May be getting a 87 vette
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Katy TX
May be getting a 87 vette
I may be picking up an 87 vette in the next couple of weeks and would like some input.
The good:
The body and paint are in decent shape for the cars age.
Has a new auto trans and new motor
The interior is really nice
I am trading it for a car I have now so the price is right. I would estimate my car value at about 3000-3500.
The bad:
They have replaced the TPI with a carb.
It will start but not stay running I think this is a fuel pressure/regulator problem.
I have not seen the car in person yet so it is hard to know anything else. What other areas should I look at.
I am fairly mechanical and have always been around hot rods and done all my own mechanic work so I am confident I can sort out the issues myself.
Thanks for your comments.
The good:
The body and paint are in decent shape for the cars age.
Has a new auto trans and new motor
The interior is really nice
I am trading it for a car I have now so the price is right. I would estimate my car value at about 3000-3500.
The bad:
They have replaced the TPI with a carb.
It will start but not stay running I think this is a fuel pressure/regulator problem.
I have not seen the car in person yet so it is hard to know anything else. What other areas should I look at.
I am fairly mechanical and have always been around hot rods and done all my own mechanic work so I am confident I can sort out the issues myself.
Thanks for your comments.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,039
Likes: 0
From: CA
I don't know where you live, but if it's a smog state you will never be able to get this thing passed.In which case it's junk.You may be right about the fuel pressure issue.Nothing on this car was intended for a carb.I'd walk on this one,sorry.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 305
Likes: 1
From: DRAYTON VALLEY ALBERTA
If you just want a daily driver and are putting it back to stock, then leave it alone after the TPI is back on. My stock 87 was a nice car that pulled hard. Now it pulls HARD. If you want advise on TPI upgrades you can PM me. I have researched alot. Most will tell you to put a super ram and thats the only way to go.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Mesa AZ
Scoates,
I own an 87. You said it has a new engine and trans. Has the smog stuff (AIR pump and EGR system) been messed with? Do you need it where you live? Lots of rubber hoses under there which fall apart over time. Did the previous owner replace this kind of stuff or just let it disintegrate? How is the exhaust system. Look at the exhaust manifold for broken studs (leaks). Look at the main cat (under the car). Any leaks (usually oil) will blow aft onto the cat. Look at the underside of both floor pans. These are low cars and can be damaged by abusing them. How are the bushings in the suspension system? Not hard to replace just time consuming. You said the interior is nice looking. Check it over really good. This stuff is plastic and can be expensive to replace. The Atari dash can be expensive to rebuild. When you look for parts for your car, this site or a salvage yard can save you alot of money. Good luck,
John
I own an 87. You said it has a new engine and trans. Has the smog stuff (AIR pump and EGR system) been messed with? Do you need it where you live? Lots of rubber hoses under there which fall apart over time. Did the previous owner replace this kind of stuff or just let it disintegrate? How is the exhaust system. Look at the exhaust manifold for broken studs (leaks). Look at the main cat (under the car). Any leaks (usually oil) will blow aft onto the cat. Look at the underside of both floor pans. These are low cars and can be damaged by abusing them. How are the bushings in the suspension system? Not hard to replace just time consuming. You said the interior is nice looking. Check it over really good. This stuff is plastic and can be expensive to replace. The Atari dash can be expensive to rebuild. When you look for parts for your car, this site or a salvage yard can save you alot of money. Good luck,
John
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 298
Likes: 1
From: Escondido CA
Has a Carb, but wont stay running? 
My guess.... nothing to do with fuel pressure-regulator and the first sign that the car may be a POS....
Dont Know where OP lives, But here in So Cal you could get a decent, good running 87 for 3000-3500, that hasn't been butchered.
My guess.... nothing to do with fuel pressure-regulator and the first sign that the car may be a POS.... Dont Know where OP lives, But here in So Cal you could get a decent, good running 87 for 3000-3500, that hasn't been butchered.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Katy TX
Scoates,
I own an 87. You said it has a new engine and trans. Has the smog stuff (AIR pump and EGR system) been messed with? Do you need it where you live? Lots of rubber hoses under there which fall apart over time. Did the previous owner replace this kind of stuff or just let it disintegrate? How is the exhaust system. Look at the exhaust manifold for broken studs (leaks). Look at the main cat (under the car). Any leaks (usually oil) will blow aft onto the cat. Look at the underside of both floor pans. These are low cars and can be damaged by abusing them. How are the bushings in the suspension system? Not hard to replace just time consuming. You said the interior is nice looking. Check it over really good. This stuff is plastic and can be expensive to replace. The Atari dash can be expensive to rebuild. When you look for parts for your car, this site or a salvage yard can save you alot of money. Good luck,
John
I own an 87. You said it has a new engine and trans. Has the smog stuff (AIR pump and EGR system) been messed with? Do you need it where you live? Lots of rubber hoses under there which fall apart over time. Did the previous owner replace this kind of stuff or just let it disintegrate? How is the exhaust system. Look at the exhaust manifold for broken studs (leaks). Look at the main cat (under the car). Any leaks (usually oil) will blow aft onto the cat. Look at the underside of both floor pans. These are low cars and can be damaged by abusing them. How are the bushings in the suspension system? Not hard to replace just time consuming. You said the interior is nice looking. Check it over really good. This stuff is plastic and can be expensive to replace. The Atari dash can be expensive to rebuild. When you look for parts for your car, this site or a salvage yard can save you alot of money. Good luck,
John
Thanks for you comments. I appreciate everyone else's feedback out the carb/TBI issue but you have given me the type of info I am really looking for.
I have not seen the car in person but plan to tomorrow. As long as the car is what the guy says it is I am going to make the deal regardless of the carb/TBI issues.
Thanks again and everyone please feel free to comment about anything else that may be relevant.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Katy TX
Has a Carb, but wont stay running? My guess.... nothing to do with fuel pressure-regulator and the first sign that the car may be a POS....
Dont Know where OP lives, But here in So Cal you could get a decent, good running 87 for 3000-3500, that hasn't been butchered.
My guess.... nothing to do with fuel pressure-regulator and the first sign that the car may be a POS.... Dont Know where OP lives, But here in So Cal you could get a decent, good running 87 for 3000-3500, that hasn't been butchered.
The conversion was not completed and the car has not run properly since the new motor and carb were installed.
The current owner stated he has not changed the original fuel pump out.
So my theory is that the car starts up. TPI fuel pump produces around 40psi. The needle and seats in carburetors are generally designed for around 7 psi so the car floods immediately and kills the engine.
Solution: install a fuel pressure regulator with a return line or install a new fuel pump all together.
On another note, I live in Texas and with this car in running condition I think the value would be 5000-6000. Again as I have stated: new motor and trans. The current owner swears that the interior is immaculate and exterior in very good shape. Regardless of which direction I go at the very least I can pick up the TPI cheap enough and put back on myself. Here in Texas you would not find a car for 3000-3500 that was not a POS if you could even find one at all for that price.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,966
Likes: 4
From: Made In America
St. Jude Donor '10-'11
Has a Carb, but wont stay running? My guess.... nothing to do with fuel pressure-regulator and the first sign that the car may be a POS....
Dont Know where OP lives, But here in So Cal you could get a decent, good running 87 for 3000-3500, that hasn't been butchered.
My guess.... nothing to do with fuel pressure-regulator and the first sign that the car may be a POS.... Dont Know where OP lives, But here in So Cal you could get a decent, good running 87 for 3000-3500, that hasn't been butchered.
