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| RobertT | What would you do with this $$ | ||
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I am selling one of my other cars and am going to put the $$ into my 90 Vette . My question is what is the best up grades or changes to make in a vette of this year ?
engine runs pretty good , but if I could I would put in a newer one I don't like the TPI engines that much ? it does need an exhaust ( cat back portion ) , some gauges are out Typical of this year. car has about 120 K miles . my budget will be around $ 3,500.00 . ( much of the work I can do myself so little will be spent on labor fees ) So give me your best advice ? What would you do ? |
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Posted on: 2011/2/19 17:07
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| Matatk | Re: What would you do with this $$ | ||
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#1) What are your goals?
#2) Will you be doing the work yourself? I know you say you don't like "tpi engines" but the "tpi" is actually just the intake portion. The motor (ie block, pistons, crank, etc) are just a standard 350. It's a respectable setup. I would not recommend going to a carb. Most guys for a reasonable gain will recommend headers, a full dual exhaust, and a different intake setup (big tube runners, modified stealthram, miniram, first, superram, etc). You will also hear a rear gear change and a torque converter (assuming it's an automatic) for "peppiness." You really need to honestly assess the situation and answer #1 and #2. I personally wouldn't put a new top end (ie heads, cam, intake) on a motor with 120,000 miles, though others have done it. You run the risk of blowing out the bottom end (bearings, etc). It's best to do it all at once, but $3500 will be tight. Matthew |
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Posted on: 2011/2/19 17:36
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2002 EBM convertible, Magnusson supercharger, cam, headers, etc. 1989 Corvette...RIP |
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| RobertT | Re: What would you do with this $$ | ||
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I will be doing much of the work myself . My goals are to have a really good running car . I don't need it to be any faster or have huge gobs of power . The area where I live is mostly city driving lots of stop lights and traffic . I don't plan on any racing just want a nice ride to cruise around town to the beach .
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Posted on: 2011/2/19 17:46
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| flyboy | Re: What would you do with this $$ | ||
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Make it look and run like new.
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Posted on: 2011/2/19 18:13
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'91coupe, LT4Hotcam, some other stuff. If it's too loud, you're too old. "He works on old cars, then junks 'em" |
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| Matatk | Re: What would you do with this $$ | ||
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Then I guess I'm confused as to what advice you need? If your motor runs well as it is now, I'd just leave it. Fresh fluids, plugs, wires, basic tune up stuff and drive it  Matthew |
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Posted on: 2011/2/19 21:05
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2002 EBM convertible, Magnusson supercharger, cam, headers, etc. 1989 Corvette...RIP |
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| Ultraman | Re: What would you do with this $$ | ||
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2015 Memorial Day Car Show Winner!
 
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I have a 90 also and it has less miles. It runs well has good stock power (see Ultra's Dyno Runs thread)but I want to get all I can out of the stock engine. That means opening up the exaust and eventually unrestrict the intake side.
If done right there may be 40 to 50 hp to gain if all goes well. That's just my idea of what I want and I will have about 1500 in the exhaust and about the same I hope in the top side. No cam no head work just letting what Chevy made do it's job. If I was smarter I would be able to post the link to that thread but alas, I am not. Maybe someone would give me a hand with that. Good luck with your project. Lot's of info here at the Guru. |
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Posted on: 2011/2/19 22:57
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2010 Grand Sport Coupe Gone but not forgotten... Vote DeSantis in 2024.... Make the IRS go away... |
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| 62panshovel | Re: What would you do with this $$ | ||
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Sell the c4 and buy a C5... I saw one this weekend for 13. I fear that may be my next endeavor.
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Posted on: 2011/2/20 1:52
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| Matatk | Re: What would you do with this $$ | ||
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 So sell his fine running 90 for a possible money pit beat on c5 for 13k? Doesn't make sense to me. Unless there is something cosmetic you want to change, new radio, etc, just keep it mechanically running well and enjoy. Matthew |
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Posted on: 2011/2/20 16:27
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2002 EBM convertible, Magnusson supercharger, cam, headers, etc. 1989 Corvette...RIP |
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| biggrizzly | Re: What would you do with this $$ | ||
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2011 Memorial Day Car Show Winner!
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I'm with Matt and the others on this subject as well. If the car runs well and your satisfied with the performance I'd leave that part of the equation alone. Maybe do some general maintenance and clean-up of the engine and some added bling might make you smile.
