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Old Sep 29, 2006 | 11:01 PM
  #1  
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Default Saying Hi!

I've been trolling the classifieds for a couple weeks, but finally thought I'd put a post up here and say hello to everyone.

I'm Jim, from Yorkville, IL, 48 years young, married with 3 boys.

I've had 4 vette's, a 69 350-350 4 speed when much younger, and 2 C4's and a C5 I bought new in the 90's.

In 99, I sold my 98 c5 and bought a 68 camaro vert, which has occupied my last 7 years in the garage. 2 years ago, I painted her back to the original Lemans blue, dressed her as an SS, and replaced the interior. Last year I rebuilt the original 327, strangely it displaced 383 when it went back in, and added a tko500 trans. Her story is here: http://home.comcast.net/~Jimragtop

This past July, the vert and I did a 3000 mile run to Billings, Montana.

I spend a good part of my free time at Team Camaro, where I moderate electrical and copo.

Lately I've had the urge to wrap myself in plastic again. The C4 has always been my favorite, and I'm hoping to soon find an LT1-auto-loaded coupe in polo green to be my latest daily driver.

Jim
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Old Sep 29, 2006 | 11:52 PM
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Hello - try this site: www.corvettetrader.com
Good luck - nice choice!
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Old Sep 30, 2006 | 12:53 AM
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Welcome Back

Sounds like you know what you're getting yourself into.

Gary
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Old Sep 30, 2006 | 01:01 AM
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Hey Jim.

a quick question;
383 from a bored out 327? Shouldn't that have come out as a 355?

Anyway, good luck in your search, but do consider the more manly Manual tranny. Afterall, you got 3 boys who're going to be fighting over it for inheritance, right?

My 17 year old daughter already wants her next car to have a manual, she now has an automatic Sunfire.
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Old Sep 30, 2006 | 07:12 AM
  #5  
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welcome aboard.
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Old Sep 30, 2006 | 07:57 AM
  #6  
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Welcome aboard, Jim,

I 'spect the rest of us might be able to learn a thing or two from you.
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Old Sep 30, 2006 | 08:30 AM
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Originally Posted by AILERON
Welcome aboard, Jim,

I 'spect the rest of us might be able to learn a thing or two from you.
What he said.
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Old Sep 30, 2006 | 08:45 AM
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Welcome aboard! Sound like what you want, I'm now driving.
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Old Sep 30, 2006 | 08:51 AM
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Good to hear from you!
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Old Sep 30, 2006 | 09:51 AM
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Hello!
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Old Sep 30, 2006 | 09:57 AM
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A polo LT1 coupe, huh? A man after my own heart! Welcome to the fold and you should be able to find a very nice example for a reasonable price these days. That Camaro sounds sweet and I'll bet that 383 really woke her up.
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Old Sep 30, 2006 | 12:25 PM
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Welcome to the C4 group!
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Old Sep 30, 2006 | 12:49 PM
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Thanks a bunch for the warm welcomes guys!

As for the manual/auto question, I do prefer to row my own, no doubt about that, but parts of my sneaky plan to free the $$$ from the "wife police" is to offer to let both her and #2 son (to be a newly licensed driver in just over a year) have the keys everyonce ina while, and they demand an auto. Sometimes compromise is best.

The 327 turned into a 383 with a .030 overbore (for cleanup only) and a scat 9000 3.75" stroke crank, with 6" capscrew rods and SRP forged pistons. It all fit nicely with only minor grinding. If anyone wants details for thier own project or curiosity, shoot me a pm and I'll send you some links. Being new here, not sure how they feel about direct linking to another forum.

As far as learning anything from me, well yes, I know my way around a 40 year old camaro with the best of them, but that's a long way from a mid-90's corvette. 3 of my vette's were just stock drivers, dealer serviced, I never laid a wrench to them. This one will be different (lots different) and I plan to learn a lot from you guys on how to deal with a computer controlled car that's so tightly packaged you can't even see the bolts much less reach them!

Thanks again,

Jim
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Old Sep 30, 2006 | 01:42 PM
  #14  
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Welcome aboard and good luck with the hunt.
I had a 68 Camaro that i said i would never sell Miss her
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Old Sep 30, 2006 | 05:55 PM
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
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Originally Posted by JimMel

As far as learning anything from me, well yes, I know my way around a 40 year old camaro with the best of them, but that's a long way from a mid-90's corvette. 3 of my vette's were just stock drivers, dealer serviced, I never laid a wrench to them. This one will be different (lots different) and I plan to learn a lot from you guys on how to deal with a computer controlled car that's so tightly packaged you can't even see the bolts much less reach them!

Thanks again,

Jim
Actually, you'll find the LT1 Vette not too hard to work on, especially considering your obvious experience. Compared to the same engine in the '93-'97 F bodies, it's a breeze. I've torn into mine several times for improvements and each time it got easier. There are a few quirks, tricks you'll need to know and etc. But with the knowledge base here and your experience, you should have no major problems.
If possible, I'd recommend a '95 or '96. They have the improved opti design, slighty better electronics (engine management) overall and other refinements. Plus, according to our transmission guru here, PeteK, the 4L60E is actually simpler to rebuild than the 700R due to fewer mechanical parts. These cars as a whole just got better with age, right to the end of the C4 era.
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