencing The Ultimate C4 Corvette

In today's video, I get to experience one of my dream cars, the C4 Corvette ZR-1. While ZR-1's and performance cars today our loud and showy, the C4 ZR-1 was beating endurance records, Porsche's and Ferrari's, while looking like a 200 horsepower base Corvette. Enjoy!
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[@johntalentino4047]

Great video! I worked at a Chevrolet dealer when this car hit. We got one. Nobody was allowed to drive much less touch it. It was an astronomical price tag for this car new. But everyone was in awe of it. I especially remember tripping over the upside down oil filter because the engine just filled the engine bay. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. This was the precursor to the amazing modern Vette we have today.

[@herkloader34]

Great video, Topher! Very well done. Just a little more ZR1 "swag" for you that I didn't mention earlier when you did this. The "comp" ratio on that engine ID plate means 11:1 compression ratio, which doesn't really mean anything since the '70s', but it's there to commemorate the ID plates on the older C3s. As far as the valet key, it activates the secondary fuel injectors, which gives it full power. Instead of only eight injectors that are standard on most V8s, the LT5 has sixteen injectors and TWO fuel pumps. One pump is primary and the other runs the secondary injectors. The car actually gets really good highway mileage in sixth gear at 70 mph. Around 26-27 mpg. The price of a new ZR1 was outrageous for the day and like you noted in the video, affected sales numbers. A total of only 6,044 total were sold from 1990-95. However, at the time, most people didn't know that the crazy high cost of the ZR1 option went into paying for the research, testing, and development of the LT5 engine project. Turns out it broke several records and was the most iconic engine ever bolted into a Corvette. Turns out it's one of the most durable and reliable engines in history. Mercruiser built them because they already had the casting machinery and much of the tooling needed to build it. So they built the engines by hand, then shipped them to the Bowling Green, KY assembly plant to be installed in the cars. Again very nice job and I'm glad you finally got to drive the beast. See you at future shows my friend!

[@jez350]

Just need to correct you here - the 90 ZR1 had the 80s frontend & was the first year to have the convex rear. It is the only model in the lineup to have that. 91 they changed both the regular & ZR1 to the shape in the video. Additionally, the way to tell if it is a ZR1 is not the roof mounted brake light as mine has one & it’s an 89. The cosmetic differences were: wider rear end, the white reverse lights either side of the license plate & the coved rocker panels down the side beneath the doors to accommodate the rear end suage. Hope that sheds some light on the subject…👍

[@frankpavan7865]

The look of this motor is got to be the best ! There values have been going up over the last 5 years. Thankfully most of them as you said are low mileage and can be purchased pretty much stock. Definitely an icon.

[@ASTROBIKERSHORTS]

THAT MY DAD CORVETTE JUST SITTING RIGHT THERE. thanks for making a video on my dad's corvette

[@speedfiend925]

Side note: The sticker on the center console did not exist during the C4s run. It is an add on that has become popular since it mimics performance number decals that were present during the C3s run.

[@herkloader34]

Correct, I added it on there after I bought the car. Always liked those plates since they "throw back" to the C3 days.

[@ASTROBIKERSHORTS]

Yup

[@user-ez8vy4vo3s]

When you test drive a C4 ZR1, rev to 3500 rpm In 3rd gear then turn the valret key on, you will feel/hear the secondary injectors kick in. Nice video.

[@dirkleu512]

Very entertaining. Thank you!

[@terrancedactielle5460]

Great car, Lotus developed the engine, breaks and steering if I remember.

[@speedfiend925]

They didn't just pay the 32k extra for an option package. Lots of these cars sold at significantly marked up over MSRP which make the buying proposition even harder to stomach. 🤯

[@Yebanuti]

Just found your channel and surprised you don’t have more subs! Love the style of your reviews, reminds me of old doug. Keep em coming man!

[@jimfacinelli2585]

I own a 90 ZR1 just a side not: The large engine left little room for the correct a/c compressor so they used a smaller unit. To compensate for that they used a very special solar windshield which also had the ability to not be seen by radar! With some slight mods like headers, porting, ram air and a upgraded chip you added 100 more hp!

[@speedfiend925]

There is two ways to look at the power key. Since it reduces power it basically is the equivalent of modern cylinder deactivation. However, the true reason for the reduce power was to protect the car from abuse from aggressive valets. I believe it was even referred to as the valet key back in the day. The Dodge Hellcat has something similar via two sets of fobs one of which reduces engine power. 🤓

[@herkloader34]

There is no cylinder deactivation. All 8 are always firing normal. Either primary injectors only or secondary activated, which means all 16 are working. Cylinder deactivation actually shuts off fuel and ignition to cylinders.

[@kylescaggs]

It was really a way of getting around emissions standards but sounds cooler when you say valet key.

