I also love the fact I can row my own gears, but that's just my car (Yes, I have to install that bypass plug!). I really enjoy it now that I've been able to get it on the road. (Kudos to this group and only this group!)

I have a Miata as well, down to one since my son keeps totalling them, but he drives one as well. I'm appalled that there is so much loathing, but especially of the C4. They go back and forth on the C6, but the C4 is universally reviled. I don't get it.

Andy has said its heavy for an autocross, but I'd like to take it out. Seen plenty of C5's do it.

was great!!!!! I took the vette and really enjoyed the early morning with the top down, the wind blowing my 3 hairs and the power this car has. (Then I got to the security gate and that stupid shift lockout thing kicked in and started grinding the gears. I still don't know how to drive that real well.)

Anyway, over lunch perusing this posting (18 pages and counting) on Corvette bashing:

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread. ... highlight=corvette&page=2

Now, are our cars (C4) really that bad? Slow, negative handling, slow, stereotypical for the midlife crisis? Just read some of the postings...second page has some interesting commentaries. I thought we had some real autocrossing monsters here! Or is this just more garbage on the internet (from a Miata site of all places).

Sounds like a fun event, Bill...! Nothing new here outside of the temperatures. It did pour here last night though I got the top up on the Corvette in the nick of time.

On that note, I did drive it to the gym early yesterday evening. Looking at the car in profile...its really a nice line. I left the top down and it just looks very nice. I wonder what the image would look like with a convertible, top down, in the foreground, a coupe in the back. Might be a nice photograph. Not sure on how differenct colors would look.

You're right, that's not on the cheap side, but not as prohibitively expensive as some other things (still saving for the fuel sender unit).

I've got the same problem so when I look at that switch it occurs to me to ask, isn't that same switch used in other GM vehicles? Could then be removed from another vehicle in a picknpull thereby also learning how it comes apart for future installation?

Wow, you guys are busy.

I've been watching that shark show off and on too. Started to work on getting the VW Cabriolet finalized for my daughter. We drove around in it today, she learning how to drive a stick. My neck still hasn't recovered but some Ibuprofen will help!

Andy, thanks, I read #12 in the OP, but I was wondering more specifically about a more live approach. Just thinking...

I think this is a great idea and I think could be a very helpful process if done right...meaning:

Will we have an internal technical support team via cell, skype, or of course this site, etc? I think you can only become familiar with the tool if you understand and get to use it, but there is a learning curve. Are we prepared to accommodate that curve so that everyone can use this tool to its fullest extent? (Those entitled to use it)

Is this question premature at this point while the idea of which one to buy is being discussed?

Perforated seats were not original to the C4 line, right? That would be the only reason to avoid them as they wear just fine. My 88 RX7 convertible came with perforated seats from the factory. The wear actually occurs at the bolster, seat back and bottom.

For maintenance of leather, try the Leatherique line of materials...Leatherique.com has instructions. They are actually here out of Aiken, small outfit but superb product. Not cheap though but great quality product.

If the color is wearing off, try their dyes. They are made to order based on a sample you send them. They work beautifully.

I don't know if leatherseats.com attends any meets.

Another data point, I'm picking up a highly bolstered seat, almost like the Corvette seat from my upholsterer later on today. The leather had become too worn and ripped at the bolster where the driver enters the car and rubs it. He inserted a piece of leather there and put new foam down in the seat bottom to shore up the bolster there. $65 total. Sometimes, it may be easier to have the leather replaced. I will still have to dye the new leather as he didn't have the dovegray but that is fairly easy.

Hmm, lets see, drove the Corvette with the top down to work, best fun of the day.

The government is out of money which means less gets done. Come'on back to DOE Don! It will be fun not knowing what Congress...those are the guys who vote to raise their own salaries and for serving one term get health and retirement benefits for life...are going to do.

It is hot here in SC. Will be all weekend long.

Steve, have you checked into pricing of the set at leatherseats.com? They put out a great product from what I've seen in the Miata and RX7 world.

I have not seen the Knoch product, but have heard about it in the Corvette world.

Much as that information is simple and straightforward to implement, I'm wondering if it shouldn't go into the tech library...usefull little primer on the process!

Hot here as well!!! Forecast to be 104 here tomorrow with it feeling like 120. I love the south.

Don, thought about looking for a position back here at SRS?


Oh my gosh, how do you get condensation coming from the back of the light switch plates...wouldn't that cause your breakers to start popping? Sounds dangerous never mind the, yes, mold issues!!!

Uhh, Andy, did you cut a hole in the floor of the car to reach your foot through while laying underneath it????

I have a friend who works for the Census. He gets hired as a contractor when they do their fact checking and he goes to the house personally. That's what they are hired to do. I've never heard of them using the phone for this information.

