enventr

Good luck - I hope that you can pass the California emissions test. Nice looking car

EVLGTO

Car already passed about a month ago. Also history shows its never failed. The LT4 cars had no egr system and were less suceptible to failing. My LT1 car on the other hand was labeled as a gross polluter last year. Still fixing smog issues with that one.

whalepirot

EVLGTO

So I headed back up 99 miles to the car lot today to do the paperwork for the lt4 car. I decided to take a deeper look at everything since it's was now running good. First thing I noticed was the oil pressure gauge was floating so low, the "Check gauges" light dimmed on and off. No bueno!!

So I told the sales guy I have been dealing with and he was frustrated. He asked what shall we do. I told him to have his mechanic change out the oil pressure sensor while I wait, he kindly agreed.

Sensor gets there and the mechanic changed it out. Oil pressure was doing the same thing. Floating about 5psi and almost less and idle and then about 25psi holding rpms at about 2200. So then I said we need to check true oil pressure with a mechanical gauge. His mechanic found an old school mechanical autometer gauge. He installed it, started the car and the pressure was the same.

I am at a standstill here. I walked away saying there is no way I am buying that car with that low oil pressure. I believe the previous owner also changed the sensor because the one we took out looked new.

The mechanic was baffled. He said he even let the car idle for 2 hours yesterday in 90f temps. Never overheated, ran/idled perfect. This car is so nice and clean, I would love to have it. But not with that issue. The car sounds super healthy. No knocking or valvetrain noise.

Thoughts????

Edit: I just called my local vette shop I use and the main tech said run like hell. Bearings are shot, car was probably run hard. The car did have Baer brakes(rotors, calipers, pads), short shifter, 3 core radiator and suspension lowered with sway bars and bilstein shocks.

mazdaverx7

Sounds like someone used the car for some autocross events and beat the snot out of it!

DinoBob

Run. Fast.

EVLGTO

That's what it sounds like to me. Doesn't autocross starve the LT1/4 motors of oil.

EVLGTO

I have been reading several threads around different LT1/4 forums that the small blocks vary in oil pressure. Guys running as lpw as 4psi-10 ay idle and 20-30 driving . Interesting.

antfarmer2

I would keep looking you will know when it's right

enventr

Plenty of vettes around keep looking. That sounded like problems down the road

EVLGTO

Look at factory oil pressure specs from the FSM. Interesting.

Whiteonrice

I bought a LT4 with 100k miles on it a couple of years ago I wound up putting in a new Opti a new set of roller lifters and a new water pump plus some other stuff in the 3k miles I owned it. One of the happier days of my life was when the new owner drove away in it. If you walk away it costs you very little. If you buy it it might work out or not.

I know what I would do.

EVLGTO

I think I'll walk away. Put some A Mold wheels on mine and maybe a power adder. I want more power. But getting a ragged out lt4 is not the the way to do it. I can make mine what I want it to be I guess. Plus I have the best color

AgentEran

Considering the lot knows they are in a hole with the car.. I wonder if they will considerably lower the price.. like sub 5k.

I really wonder if they will mention any of this to the next guy who comes to look at the car??

EVLGTO

That car is screwed Agent. That oil pressure was waaaaay low. Check gauges light would come on and off periodically. Revving to 5000 rpm and I only saw 25-30 psi max. This is with a mechanical oil pressure gauge connected directly to the engine.

If my engine blew right now in my C4, I'd get me a Golen 383 engine. If I bought the LT4 car and the engine blew, I'd be out 9k and now I would need another 5k for an engine. No thanks. rather get the Golen 383 when mine goes and it will smoke an LT4 car. 400hp/460tq, I'll take that over an LT4 any day.

I feel bad for the next guy. Because Ralph looked like he didn't even know that pressure was that low. It was a sweet car, but it actually needed more stuff than mine does for only having 81000 miles. Mine has 159k and it runs like a champ. Plus my oil pressure is at 30psi at idle fully warmed up and about 45-50 when I'm on it.

enventr

If you want more power you can always get a different new engine it will be cheaper than buying another car with possibly a lot of problems. Your car looks great

EVLGTO

Thanks for the compliment And you are correct! At least I know what my car needs and how it runs after putting some miles and time into it. Rather put the money into my car

enventr

BTW you can clean and polish your parking lights with water and the white rubbing compound or even toothpaste. I did mine and it looks great

EVLGTO

Damm thanks for the tip!!!!!

pologreen1

Just do gears, cam and heads on yours it will smoke a lt4. Zr1 is one thing. Lt4 is something but nothing too special.