I Bought a DEAD Flood Totaled Corvette ZR1 Super Cheap; but it came with a Big Problem... 

This car was a good deal, but not as good as downloading the FREE Upside App at upside.app.link/SAMCRAC to get an extra 25 cents back for every gallon on your first tank of gas.

Sam-That was an unabashedly brutal way to end the video: how dare you?!? That 1990's vibe from the vette must have awakened a cliff hanger ending to a favorite weekly TV series! Please post again soon.

There are 15 different values in the VATS system (meaning 15 different resistors), if you try one and it's a "no start" it takes 3 mins for the system to reset before trying the next value. In other words it will take 45 min approx to go through all 15 values. If you do them back to back to back the system will never reset and it will never start. It's always one of the last values you try, just murphys law.

I've been in the 12Volt automotive business for 30 years. You'll more than likely need the value of the original key chip to be able to disable the Vats system. I would think the dealer may be able to give you the proper value if they can run the vin, then there are multiple ways to disable it. If I can be of any help let me know. It's pretty simple and I'm sure there's plenty of info online. Good luck with the whole project!

we have a '91 ZR1 in the family, have owned it for over 20 years. I have disabled VATS, changed fuel pumps (there are 2) and done other light maintenance, and the car is driven regularly. Really excited about this series!

I worked as a gm mechanic for 20 years there is a special tool called a vats integrator that will tell what key number you need to get to cut off your master key that came with your new cylinder

You're better than that Sam! You don't need to pull "Rich Rebuilds" kind of crap to get us to watch your videos!😂😂

That was a Cruel way to end the Video, You better have part 3 up tomorrow LOL

Only other thing you would have to tackle is, the key that unlock the full power of the ZR1. That is something to think about after you get the ZR1 up and running.

Have you dealt with vats. there are 15 resistor values. You can get a 10k ohm 15 turn pot. Hook to the first and second lead. Not the first and third. Clip to the original vats cable from the ignition switch so its can be unplugged and the resistance adjusted to the next value. Wait 4 minutes and try again. With that value you replace the ignition lock cylinder with a vats lock take the resistance value and the new plain key to the lock shop to cut the proper vats blank with the new plain key depths.

Sam, as past owner of a very early 1990 ZR1, the interior looks great. I don't think the interior took much water if any. A lot of the interior didn't hold up as well as the drive train and chassis. One problem I had that was recurring was the fuel injectors. I didn't drive it much as it was my toy. But I had to replace injectors a few times to get through emissions testing. Since it's been about 20 years now, I don't recall if it was the primary or secondary injectors that would stick open. I remember getting the injector rail setup for cleaning. But that didn't seem to help once the injectors started sticking. Looking back at my time with the ZR1, it a fun car. The horsepower rating seemed to be very understated. Judging that from cars I've owned, before and after it.

All that water, imagine how clean the inside of your engine is now 😊

Dude, this one got me! Being a "Domestic" car fan when you turned the key and the screen obscured, I felt like the kid who didn't get their ice cream!

Matt from demolition ranch just made a video today about putting his 91 ZR1 up for sale. He had an extra motor that came in it that he might still have around. Worth a shot to reach out if you end up needing a replacement engine.

When I drained my crank case after the flood, it was nothing but water gushing, and it overfilled my pan, I thought it was going to make a giant mess; however, since all the oil was on top, the oil was the last thing to come out and it displaced the water so I ended up with water spilling over and the oil trapped perfectly in the pan

I'm not quite sure when GM started using those chipped keys, but I do know the ZR-1 came with two. One for "full power" and a "valet key" that turned the power down to half. So it may be possible that this is supposed to have the chipped ones.

You could of paid a mobile locksmith $75-$100 for a new key with chip for your Vett.

You're killing me with the ending videos dude. I say 65K on the odometer. I'm glad you drained the water and the oil was pushed up. Can't wait to see what happens!!

I want to see more of the ZR1 looking forward to this series!

Electronics have life. Amazing. Looking forward to the next chapter, Sam. Thanks. Back in the eighties, a locksmith was able to cut a new key from the VIN.

Not all flood cars had salt water from Ian, central Florida had lots of rain water that flooded Orlando to nort port area.