Now here's an opinion in terms of when someone gives you that old rant about: its the law, its against the law, etc., non-compliance punishable by jail and/or fine. When I hear these creaky, old excuses, my immediate response is to let them know that I'm from Missouri and that they should "show me". In other words, ask for the cite, law, code or regulation that they are quoting from. Generally that shuts them up with a grumble. "Really, can you give me the US code or regulation/written policy you are referring to?" In my over XX years in Government, I've found that even when someone can quote something, they are wrong or it isn't applicable in the situation.

Also, most federal offenses that carry jail time are contained at 18 United States Code.

Just some thoughts...

Oh, oh...your answer, Bill, brings up another question then in the nature of a tutorial...

I put an impact socket on my Craftsman torque wrench, set the proper value, in this case 100 ft lbs, put the socket on the lug and wrench until I hear the click then do another click. Sometimes I use an extension if I can't clear the fenderwell. I always make sure the socket sits on the lug without it being crooked.

Right or wrong?

I drove it over to the the shop where I've been getting my work done. Came recommended from a friend who has all his work done there, very price efficient and they have done a great deal of modifications to his Grand National (NASCAR exhaust with cutouts) and some of his more exotic foreign iron.

They put duals on my Mustang as well, nice job. But when I asked them about how they put on wheels and tires, he said they use an impact. I gave him the torque settings and asked him to thread them on by hand and tighten by hand.

Frankly, there's a tendency sometimes for information to get lost between the front counter and the bay as there was with my duals so I will have to check the lugs this afternoon when I get home. (criss cross is a given as I've always done that)

Thank you, so I've been doing it right! I haven't been using antiseize on the lugs...is that recommended?

I'm not near my FSM right now but would anyone be able to tell me the wheel torque on the 95 convertible (if it differs from coupe?)

Further, general question in regard to putting wheels back on the car: are the lugnuts fed on by hand as opposed to an impact wrench? Then torqued down?

The reason I ask is that a while back I had a Supra with Lexus wheels. I needed new lugnuts and the place selling the lugs told me that you never install lugnuts with an impact. You feed them on by hand, then tighten, then tighten to torque. Just curious if that was some sort of bad advice or accurate. These were regular run of the mill lugnuts by the way. Been doing it like that ever since, but pn the Corvette, I just want to be sure one way or the other.

Real pretty Blue Angels car, but I don't think even with flight pay, your typical LT or Lieutenant Commander will be able to afford one at that price! Though maybe another one might be cheaper if not at auction for charity and if they make more...

Don't envy you the yard work in this heat, Tommy!!

Happy Birthday Don and what happened with your car...all fixed or is that in a previous posting?

Hot, hot here today. Yesterday in Columbia, SC at the local picknpull and people were just miserable. Thankfully the yard put out coolers with water and cups. Well appreciated by all I think! And free to get in with my military ID. Took lots of pictures to put my Passat TDI back together from a junk one they had there.

That deck finished yet, Brad??

So it looks like it has two roofs? The front part and the rear addition? I like the garage. San Pedro is near the harbor/airport, that area? I think we traveled up there from Port Hueneme for a class once.

Good morning. Are you feeling better by now Don? Sorry to hear of your frustrating travails in regard to the transmission. I sure do hope they figure it out and great news in regard to your significant other!!!!

So, first there's a house buying spree and now there are shirts being bought. Bill, you're right, if you guys start comparing shoes, Andy needs to close this place down Oh wait, would that lead back to that "happy" thread???

On another note, I was thinking a while back how having the internet ability to diagnose and receive help with our vehicles I sure did wish that there were Guru outposts/enclaves to get together. For instance, the TDI club has an annual get together (GTG) once a year in some area of the country. Same with the Fiat and Miata guys. Not so much RX7 guys.

Wow! That's great! I just have trouble reconciling the front and the back in my mind from the pictures. It looks absolutely huge in the back!

With those joists, you should be able to lay any type of flooring you see fit if you ever decide on something like that.

Hope you are happy there!

I went through this a while ago while changing the waterpump. I decided to change plugs and wires while at it.
Definitely do as Bill suggests and remove the pulley from the PS Pump. Get a quality puller or better, rent it from Advance, Autozone or whoever the parts store is in your area...I don't remember what's up there, having moved from Bloomfield Hills a long while back... I think the Harbor Freight set is as good as any other. At least it seems the same as the Advance set they rent/sell.

You will still have to run the wires behind/under that pump but it makes life so much easier. I also put a new tensioner in and suggest you get one of those belt tools at Sears which makes putting the new belt on so much easier.

