ZR1 Corvette – A True Piece of American Automotive History
The better known ZR1 of the 1990’s started to come together in the 1980’s between the Corvette development team and the Lotus Engineering group. The two entities wanted to build an entirely new V8 engine that would be installed in a limited production line of Corvettes that were based on the C4 generation Corvette. This new engine, complimented the already long list of other large differences from its predecessor the C3, to include over 250 lbs weight difference, rear mounted transaxle, transverse leaf spring suspension and the central backbone.
The all aluminum block called the LT5 had the same displacement 5.7 liters/350cu. in. while also sporting the same 4.4 in. bore centers as the L98 engine did. However it was a 4 cam, 32 valve monster that put out 375 hp at 6000 rpms which by the way was only 5 horsepower shy of the very popular Ferrari Testarossa. To get a better idea, the L98 only put out 250 hp at 4400 rpms. It was only a matter of short time until everyone was happy with the way the LT5 performed and brought the production of the engine from Lotus in England to Mercury Marine plant in Stillwater Oklahoma.
Tags: American Automotive, History, ZR1 Corvette