pewter82

I was just browsing web sites tonight and I came across a ZR-1 site, it seems that car was a beast even in 91, with 375 hp and a 6 speed. I think the 0-60 was 4.9. That tops my 91GT by a good half second, which brings me to a thought.. I know the S4 was the worlds fastest production car when it came out .. but what other years did the 928 dominate the catagory? It seems that later in its production cycle the 928 was a top contender but never way ahead in hp or track times.
Its my thought that Porsche never had in mind to dominate, but only to produce a world class grand touring car for high speed. I bet the ZR-1's that are left around, rattle and squeek over every bump, but my GT is as tight as a drum even today 13 years later.

Jason

82 Pewter/Navy Comp PKG
91GT Guards/Tan RMB

Kaz

I think the Porsche folks were putting the 944 Turbos up against the Vette's moreso than the 928.

Ron_H

I am having the hardest time trying to determine how a 0-60 time relates to a world class true Grand Touring machine??

I am having even less success determining what difference a half a second makes in a car meant to travel long distances at high sustained speeds carrying two people and their luggage over various road surfaces and conditions in comfort and safety???

This sounds like a pissing contest for sure, if there ever was one.

One machine was evolved in an environment stressing certain attributes and the other was evolved in quite a different setting stressing different attributes.

I'll bet with a minimum of cost and effort the 928 could be made to lose that extra 1/2 second, but why? It would lose some of its balance and poise and sophistication. Hey, get a dragster and race it from stop light to stop light. Far out, if that's what floats your boat. You win, I lose....but I'll still take the 928, thank you.

hacker-pschorr

The standard Vette, not the ZR-1. There was also the "Black Widow" option, not very well publicied, bumped power up to 475bhp. You will know these because the entire engine is painted black.

The ZR-1 is an over complex beast, for a Chevy. The engine is a work of art, especially for an American engine from the late 80's. Designed by Lotus and hand assembled by Mercury Marine. I've been in a few ZR-1's, back when they were new and a couple that have higher mileage. They don't really squeek and rattle anymore than they did new.

The ZO6 does everything better than the ZR-1, and for less money.

Styln928

Question . . Did Porsche ever build a V-8 that can put out the horsepower a small block Chevy V-8 can? I'm talking about without a blower set-up,NOS etc. I love my Shark but have owned many Corvettes in the past and the SB chevy engine will alway be KING. I'm even thinking about putting it in my Shark. Every article written about the Corvette vs everything compared to it has always said . . . Corvette . . The BEST bang for the BUCK.

hacker-pschorr

Styln928,
True, but the point I think Ron was trying to make is, if all you care about is power and 0-60, the 928 is not your car in the first place.
Actually, for most of the early 90's, the Camero/Firebird were the best bang for the bug kings. Same drivetrain as the Vette for $15k less. But like my previous statement, if all you care about is power, the F-Bodies are fine.

Styln928

I have a soft spot for the Corvette and feel I should defend it. I'm going to learn as much about the Porsche V-8 engine as possible. I will probably never know as much about the Porsche V-8 as I do the SBC. And no, i'm not swapping engines. I just wish it was as easy to work on as the SBC.

hacker-pschorr

I'm with you, up until the 90's my dad was a Corvette man, had 7 different one's ranging from a 1960 to a 1974 and a few inbetween.

After taking apart the upper end of my motor, everything but the heads came off. These engines are not bad to work on. Much easier than my friends 1996 Corvette GS.

pewter82

I'm not just talking 0-60 times...but thats what alot of people focus on. The car magazines push it and its become a standard measuring tool just like the quarter mile. The comfort factor is always brought up in any magazine with performance cars, but when someone looks at a V8 with fat tires, their not asking how comfy the seats are,they ask how fast is it? or whats the hp?
The 928 was never the best bang for the buck, and I like that because fewer were built and not many people could afford them new. This helps with the head turning factor these days.

jason

Tony

IMHO, Answer: Do a leak down at 150k miles on the Chevy V-8 then ask the same question.

Lagavulin

Will a 350,000+ mile, never been opened up Chevy 350 do?

If so, 93%+ on all eight cylinders.

Religeous oil changes at 3,000 mile intervals using exclusively SWEPCO 10w-40 oil (..no affiliation).

Valve guides/seals must be slightly worn since it burns about a quart in that time.

mark kibort

ZR1 = 375hp
Porsche 1986 928S4 = 285 rwhp = 350hp or 400hp with a set of headers.

porsche handles better and can be made lighter.

much cheaper to buy and certainly more dependable

porsche is 10 years older!

you pick.... I already did. see any ZR1s faster than the ole holbert car on the track????? nope, even in speedvision 1999. ZR1s were running slower than a stock 928 with a set of headers.

MK

hacker-pschorr

If I were a Vette buff and wanted to go racing I'd start with a 96 GS vs a ZR-1 anyway. My friends is making 330rwhp with 385lbs torque at the whees with minor mods. All this plus a car with under 40k for $13,000. I'm not trying to say he'd be faster than you Mark, but it's one hell of a track car for the money.

Scott M.

Just a data point...

A fellow shark owner (Evan 89 5 spd 50K miles) also has a 90 ZR-1 w/ 2500 miles. He claims that there is no comparasion btw the two, he'd take the 928 any day. Mainly due to build quailty, ride and style...

Jim bailey - 928 International

Zzzz ,Zzzz ......Zzzz .......5 seconds , 6 seconds zero to 60 it matters not ....on the street who ever leaves first "wins" just on reaction time alone . By the time you know he is "racing" he is usually gone .... I do enjoy driving the old big block 65-66 4speed Vettes , only one left in the "family fleet" at this time . The 68 SS 396 -375hp 4 speed Chevelle with 4:11 gears we bought Sunday is fun as well as the 440 4speed Challenger , 56 Chevy 350 4 speed 3x2 carbs for nostalgia , 65 mustang 289 4 speed , 72 chevelle convert , 1970 Charger ............just another fun Sunday at the Pomona swap meet ..... no Vettes this time .