Is there a reason you didn't just go to the dealer and have them make a key from the VIN? I've done that a number of times and on older cars it's fairly inexpensive and fast. I recently did that for a 2014 chevy truck I bought from Copart. The chipped key was 50 and the cut was 50. The dealer told me how to program it to the truck. Worked perfectly. Then as I started cleaning the truck, I found a key under the front seat that would have worked! Darn!

You should get a golf cart with a toolbox on board to go from the barn to the cars with everything you need on board, chemicals, jump packs, jacks, drinks, and it can tow in a pinch. Saves lots of time going back and forth too. Plus good spot to mount cameras on.

I remember reading in the early days of VATS a car audio installer soldered in a resistor of the proper value somewhere in the car in order to be able to install a remote start devise. That's something to think about if you don't want to order a new ignition switch once you figure out which resistor you need. You would give up any security the VATS offered though.

Can't wait to see this thing run I have always had a thing for the ZR 1 the early ones can hardly wait !

I like this project. Probably my favorite of all your content so far IMHO. I hope it works out well for you.

3 vids in 4 days...yes you are on the right track !

Got to love a cliffhanger lol

I do absolutely respect you Sam you’re probably the first car guy I have ever subscribed to his channel! Although I’ve been avoiding your videos when they come out because of the endings it’s always a cut to make the viewers wonder for the next episode at end. I don’t know if you will ever pay attention to my comment but if you did please do consider we used to expect a video with the process of the day complete not just leave us hanging! With all the respect and love man 🌹

Thanks for all the great videos Sam! Love getting off work and relaxing with one of your vids :)

Can't you still bring your proof of ownership to the GM dealer and have them cut/program a new key?

You got me. You got me good on that ending.

I still remember my dad bringing home 2 different ZR1's from the GM proving grounds when I was a kid, a red one and a green one. Somewhere there is a picture of me sitting on the back of the red one, I need to find it! The C4 ZR1 was the coolest car of my childhood and I hope to own one some day -- even though any modern Corvette make the C4 seem primitive! Looking forward to the rest of this video series!

What about the other oils like trans rear and power steering?

Very underrated car. Can't wait to see it run. Good call with the diesel in the sump. Check the intake and gas tank for water . Love the 80s style buck Rodger style interior in those c4's.

On C4 Corvette’s you don’t need the key to see the odometer. All you have to do is turn on the headlight switch and it will display the odometer.

I love the C4 ZR1, King of the hill was an apt nickname as it kicked everythings arse when it was new, Just wish Chev sent them to Australia, but we missed pout on this beastie,. You have to rebuild it mate, it is a modern legend. Top stuff Sam.

How much damage do they do to the bottom of these cars when they pick them up with the giant forklift?

I’m pissed that now I have to wait to find out the mileage 😭

OK, ya got me. Waiting for your next vid with anticipation! Nice job!

I love your video’s and your stories behind ❤❤ please never stop youtube Sam! ❤

Sam, keep up the great content!

You've done it again, leaving us in suspense. I love it.

Great vid man keep up the work sam

Happiness is an unexpected Samcrac video 🏎💨💨

This non stop content is unlike you keep it up!

My friend bought a 91 ZR-1 from a police auction around 2010. It had been sitting in their lot with the windows down for a while and it had about a foot of snow inside at the time of the auction. He still has it and he mainly uses it for track days and autocross

Why not go to a GM dealer with your ownership and VIN and have them cut a replacement key with the correct resistance? You are going to need a key for the 2nd “full power” key cylinder anyway. You should dump the diesel and try filling the crank case with some evaporust…your bearings have been sitting in a salt water bath for who knows how long. Love the color of your ZR1

Sam I'm always cheerin' for ya bud!

I swear, you have mastered the cliffhanger video endings worse than network TV. Well done!

Sam you’re killing me with the quick cut at the end😂. I have to tune in AGAIN. Ha ha

Great gamble on the ZR1, can remember watching 2 of these go into a shredder in the early 90's, the cars were brought out to Australia to evaluate, after 1 year they had to go back or be destroyed, I believe it wasn't worth sending them back to the states so they both went into the shredder, one of the saddest things I've ever seen, Rj in Oz

Damn, you did us dirty with that ending Sam. But if you release new episodes every couple days it's easier to let it slide.