If there is something on the car that you feel is less than perfect like interior seating or audio system or event the exterior paint might need some attention. $3500 could get you one or two of the following cool things for your 1990. Paint Interior Seating Audio Headers/exhaust (I don't know if they will help a stock L98) Wheels & Tires Suspension/ shocks / coilovers etc. Engine Bling Nice looking girl for the passenger seat! I'd just look for the thing that bugs me the most and attend to that first |
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Posted on: 2011/2/20 18:00
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Don Haller Corvette Club of America 94Coupe, 383Stroka, PeteK Trans, 3000stall, 3.54rear, Konis and bigger sways. |
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| Josh | Re: What would you do with this $$ | ||
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If it were me, I'd probably do headers and nitrous. You don't say if the car is an auto or stick, but a converter is another great mod for automatic cars.
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Posted on: 2011/2/20 18:49
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| RobertT | Re: What would you do with this $$ | ||
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OK , THANKS FOR THE INPUT . I just thought I would put it out there . I do have a laundry list of things , but just wanted to see if there are any must do changes to these cars before I tackle my "want to list " .
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Posted on: 2011/2/20 23:53
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| sixstring1 | Re: What would you do with this $$ | ||
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drive it until the wheels fall off.. Then rebuild what is broken..I read all these stories of people hopping up the engine to have nothing but trouble.tune codes bad idle etc.. They scared me away from installing gm hot cam and port polish heads..The best thing i have read and i am a newb is put long tube headers on it from melrose or arh..get around 20-25 rwhp and no mechanical woes..and the open airbox k and n filter. or the slp claw.good luck post what you are doing I would like to know..
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Posted on: 2011/2/21 20:23
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| biggrizzly | Re: What would you do with this $$ | ||
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2011 Memorial Day Car Show Winner!
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Well... Robert has a TPI engine (L98) versus the (LT1) and the both react differently to modifications. The L98 has a more restictive intake system making it less responsive to headers until the intake bottle neck is openend up. So, headers are not always the first thing to jump into on the TPI motor. LT headers on an LT1/4 are good for the investment, but probably better is rear gears if your car has base level rear axle ratio. Also for A4 guys a higher stall converter is an easy mod that will give a little more SOTP feel on acceleration.
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Posted on: 2011/2/21 20:38
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Don Haller Corvette Club of America 94Coupe, 383Stroka, PeteK Trans, 3000stall, 3.54rear, Konis and bigger sways. |
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| Jeffvette | Re: What would you do with this $$ | ||
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A few years ago a C5 at 13k would be a high high mileage beat to shit car with issues. Now, it gets a fairly decent ride with some miles. You can poke into a C5 Z06 for 17 now. |
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Posted on: 2011/3/1 5:11
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| Matatk | Re: What would you do with this $$ | ||
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Jeff - I agree with you that deals can be found. But there aren't too many 12 year old cars that don't need some maintenance. And a Z06...show me one that wasn't abused a little for 17k...granted you might find the needle in the haystack deal, but those are much more rare than the average car you'll find that needs maintenance.
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Posted on: 2011/3/1 13:58
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2002 EBM convertible, Magnusson supercharger, cam, headers, etc. 1989 Corvette...RIP |
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| Jeffvette | Re: What would you do with this $$ | ||
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Not to far off. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBa ... &_rdc=1&item=170605896452 Several that stall out at bidding at 15k. And not sold. |
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Posted on: 2011/3/1 23:30
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| RobertT | Re: What would you do with this $$ | ||
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I agree that selling the car is not the best move . If I had
the money to buy a good C5 i would do it . I like the car and the smart thing to do is fix what needs it and just have fun .. isn't that what it is all supposed to be about . it does need an exhaust and I am going to install a good audio system , and check and replace engine components that need it . |
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Posted on: 2011/3/1 23:35
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| BillH | Re: What would you do with this $$ | ||
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One of my students brought one to the track (and this was last summer), 34k miles, showroom condition (really) for $19k. |
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Posted on: 2011/3/1 23:37
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| Matatk | Re: What would you do with this $$ | ||
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That sold for 19,309 for an 01 z06 with low miles. Great deal if you ask me. But 19 is a far cry from 13 when you are on a budget. That's like saying a 6,000 c4 is the same as a 13,000 c4...it's not. But this has skewed off topic. I think Robert has the right idea...new exhaust, new tunes, and a new appreciation of the car! |
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Posted on: 2011/3/2 3:26
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2002 EBM convertible, Magnusson supercharger, cam, headers, etc. 1989 Corvette...RIP |
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| Jeffvette | Re: What would you do with this $$ | ||
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You asked for a Z06 around 17. I got close with a good car. Here is 13,500 C5.... Opinion? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBa ... iewItem&item=330531910622 |
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Posted on: 2011/3/2 3:39
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