Low-Mileage Engine Failure Turns Lemons Into Lemonade
You’d think buying a 2014 C7 with less than 8,000 miles would be safe.
When it comes to great attitudes, Corvette Forum member “LT1pwrd’94“probably has the best we’ve seen. Initially posting in the thread with a seized motor, LT1pwrd’94 described his ordeal.
With 7,190 miles, LT1pwrd’94 was driving at normal cruising speeds, noting he’d barely even exceed 3,500 rpm. About 10 miles into the drive, he experienced a loss of power, an increase in valvetrain noise, and ultimately a complete engine failure.
Here’s the problem: the car was modified.
Buying a modified used car poses its own problems, and this 2014 Z51 coupe already had long-tube headers, high-flow catalytic converters and an x-pipe. And after an inspection by a GM dealer, it was found to have a tune. Warranty voided.
Due to the purchase being from a small, independent dealer, there’s not much room to go back for any monetary compensation, either. That’s when the attitude of LT1pwrd’94 really shined through. Instead of throwing in the towel of defeat after the engine failure, he’s going to build the engine that he really wants for his C7.
From what we’ve last seen, a TSP long block has been ordered, with CNC heads. Flow to those heads is helped by a ported throttle body and intake. Flow out of the heads will be by long-tube headers and managed by a mild cam. From what we see, that’s a 500+ horsepower package. That’s a great outcome for what otherwise could have been a thread just filled with complaints.
