by "CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
Published 02/27/2017 at 13:43
by "CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
Published 02/27/2017 at 13:43
Tags: c4
; zr1
; corvette
; lemans
; c4.r
STARS: 4
Specifically a ZR1 (or in reality build my own ZR1) to create a C4.R. It would combine proper 90's tech and my own imagination if Pratt & Miller had started racing with the C4 instead of the C5. It is hard to find any good info on these cars that raced at the time. I hate the internet because sometimes too much crap shows up that isn’t necessary or relevant. Why can’t we just have a giant race car database?! There were two predominant C4 race cars poised to face LeMans; the Callaway C6 SuperNatural Corvette and the Doug Rippie Challenge Corvette. A bit of a copy and paste info dump, but being at work that’s all I have time to do right now.
Mmmm..... I wonder if I can trade the 928 for a 1990 and up C4 and then find $8k for a ZR1 drivetrain....
Callaway
In 1992, base Corvettes now used the LT1 engine. With major changes between that engine and the earlier L98, Callaway shifted from positive manifold pressure to increased displacement with the new SuperNatural series. Introduced with 400 hp, power climbed to 425, then 435, and finally 450 hp for the LT1 and LT4 cars. During this same period, Callaway also built SuperNatural Corvettes based upon the ZR-1 Corvette and the LT5 engine. Introduced with 475 hp, power was also available with 490 hp with optional header cats. A full menu of options (brakes, suspension, exhaust, body, wheels/tires) were available. Originally, the SuperNatural Series was called the CL-1 and CR-1 CL, for the LT1 powered cars. CR, for the LT5 powered cars. This moniker was very short lived, changing to SuperNatural soon after introduction.
Doug Rippie
Generation
: C4
Year:
1995
VIN:
Race Numbers:
06, 30, 54, 55
Ownership:
Doug Rippie Motorsport (1994 to 1995); Heinz Roth (1996 to 2011) Alain Ruede (Niederwil, Switzerland) (2011 to present)
Sponsors:
DRM - Doug Rippie Motorsports ZR-1 Corvette Team USA Lotus Group Mid America Design Bilstein BBS Goodyear
Drivers:
Doug Rippie; John Paul (Jr); Chris McDougal; and Jim Meras (1995) Heinz Roth (1997-2011 vintage)
Status:
Original Color:
red
Tires/Wheels:
front wheels: Rear Wheels: Total weight 2750 lbs BRM Bilstein coil-over shock absorbers
Engine:
LT5 modified to LeMans GT1 rules. For 1995 this included the use of one 58 mm throttle body (instead of two 52 mm throttle plates). Estimated output, in this form, was 580 HP and 580 lb-ft of torque
Driveline:
Weisman 5-speed transmission; Corvette differential.
Top:
Interior:
Stripped interior as per FIA rules
Condition:
URL:
Running’ Down a Dream, by: Micahael Breeding, VETTE, Vol 19, No: 9, September 1995, pages 28-31
Unique Characteristics:
Modifications:
Notes/Race History:
In 1994 Doug Rippie began preparations to develop two ZR1 based cars to race at the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans. Rippie turned, in part, to the Corvette community for support for this effort. As reported in the May 1995 issue of VETTE magazine (Inside Track column, page 10)a non-profit corporation called ZR-1 Corvette Team USA was formed to help finance the effort. The purpose-built racers used a new special lightweight body that weighed-in at less than 100 pounds and were powered by a Rippie-prepaed LT5 cranking out over 575 HP. One car (this one) was put on display at the last ZR-1 Event at the National Corvette Museum, April 28, 1995 Car tested at Brainerd in 1994 and at Sebring 12 Hour race in 1995. The Sebring race was used as a test session for the upcomign Le Mans race, as it was cheaper to run the race than to rent a track. Plans to race at Le Mans became complicated when one sponsor failed to honor their commitment. Regardless, the team made a solid effort to run the Le Mans event. One car was shipped to Le Mans and qualified. After the first test session the team performed a leak-down test and found several cylinders down on pressure. After the second test session, it was clear that a new engine would have to be installed and this was done. Similar problems were encoutnered in both practice and in the race. When it was clear that the second engine would not last, the two engines were torn down and one engine was re-constructed (rules required use of the same block that started the race). The repaired engine lasted until 3 hours before the end of the race. Car was DNF. Update: Doug Rippie ZR1 is in good hands. Here is latest from Alain Ruede, current owner. This Corvette was raced by Heinz Roth in over 100 races of different organizations in Europe between 1997 and 2011 - with many podium finishes!. Since then we have restored the ZR-1 back to its exact 1995 Le Mans configuration including the correct Black Widow 32V engine. Heinz raced the car with the body used at Sebring in 1995 and has kept the original Le Mans body carefully stored during all the years. The hood / doors and rear body of the car have not been painted during the restoration and have all original stickers on it - they are still like new. Just after the restoration was finished the car was invited as one of 24 cars worldwide for the “Heritage Club 24H” during the 2012 “Le Mans Classic” and ran a “Lap of Honor” together with the fantastic 1976 Corvette “Spirit of Le Mans”, a Ford GT-40 coming from Japan, the famous 1950 Cadillac “Le Monstre” from the Collier Collection and other significant Le Mans cars. The car resides now in Niederwil Switzerland and is displayed in our Showroom. Alain Rede Dream Cars Niederwil, Switzerland
www.dreamcars.ch
Registry ID Number:
324
"TheHondaBro" (wwaveform)
02/27/2017 at 13:56, STARS: 2
I need a Sledgehammer.
