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Lads --
I've been wondering if anyone with a '63-'64-'65 Vette with the old Rochester Fuel Injection unit still drives the car just for the sheer pleasure of banging the gears through the "quarter" or on a winding mountain road? Of course, I never would expect one that even approached the NCRS concours level to be out there on the highway, but are there any others out there that are simply flogged like we old guys used to do with them back in the 1960s?
Joe Godec
Joe - Welcome to the Corvette Forum. I don't own a Fuelie but if I did...and still lived 40 minutes from Sears Point Raceway (newer name Sonoma Raceway), I know I'd be taking it for a run down the quarter mile. I did that with some
of my other cars when I lived in Sonoma County. It'll be interesting to see what sorta responses you get to your question.
Mike T - Prescott AZ
No one drives their 63-65 fuelies. They are all hermetically sealed and only put on display for special occasions….but only for 15 minutes and no speaking or taking photos in their presence….Similar to the rules at the Sistine Chapel.
57-62 Fuelies are no issues and lots drive them around.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared))
2019 C1 of Year Finalist (track prepared)
Welcome, Joe!
I know that you didn't ask about the older fuelies, but I drive my '57 FI for fun whenever the arctic weather in Minnesota allows. I even flog it a bit, though I try to go easy on the original engine. Only around 42,000 miles on it, but it was seriously flogged in the '50's and '60's.
You singled out fuelies as if there is something frail or deserving of special handling about the FI units. Their isn't. The engineering which went into the development of the FI units was robust. The mechanisms within the FI units are reliable. There is no reason at all to "pamper" a correctly rebuilt and properly calibrated FI unit. None. Zip. Nada....
I drive my '63 Z06 and '64 Z06 optioned one quite a bit. The '63 has a 4.56 rear end, so I usually get it near redline for shifts......nothing like it.
I try to break the crank on my 63 fuel coupe every time I drive it.
You bring up a great point..... It's the build of the engine, most particularly the bottom end, which determines the wisdom of winding to redline. The FI unit absolutely does not care one way or another. It will happily go along with whatever you want to do.
Joe, first of all, don't let anyone mess with your FI unit without first checking on this site to find the most Rochester Fuel Injection knowledgeable person in your area. One mis-informed tinkerer can create havoc in how well, (or not) your FI Corvette performs.
Gary
About the drag racing: There used to be some Corvette Events, Corvette Homecoming at Beach Bend KY, NCM partnered with Beach Bend for some All-Corvette drag racing time. IRP also had some times where you could run against other Corvettes. These were well attended with run whatever Corvette you lined up with. Some great times running against my daughters LT-1 and my son's C4. Black Hills Corvette Classic still has Corvette drags and autocross competition if you want to see or participate in those events.
It's been awhile since I ran my car but would not hesitate to do it again if presented with the opportunity in an all-Corvette setting.
Gary
No one drives their 63-65 fuelies. They are all hermetically sealed and only put on display for special occasions….but only for 15 minutes and no speaking or taking photos in their presence….Similar to the rules at the Sistine Chapel.
57-62 Fuelies are no issues and lots drive them around.
I drive my 63 FI car 600--800 miles per year. Is that a lot? I don't know. I used to run it at the Vintage Thunder drag races at Cecil County Dragway when I lived in Maryland.
Now I drive it mainly to car shows and cruise-ins.
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