I just purchased a 1996 Collector's Edition, LT-1, Auto. The car has 44,000 original miles on it. From what I can tell, it's in very good shape overall. There are a few issues: The car has a set of GS-C tires on it which must be replaced. Also it steers VERY hard, and the ride is a lot rougher than I remember (I previously owned a 1994 LT-1 and a 1994 ZR-1). It may need a steering pump rebuild and shocks. And the Service LPTWS is lit (not a catastrophe but I'll look into it). Brakes have good pressure, A/C runs cold. All options function normally.

These are "knowns".

I do have the original owners manual which shows regular maintenance up until 2002, but then nothing, so from that point forward I really have no idea what has or has not been done. Given this, what would everyone recommend checking or doing to the car as a preventative measures or maintenance that should have been performed but may not have been so that the car is more up to date (oil change is a given). Fluid/belt changes, parts, etc.

Appreciate everyone's input.

 

Inspect all rubber items and replace as needed(belts and hoses).
I would replace trans fluid and filter,brake fluid,power steering fluid,and coolant.
Replace the tires and drive it before assessing the shocks and steering.

The tpms light,I would look into modern sensors (behind the valve stem) instead of the band sensors.

 

Congratulations Rogue One, sounds very nice. Did you find it local to you? My daughter and I just drove home a new to me 96 Collector's edition last weekend :-) On this car, the shocks were just replaced with Bilstein's, and the ride is so much nicer than my 91, which is in need of shocks. I was really surprised at the difference between the two cars, and ordered a set of KYB for the 91, as it is not quite nice enough to warrant Bilstein's lol.. With that said, if the shocks on yours are also old, you may find a big improvement in the ride with new shocks. Steering sounds like the pump is failing with the symptoms you described - my 96 just had the pump rebuilt before I purchased it and it is very smooth, so I would suspect that would rectify yours as well. I would recommend checking the rear diff fluid and looking over your U-Joints, and giving the chassis zerc fittings a good lube. I would also recommend pulling a few plugs to read them, and get an idea of how cleanly the cylinders are burning. When I pull mine to inspect and replace, as the prior owner put Autolite's in it, I plan to check and get a baseline on the compression as well. Also worth putting a fuel filter on it in my opinion - the filter on my 91 looked fine, but was so old the filter media had broken apart inside, and intermittently moving and blocking fuel flow. Determined that after running around with a fuel pressure gauge taped to the windshield, and noticing pressure dropping to 20psi or so under heavy load. New filter made an amazing difference. Congratulations again - I hope it is a wonderful car for you.

 

That would be great if I could find modern sensors that work with the factory system. I don't know if they exist.

Thank you. The car was a few hundred miles away but a driveable distance. Fortunately, I did find some fairly extensive service information in the back of the owner's manual. Looks like overall this car was well cared for. Regualr oil changes, brakes and wheel balancing. One thing that stood out was that it appears as though the car has gone through 3 batteries in 44K miles. To me, that would indicate a slow electrical drain which I need to diagnose. I'm going to change out everything you suggested though. Maybe I'll get lucky and the power steering fluid just needs to be topped off!

 

Batteries will go south just to age. 3 batteries in 27 years is very good.

 

Hey thanks. I guess because the car is new to me, I forget how old it is in real years. Looks like I need to get an Optima...

 

Optima is not optimum.

 

No aftermarket sensor integrates with the factory system. I would see if you system re-energizes after a few drives. If not, scrap the system or replace the bad sensor with a good used one.

 

So - IMHO - Start by changing ALL the fluids.

Engine Oil
ATF
Engine Coolant
Brake Fluid
Gear Oil in Diff
Power Steering Fluid

Now - before you do coolant, give the rad hoses a real good look, and if you see something you don't like - change them.
Same thing is true with the flexible rubber brake hoses if they look like they've seen better days - replace them and them flush the brake system.

I can't argue with the advice about changing the plugs - but it's just a PITA job on a LT1 C4. Plug wires are even less fun.

Changing the fuel filter isn't a bad idea - but is significantly easier to do on a lift than it is on jackstands.

 

DieHard used to be my go to, but I don't know how they are these days. I'm open to suggestions.

I'll keep an eye on it. I looked up sensors on Ebay. People want over $200 on average. Good grief.

Integrated with the list. Thank you!

Yeah I wanted to do plugs on my old '94. Looked in the engine compartment and said "Uhhh...NO". Even that guy who did it on My Corvette Life had a miserable time doing it.

 

A maintenance Item often overlooked is to pull the ICM off the head and clean all the old dried up heat sink paste. Apply new and reinstall. You can get a small tube on Ebay for less than 2 bucks with free shipping. Dan