LT4 Lt4 or a ZR1, that is the question

[Michael Malone Smith]

:z I agree !

 

[wx briefer]

I guess I'll have to agree with Huffer, ...didn't the ZR1 set a record of 24 hour run at over 175MPH? That doesn't sound like it has an oiling problem to me. The engine is controversial in some other aspects, but I don't think oiling is one of them. As far as the discontinuing of the engine, I think that has more to do with the cost of the LT5 and later technology caught up with it making it somewhat outdated for the cost factor. But nothing can duplicate its character. And character is more than half the appeal of a sports car! (I know my hot cam has added tremendous character to my LT4....;-)

 

[phrogs]

First im not going to get into the LT5 discusion with someone who heard it from this guy who's kid heard it from his sisters who's boyfriends brother saw a ZR1 at 31 flavors last night
and of course it lost a cam due to oiling problems....


Anyway having owned my 89 vert and my 90 ZR1 at the same time its all up to you I had my covertible for almost 2 years and I pefer the ZR1 I wanted the ZR1 and I like it over the vert that is just me...

But I am all about the horse power and having fun with the car I never take out my targa top hardly ever.....

To each his own you need to go out and test drive both cars and then make up your mind.

Both would rock Id love to have a LT4 vert id take one anyday of the week!


johnny

 

[lt4 gs]

I figured after a month that this thread had well run the course. Let's just ignore the flaming and trolling, alright? The fella is trying to get your Goat.......not your Vette.........

obviously....I was mistaken. Here's the deal......any addtional flaming or trolling and the gate gets locked....fair enough??:s :s :s :s

 

[rkreigh]

a story from Dave Mc. and Graham B. about the cam failures.

there were a couple problems reported from BG with the early ZR1s in and the engineers wondered why; Graham B was sent in to investigate and find out why as GM had LOTS riding on the ZR1 project and hyped the quality quite a bit

they finally traced it to the following :>

on very cold mornings one of the workers at the plant was starting the car and warming them up by bouncing if off the rev limiter to move them around. a couple of cams siezed and caused problems. no one told her NOT to do it this way and most did just fine (which not many engines would!!)


so unless you are fond of this kind of abuse, I don't think you will have much to worry about. on rare occassions the LT5 can have a collapsed lifter, and even more rare lower end problems (a handful of failures in over 7K engines built) overall, the LT5 is one of the best built and most durable engines ever. read the Heart of the Beast and you will see this was GM's flagship and VERY well built. the engine has benefit of serious engineering and pride that went each of the LT5s. folks working on the car felt lucky to do so.

not taking any thing away from the LT4 is certainly the "best in breed" of the old style small blocks and very nice as well and a great bang for the buck.

but if you are questioning the LT5 durability, you need not, it's an anvil. I have owned 4 of them and never had one lick of trouble and I've blown up quite a few other engines racing.

the LT5 begs to be driven hard and comes back for more. just do yourself a favor, and warm it up a bit first!!!

no flames guys, some folks just don't know much about the "Heart of the Beast" hope this helps to enlighten.

 

[iron cross]

Finally some one had it correct. And not from space either. After the noted failures at the factory, the problem was eventually fixed in conjunction with the GM test track in Milford Michigan and GM tech In Warren, with some new electronics that prevented high RPM`s at initial start up.