Drive it or ship it??
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 526
Likes: 1
From: Millington TN
Drive it or ship it??
So the Navy is sending me from New Orleans to Japan. I'm not gonna take the Vette. Instead I will store it in my fathers garage in the DC area. I'm sure she will get planty of excersize and love. I'm trying to decide if I want to drive it to DC, or have it shipped. I've got a T&L 383 motor and I'm not sure the gear ratio. I thought I had 355's in there but after a tach replacement and new tach drive cable I'm turning between 3500 and 3600 in 4th at about 70 and around 4000 at 80. About 500 RPM higher than it was indicating before. I'm not sure I have the time to put in a Keisler and wait for the driveshaft before I go. My buddy had to wait several weeks for his driveshaft to arrive after he had time to do the install. Time is not a luxury for me. So I have two things to consider.
A- Wear and tear on the motor. 17 hours and 1100 miles at 3500-4000 RPM(70-80mph). Ouch?
B- Cost of gas to drive vs. having it shipped. Work the extra to save on the wear and tear on the motor? Of course I am assuming that it will be more expensive to ship than drive.
What do you guys think? Your thoughts are welcome!
-CR
A- Wear and tear on the motor. 17 hours and 1100 miles at 3500-4000 RPM(70-80mph). Ouch?
B- Cost of gas to drive vs. having it shipped. Work the extra to save on the wear and tear on the motor? Of course I am assuming that it will be more expensive to ship than drive.
What do you guys think? Your thoughts are welcome!
-CR
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 779
Likes: 0
From: San Bruno California
I'm in the S.F bay area and shipped my daughters honda crv to Florida and it cost me $1,200 open trailer. So it might be less expensive from New Orleans to D.C. I think. I also think if you drive it taching 3-4,000 rpms, you might get tired of it. The tank is small so the fill ups will be often and expensive running super. It would be fun for alittle bit but 17 hours give or take is one long drive. I have 3.90 in the rear and I was tachng about 3,000rpms going around 65mph give or take. I mostly stay in the slow lane because all these little cars are just zipping by me. I just put in a 5sp from Classic Chevy 5 and now going 70mph i'm taching 2,000rpm. Now i can keep up with those little buggers. But given the time constraint and the stress of waiting for the parts, not worth the stress. If you drive it, what if it breaks down and you can't fix it? Have to look for a shop, tow the rest of the way? Me, and that's just me, I would ship it alittle early and get there early so you can drive it around there before you ship out. No worries. Go Navy! Tony
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 15,115
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From: Salt Lake City Utah
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Just moved 1150 miles from KC to Salt Lake City and had my 81 shipped, easy decision as the company paid for it, ran about $2k in a covered classic car carrier. I drove our 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee out here and it was EXPENSIVE, can't imagine the vette would be any cheaper, at least the Jeep runs on regular. I think that would be a tough drive on you, I know my car is not comfortable enough to drive that far. Plus, I wouldn't want to put that kind of wear on the drive train, but that's just me talking.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Contact some national home mover companies. They can put your car in the trailer on a short load going from Louisiana to DC area. It won't be as expensive as you think if they have a 'short load' [since timing is not critical]. Good luck.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 15,115
Likes: 283
From: Salt Lake City Utah
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
When we moved I had our other car a 2006 Ford Taurus shipped on the moving van, rubbed paint off the car in two spots. This is the second time I've done it and had the same results both times. I would be careful about sending your car on a moving van, to them it's just like shipping a couch and will be treated as such.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 6
From: Lake Arrowhead - Georgia > 72 Base Coupe & 74 BB Roadster
Ship it.......do a search for M3 Auto Carriers.
They moved a 74 for me 2 years ago.....good price....good job.
Enjoy Japan.........
They moved a 74 for me 2 years ago.....good price....good job.
Enjoy Japan.........
Last edited by fotyfobravo; Jul 5, 2008 at 07:56 PM.