The plug that gave the most problems was the one on the passenger side, closest to the fire wall. It is tight, tight, tight. I had a hell of a time and used all the tricks suggested. Still needed one of our exchange students with tiny hands to get the plug on and the boot on. Try all the tricks you read about and see which one works best. Keep track of all the screws you take out when disassembling WAIT, do all those issues with the plug go away when installing headers??

Might be worth a try to run the higher number gasoline. I still need to track down the codes so maybe this afternoon there will be time.

Its Tuesday, hope these guys in charge can figure out something about the darned debt outside of cutting benefits many individuals worked for and were promised all their lives.

Don, I thought you were talking about an English car you had when you discussed the trailering idea. Condolensces to your friend. That is always a tough thing to go through.

I think I am using the E10. Everything on the pumps down here indicates the stuff is fortified with ethanol. Can't get away from it. I think I've seen special E85 pumps but don't use those when I see them.

Printing...where is the DLC to connect the paperclip to? On the Miata its under the hood. Mustang, its by the driver's side right knee in the console.

Stupid question, I know...

Thank you, thank you. I'm not getting any service lights on the dash, but I should still check for codes?

That's just awful...I mean about the dog being abandoned. Its great...for you that you were able to take in the birds! I just hate to see animals on the side of the road or worse, running down the interstate not knowing what's going on because the owner has abandoned them there or in a rest stop! Problem is they tear away when you try to help them as they are scared beyond belief!

Will do on the fans!

OK, I think there are directions for downloading codes here somewhere...or do I just go to Autozone come to think of it?

The data scan...is that the Tech II that Andy was mentioning? If so, either dealer or well equiped shop, right?

Thanks Don, got it!

Everything was fine this morning, no issues. But I think, yes, there is something not quite right as that start issue is a symptom. I did have to crank it for a bit on Friday, so that's not right.

I'll see this afternoon what the temperatures do to the car when I drive home. Good to know about the fans.

Yesterday afternoon temperatures hovering around the 102 degree mark.

I took the Corvette out and after driving to the place I was going to (about 15 miles or so) temperature was showing 231 on the electronic display. Also, speed limit was about 35mph for the last mile or so. When shutting off it made some weird, almost knocking sounds. Started up ok, not great sounded like knocking again right when I started. I did accidentally put in a load of regular fuel...(?)

I've also noticed that after driving it, it likes to turn over for a bit befoe it will catch. When cold, no issues. So for instance, once its been driven and/or even when I come out after work (8-9 hours), I'll have a bit of a time starting it...cranking is fine, but it might take a bit to fire...normal? It will turn over a couple of times though initially it wants to fire when the key is first turned over.

Should I be pushing the throttle down once when starting it?

Marcus, sounds like the team did well!! You must be very proud.

Brad, are you using any special type of boards (like the artificial ones or fasteners)? I may have missed that in a previous posting.

Don, transmission stuff is really black magic. There was a Seabee Senior Chief at the Port Hueneme Naval Base when I was working there in CA who was trained and taught at the GM Tech Center for years. (Your tax dollars hard at work making sure the SeaBee equipment is maintained to the highest standards!) Anyway, he mentioned that transmission work is something he never got into, but there was a specialist on base with extensive training the Navy and GM put him through. Both these guys taught for the Navy and GM. Wild stuff what they would get into, but the tranny guy was a trip to talk to! Hope your car will be ready for Carlisle!

I might follow in Brad's footsteps and take the vette out tonight as well.

OK, I'm going to be driving up. Probably staying with a friend in Harrisburg which saves the room costs.

I'm not sure if I'll take the Corvette in terms of putting mileage on the thing or if other family members are going so I don't think the funpass will work for me.

How are you guys getting together up there? Best just to stop by Don's group?

Andy, couple of things I noticed with your post that I have comments or questions on.

1. When you ship with FEDEX or UPS to Canada, it will get hung up in customs. The time is indeterminable but it has been a sizeable delay based on advice from a FEDEX courier that I know. The way to ship there is with USPS due to the customs agreements between the US and Canada and the fact that insurance there will work and is trackable. Not the nominal tracking featured with USPS delivery confirmation though.

2. In terms of the unit, not just shipping itself, is it possible to find insurance on the unit? Questions that arise of course is that the Unit is not stationary so that could be an issue.

3. Is it possible to put together a list of phone numbers to facilitate diagnosis, confirmation of arrival, etc? Would that be feasible?

4. Would the unit be shipped back to Andy each time or would the unit be forwarded on to the next user if there is a demand?

I'm sure I'll have more questions...

Everything is relative! Thank you for posting

I hope that insight has helped the OP as much as it has helped me. Don, you sound like the go to guy for this event!

HUGE! Overwhelming! Stuff out the ears! Everything and just tons of parts! All the big vendors and even small ones.

