I haven't been active on here for a while. I bought a C4 right after a bad divorce with the intention of auto X fun. It was supposed to be a boost build, but nothing went right. Over the course of a year it was in the shop more than on the road.

The frustrations and expenses seemed endless. (there are some old posts around here that tell the whole sad stupid story)

But finally, with the help of a local corvette shop it was running well and making a lot of expensive smoke... Then I took a job at the post office.

In February of 2014 just two months after takeing the new job, I broke my ankle on a customers icy sidewalk. Since I was what they refer to as a "Casual", they decided to "accidentally" mess up my paperwork, so as to not pay me comp, and then try to fire me.

I went over 4 months with no income.

Guess what was the first bill I couldn't pay? and guess what I needed badly before I made it back to work? If you guessed corvette insurance, you get a gold star!

I came home one night (closer to morning really) to find my windshield and drivers window smashed, my stereo and amp missing, my door panels ripped off, and my dash and center console shredded. (they didn't know where the speakers were)

I already needed new injectors, a new cam (long story) a new top, and a paint job, add to that the stereo, glass and interior damage, and the only real value in the car was the fresh 383 and 700r4.

So, what have I learned?
Never trust management.
Never trust a mechanic.
Pay your corvette insurance first.
Never tell anyone you will be gone all night. (yeah, it was some one I knew who did it)
An employer cannot fire you while you are recovering from a job related injury.
Never take a trip to Rome and spend your savings right before making a career change.
Once you get union representation (kicked in after my 120th day of employment even though I was off on comp) you almost cant get fired.
Corvettes go a lot faster without their body panels.
Carburetors are a lot cheaper than tpi.

So, my current scheme is.... drumroll... a c4 "kart" ala HotRod TV's RoadKill program, or the lesser known "corvette hack"

http://gmauthority.com/blog/2014/12/...e-thing-video/

I will probably carburate it, but leave the computer to control the torque converter and any other things it would be advantageous to keep connected.

The local shop class is going to be doing most of the disassembly, and one of the local gearheads is willing to help me bend and weld the cage if I donate some money to the school shop program.

I just recently got it up and running, I was scared of leaks after it sat so long, however, within 10 minutes of hooking up the jumper cables it cracked right off on the third turn of the key, and there has yet to be a leak. Ive not driven it on the road (no windshield), but it does donuts in the parking lot like crazy.

Im getting a new windshield Monday (I will be maintaining a "cockpit" not going all open like they did)

I will be putting it back on the road (with no top, no drivers window and no stereo) on Tuesday morning, I figure it will still be a blast to drive, and if there are any problems I havent found yet, the best (maybe only) way to find them, is to drive it.

I will probably be posting some parts in the 4sale section, I will probably ask a lot of questions, and I will probably screw it all up at least twice before I get anything close to useable, but I will DEFINITELY: 1. Grin like an idiot driving my ugly car (before after and during the body removal 2. spend too much money and 3. appreciate the advice and tech answers that I am sure I will once again find here.

 

Sorry to hear of the ugly cards life has dealt you recently! Keep your head up, the storm will pass! The new plan for the vette sounds like alot of fun! Please keep us posted.

 

Dang dude! What a lot of bad luck Take the next $100 you come up with and visit the Firekeepers Casino. Probably a waste of money but YOU are due some good luck for a change!
I have done well there when I used to live in the Grand Rapids area.

 

I went back to work a little over a year ago, and have since been hired in full time, I've lost 75 pounds (took the job because it makes me walk 10+ miles a day.) I basically have a middle class job for life, and will live 15 years longer. Plus the union has filed a grievance for $5000 in back comp. So some bad things did happen, but I'm in a good place, I have a plan I am excited about, I've learned some real lessons... And I get to hack apart a corvette and take pictures 😈

 

Hello from a fellow letter carrier Sorry to hear about your bad luck with that icy sidewalk. I was told early on that if you're wearing proper footwear in icy conditions (cleats or whatever the PO supplies you with) and you have a slip/fall then you're covered as far as work goes. I'm not sure of the laws in your locale but I'm wondering if the property owners insurance would have helped you out. Stay safe out there and let us know how the progress with the super-fast go kart goes.

astepup said that