Corvettes? [Archive] - RiverRacer.Net

spectras only

07-02-2003, 12:50 PM

Had some.Wouldn't buy one between 73-90 :p Find one of these :cool: http://www3.telus.net/spectrasonly/leonards66vette.jpg
[ July 02, 2003, 01:51 PM: Message edited by: spectras only ]

78Eliminator

07-02-2003, 01:11 PM

Blown 472:
injected or carbed? Injected.

126driver

07-02-2003, 01:13 PM

I had an '84 with manual tranny back in the day.

NastyOne

07-02-2003, 01:13 PM

I'd rather be blown than injected.

75_Elim

07-02-2003, 01:56 PM

78Eliminator:
Blown 472:
what year? 1985 I had that very year about 10 years ago. Nice car. First year of the Tuned Port Injection. Prior to that it was Crossfire. The only thing to really worry about is the Transmission, after 95K there on borrowed time. I'm sure the one you're looking at has gone well over 95K so be sure the tranny is new. Also look at the water pump. I went through 5 of them in 2 years...Lucky for me it was under warranty. The problem is the water pumps are aluminium and if they don't seat well the first time they heat up, they warp and leak.
Also check the headlight, be sure they go up and down...those motors cost $$$. Check the back hatch gas shocks, they leak on the carpet when they get old and the hatch will stop popping up when you hit the button.
I think that's it. If I remember more, I'll let you know.

OCStoker

07-02-2003, 02:01 PM

I had a 90 convertable, 6 speed. Fun car, but I got rid of it when the warranty was up. It always had little things breaking on it and was never cheap to repair.

HammerDown

07-02-2003, 03:41 PM

1984 was the new body and suspension design, dash, after the 1982's. There was alot of issues with that new style. Issues got better when the 87's came out.
The 84's have had and to this day a real soft Market Price. A really clean one could be bought for a few thousand dollars. (thats all there worth).
Not saying you cant find a decent 84-86...but the 87's on up were that much better.

=PAYED CA$H=

07-02-2003, 03:53 PM

1967 AND 98-03 ONLY, ALL OTHERS ARE JUST NOT A GOOD INVESTMENT, AS A MATTER OF FACT THEY DONT EVEN LOOK GOOD.........
ALL OTHER YEARS ARE PIECES OF SHIT AND RUN LIKE SHIT TO....... :o
I'VE SEEN TO MANY JOE JOES COME OUT TO THE TRACK WITH OLD VETTES TRYING TO COMPETE WITH NEW ONES AND ITS NOW TO THEIR BEST INTEREST TO NEVER DO SO AGAIN......... eek!
ANY TECH ?'S ON C-5'S AND IM YOUR MAN..... :D

78Eliminator

07-02-2003, 04:02 PM

=PAYED CA$H=:
ALL OTHER YEARS ARE PIECES OF SHIT AND RUN LIKE SHIT TO.......So you're telling me that you can't make an 85 fast?

LaveyJet

07-02-2003, 04:28 PM

=PAYED CA$H=:
1967 AND 98-03 ONLY, Used to work with a nasty redhead who drove a 67 L88 convertable. YEA BABE, They were both HOT :D

75_Elim

07-02-2003, 04:38 PM

78Eliminator:
=PAYED CA$H=:
ALL OTHER YEARS ARE PIECES OF SHIT AND RUN LIKE SHIT TO.......So you're telling me that you can't make an 85 fast? Oh you can make then fast!! I was in the low 12's with mine. Linginfelter (sp) makes a ton of after market toys for the Tuned Port Injection TPI. Factory the car comes with 240hp but mid 3's in the torque dept. Torque is what pins you to the seat in that thing! It's a fun car, but like someone said they can be very very expensive to fix.... A Chevette tire $10bucks A Corvette tire $200 !! Shit like that gets old quick.
Also be sure the one you're looking at doesn't have a detination problem....It f's the computer signals up and is common with that 1st year TPI. And look at the Hypertech chip and different shift springs in the tranny. Those help a lot. They like to shift out early if it's a automatic.

