just got my first c4
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 112
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From: LaVista Ne
just got my first c4
I have been interested in c3 for ever, but I just got my first c4. It had a fire under the hood, looks like it was on the right side. From what I understand this is not rare. So anyway I am looking at either repairing it and selling it, or parting it out. It looks like it would not be to bad to fix, but I was thinking that the wiring was all plugs under the hood. It looks like the one in the middle is not and the options appear to be replace the whole harness, which I don't know where it goes, or splice it at the firewall. Any thoughts?
Kelley
Kelley
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
The harness on the "right" side (I assume you mean the passenger side) goes into the cockpit through a gasketed feedthrough above and behind the starter. It is NOT a connector. It mainly goes to the ECM.
There are no new harnesses left. Your options are to buy a used one or get one from one of the aftermarket harness manufacturers or splice a lot of wires. If you decide to splice you need to make sure you use automotive grade wires.
There are no new harnesses left. Your options are to buy a used one or get one from one of the aftermarket harness manufacturers or splice a lot of wires. If you decide to splice you need to make sure you use automotive grade wires.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 112
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From: LaVista Ne
Going to try and get pictures up, photobucket seems to be havng issues. Yes it would be less frustrating to get rid of it, but less fun. If I get a harness from another car and splice it with solder and shrink wrap will that be good? Oh, and it is an '87. Hope to get some pictures up tomorrow.
Kelley
Kelley
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Verdad Gallardo
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: St Petersburg, FL
Parting the rest of it out would probably be the best bet.
I helped a buddy rebuild a C4 from an engine many years ago. It was a huge project and the car was in better condition than the one you picked up.
I helped a buddy rebuild a C4 from an engine many years ago. It was a huge project and the car was in better condition than the one you picked up.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,624
Likes: 2
From: Canandaigua New York
If the engine and tranny are still good, you'd be better off using them in something like this:
http://rochester.craigslist.org/cto/2585684156.html
$2000 and your engine and tranny would still be cheaper than what you would have to invest in the one you have.
If I had the money, I'd buy it myself.
http://rochester.craigslist.org/cto/2585684156.html
$2000 and your engine and tranny would still be cheaper than what you would have to invest in the one you have.
If I had the money, I'd buy it myself.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,765
Likes: 5
Its a base model C4 Coupe.
I can tell by the 8.5" X 16 inch rims up front.
The Z51 & Z52 cars have the 9.5" X 16 inch rims all around.
This car is not really putting back together stock in today's bad US economy.
You will lose your azz & lots of $$$.
BUT>>>>>>>>>this 87 coupe is perfect foundation for a Drag Race Car build on the cheep $$$.
Not is all lost.
Brian
I can tell by the 8.5" X 16 inch rims up front.
The Z51 & Z52 cars have the 9.5" X 16 inch rims all around.
This car is not really putting back together stock in today's bad US economy.
You will lose your azz & lots of $$$.
BUT>>>>>>>>>this 87 coupe is perfect foundation for a Drag Race Car build on the cheep $$$.
Not is all lost.
Brian
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: LaVista Ne
Help me out here guys. You keep saying it is a loss, why is that. This is what I see. The motor is going to need a rebuild. Not been inside to make sure it is rebuildable yet, but beileve it is. All the front suspension and glass needs replaced. A lot of work to be sure, but not unduable. I think I can get a front clip to the frame cheap with the glass, looking at that today, and if that is the case I can do the labor myself of course and have a rolling chassie needing a motor and that wireing issue for less than 1500. Then comes the motor. I think the big issue is all the hang on stuff. Air pump, power steering pump, and so on. that could get a little pricy, but some of that came with the car. I know I can part it out for more than I have in it right now. I am going to look a the front clip today, just wondering if parting would be the better option. I have access to parts for cheap because of people I know, not free mostly, but not real bad either. Thanks for the input, it if very welcomed. I am ussually messing with c3's and the c4's are a little new to me. Not sure of all the little stuff I don't know.
Kelley
Kelley
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: LaVista Ne
Well, like I said, I can have everything except the motor and stuff that hangs on it for under 1500. Then I will need to rebuild the motor and stuff that hangs on it. I went and looked and see that I have a power stearing pump, ac compresor and water pump in the pile of stuff I got with it. so ac hoses power stearing hoses will be needed, stuff on the motor that didn't fare so well like the throttle body. I just can't believe there isn't money to be made on this if I can get the clip I am looking at. Alternators you can buy for what, maybe 30 or 40 bucks, if I can't find one laying around? One other big thing will be the cats. Someone cut them off after the fire. Theft I am sure.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,616
Likes: 111
with the other posts here........I have an 85 that I bought as a project car back in 2001 (which was in very good condition then)......still have it and love it..........that is the difference here......I bought the car to upgrade performance parts and keep as my hot rod for a long time......I will never get out of it what I have in it and frankly don't care....I own a fun great looking car now for the weekends....
If your goal is to flip this thing after getting it in decent shape.....you have the wrong Corvette to play with here....the reason you got the car for nothing to start with.....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,616
Likes: 111
Let me add to this.....
I do see this 87 is a manual shift car which makes me conclude it has the sought after Dana 44 differential.....If you want to unload that alone along with the batwings and driveshaft, let me know....
unfortunately with the value of these C4's, you might get more out of that than the whole thing as is..........
I do see this 87 is a manual shift car which makes me conclude it has the sought after Dana 44 differential.....If you want to unload that alone along with the batwings and driveshaft, let me know....
unfortunately with the value of these C4's, you might get more out of that than the whole thing as is..........
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
You need to understand this isnt a C3. Your alternator starts around $80 for a white box rebuilt and goes up quickly. Find another C4 and use one or the other to make one complete car if you just want a project. Yes it will be lots of fun but your gonna spend a ton of money unless folks are gonna pitch in and give you parts cheap as you mentioned.Its not that we dont want you to do it, just realize its gonna cost more than you think.
Good luck with what your trying to do.