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When do the repairs end? ..........................Never!

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Old Aug 17, 2006 | 11:25 PM
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Default When do the repairs end? ..........................Never!

Since my tranny broke, and the diff leaks ( which I was going to fix but the tranny went), I was thinking when does it all end.
Since I have had my Vette, its a never ending repair. Is it because I drive aggressively sometimes? Race rarely? Nope, its because I screw with it
I can not think of one time where this car hasnt needed or needs care of some sort.
From the first Opti, to the rattles, stereo CD player, exhaust, 2 engine, 2 transmissions, 4 differentials, bearings, countless never ending troubleshooting, oil leaks (pan, opti),suspension rattles, steering column bushings, etc etc etc. Is there a Vette that doesnt need repairs? I dont think so. If I had a new one, it would need repairs. Mine would be the Friday before shift change, hung over UAW worker, car built during Christmas hollidays.
Okay, I vented sorta. Steve
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Old Aug 17, 2006 | 11:34 PM
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But.......when it's running strong. Isn't it worth all the trouble?
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Old Aug 17, 2006 | 11:46 PM
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Originally Posted by STL94LT1
But.......when it's running strong. Isn't it worth all the trouble?
You nailed it, so true. Now when is that time?
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Old Aug 18, 2006 | 12:28 AM
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Originally Posted by steve40th
Since my tranny broke, and the diff leaks ( which I was going to fix but the tranny went), I was thinking when does it all end.
Since I have had my Vette, its a never ending repair. Is it because I drive aggressively sometimes? Race rarely? Nope, its because I screw with it
I can not think of one time where this car hasnt needed or needs care of some sort.
From the first Opti, to the rattles, stereo CD player, exhaust, 2 engine, 2 transmissions, 4 differentials, bearings, countless never ending troubleshooting, oil leaks (pan, opti),suspension rattles, steering column bushings, etc etc etc. Is there a Vette that doesnt need repairs? I dont think so. If I had a new one, it would need repairs. Mine would be the Friday before shift change, hung over UAW worker, car built during Christmas hollidays.
Okay, I vented sorta. Steve
I don't think they ever do dude. I work on mine more than I drive it. They look good, go fast, and fun to drive. I guess you have to enjoy both working on them, and driving them. Now if I had to pay to have all this done. I am afraid she would be otta here...
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Old Aug 18, 2006 | 12:35 AM
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When ?. when u built right with pete k's tranny, and let him built ur engine too. I have spent more than u no doubt, my problem ended after pete k built my 383 and transmission. Now iam a happy camper and driving vette everyday 3000 miles/month yes sir. Have some minor litle bity problems here and there but thats an option not a requirement. Oh did i said iam hitting triple digits atleast once in a week? good luck.
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Old Aug 18, 2006 | 01:08 AM
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Originally Posted by sami85L98
When ?. when u built right with pete k's tranny, and let him built ur engine too. I have spent more than u no doubt, my problem ended after pete k built my 383 and transmission. Now iam a happy camper and driving vette everyday 3000 miles/month yes sir. Have some minor litle bity problems here and there but thats an option not a requirement. Oh did i said iam hitting triple digits atleast once in a week? good luck.

Are you still running the TPI setup on that 383?
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Old Aug 18, 2006 | 01:42 AM
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Hey, this is a passion so try to enjoy it as no one can tell you more about that car than you. Mines a 96 LT4 she's getting, cats, Opti,WP plugs, plug wires, several emissions items changed, oil, filter, belt. She's been in my work shop 6 weeks and have another 2 to go had she will be back runnning strong. I work on it a much as I drive it and the 89 before, but they really perform when I want them too.
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Old Aug 18, 2006 | 02:29 AM
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its a 16 year old car that you beat the poop out of (at least I hope you do... )

Think how much you would be spending on a new car with the same perfomance... Small price to pay...

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Old Aug 18, 2006 | 06:45 AM
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Steve, You may not want to hear this but here is part of the problem with reliabilty issues of your car. 425 rwhp 417 ft/lbs tq
Best ET 11.61 119.3mph 1.70 60' time. Lets face it, When we modify these cars to run faster and hook harder, it takes its toll on parts, expecially 13 year old and in a lot of cases 100,000+ mile parts.
If you took a new c-6 and start modifying it, give it a little time and it will be breaking down too.
Oh, and if anyone is buying a corvette for reliability, they need to pick up a copy of Consumer Reports and they will soon learn that corvettes are not known for reliability, but they do have one of the best customer loyality records.
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Old Aug 18, 2006 | 10:34 AM
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Originally Posted by STL94LT1
But.......when it's running strong. Isn't it worth all the trouble?
Thats the way I look at it!
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Old Aug 18, 2006 | 10:39 AM
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Originally Posted by 93 ragtop
Steve, You may not want to hear this but here is part of the problem with reliabilty issues of your car. 425 rwhp 417 ft/lbs tq
Best ET 11.61 119.3mph 1.70 60' time. Lets face it, When we modify these cars to run faster and hook harder, it takes its toll on parts, expecially 13 year old and in a lot of cases 100,000+ mile parts.
If you took a new c-6 and start modifying it, give it a little time and it will be breaking down too.
Oh, and if anyone is buying a corvette for reliability, they need to pick up a copy of Consumer Reports and they will soon learn that corvettes are not known for reliability, but they do have one of the best customer loyality records.