396_Z

07-02-2003, 04:44 PM

I'm going with the 87-up vote. Having driven the 84 for several thousand miles you couldn't give me one and I've been told the 85/86 models weren't much better.
85 was the first year of TPI. However it was a short lived version that was changed in 87. I can't recall if it was a speed density system or was changed to that from mass air, whatever it was the later system is preferred. That year is also the last year of the two piece rear main seal in case you didn't know.
If you do decide to buy the car and want to upgrade the trans I have a brand spankin new 6-speed that will almost bolt right in I'd love to get rid of. It's made to retrofit the 82-92 Camaro's and Firebirds but I don't see why it wouldn't fit in a vette.

Unchained

07-02-2003, 04:57 PM

I had an 85 for several years. The car didn't really have any problems to speak of but the stock motor is a low-po pig. The steering was always twitchy on the car like it wanted to pick it's own lane.
I switched to 3.73 gears and that helped a lot. Then I swapped in a different engine, carburated w/150hp nitrous kit. That really woke it up and I ran 12.60 @ 110 at the drags on street tires and mufflers. I sold it to a friend who had it repainted and drives it daily (still has the nitrous kit).
I still really like the body style.
[ July 02, 2003, 05:58 PM: Message edited by: Unchained ]

Trailer Park Casanova

07-02-2003, 05:38 PM

Since the Corvette was introduced,, can anyone name the one year Chevy did not produce one?
Winner gets a shot of Jack at Fox's

HammerDown

07-02-2003, 05:50 PM

Trailer Park Casanova:
Since the Corvette was introduced,, can anyone name the one year Chevy did not produce one?
Winner gets a shot of Jack at Fox's 1983

73kona455

07-02-2003, 07:14 PM

i have a 85 vette.. has 230,000 miles on it.. have owned it 11 yrs.. i love it... they may be lo po as some point out.. but it will still show ya 160 mph.. :D

Kilrtoy

07-02-2003, 07:52 PM

ok what about the 03, the 50th anniversary. How are those.....
[ July 02, 2003, 09:02 PM: Message edited by: Kilrtoy ]

Hermosa

07-02-2003, 08:43 PM

HammerDown:
Trailer Park Casanova:
Since the Corvette was introduced,, can anyone name the one year Chevy did not produce one?
Winner gets a shot of Jack at Fox's 1983 You da winner, 1983 is correct!

nodigg

07-02-2003, 09:15 PM

=PAYED CA$H=:
1967 AND 98-03 ONLY, ALL OTHERS ARE JUST NOT A GOOD INVESTMENT, AS A MATTER OF FACT THEY DONT EVEN LOOK GOOD.........
ALL OTHER YEARS ARE PIECES OF SHIT AND RUN LIKE SHIT TO....... :o
I'VE SEEN TO MANY JOE JOES COME OUT TO THE TRACK WITH OLD VETTES TRYING TO COMPETE WITH NEW ONES AND ITS NOW TO THEIR BEST INTEREST TO NEVER DO SO AGAIN......... eek!
ANY TECH ?'S ON C-5'S AND IM YOUR MAN..... :D I have to take issue with this. Just sold my 63 which I owned for 15 years. Not a good investment? Aside from the pleasure of bringing it back to life, constant thumbs up while driving or gassing it up, heads turning all the time, front of casino parking always, 120mph on freeway ramps, noise, heat, rattles, bad brakes, and preferential treatment wherever I drove it to I also got 6 times what I paid for it! First year of the body style, fake hood louvers, split rear window, fake brake cooling ducts, (thanks GM management!) DAMN I miss driving that piece of shit!
There is more to a great car than how well it races against current technology!

CAHotRodBoy

07-02-2003, 09:20 PM

78Eliminator:
Anyone in here big on corvettes? I have a couple questions about one I might buy for really cheap... So what were your questions?
My '73 (not stock):
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/750109-0928_IMG-med.JPG

nodigg

07-02-2003, 09:22 PM

beeeutiful, especially those 63 rear bumpers!

