New guy here
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
New guy here
Hi, my name is Thomas. My dad bought a 1981 Red on Red Corvette a month or two ago. I figured I'd sign up so I could have a group of guys that could help me out with future questions and have someone to "brag" (if i even can...) to.From what the previous owner told me (i went with my dad to pick up the car), all the bushings have been replaced, the motor rebuilt about 3k ago, and had a fresh coat of paint laid down soon after he came to own it. The car is nice but isn't perfect. It's the kind of car that you can stand a couple of feet away from and say thats nice, though, as soon as you look at it real close it has some flaws. It has 85k miles on it (according to the odometer).
plans for the car: about to have an exhaust put on. line lock (for the occasional smoke show), maintenance of course.
(my) dream for the car: stock exterior/mostly stock interior with a warmed up motor/ transmission with something near 400hp. nothing special, just a little faster.
p.s. I also signed up on behalf of my dad who is technologically challenged (that would be an understatement).
plans for the car: about to have an exhaust put on. line lock (for the occasional smoke show), maintenance of course.
(my) dream for the car: stock exterior/mostly stock interior with a warmed up motor/ transmission with something near 400hp. nothing special, just a little faster.
p.s. I also signed up on behalf of my dad who is technologically challenged (that would be an understatement).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 926
Likes: 2
From: Castle Rock CO
Well you can always brag and it will not be held against you because we all love these cars and it is some what about showing our toys 
Mainly about asking questions and getting answers is what I have used this site for. I got answers I would not have known on questions I have had and members are great to show a passion for cars we love.
Welcome.
Mainly about asking questions and getting answers is what I have used this site for. I got answers I would not have known on questions I have had and members are great to show a passion for cars we love.Welcome.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: MISSISSAUGA ONTARIO
Looks like a nice car.Congrads. On the new family car,if you are looking for 409 hp.its doable but it will take a bit of cash.You have certainly come to the right place though,and by the way the paint and body stuff is way more expensive than the engine mods. You plan.Cheers Eric
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,215
Likes: 1
From: Orlando FL
welcome, congrats on car. My kids tell me I am technologically challenged as well. Not sure a line lock would be my first mod? I would make sure that the car is 100% mechanically sound before anything else.
I have bought and sold a lot of cars over the years.
1 fact you should know and that's how to tell if lies are being told during a car sale transaction
That is ---if the peoples lips are moving!!
LOL
seriously, validate the info on the car by going over it and then once it is 100%, then you can mod it.
Nice car, have fun
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
well, I did a little looking under the car during the sale. so I can confirm that the suspension is in good condition (maybe not new, but pretty close to it). the engine, im not so sure about. the paint is definetely new but not a very good job. interior is better than most of my personal cars so that will stay the way it is. brakes and steering felt pretty fresh so thats good for now. The car is definitely not new, but it is in good pretty good condition. So worst case I'll need a motor and transmission rebuild. right now its at the mechanics to diagnose an issue with shaking/stalling. Any ideas?
Last edited by maynanator; May 1, 2013 at 10:08 AM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: candler nc
very nice looking ride! i like the idea of the line lock. probably safer than foot braking it . being a young guy in a red corvette, if i were your around your age, id wanna light em up, too! i assume your a pretty young fellow. get the keys and blessing from good ol dad, take the tops out, driver her to school and be the kid that gets all the a**!
have a ball and enjoy it!
billy
have a ball and enjoy it!
billy
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette
Pouria Savadkouei
Racer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 383
Likes: 21
From: Greenville Ohio
Hi Thomas.... Oh, I thought we were at a "CA" (Corvette Anonymous) meeting and you wanted us to talk you out of spending money on cool parts. Well, that ain't going to happen cause' your now in the same boat with the rest of us. Congrats on the new car and welcome to the forum.
Eric
Eric
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
Well, Got news from the mechanic: 0 compression in cylinder number 5. They said they don't have the tools to fix it and said they know someone who can. Im going to pick up the car tomorrow afternoon and pull the valve covers off to see if it might be a valve spring, if its something more severe, my dad gave the go ahead for a top end kit and cam. One way, the car is back to factory spec running condition in a few days; other way, I'll get around to hopping it up quicker than expected. So, lets say that the top end kit is going on... what cam would give a nice bit of lope with some good performance while still being mild enough for 9.2:1 compression and a stock converter?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
Update on the Corvette. Its a burnt exhaust valve. Talked to my dad and decided to go ahead and fix up the vette. So far the parts list goes:
-59cc aluminum 210cc runner fully assembled heads
-Edelbrock 1406 600 cfm carb
-Hei distributor
-2800 stall converter
-Comp cams magnum roller rockers
-summit stage 2 intake manifold (1500-6700 rpm)
-ceramic coated longtube headers
-Lunati Voodoo 276/284 cam and lifter kit
-Classic chambered short chambered mufflers
-modified governer (ill be doing this myself)
I'll be putting everything on over summer. If anyone has some recommendations as far as different parts, or other parts to add to the list I will gladly take them into consideration.
also should i get a standalone trans cooler for the car?
I'll make sure to get plenty of pictures of the build.
-59cc aluminum 210cc runner fully assembled heads
-Edelbrock 1406 600 cfm carb
-Hei distributor
-2800 stall converter
-Comp cams magnum roller rockers
-summit stage 2 intake manifold (1500-6700 rpm)
-ceramic coated longtube headers
-Lunati Voodoo 276/284 cam and lifter kit
-Classic chambered short chambered mufflers
-modified governer (ill be doing this myself)
I'll be putting everything on over summer. If anyone has some recommendations as far as different parts, or other parts to add to the list I will gladly take them into consideration.
also should i get a standalone trans cooler for the car?
I'll make sure to get plenty of pictures of the build.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,705
Likes: 983
From: Orlando FL
Congrats on the new Corvette! Don`t worry about "flaws"...... the only car you will ever see WITHOUT any flaws will be in a museum. (The only exception would be Alan`s car!)
Cars without flaws are never driven!
I`d rather have a half dozen "nice" cars, than one "perfect" car any day!
Cars without flaws are never driven!
I`d rather have a half dozen "nice" cars, than one "perfect" car any day!
Last edited by oldgto; May 18, 2013 at 07:36 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
thanks everyone.
to my 76 ray, I know I already have one, but it's electronically controlled. I'm getting rid of the computer while the car is apart, thus I need a new distributor.
to my 76 ray, I know I already have one, but it's electronically controlled. I'm getting rid of the computer while the car is apart, thus I need a new distributor.