[@gsmith207]

Love it! they are so fun to own! great vid bub

[@markfurchtenicht8274]

Nice video my friend and enjoy that fast car!

[@vikingtrad3r]

Always enjoy ZR-1 vids. Lots of track videos with a Zr-1 if u r interested. topher did u get yourself a C4?

[@ASTROBIKERSHORTS]

No it's actually mine. And what I mean is that that's the exact one sitting right there

[@vikingtrad3r]

sweet are you going to try an autocross or track day this season?@@ASTROBIKERSHORTS

[@ASTROBIKERSHORTS]

What

[@keiadam]

​@vikingtrad3r There's this Japanese autocross footage of a '94 ZR-1 albeit without the high mount stoplights for aerodynamic purposes kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZy0h3uAaZqnprssi=pUFv2W1vRgNE2d-7

[@takyon10]

​@@ASTROBIKERSHORTSme when I lie

[@blackice7408]

That exhaust clip made me grow a full beard instantly. Does it match the exoticness of the lt5? No. But im certainly not mad about it. Sounds ridiculous

[@jez350]

Additionally the L98 tuned port motor was 245hp not 260. Its saving grace was that it had 345ft lbs of torque which makes it a great acceleration motor, just runs out of breath

[@knoxyish]

a very special corvette that lotus deigned lump is the bolloxs and still is

[@skipwilson5288]

little bit of white smoker...check head gasket lol

[@ViralStacking]

Imagine thinking the LT4 in the 96 Grand Sport was "basically just a baseline engine"

[@christopherjohnson2171]

Well for a manual-equipped car it was.

[@ViralStacking]

@christopherjohnson2171 and in 96, a manual was not baseline either as it was a $1,500 option. The LT4 may be able to swap a lot of parts with an LT1 but still only shared a few part numbers. Almost all the part numbers are different, the redline was almost 1,000RPM higher and it makes about 50hp more than an LT1. The LT4 is NOT "basically a baseline engine"

[@Waffles_F1]

Congrats on the Tostitos sponsorship!!

[@TopherParkerCars]

I would worship them on camera for a bag of chips and some salsa not gonna lie

[@TommioRS]

What exhaust is on this ZR-1?

[@herkloader34]

It had the 90's Borla exhaust when I bought it, but it sounded like crap and looked horrible with the four "vented" pipes sticking out of the mufflers. I also didn't want to spend $2K on a Corsa exhaust. So, I decided to try the cheaper, simpler route by taking it to a reputable exhaust shop in SLC. They unbolted the Borla (which I still have in storage), retained the stock manifolds to keep it emissions legal, then fabricated 2 5/8" pipes from the manifolds back to the chrome tips. No resonator and no mufflers. There's also a small crossover "Hpipe" that sits aft of the transmission. It was a little too raspy without it so I added the crossover in later. Total cost.....$700.

[@TommioRS]

@@herkloader34 nice! I think I might go down that route in my 95 zr-1. It sounds really nice in the video. Thanks.

[@herkloader34]

​@TommioRS you'll really like it buddy, especially when you wind it up on an entrance ramp next to a tall wall barrier or something similar. Sounds like NASCAR. Hang on to that sweet '95. Last year of the beast!

[@Orrinwellsbigo]

Research Corvette c4 sledgehammer 😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎

[@TopherParkerCars]

Oh yeah i forgot about that! Thanks lol

[@Orrinwellsbigo]

@@TopherParkerCars If you can get ahold of one and interview one for the channel I would love to watch and share.

[@Orrinwellsbigo]

@@TopherParkerCars Reeves Calloway also built a car called the supernatural. No, Turbo. They would tease him because he had the first car that did 257 miles an hour. This. Car was called the sledgehammer.

[@sunspot478]

That doesn't sound like a ZR-1. The exhaust ruins it.

[@BB-019]

Hello and nice post. Please though, get your facts straight before talking about something that many will believe. Mercruiser was contracted to build and assemble as they had extensive experience with aluminum machining and assembly. GM did not want to tool up on an engine they weren't certain would sell in large numbers, use in other models, etc. (and with the price of the option as You said, it would have been a mistake for them). Lotus was owned by GM at the time and yes, they engineered the engine, but it was done jointly with GM engineers and was a Completely New Engine that was not a prior lotus engine, nor a Chevy, AN ALL NEW JOINT DESIGN. You can read many writings on this all, or even look on line, KZbin, etc. To get these facts.. These cars were and are truly special, way ahead of their time, and about KILLED anything on the road in their era, any way ya wanted to race,, plus still hold un heard of endurance records today. It took about 10 years for a faster corvette to come out from the time of the 1st C4 ZR1. All good and again, thanks for the entertaining post, it was cool anyway.

[@TopherParkerCars]

Thank you for your honesty!

[@ericpierce7311]

You just dont get it dude .

[@rocarroll1533]

Nothing new,its all been said before