newbe
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 661
Likes: 2
From: Ca.
newbe
Hello;
I have never owned a Corvette before, but have found a 1990 with manual trans that looks good in my price range. Is there anything that I should look for before buying this year car? It has 117K miles on it. Paint, interior and engine are in good condition.
I do own a ZZ3 crate engine, and was wondering if I needed to replace the original corvette engine with my crate engine, would it pass smog. I know I would have to use the fuel injection stuff from the corvette to put on my ZZ3 engine.
Thanks,,, any help would be appreciated. I know nothing about this year corvette.
I have never owned a Corvette before, but have found a 1990 with manual trans that looks good in my price range. Is there anything that I should look for before buying this year car? It has 117K miles on it. Paint, interior and engine are in good condition.
I do own a ZZ3 crate engine, and was wondering if I needed to replace the original corvette engine with my crate engine, would it pass smog. I know I would have to use the fuel injection stuff from the corvette to put on my ZZ3 engine.
Thanks,,, any help would be appreciated. I know nothing about this year corvette.
Corvette Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,800
Likes: 2,724
From: So. Cal.
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
vette
Hello;
I have never owned a Corvette before, but have found a 1990 with manual trans that looks good in my price range. Is there anything that I should look for before buying this year car? It has 117K miles on it. Paint, interior and engine are in good condition.
I do own a ZZ3 crate engine, and was wondering if I needed to replace the original corvette engine with my crate engine, would it pass smog. I know I would have to use the fuel injection stuff from the corvette to put on my ZZ3 engine.
Thanks,,, any help would be appreciated. I know nothing about this year corvette.
I have never owned a Corvette before, but have found a 1990 with manual trans that looks good in my price range. Is there anything that I should look for before buying this year car? It has 117K miles on it. Paint, interior and engine are in good condition.
I do own a ZZ3 crate engine, and was wondering if I needed to replace the original corvette engine with my crate engine, would it pass smog. I know I would have to use the fuel injection stuff from the corvette to put on my ZZ3 engine.
Thanks,,, any help would be appreciated. I know nothing about this year corvette.
Corvette Mike
Pro
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 600
Likes: 1
From: Woodbridge Virginia
Hello mooney201. Guess from your name your a Mooney pilot just like I was at one time. Like Mike said, If you like it buy it. Fill out the profile so we can get to know you, sit back, chew the fat and ask away.Engine wise there are a lot off questions to be filled in. Hope the boys can help you out.
Olcrusty said that
Olcrusty said that
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Like the guys said, it's 20 years old and with the mileage it will most likely have some issues. That's where we come in...we can walk you through fixing anything you might encounter, so if you like the car and feel comfortable with the price, go for it.
Main issues at this age are usually weatherstripping, suspension bushings and general wear, interior and paint. The first two are relatively inexpensive to fix, the latter are expensive.
There are no pervasive issues drivetrain wise.....it's a small block Chevy after all. Your crate motor should pass emissions just fine if you're using your TPI setup and all is functioning correctly, but the TPI is restrictive so it won't realize it's full power potential without some mods. But if it's been taken care of, your L98 should have another reliable 100K left in it (unless you just want more power)
OH...and as mentioned, when you get the car, n00bs are required to post pics.
Good luck, keep us posted
Main issues at this age are usually weatherstripping, suspension bushings and general wear, interior and paint. The first two are relatively inexpensive to fix, the latter are expensive.
There are no pervasive issues drivetrain wise.....it's a small block Chevy after all. Your crate motor should pass emissions just fine if you're using your TPI setup and all is functioning correctly, but the TPI is restrictive so it won't realize it's full power potential without some mods. But if it's been taken care of, your L98 should have another reliable 100K left in it (unless you just want more power)
OH...and as mentioned, when you get the car, n00bs are required to post pics.
Good luck, keep us posted
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 661
Likes: 2
From: Ca.
Thanks for all the quick responses. The seller says the engine was replaced 1000 miles ago with a 1996 engine. Other replaced items were the steering column, and clutch. I live in California. Stiff smog rules here. Yes I flew Mooney's, my favorite single engine plane.
He does not believe the 1996 engine is a corvette engine, but he said that he thought that it had more power then the L98 stock engine.
Power is important to me, that is why I want to purchase a Corvette.
I have a picture of the car, but will have to read and learn how to post it.
He does not believe the 1996 engine is a corvette engine, but he said that he thought that it had more power then the L98 stock engine.
Power is important to me, that is why I want to purchase a Corvette.
I have a picture of the car, but will have to read and learn how to post it.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
I doubt it's a Corvette engine. The 1996 Corvette used the LT1 engine, whereas the 1990 used the L98. Two totally different animals. But as long as it runs well, doesn't burn any oil or make any odd noises, it should be fine. Does it have a current Calif. inspection that was done since the engine swap?
A small block Chevy will respond to all the normal mods if you choose to go that route.
A small block Chevy will respond to all the normal mods if you choose to go that route.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 661
Likes: 2
From: Ca.
I doubt it's a Corvette engine. The 1996 Corvette used the LT1 engine, whereas the 1990 used the L98. Two totally different animals. But as long as it runs well, doesn't burn any oil or make any odd noises, it should be fine. Does it have a current Calif. inspection that was done since the engine swap?
A small block Chevy will respond to all the normal mods if you choose to go that route.
A small block Chevy will respond to all the normal mods if you choose to go that route.
Another question,, does the 1990 manual trans Corvette have the dana 44 differential? I plan to increase the horsepower, and the stronger differential is a must.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,030
Likes: 10
From: Edmonton, Alberta
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 661
Likes: 2
From: Ca.
Yes,, I have received some very good advice, and have felt very welcome here. As soon as I figure out how to upload pictures, I will.
Thank you.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
The newer engine shouldn't hurt. My brother is a California cert'd Smog technician and he told me you can move FORWARD with a newer engine in an older car, so your 1996 engine shouldn't be a problem, as long as the emission controls for that particular year are all intact on your early C4. Make sure that it is and that there aren't any unplugged openings, hoses or anything else, because it will certainly fail the evaporative test! They pressurize the whole fuel system and even a bad gas cap can cause failure. Also, change the oil right before a smog test as dirty oil can cause a car to fail as well.
BTW, the Mooney's were some hot-rod planes, that's for sure! I always loved the forward slanting tails on those beauties!
BTW, the Mooney's were some hot-rod planes, that's for sure! I always loved the forward slanting tails on those beauties!