Non-Corvette stuff...I bought some great short straps to tie the trailer straps to when towing a car on the trailer. They make them in Bristol, TN and he travels to the show and sells a ton of that kind of stuff! First rate and of course the antiques and everything in between not necessarily Corvette related!

Well worth going to see!

Funny you say that. I haven't tried Adams products but hear nothing but good things.

Zaino got too expensive, BUT, it certainly did bring the paint back (red) on my 88 RX7! That car had soaked up CA sunshine since new and Zaino did an amazing job. Its still the only thing I use on that car.

For the Vette, I'm going with Meguiars. Easy to obtain and a whole lot cheaper...though I might switch to Adams.

Good Morning. Drove the Vette to work today. Runs great, comfortable, fast. That power is amazing and its just a stock LT1. I just keep an eye on mileage as my gas sender hasn't been fixed yet.

Both kids asleep as usual...teenagers! One going to college in August. Talk about a financial drain and debt!! Apple computers (must have!), clothes, tuition, room and board and it just doesn't stop.

We had an argument about him doing ROTC last night so he has some help paying for college and has a job when he gets out. As a 20 year veteran, that's important to me, never mind the service to the country. He doesn't get it...yet and we don't know if he'll be accepted anyway, but should try.

My first time there was two years ago. It was a strange experience for me. I thought I would be able to drive my Corvette up from Virginia but didn't get it done in time (that didn't happen until recently anyway).

Of course there are lots of Vettes there but I thought it was going to be more of meet and greet kind of thing. Well, its so huge that you have the vendors and all kinds of people selling things for Corvettes (of course). There certainly were many Corvettes parked up against one side of the field/fence but there was really no one there.

Many cars in the for sale lot and then the many tents etc selling/pitching product/giving demonstrations. I was glad I didn't take my car as there would really not have been a reason.

Might be different if a group goes who knows each other. Or if you go there hoping to meet up or certainly if looking for an elusive part or pieces to buy. For instance, if I go this year, and I'm planning to, I'll stop by Don's tent to say hello. I've seen his website and envy his club unity. We don't have anything like that here in SC that I'm aware of.

Bottom line is that I was glad I didn't put the miles on my car.

Surprising on a vette site that no one has mentioned the infamous Zaino (or did I miss it)...I do like his process in terms of using Dawn dishwashing liquid first to strip everything off the paint first then using the clay bar after that. Dawn again then use to product of choice to restore the finish.

Sad but I guess I'll be going to B&N online for my Nook books and to Books a Million since that's the only game in this town.

Good afternoon...now! Drove the vette in to work today. Pleasant this morning with the top down. Hope you guys stay well or get well to you and yours!

While you guys are talking tires...has anyone heard of Avon Tyres and does anyone still sell them? I got some 3 years or so ago, still in good shape, but if something goes wrong, I'll be mismatched.

Just my untrained hand at poetry. I'm more Rocknroll than Rap!

Woooow!!!!

....and in that rickity old garage,
sits a Mag Red super stock...
...without corsage,
yet giving me heart knock,

For I am in shock
but ready to rip,
in the starting block
without a whip.

Yet she's willing to move me
like a smooth massage.
thanking Thee,
that she's not a mirage!

History is an interesting concept as for the most part it is written by the victors. Ask the French their contribution to World War II. Ask an American...two different versions as are those of the Russians.

Historical events may also be buried if they are uncomfortable for the receiving audience...consider the Morgenthau plan after WWII in Germany. Or the conquest and extermination of the American Indian though I had some interesting discussions in a classroom setting with that group.

Consider why the Azerbaijani's hate the Armenians and why Armenians hate the Azeri and the Turks with equal venom to this day considering the events in question happened in the early 1900's. The spin doctors are still working overtime on this event, depending on where you live or your sympathies lie.

The Titanic I think is more of a technical factual experience as to the why it went down, not as to the fact that it did.

In any case, US students are woefully underprepared when it comes to World History and Geography. That is, because as it has already been stated, we are constantly pummeled by the 300 or so odd years of US history with nary a thought as to the rest of the world and its thousands of years of living never mind where some peoples live!

Thanks Steve, looks like FLS1082 is the part number that will fit. I don't know why then that the Amazon part description stated that the part did not fit my vehicle.

Hey Guys, man, we all have to get out and healthy again...run like Matt...maybe that will take care of the ailments. Hope you get better Bill!

Stayed at home today. My wife got a call as she's on call for her hospice job. Had to go out and check someone in. Worked on the Vette a bit and Mustang. Took the Corvette out to fill up...what a fun ride!!! I'm going to get myself in trouble with it.

Tomorrow we're back to work...groan!

Ralf