I'm desperately seeking a true Corvette repair expert. It's been my experience that only one mechanic, the one that serviced the car exclusively for the first 6 years I owned it, can be called an expert. Since then the others I've tried have performed at varying stages of sub-par: incompetent, overworked, careless, etc. This has lead to unnecessary, costly repairs, and sloppy repairs that have necessitated other repairs down the road. This is definitely making a long story short, but I will spare you all the details. And don't get me started on the bums at body shops. There is no doubt that you are far better off if you can do the necessary repairs yourself. But for those that can't, does anyone care to recommend a favorite Corvette mechanic? I'm really at my wits end and will travel to NC or MD if warranted.

 

What are you looking to have repaired ?

 

I have heard good things about Zip Corvette in Mehanicsville Va. I visited their shop for the first time last week and they were really helpful and answered all my questions ( being I am a first time Vette owner ) they showed genuine interest in helping me. check them out.

 

the only ones that we have around here is Stallion Corvette in Va Beach, Cannon's in Moyoc, NC, and Tidewater Corvette in Newport News. I don't care for Stallion's prices, but i here they do good work, Cannon's has good prices for parts, but i don't know about work prices. As for Tidwater, the owner is a great guy, has good prices on parts, but i wouldn't dare leave a car overnight in the neighborhood that his shop is in. all 3 places are full service establishments.

just my $.02 insert legal disclaimer.......

 

The most pressing is shock replacement. The left rear shock is gone, and it has bottomed out pretty jarringly a few times due to pot holes, bumps and dips. I hope it hasn't done any damage to other suspension components. There are oil leaks at the manifold, by far the worst, and oil pan. It also has some minor electrical issues.

Sorry I've been so long responding - I don't have ready access at current to the internet. Thanks to everyone who has replied.

 

Where in VA do you live?

 

I would recommend Zip as a parts and information source only. I had work done there and can not recommend their service at all. They kept my car 6 weeks without touching it even though it was clear from the get go that there was a time issue involved. Due to the delay in even getting started not all the work was able to be completed, and not all the work done was up to par( new weather stripping purchased and insatlled by them leaked). I have always found the sales staff to be very helpful and willing to go the extra mile, but their service work in a word "sucked." Just my humble opinion.

 

What year is it and where do you live??

 

I have replaced the shocks on my friends 86' and it was quite simple. The clamshell hood makes it very easy to get to the front shocks and the rear shock bolts are also easy to get to.

I live in Norfolk.

I have no experience with Stallion, or Cannon's, but I have had some dealings with Tidewater Corvette. Tidewater Corvette is an ok shop, the guys are nice and they can handle pretty much anything I have asked them to do. The only fault I have with them, is that I had some problems with multiple symptoms and they would replace a part and declare it fixed, but it wasn't truly fixed because there were still other issues in play. Now the car was always better, and was always quite drivable, but I didn't get that "expert" feeling that you are describing and that I experienced when I met Gordon Killebrew at one of the Forum Cruise In's.

In this town, I cand recommend:

Suspension work - Greg Koteski - He is on the forum and you will find him in the recommended shops thread in the SouthEast section.

Tires and alignment - Performance Tire and wheel - Rex - Also listed in the SE shops section. Not cheap,but he is very meticulous.

Paint and body - London Bridge Motors - I don't know if they work on Vettes', but they did an outstanding job on my wifes car. I have tried 5 different body shops in this town, and they are the only one that impressed me.

Like the others said, tell us what year your car is, what type of suspension you have, and where you are at.

 

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1932595

 

It's a 1993 and I live in York County.

 

Suspension is selective ride control (FX3). No Z51.

 

I have been to tidewater corvette a few times... great people... however I would avoid them. Not because of the neighborhood either, I have left my car there once or twice. I can not reccomend them because of the work they do. I was charged for mufflers and both power window motors... however they only replaced one motor. It later broke in the down position and I was going out of town in it that day. I had to go there again to get the work done in time. They fixed it in record time and showed me how to do it. It broke again 10 miles down the road, so they fixed it a third time... it still works but it was also the only time I watched them do it.
I know Greg personally, I have even been over to his house and work on his Vettes. He is a great guy who will go out of his way to help you. If I ever have something I can't fix on my Vette I will go to him. I have asked him a few questions and he has always walked out to my car with me, shown me what needed done and how to do it. He is in it more for the cars than the money IMHO. I can not say enough good about him

BTW... for all you VA people, check out the SE section and come out to some of the Rat Pack events

 

i'm trying!! i have a water pump that is kicking my *** right now.

chris

 

I think I still have one off of an '84 if you want it... if you want to come up here one day I can even help you put it on

 

thanks, but i already have a new one. i am just slowly remembering everything that has to come off the front of an L98 to change it. i am replacing the radiator too, just for fun....

 

Enjoy, and hurry up so you can make skyline