Oh yeah Sam, it is very easy to re program the VATS system, I have about 30 years experience and was a GM design engineer for the system back in the day. All that you have to do is..............

i love your videos - alot of good info and laughs... but bruh that ending.... OUCH MAN OUCH

I'm more impressed by the ZR1 than the Ferrari next to it. I remember the uproar ZR1 owners made when Chevy made the rear end of a "normal" Corvette have the squared off ZR1 tail lights. At its time the ZR1 was the slightly more affordable supercar that caused jaws to hit the floor at its raw power. I hope you can bring this beauty back to life.

Will this project be finished, vote down below Yes or No 😅😜😜

Oh my god, I’m salty right now!! I was sooo excited to see the odometer reading…dang you! Lol love your videos!!

I’m thinking it’s a low mileage car, due to the Goodyear Gatorbacks. I think it was ‘92 or ‘93 when Chevy switch to the Goodyear GS-C. So it may still have factory rubber.

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I literally swore oh FO with that cliffhanger. People in the gym all started looking at me.. lol 🤣

So awesome, my dream one day is to own a turquoise ZR1. Those GM columns can be confusing, but easy once you understand them. GM and Jeep used the same ones for decades.

great videos Sam love the ZR1!

Sam... you are an arse! 🤣🤣🤣🤣 I was so engrossed I wasn't watching the video timer and then... no odometer reading! 😂 Great video... cant wait for the next!

Sam, you foul for that one!! What a cliffhanger!!🤣🤣

That ending though.... You're killin' me!

The ZR1 is so damn cool. Glad to see it on the channel!

Can't wait for more on this Corvette!

My dad worked for gm dealer in the service department for a long time. my 99 T/A also has this vats system and for what i can remember for what he told me that 15 resistors are programmed for VATS. I remember him saying that 4ish of them being specific to the corvettes. i can double check with him but i do know people disable the vats system a lot on the older gm stuff. i know he still has a bunch of blank keys with the resistors in them somewhere cause the dealership got closed in 08.

14:33 yeah I would have just called a licenced locksmith for $100 and got new keys made. One thing about the water line in the engine: if it was parked nose down that would explain water in the engine and not in the interior...

18:02 *SAAAAM!* You glorious A-hole! That was brilliant!

@18:07 Ohh!!!!!!!!!!! Dammit Sam!!!!!!!!!!!! Got me again 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

These cliffhangers are giving me a heart attack Sam. Also funny how you go back and fort from a nice haircut to one that grew out lol.

phok off for the cliff hanger ending... i was gonna come back for part two but now i feel like missing out just to pay you back for the that... enjoy the vids keep em coming...

Love the videos sam

😂 Sam and his brutal teasing AF endings 😂

ZR1 Engines were built by MerCruiser in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Omg u killed me in the end. Hurry with VC part 2!!!! Torturing us all

Damn! You got me! I was on edge and you cut it, definitely wasn't ready for that lol

LOL - great cliff hanger - I wait with baited breath for the next installment.

lol Sam killing us with anticipation at the ending on these video haha

Great ending! Checkmate. Keep this genius format at the end of more posts!

I'm digging the cliffhanger endings on this one. Good luck!

Oh come on!! I was so keen to see the odo! This will be an interesting one, great vid as always.

Part 2 please! Such a cool car!

You always get us with those cliffhangers

Damn Sam... You did us dirty lol looking forward to see what that odometer reading is

Brutal cliffhanger! Gotta see the next episode now!

The ending! How dare you 😂😂😂

Love these uploads sam!

You SOB haha perfect timing on the ending.

Noooooo!!!! Another cliffhanger!! This is turning into "General Hospital" or "Days of our Lives". In any case, GREAT content Sam, thanks!

Excited for this one C4 ZR1 is such a great car. First Corvette to really compete with the European supercars

It's got a factory radio... that's cool!

Damn end of the video got me good 😭 waitin for the next video 👀

We got a C4 video in the end, it just had to be from you rather than from Rich. Big up, it looks great!

Sam I don't know when this happened, tho just get a new key (and Chip) from the dealer...and that will save you so much faffing with the security in time alone...And these quirky cars are great, this is something we can all really get into...There was a black TVR in the same lot I think...Definitely worth a shot, really pretty, reallt rare and quite fast (really fast with a few mods) great vid as always...

Nice cliffhanger there, buddy! ;)

And Sam has learnt the way of the cliffhanger!! 🤣🤣🤣😡

I can't believe you did me dirty like that at the end! To be continued.......