help please!
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: odessa MO
help please!
OK, I have a 1987 convertable vette. It needs some work, inside and out, not gonna lie.. the thing is i'm only a senior in high school and i'm involved in sports and just don't have the time yet. I've wanted this car since i was in the eighth grade. This summer i finally got it. The previous owner threw in a 350 crate engine w/ 750 Holley, high rise single plane intake, and a 700r4 trans and sold the built TPI motor. The car sat too out in the elements too long(I know what a shame!) and now all the tranny seals are crap and it slips horribly when it gets warm. Its a great motor but getting everything wired back to normal is a major pain especially with the digital guages and not to mention the wiring is a mess. I would much rather sell the engine and trans for a good price and find myself an original setup, tpi motor, maybe a manual tranny and buy a new harness from GM..? Tell me if this sound like the a good way to go?... any advice is well appreciated... thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
I think you're on the right track taking it back toward the original setup; maybe you can pick up a wiring harness from a donar car.
For sure you will much benefit from picking up a FSM for your Vette.
For sure you will much benefit from picking up a FSM for your Vette.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 531
Likes: 0
From: Calgary Alberta
If you like what that engine can do for the car - I'd suggest fixing up the tranny that's giving you the problem. (If that's the only major problem you're facing)
How much wiring "doesn't work" ? It may be much easier to go to a set of aftermarket gages, if you're seriously debating on changing the engine again.
a factory service manual can be a real pain to read - until you understand the cryptic language that they're written in, but will do you a world of help in the long run.
How much wiring "doesn't work" ? It may be much easier to go to a set of aftermarket gages, if you're seriously debating on changing the engine again.
a factory service manual can be a real pain to read - until you understand the cryptic language that they're written in, but will do you a world of help in the long run.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: odessa MO
There is quite a bit of wiring screwed up in the car. Wires cut, unconnected, missing connectors, all the essentials are hot wired and activated by toggle switches- alt, radiator, starter, electric fuel pump, and besides the wiring i'm partial to fuel injection type systems anyway.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
FSM's pop up on ebay quite frequently. Also getting to know a good Corvette salvage company will help too. Give Jay a call at Vette2Vette, (815) 673-6200 for your used part needs such as the wiring harness.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Another source for parts like harnesses, etc.....give Dino a call
Corvette Salvage
They have helped me out of more than one bind before. Putting your car back stock sounds like a good way to go. Everything will fit....well, like it came from the factory that way
FSM is a very good idea. You can buy them new, but they are pricey....$75 to be exact.
1987 Corvette FSM
Good luck.
Corvette Salvage
They have helped me out of more than one bind before. Putting your car back stock sounds like a good way to go. Everything will fit....well, like it came from the factory that way
FSM is a very good idea. You can buy them new, but they are pricey....$75 to be exact.
1987 Corvette FSM
Good luck.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 2
From: Cincinnati oh
for what its worth here is my $.02
way cool haveing a vett in high school. (My daughter drives a buick park avenue)
Keep the motor, get a wiring harness and have at it. I would personally have a mechanic do this one, Yes expensive but damn elecric gremlins just suck. Get some estimates from a professional vett mechanic.
I am not a huge fan of the TPI, my Opinion, The carb debate on here goes on forever. They both have great perks and both have Pains in the ****! A carb is great to learn how to tune an engine...i still suck at it but it is fun to play crew chief.
The tranny- I would have a qualifed shop look at it, verify the seals are bad . you can change the seals out your self. It is a pain but i had a front seal leak on mine and it was 400 to repalce the seal. I just had the trans rebuilt for $1200.00 3 year warranty.
Keep it out of the trees and how in the Hell do you afford insurance at your age????
way cool haveing a vett in high school. (My daughter drives a buick park avenue)
Keep the motor, get a wiring harness and have at it. I would personally have a mechanic do this one, Yes expensive but damn elecric gremlins just suck. Get some estimates from a professional vett mechanic.
I am not a huge fan of the TPI, my Opinion, The carb debate on here goes on forever. They both have great perks and both have Pains in the ****! A carb is great to learn how to tune an engine...i still suck at it but it is fun to play crew chief.
The tranny- I would have a qualifed shop look at it, verify the seals are bad . you can change the seals out your self. It is a pain but i had a front seal leak on mine and it was 400 to repalce the seal. I just had the trans rebuilt for $1200.00 3 year warranty.
Keep it out of the trees and how in the Hell do you afford insurance at your age????
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: odessa MO
I haven't exactly had to deal with insurance yet. But i think my mom suggested having the car in her name anyway. plus gas is going go be outrageous especially with a double pump holley that i have right now.
Last edited by masonc; Sep 4, 2008 at 01:18 PM.