78Eliminator

07-03-2003, 09:50 AM

CAHotRodBoy:
So what were your questions?
Well, it's an 85, 4+3 speed, black on black. Paint is oxidized and in bad shape, but no accidents. Motor was replaced with new 20,000 miles ago. Was running perfect but had leak in the intake manifold. Owner began to fix (he pulled the manifold off) and now it's just been sitting for about a month. He was driving it every day. Has a crack in the windshield, needs new carpet, passenger window motor does not work. What do you think something like this is worth? Should I buy it? It will need to be towed home so I won't even be able to test drive. Just wondering if it is something that will be a nightmare or fun....

HavasuDreamin'

07-03-2003, 10:06 AM

I'd pass. Just my $.02.

396_Z

07-03-2003, 10:10 AM

If you can get it for a good price, $3500 or less I'd say have fun with it. They are fun cars to drive. Just be aware that the 4+3 is known for self destructing if it's abused. The 2 speed tail section is a weak point and very costly to replace.

BigJetDaddy

07-03-2003, 10:16 AM

I have an 85 with 121,000 miles. I bought it in 95. Stock except for a chip, thermostat, exhaust, and a few other minor mods, ir runs low 14's (14.05 is my best) on street tires. It is a daily driver, and I got a hell of a deal on it and it has been relatively problem free. Intake manifold leaks are very common on those l-98 motors.
My Opinion: As for price, in good running order it is worth 7500 with the minor defects (paint, usual wear, etc). If you can get it for 4-5 it would be a bargain.
If you can get the rpo codes off of the driver's side luggage compartment lid, they can tell you about suspension package, options, etc. The 85's are rough riders compared to the later C-4's, but a good set of bilsteins will bring the ride up to an acceptable level. Corvetteforum is a good place for info on mods, problems, etc.
And for the comment above about changes in 87, the changes were more in the motor than in the fuel injection. The FI was basically the same from 85 on.
good luck

78Eliminator

07-03-2003, 10:25 AM

BigJetDaddy:
I got a hell of a deal on it and it has been relatively problem free. Thanks for the feedback. What was "a hell of a deal"?

396_Z

07-03-2003, 11:08 AM

BigJetDaddy:
And for the comment above about changes in 87, the changes were more in the motor than in the fuel injection. The FI was basically the same from 85 on.
good luck Not even close to the same FI. They don't even have the same # of injectors. Speed density and Mass air are two different animals in how they read the airflow. Not interchangable or compatible with each other. FWIW, neither one flows well above 5000 rpm in stock form.
86 was the year the internals started changing with the 1 pc rear main. In 87 everything got roller lifters (did the L98 have those already?) and updated TPI. I can't recall off the top of my head which one of the two years was the first for centerbolt heads. Not really many other changes to the L98 during it's production run.
If the engine was "replaced" and not rebuilt look to see if it has iron or alum heads. non-vette L98's got iron heads while the vette came with alum.

Trailer Park Casanova

07-03-2003, 12:58 PM

Hermosa:
HammerDown:
Trailer Park Casanova:
Since the Corvette was introduced,, can anyone name the one year Chevy did not produce one?
Winner gets a shot of Jack at Fox's 1983 You da winner, 1983 is correct! Yep Hammerdown wins it and shot to Hermosa for being in there too.
Fox's Friday night Aug 2nd at 9:00 PM. Mr Horsepower Tank top, the only guy with a full head of blond hair. The Jack Daniels is on me.
We have to watch her pour it,, she gets a laugh outta sneaking Ole Wall Mart when ya ain't lookin.
Good Answer.

HammerDown

07-03-2003, 05:04 PM

Hmmm, kinda hard for me to get that free shot living here on the East Coast...could ya send me the money instead?...lol :D
PS, the only really bad Vette was the one they did'nt make in 1983.