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Old Aug 18, 2006 | 10:14 PM
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Originally Posted by 93 ragtop
Steve, You may not want to hear this but here is part of the problem with reliabilty issues of your car. 425 rwhp 417 ft/lbs tq
Best ET 11.61 119.3mph 1.70 60' time. Lets face it, When we modify these cars to run faster and hook harder, it takes its toll on parts, expecially 13 year old and in a lot of cases 100,000+ mile parts.
If you took a new c-6 and start modifying it, give it a little time and it will be breaking down too.
Oh, and if anyone is buying a corvette for reliability, they need to pick up a copy of Consumer Reports and they will soon learn that corvettes are not known for reliability, but they do have one of the best customer loyality records.
True very true. I have replaced everything on this car from headlight gears to fuel pump, all kinds of little things within. And when it gets back from teh tranny shop, I will do the rear, and start driiving it, and driving it allot. No weather restraints. Its a fun car to drive and will be driven . Heck, I live in Hawaii. Steve
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Old Aug 19, 2006 | 10:05 AM
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Im beginning to think I got lucky with my car

Its a 95 with 52k miles, but nothing has gone wrong aside from routine maintenence issues and the weatherstripping.

Then again, its mechanically bone stock and always has been. Perhaps that + the low miles has something to do with it?
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Old Aug 20, 2006 | 07:14 AM
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It is not low miles that keep it maintenance free although it does help. My 84 had 27K when I bought it and now after 3 years it has 34k on it and over a $1000.00 of repairs and I'm not done yet. A lot of my problems are age related due to leaks etc and the tranny is still dripping from the pumpshaft seal and now the alternator is going south making all the lights flicker. It just never ends. It is like having a trophy wife. She looks sexy and performs well when she wants to but requires high mainenance to keep her happy and performing. Sometimes I think I would be better trading my Ginger for a Mary-Ann (but I'm a sucker for a sexy redhead).
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Old Aug 20, 2006 | 09:52 AM
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Boo Hoo Hoo . I have 3 (2 C4 's & 1 C5 ) to keep running. I don't feel good if I don't have a corvette maintenance problem to solve . Yeah ,somtimes I get in a deep hole & takes awhile to dig my way out.But with the help & moral support found here I always triumph .
Keep the Faith,Wrench on into the wilderness.
Warren .
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Old Aug 20, 2006 | 12:37 PM
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My neighbor good naturedly says "working on the ford again".Every time he sees my 85 the hoods up but thats part of the fun. I too never wanted to own my vet just to drive it and drop it off at joes when it stops. It's just plain good to be able to be around our cars.How lucky is that.
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Old Aug 20, 2006 | 02:23 PM
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I personally don't mind doing all the repair work. In fact, I often enjoy seeing the final product come together and run better than it did before I started. I'm always learning something new about my car, and I take great pride in telling people that I do all the work to the car myself.

But what I can't stand is being left stranded on a road someplace BECAUSE of these repairs! It's happened to me twice already - once when the alternator failed (had to send my date home in a cab and have the car towed to my place) and once when the car just went dead while driving - hit a bump and BANG everything died, no power, no nothing (luckily, I got the car running again, but I have no idea what I did).

Luckily, this car is not my daily driver so problems like this don't bother me too much (other than the tow charges!). And it doesn't hurt that I love the car to death. But, if it were my daily driver (and I didn't love it as much as I do) it would have been gone after the first breakdown - GUARANTEED!!!

Last edited by TheCorvetteKid; Aug 20, 2006 at 02:27 PM.
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Old Aug 20, 2006 | 02:25 PM
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There is a need to differentiate, repairs and mods. When the alternator stops charging, thats a repair. When my valve seals were leaking, I did cam/heads/intake. = mods. Not the same.
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Old Aug 20, 2006 | 02:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Spankyellow
There is a need to differentiate, repairs and mods. When the alternator stops charging, thats a repair. When my valve seals were leaking, I did cam/heads/intake. = mods. Not the same.
Agreed. And like you, when my car needs a "repair" I typically take advantage and "mod" the car by using higher quality/higher performance replacement part. When my alternator failed I took the opportunity to replace it with a higher output unit (160amp vs. 105amp stock).

I would not have replaced the stock alternator with the high output unit had it not failed in the first place.
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Old Aug 20, 2006 | 04:31 PM
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Default But it's worth it

Steve you've got a tough life there and you've earned it Thank you for your service to our country.

It's a beautiful looking car and you've got her hoped up pretty well and so that's what it takes to keep it running at full potential when you stomp on it like that But it's worth it when the sun is shining and you're driving down the road and your face looks like this ----> .and you're living in HI
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