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| j3studio | [Another C4 Thought Experiment] Increasing Long Range Comfort | ||
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Elite Guru
 
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What are folks thoughts on increasing long range travel comfort in a C4 while remaining reasonably stock? In other words, what parts could I replace on an almost 29 year old car that will yield the greatest return? Some thoughts, in no particular order: 1) Shocks (Delco-Bilstein) and tires (BFGoodrich) are relatively new. 2) An alignment was performed earlier this year by the experts in the area. 3) I was hyped on replacing the (probably orginal) rubber bushings until Central Coaster told me they would help the car handle better but would be substantially less comfortable. 4) I intend to get the Solar Shades that Guru vendor Mid America offers to keep the heat down. http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette?frame=3.704 5) Air conditioning is fully charged, with no leaks. |
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Posted on: 2013/8/4 19:13
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| bogus | Re: [Another C4 Thought Experiment] Increasing Long Range Comfort | ||
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Grand Imperial Pooh-Bah
 
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the rest depends on maintence history.
go to your prior thread and check my list compared to your work already... start there... |
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Posted on: 2013/8/5 0:47
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| bogus | Re: [Another C4 Thought Experiment] Increasing Long Range Comfort | ||
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Grand Imperial Pooh-Bah
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btw, the banski setup will not hurt ride quality. if anything, it improves it by freeing up the suspension.
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Posted on: 2013/8/5 0:52
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| bogus | Re: [Another C4 Thought Experiment] Increasing Long Range Comfort | ||
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Grand Imperial Pooh-Bah
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a few more thoughts...
I would pull out the seats and carpet, and put down a layer of insulation on the floor and trans tunnel. Also, there is a specific heat wrap material available for over the trans under the car. It sticks to the hump from the underside. Pretty much anything that can be done to improve cabin quiet and cool will help tons. Also, does your car have the heavy duty cooling system? If so, that means it has a oil "cooler". It uses coolant to keep the oil temp down. A small heat exchanger exists as the oil filter housing. Come to think of it, they all may have this. However, there are several hoses that connect all of that together. I would replace them. Pressure wash the engine, clean engines run cooler, less goo to trap heat. Replace any rubber vacuum hose you can see... they are getting brittle with age, and usage may cause them to fail. |
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Posted on: 2013/8/5 19:23
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| j3studio | Re: [Another C4 Thought Experiment] Increasing Long Range Comfort | ||
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Elite Guru
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Quote: bogus wrote: Good stuff, Andy, thanks!
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Posted on: 2013/8/5 22:27
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| BillH | Re: [Another C4 Thought Experiment] Increasing Long Range Comfort | ||
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The Stig Moderator
 
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Pressure wash an engine that has 85 electronics and wiring?
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Posted on: 2013/8/5 22:50
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| bogus | Re: [Another C4 Thought Experiment] Increasing Long Range Comfort | ||
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Grand Imperial Pooh-Bah
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hell yea.
if there is going to be a wiring related failure, find it now and not somewhere in the middle of who knows where... in the middle of a pouring rain. |
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Posted on: 2013/8/6 0:24
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| BillH | Re: [Another C4 Thought Experiment] Increasing Long Range Comfort | ||
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The Stig Moderator
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If you want.
I NEVER powerwash an engine that's in the car. Just a dumb thing to do. |
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Posted on: 2013/8/6 0:37
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| BillH | Re: [Another C4 Thought Experiment] Increasing Long Range Comfort | ||
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The Stig Moderator
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So, for your trip, you need to repair or purchase:
Head gaskets Transmission rebuild/flush Replace all belts and hoses Flush coolant change oil, replace alternator replace all ujoints. replace all wheel bearings. Service brakes. replace radiator replace cooling fan motor(s) recharge AC flush ps fluid replace all exterior bulbs replace all 8 main injectors new air filter replace heater core new water pump complete tune-up (plugs/cap/wires/rotor) new fuel pump new fuel filter Install a trailer hitch Install the banski rear suspension. New shocks Install an oil cooler Change all the vacuum lines. Buy a trailer and haul: Serp belt * serp belt tool * duct tape * 2 rolls, electrical tape * assortment of fuses * Battery jump box * assorted hand tools * fix-a-flat and a puncture repair kit * 12v air compressor * can of brake fluid * 2 quarts of oil * gallon of 50/50 coolant * gallon of distilled water 10 gallons of gas A gun A satellite phone. You could put price guesses on these just for fun and add up the cost of driving the equivalent distance of ONE OIL CHANGE.  |
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Posted on: 2013/8/6 1:45
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| Calm | Re: [Another C4 Thought Experiment] Increasing Long Range Comfort | ||
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Senior Guru
 