73kona455

07-03-2003, 10:51 PM

84..85.. and a few of the 86 l98's had iron heads,, center boltvalve covers appeared on the vette in 86

Froggystyle

07-03-2003, 11:07 PM

78Eliminator:
=PAYED CA$H=:
ALL OTHER YEARS ARE PIECES OF SHIT AND RUN LIKE SHIT TO.......So you're telling me that you can't make an 85 fast? I did. I had a Lingenfelter 383 in my '85 in 95. Fast as hell. I loved that car. Mine was a slightly rare bronze on brown too. Great ride. The engine shit the bed at 120K, and I did the LPE deal.
I now have a 2000 FRC, which is my current favorite Vette.

78Eliminator

07-04-2003, 06:05 PM

Froggystyle:
78Eliminator:
=PAYED CA$H=:
ALL OTHER YEARS ARE PIECES OF SHIT AND RUN LIKE SHIT TO.......So you're telling me that you can't make an 85 fast? I did. I had a Lingenfelter 383 in my '85 in 95. Fast as hell. I loved that car. Mine was a slightly rare bronze on brown too. Great ride. The engine shit the bed at 120K, and I did the LPE deal.
I now have a 2000 FRC, which is my current favorite Vette. Yeah, I heard that it already is getting you in trouble, which means it must scoot.... :D :D

LVjetboy

07-05-2003, 11:50 AM

Unless you have your heart set on the 85, I'd consider a 92. That's the year exhaust, cam, head and computer changes upped stock power from 245 to 300. Which is 70 more hp over stock 85 power. Also has convex ZR1 rear bumper style, wrap around lights (both upgraded in 91) and 17 inch wheels instead of 16's, 6-speed manual (both upgraded in 89). The bigger wheels and cosmetics make 91+ models look a little less dated I think.
Consider that current Edmunds market on a 92 vette in clean condition with 100k miles (similar to mine) is $7,700 (Dealer $10,100). So you may find some 92's out there in good condition (running well, minor cosmetics) that can be "bargained" for less than $8k. Seems a better deal than spending $3,500 on an 85 with mechanical issues, oxidized paint and no test drive.
jer

HOSS

07-05-2003, 01:48 PM

I had an `83 vette with a 440. Came stock with 373`s and a 700R4. Hauled ass on the interstate but fell flat off the line do to the 2 barrel carb. Musta been for emission purposes. Took off the smog pump and replaced 2 bbl carb with a 49adapter plate for the intake) and man did it fly! 11.86 timeslips all day long. Man I loved that car. :p

Donnie

07-06-2003, 12:34 PM

I have a 1997 coupe and a 2002 Z06 I love both of these cars but the Z06 is the stuff...bad assed car for 50 grand :D

Blown 472

07-07-2003, 10:54 AM

78, your dick shrinking??

78Eliminator

07-07-2003, 11:00 AM

Blown 472:
78, your dick shrinking?? Naaa. I just ran across a deal. Maybe I should just hold up until I can get my hands on an old camero and throw a blown BBC in it....

Blown 472

07-07-2003, 11:03 AM

or a 55??

SchellSchock

07-07-2003, 02:19 PM

I had an `83 vette with a 440 Chev didn't make a 440

HOSS

07-07-2003, 02:35 PM

NO SHIT! I read Tractor Pull.

HOSS

07-07-2003, 02:36 PM

There wasn`t an `83 vette either. Nor a 700r4 in `83. Vette never came with a 2bbl. Well maybe the first 2 years.

78Eliminator

07-07-2003, 02:53 PM

RiverDave:
Justin, take my advice on this.. Don't buy a corvette. You'll be severely dissapointed. They pretty much suck ass all the way around.
Sorry to the corvette owners, but I'd rather have a turbo'd civic any day of the week.
RD Really!? Well I already have a 87 Turbo CRX. Maybe I should just be happy :D
The thing is RD, I can see the other side of 150 in a vette and my crx will only hit about 125 and maybe 130 with the turbo... It does get there fast though.
[ July 07, 2003, 03:55 PM: Message edited by: 78Eliminator ]

Donnie

07-07-2003, 04:13 PM

I havn't been spanked yet by one of those rice burners eek!

