New vette owner since May. 86 with 18,000 miles. Things I have learned:
1. Got lucky because the car is a Z51 and I didn't even know what that was when I bought the car.
2. Car stays cool with the combo of extra external rad fan and oil cooler that is part of Z51 package.
3. Got 9.5 meats instead of 8.5 due to Z51 package. Look good and hold the road as good as hard as I want to drive.
4. Also has the 3.09 rear gears for good launch. (automatic)
5. Hypertech chip fixed the "lugging" around town problem caused by converter pulling in to soon. Worth the money just for that. Some say you get no more HP.
6. Removed the wire grid from MAP, K+N, open air cover, air foil thingy.
7. Sent back the air sensor that you are supposed to move to cool area cause everyone was saying most of this stuff makes little difference, didn't want to mess around with it and they sent me ZR1 style.
8. The car had original goodyear 16" eagles. Got set of Kumho's installed for $600 entire car. Kumho dealer is trying to make inroads in this area. I can't believe how much better car rides and handles on rough roads. Took the "skitter" out completely. Wife is not car person but loves the difference. Says it rides like a "regular" car now. Really unbelievable.
9. Installed the 50 series flowmasters. Like the original look and sound is perfect. Again, wife didn't notice the difference. No resonance.
10. I fixed the power ant, installed a new "weed wip wire".
11. Delco sound is great to my ear but it's a casset plus reception sucks. Installing a $2-300 Pioneer in it tommorow. Best Buy has a $100 Adaptor that makes the pioneer work with Bose speakers. Figure if Bose amps etc.... go I can fix or wire in new speakers later. I installed a simular radio in a 87 Monte Carlo, 19,000 original miles, and the blue backlight is way bright for my night driving. Will get a different style for vette.
12. Bought an original chevy shop manaul. Cost $75 at Madison vette show but is well worth it. Not only tells you how to do a job but gives great detail in how it is supposed to work. Example: tells you how the ant motor torque at end of travel trips switches shutting ant off in up and down position.
13. Got the Zaino stuff but haven't had time. Mothers wax is looking good. The 9.5 meats sure throw a lot of junk on rocker panel area.
14. With the shop manual I fixed the heater fan relay. Actaually took it apart, cleaned contacts and bent it around enough to get it working great.
15. No water leaks under high pressure auto car wash.
16. Guy that owned it first 17 years, 18,000 miles (three times in rain) told me not to be stupid like him and drive the damn thing. Been good advice. :steering:

 

Sounds like you have all under control. What are you going to do with your old radio?

 

Looks like page one of a book in the works !! :D

 

Tell me about the weed whip antenna repair. the one on my 86 convertible just died. motor runs but won't go down.

 

1. Because I'm keeping the Bose speakers and hoping they don't fail, I will keep the radio for the next guy. Kept all the other stuff to make car stock again. Car will be kept stock from now on. Plenty for me.
2. Antena remove, tear apart and reinstall has been said to be easy to hardest job I ever did on this site. I didn't find it bad using the manual. Kit cost me $19 so I gave it a shot :) Main thing I would recommend is to get the full set of instructions, pull the left rear wheel and open the fender well as instructed.

 

Nice to welcome another '86 to the group! :cheers: :seeya :cool: :thumbs: