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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[@legomansion808]

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.

[@fortnite360HZ]

the grand national smoked those things my buddy has one kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWfYl6KEppWobcU

[@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.

[@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!

[@BMX_Austin12]

Hi dad

[@herkloader34]

​@@BMX_Austin12hi son!

[@BMX_Austin12]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@BMX_Austin12]

Yup

[@OleSkullestad]

Duntov commented on the ZR1- "Space shuttle nice, but who can afford" What he was driving at was the Corvette in his mind was a sports car that people could afford by using the scale of GM production and volume purchasing power. I am glad Chevrolet took the effort to make this option. But instead of amortizing the engineering/tooling over a longer period of time, they chose to get their money back right out of the gate which ruined sales volume. By the third year of this option, sales numbers collapsed and fortunately Chevrolet turned their attention to upgrading the Gen 1 small block which, in my opinion made a lot more sense than equipping the Corvette with very expensive Lotus engineered engines. In the end, it all worked out and the ZR1 stands on it's own as a very exciting part of the Corvette story.

[@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…👍

[@ManfredEWhite]

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.

[@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.

[@InternalCombustion]

Nice vid, just picked up a torch red 94 Z

[@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. 🤯

[@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

[@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?

[@BMX_Austin12]

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?@@BMX_Austin12

[@BMX_Austin12]

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]

​@@BMX_Austin12me when I lie

[@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!

[@herkloader34]

I'm in the process right now of porting the top end. Got the plenum ports done and about to start on injector housings. Also going to port the head intake ports. About two months after this video, I installed the Haibeck chip and along with the fairly unrestricted exhaust, it added about 40 horsepower. Lotus designed and intended the LT5 to be a 500 hp for production, but GM choked it off to comply with the ridiculous emission requirements at the time. You can see that in the plenum ports alone. Stock size is 32mm. I ported them to 36mm like the ZR1 experts recommended. I'd love to do catted headers with Corsa exhaust, but I don't think they'll pass Utah emissions.

[@jimfacinelli2585]

@@herkloader34 I have the headers and it did have the exhaust but PO removed it as it was in CA. I have the Linglefelter ram air kit on it to. I am constantly bothered by the frame sensor lights which I have repaired but keep coming back. Same with my ride control lights as my system is all new and works but the light come on and off a lot. I may just remove the bulbs when I do the resister upgrade in improve dash lighting.

[@andreavgr]

Oh man I got my '90 ZR-1 back in January and I'm trying to restore it but I didn't know about the special folder till I saw your video. Now I'm super bummed mine didn't have it.

[@gsmith207]

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

[@markfurchtenicht8274]

Nice video my friend and enjoy that fast car!

[@francismartin2427]

Listen!!!! A true Corvette person does not put down the older variation just to talk about one that they prefer!!! All Corvettes were perfect for their time. Please don't be a clown🎉!!

[@petercermak4095]

At the 1245 mark you noted how heavy the hood is. C4 Corvettes have 2 lift struts that assist the lift. When they go bad, the hood is difficult to raise. Go ahead and replaced them.

[@herkloader34]

I just replaced the struts on the hood. It didn't come with the two small tiny struts, but GM still included the mounts on the hood. I installed the two forward struts and the main strut. Then the hood was hard to close! I had to apply too much pressure to lower it. It was too much so I removed the small ones. Now it lifts easily.

[@IcemanC4]

Thanks and greetings from Germany 🇩🇪 It’s my car

[@dirkleu512]

Very entertaining. Thank you!

[@msullivan40]

That engine sounds godly ❤

[@terrancedactielle5460]

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

[@6.4DieselDoctor]

Somewhat but mercury marine built

[@knoxyish]

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

[@Taekendepis]

My dad had some input , your correct , it is incredible

[@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

[@petercermak4095]

It's a great sound!

[@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

[@skipwilson5288]

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

[@herkloader34]

That's not smoke, it's condensation from the cool temp outside.

[@davegayaldo]

unless we’re in back to the future, no ladies are impressed wit this , except old guy like me 😂

[@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!

[@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"

[@midnight347]

​@ViralStacking that is almost as bad as saying a 96 4.6 4v the cobra got was "basically the same" as the 4.6 2v in the gt. It was a totally different animal and was 305 hp vs 215 hp that is 90 hp difference. I agree the lt4 is way better than the lt1.

[@ViralStacking]

@@midnight347 could not agree more

[@midnight347]

Dude it is outrunning and out performing 911 turbo of that era which was double. Of course the interior aint gonna be perfect they gotta cut corners somewhere to offer it for that. As for the comp ratio it is super obviously talkong about the compression it said 11:1 beside it. Any halfway car enthusiast should know that lol

[@TopherParkerCars]

Regardless, the fact it was so expensive and had a trash interior was known to be a factor that hurt sales. As for comp ratio, i have no excuse for forgetting what that meant on the day 🤣🤷‍♂️

[@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!

[@Taekendepis]

Great post , my dad is David whitehead, he was chief designer for lotus, I saw the very first engine running on a test bed at hethel . I saw the first engine casting produced sitting in the back of a Cadillac. I went to the USA to see the castings factory, me and dad took one of the first zr1s round Lake Michigan , i was 15 or 16 then , I’m now 57 and dads still amazing at 87 . A beautiful engine isn’t it with enormous grunt ,, he took me out once in a lotus Carlton which dad really rated . I’ll show him your comments

[@jafinjohn7367]

Or you can get a tpi sledgehammer, it eats zr1 all the time

[@TopherParkerCars]

Oh man I would be SO down to review a sledgehammer.

[@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.

[@herkloader34]

According to you, how is it suppose to sound? All choked off and muffled up in stock form while sounding like a Cadillac? I pretty much straight piped it, but kept the stock manifolds and cats on it so it will pass emissions test. Other than that, no resonator or mufflers. H-pipe to balance exhaust pulses and keep interior drone away. It roars on the outside above 5,000 rpm. Like a ZR1 is suppose to sound.

[@sunspot478]

@@herkloader34 At the end of the Hagerty video during his drive... THAT is how a ZR-1 should sound.

[@herkloader34]

​@sunspot478 my car is literally straight piped behind the stock manifolds (so it'll pass emissions test). You literally make no sense when you say it doesn't sound like a ZR-1, when in fact, it's literally THE way an LT5 sounds unmuffled.

[@ericpierce7311]

You just dont get it dude .

[@rocarroll1533]

Nothing new,its all been said before