396_Z

07-07-2003, 04:32 PM

RiverDave:
Step it up to a 92+ civic, or 90+ Integra.. From there it's pretty easy to build yourself a little street racer. Being that everything bolts into each other I'd look into an LS Tranny coupled to a 1.8 VTEC motor.. add HP via your preference and you'll be blowin old vettes into the bonus lane while your passing them.
RD All your V-TEC belong to me!
http://www.tricity.wsu.edu/~borgeson/img/firebird/PIC62325a.jpg
Imports, it's whats for dinner
http://www.tricity.wsu.edu/~borgeson/img/firebird/PIC62307a.jpg
oh yeah, and it corners too!
http://www.tricity.wsu.edu/~borgeson/img/firebird/PIC62304a.jpg

Wellcraft23

07-07-2003, 04:54 PM

I actually work for a Corvette parts/service business in St. Louis Missouri. It's called Just Corvette. Anyway parts for Corvettes are very expensive. The 1985 is nicer than the 1984 but is still a bit of a dog. Yes it does has the Tune port injection system but has iron heads compared to the 1986.5 to 1991 Corvettes. Make a list of parts that this car needs or could possibly need and call 1 800 886 8388 and ask for some prices....These cars can nickel and dime ya to death

spectras only

07-07-2003, 09:41 PM

rusty fingers eek!
[ July 07, 2003, 10:56 PM: Message edited by: spectras only ]

skeepwerkzaz

07-07-2003, 11:33 PM

R.D. did you mean to say that the VETTE was a solid axle? The last year of a solid axle, I believe was '65. The 85 actually had a indy rear with a tranversly mounted compsite leaf spring.

spectras only

07-08-2003, 07:33 AM

Skeep , 1962 wink

Blown 472

07-08-2003, 07:41 AM

10 sec imports all the rage huh, me thinks you guys spend way too much time in the sun. And just where do you run these cars since there are no drag strips open on a weekly basis there?? :D :D

Blown 472

07-08-2003, 07:46 AM

I didn't know that track was still open. I stand corrected on one thing. :D

spectras only

07-08-2003, 08:18 AM

All the imports still sruggling to catch up with a local street legal stang from surrey b.c wink It still only does 7.80 1/4 mile but the guy's working hard to make it a 7 sec car trying to catch up to a 66 street legal Canso :p
[ July 08, 2003, 09:21 AM: Message edited by: spectras only ]

396_Z

07-08-2003, 08:25 AM

RD, thats a friends car actually. I got rid of my Z28 a few weeks ago. Now all I have to do is liquidate some of the parts I still have.
As for the bird, I think that the cute little baby blower on top of that 468 should propell it just fine.

78Eliminator

07-08-2003, 09:08 AM

RD, the 87 CRX is a front wheel drive tranaxel with two driveshafts (one going to each front wheel)..... The rear is just a big stupid axel in the back but it does hold a corner just fine.

skeepwerkzaz

07-08-2003, 11:15 AM

Wasn't IFS only an option until 65' or was that just the rear disks? I can't keep all this shit straight anymore. I could swear that I saw a 63 w/ a live rear axle....or maybe it had drums...
Oh well..
I do however know that the 65' 365 horse 327 (Duntov 30-30 solid, aluminum manifold w/ holley and a four speed) is one of the most violent and visceral cars that I have ever driven. That thig would run in the high 140's and accelerate faster than MOST cars. Nothing like the sound and feeling of powershifting a small block vette @ 6000 RPM. Damn that McCleod (sp?) clutch was hard to press in, that's why I just tapped it. :D
tapp tapp taparoo!
[ July 08, 2003, 12:16 PM: Message edited by: skeepwerkzaz ]