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: San Diego California
With all other factors being equal (particularly cost), I would drive that baby! I have driven my '70 from Buckfield, Maine to Kansas City, MO and from Kansas City, MO to San Diego, CA, via a Route 66 recreation from Joplin, MO onward when I moved out west. Rarely do you get a chance, or a reason, to do a serious road trip with your Corvette (especially once you get married!). Map out a trail, find a couple of off highway windy road diversions and - most importantly - get a AAA platinum road service plan (got to be realistic), and get it more than a week in advance, as platinum features take that long before they kick in.
This is all under the assumption that you are confident in your car's ability to be road worthy. My RPM's where at that rate through each of my trips and I had no problems (at least not with the engine). Again, each car is different.
And another thing, take a camera. Trust me, you'll be glad you did (like my avatar - pulled over on Route 66 coming out of Baxter Springs, KS). There is always something you will want to capture along the way as a reminder.
Interested in what you decide to do...and safe travels!
Joel
This is all under the assumption that you are confident in your car's ability to be road worthy. My RPM's where at that rate through each of my trips and I had no problems (at least not with the engine). Again, each car is different.
And another thing, take a camera. Trust me, you'll be glad you did (like my avatar - pulled over on Route 66 coming out of Baxter Springs, KS). There is always something you will want to capture along the way as a reminder.
Interested in what you decide to do...and safe travels!
Joel
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 45
From: Cameron Park CA
Nowadays we're all conditioned to think that running along with the engine spinning at 3K or so is hard on the engine. But remember, these cars were designed and built to be driven like that back in the day.
Like Typical CPA said, a chance to take a road trip (especially in a Corvette) rarely comes along. If the car is in good shape, and you have the time, drive that puppy! And don't forget to take a camera.
Cheers,
Pete
Like Typical CPA said, a chance to take a road trip (especially in a Corvette) rarely comes along. If the car is in good shape, and you have the time, drive that puppy! And don't forget to take a camera.
Cheers,
Pete
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4,206
Likes: 8
From: Belmar NJ
DRIVE IT! Japan is along ways away so you two won't be together for some time. Take an extra day or two and figure out a route that incorporates the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive. Stay off the interstates and ENJOY IT! /:\
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 809
Likes: 8
From: brewster NY
See the world join the Navy, my brother is in the Marines and moves
every three years so I've helped him move his cars plenty of times
driven cross country three times. Loved it,the vett was the most fun
it was a time to remeber. DO IT you won't regret it.
every three years so I've helped him move his cars plenty of times
driven cross country three times. Loved it,the vett was the most fun
it was a time to remeber. DO IT you won't regret it.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
If you decided to ship it, see if it can be done on the Navy's dime, not yours. They are sending you to Japan, they should be accommodating to reasonable requests about your property. You can go to your Post Transportation Office and ask what they can do for you. From my personal experience, skip the nice people at the desks and ask to see the Manager of the office. Much better results. 
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 526
Likes: 1
From: Millington TN
Good idea about seeing if the Navy will cover it Blackfoot. My fathers address is also my home of record so there might be something to that. If I do drive it then I will definately have the camera and the camcorder with me. The lack of AC will suck but that's why the T-Tops rear window come out. I've been leaning towards driving. The car is in good shape, I did the motor swap myself so what could possibly go wrong? 
Plus if I drive towards TN maybe I could stop near Tail Of The Dragon. 
So if you see us don't forget to wave!
Plus if I drive towards TN maybe I could stop near Tail Of The Dragon. So if you see us don't forget to wave!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 1
From: Liberty Missouri
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: Lake Geneva WI
For the money you will spend I'd say rent a trailer and bring it down yourself. You'll likely spend the same or less and be able to see your dad. Do you have to ship off from NO, or can you fly back out of DC?
Whatever you do, be safe, and thank you so much for serving!!!
Whatever you do, be safe, and thank you so much for serving!!!
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,189
Likes: 206
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C3 of Year
C Reichow when are you leaving? The reason I ask is I might be trailering a car from PA to Atlanta, and will have an empty enclosed trailer on the way back to PA. The buyer has been trying to find someone looking to ship a car north to off set the cost. Nothing is confirmed but this might tip the scale for him. Let me know I pass it along if it might work for you,
Kevin