254 MPH before the Germans could do 253 MPH.
"AfromanGTO" (afromangto)
02/27/2017 at 14:07, STARS: 1
I still like the red one better than the silver one!
"RutRut" (RDR)
02/27/2017 at 14:40, STARS: 1
Some where deep down there lives a portion of me that wants to do a built 5.3 with a standalone and forced induction in a C4. It is so unloved but could be so fun.
"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
02/27/2017 at 14:43, STARS: 0
I will agree the front of the red one looks better, but the rear of the silver one is better. Personally I want the rear of the silver one with more of a C5.R front end look.
Cause look at the rear
But eww, too catfish Camaro front end. So keep the C4 front, but add aero and fixed lights
and mix with
"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
02/27/2017 at 14:45, STARS: 0
Hmmm. THat would be interesting.
"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
02/27/2017 at 14:46, STARS: 0
Those are pretty neat, but I need LT5!!
"RutRut" (RDR)
02/27/2017 at 14:50, STARS: 1
It’s lighter and way more reliable. Plus you could get rid of the goofy dash for a Racepak or similar. Even if you stayed automatic it should run close to 400whp with a low boost procharger and minimal supporting mods.
"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
02/27/2017 at 14:55, STARS: 0
Yeah, unfortunately my goal is to have a factory racing car if they had made one, so it’ll have to be the LT5
"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
02/27/2017 at 15:03, STARS: 0
And yummy gauges
"BeaterGT" (beatergt)
02/27/2017 at 15:33, STARS: 0
Twin turbos before twin turbos were hella cool.
"I Will Always Be The Honey Badger" (iwillalwaysbethehoneybadger)
02/27/2017 at 15:37, STARS: 1
Considering a decent original ZR1 is 20k, I think that’s a much better route. 10K for a ZR1 power train, 4K for a good roller at least, and another 5K to make everything work sounds like a lot of time and money. Plus you can start with a real ZR1.
Like this one.
http://m.ebay.com/itm/282374303249
"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
02/27/2017 at 16:02, STARS: 0
More like $10k for the drivetrain, $4k for a fully driveable model, and yeah probably $5k to get all the pieces just right. Plus lots of fab time. I also don’t want to start with a real ZR1 because I don’t want to strip one down and 60% of the car I wouldn’t use anyway, so that’d be a waste.
"AfromanGTO" (afromangto)
02/27/2017 at 16:40, STARS: 1
Yes, on all of that! I love pop up headlights made into fixed lights, and the C5R license plate fogs are awesome!
"AfromanGTO" (afromangto)
02/27/2017 at 16:41, STARS: 1
Use guitar pick guard material instead of the black. For more of a hot rod feel.
"I Will Always Be The Honey Badger" (iwillalwaysbethehoneybadger)
02/27/2017 at 17:27, STARS: 1
Right I forget you Americans can buy C4s for cheap. Up here in kanuckistan we pay dearly for a driver.
"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
02/27/2017 at 17:27, STARS: 1
YES! Fogs into the cover is the best part of the C5.R
"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
02/27/2017 at 17:28, STARS: 0
Race car in the 90s not pile of shit from the 70ss
"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
02/27/2017 at 17:28, STARS: 0
Oh rough. Sorry to hear that
"Axial" (axial)
02/27/2017 at 22:20, STARS: 0
Decent ZR-1 starts at $16k. The ZR-1 Net Registry has some listings , you can also find some on CarsForSale.com, even AutoTrader. I found mine for a little over $14,000 after many hours searching CraigsList.
In my experience, Ebay is actually the worst place to go. Small selection, almost always overpriced.
Drive train is $10,000. Here’s one for sale right now and, IMHO, it’s still a pretty good deal at $10,000 since you also get the ZF6 with it. I have half a mind to buy it myself just to have one I can build and another I can leave stock.
"Axial" (axial)
02/27/2017 at 22:41, STARS: 1
Duuuuuuuuu eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.
"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
02/28/2017 at 11:02, STARS: 0
So I can come steal yours?
"AfromanGTO" (afromangto)
02/28/2017 at 12:39, STARS: 1
So you want it teal?
"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
02/28/2017 at 12:53, STARS: 1
HA! No. It’ll have to be yellow I think cause C4.R
"AfromanGTO" (afromangto)
02/28/2017 at 12:57, STARS: 1
Very nice!
"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
02/28/2017 at 13:08, STARS: 0
Right? It would be an amazing vehicle.
"AfromanGTO" (afromangto)
02/28/2017 at 13:28, STARS: 1
A C4R with the license plate fog lights from a C5R, and the LT5 engine.But you need the C6R skull/punisher stickers that say C4R instead on it!
"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
02/28/2017 at 16:15, STARS: 1
Jake would 100% be there
"jdrgoat - Ponticrack?" (jdrgoat)
07/05/2017 at 01:11, STARS: 0
Factory racing car C4, you say? Look into the R9G RPO code...
"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
07/05/2017 at 11:41, STARS: 1
OMG! Why is one of these not in my driveway?!
"jdrgoat - Ponticrack?" (jdrgoat)
07/05/2017 at 15:17, STARS: 1
I’m guessing it’s because they’re rare, and one of the few C4 groups that have actually appreciated in value?
The L98 cars have a rich racing history. The LT5 cars have world records and uniqueness. And the fastest C4 cars nowadays are the ones that have been LS-swapped and boosted. Pick your flavor.