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FINALLY someone said it!
'course it was Bill....but whatever.  |
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Posted on: 2013/8/6 3:20
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| j3studio | Re: [Another C4 Thought Experiment] Increasing Long Range Comfort | ||
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Elite Guru
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Quote: BillH wrote: [Edited for markup, with bold for done, and italics for partially done] Head gaskets Transmission rebuild/flush Replace all belts and hoses Flush coolant change oil Replace alternator [2004] Replace all ujoints [should definitely do anyway] Replace all wheel bearings [should probably do anyway] Service brakes [2010] Replace radiator Replace cooling fan motor(s) Recharge AC [2010] Flush ps fluid [2010] Replace all exterior bulbs [2011] Replace all 8 main injectors [2009] New air filter [2010] Replace heater core [Nooooo!] New water pump [2011] Complete tune-up (plugs/cap/wires/rotor) [2010] New fuel pump New fuel filter [2009] Install a trailer hitch Install the banski rear suspension New shocks [2005] Install an oil cooler [part of the Z51 in 1985] Change all the vacuum lines. Buy a trailer and haul: * Serp belt * Serp belt tool [good idea] * duct tape * 2 rolls, electrical tape * Assortment of fuses * Battery jump box [I bought the one BillH suggested] * Assorted hand tools * fix-a-flat and a puncture repair kit * 12v air compressor * can of brake fluid * 2 quarts of oil [I carry 1 quart all the time] * gallon of 50/50 coolant * gallon of distilled water * 10 gallons of gas * a gun [I haven't had one for years] * a satellite phone Short form: it sounds like a ton of stuff, but I've done the maintenance or am carrying a lot of the stuff already. |
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Posted on: 2013/8/6 12:34
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| BillH | Re: [Another C4 Thought Experiment] Increasing Long Range Comfort | ||
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The Stig Moderator
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Quote:
That's the jest of it, if you've kept up the maintenance, just fill the gas tank and take your trip. |
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Posted on: 2013/8/6 12:58
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| bogus | Re: [Another C4 Thought Experiment] Increasing Long Range Comfort | ||
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Grand Imperial Pooh-Bah
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that and the fact that bill cut/paste my list...
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Posted on: 2013/8/6 14:09
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| pianoguy | Re: [Another C4 Thought Experiment] Increasing Long Range Comfort | ||
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Guru Emeritus
 
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I would resist any temptation to use a rooftop luggage carrier:
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Posted on: 2013/8/6 18:43
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| j3studio | Re: [Another C4 Thought Experiment] Increasing Long Range Comfort | ||
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Elite Guru
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Quote: pianoguy wrote:
We managed 13 days in 2008 with only what we could carry under the rear hatch - and we pack better now. |
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Posted on: 2013/8/6 19:51
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| bogus | Re: [Another C4 Thought Experiment] Increasing Long Range Comfort | ||
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Grand Imperial Pooh-Bah
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There is a lot of room in the hatch of a C4... a lot of room.
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Posted on: 2013/8/6 21:52
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The single biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place. - George Bernard Shaw Education is the best tool to overcome irrational fear. - me |
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| corvetteronw | Re: [Another C4 Thought Experiment] Increasing Long Range Comfort | ||
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Senior Guru
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There was an article in one of the Corvette rags a few years ago about a company that made electrical heating grids that would give you heated seats for those cold mornings.
You remove your seat covers and place these between the leather and the foam. They have them for the seat cushions and the backs too. A Google search might find the supplier for you. Do you have a satellite radio setup? I had XM in my old truck and loved to be able to listen to all the baseball and football games as I travelled. The only drawback is that you would lose the signal if tall mountain peaks or forests blocked out the satellite. XM also had stations that would perform plays such as mysteries, comedies, drama for you. My grandkids loved listening to the kids shows too. |
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Posted on: 2013/8/8 4:40
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| j3studio | Re: [Another C4 Thought Experiment] Increasing Long Range Comfort | ||
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Elite Guru
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Quote:
Thanks, Ron. |
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Posted on: 2013/8/8 21:18
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Grace, 2003 50th Anniversary Convertible |
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| bogus | Re: [Another C4 Thought Experiment] Increasing Long Range Comfort | ||
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Grand Imperial Pooh-Bah
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if you do sat radio, make sure the RF interface is direct through the antenna cable, not via a low level ground signal.
The low level signals do not work worth a damn. The direct via antenna interface is the only way to go. I am going to do bun warmers in both the Suburban and bastet44's Vette when I get back to working on it. |
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Posted on: 2013/8/9 16:54
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The single biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place. - George Bernard Shaw Education is the best tool to overcome irrational fear. - me |
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