Hello everyone new guy here. I just purchased a 1986 Corvette convertible Pace Car Edition. (as all converts were)
I found it locally and it had been sitting for nearly 14 years because the previous owner had cancer, then passed away. It only has 60,000 miles on it, but it needs some work to be in great condition.

FYI I'm an experienced mechanic with over 40 years working on cars and I'm very familiar with American cars, and particularly the Chevys. I've bought and sold over 200 cars in my life and currently own around 20 cars. I also have a growing YouTube channel as well.

So my first question is performance related. Obviously this car is lagging way behind in the performance category. I know it's the least desirable model, mainly for that reason. However, the specs say in factory form it produces 220 hp, which is a joke, but it also has 9.5:1 compression, which isn't bad. I know that headers, cam, intake, exhaust, etc can bump the power up.

So my question is this. Since it's a low mile version, and a pace car, should I leave it stock or if I modify it will it hurt the value? It does have a flowmaster catback exhaust on it, but otherwise it's all stock. If I start changing parts will it decrease the value? I don't have to I'm fine with it the way it is. If I remove the smog garbage will that hurt the value? I'm just trying to figure out what my best path forward to take is. My main interest is value, so if leaving it stock makes it worth more then I can do that. Please advise me on the best way to keep the value it has. (which I know isn't much, but I got it pretty cheap so I'm not hurting &#128513

Thank you for your advice and help.

 

Having had a 91 and now a 95 I didn't consider it as an investment for increased value over years of ownership. I don't foresee ever making a profit on mine. My 2 cents is to enjoy the car and make improvements that you will enjoy. Welcome to the forum, lots of smart people here so take advantage.

 

Procharger and headers?

It's a question I've been contemplating on the '91.

Procharger is more than I want, so I'm looking at the basics, after maintenance from what was neglected by the Previous Owners (PO).

Basics being flow.

If no emissions testing in your area, lots have had success with full length tuned headers (AKA Long Tubes). I'm trying for emissions compliance, so I'm looking at some "shortie" headers, higher flow cats and Y pipes, Intake upgrades and I really like the look of the AFR 180 heads.

I say intake "upgrades" as there are as many opinions as there are people. Larger tubes are available, as are high flow bases, and factory bases that have been ported. If you wish to stay fuel injected with the factory computer, there are still copies of the Lingenfelter designed Accell Super Ram, finding one for a reasonable cost is the trick. There are the Mini Ram, Stealth Ram, as well as some that have suggested a single plane with injector bungs and some sort of right angle adapter for a throttle body, to keep it under the hood.

Or carburetor conversion, if no emissions, seems a shame to throw away Electronic Engine Control though.

If you don't care about keeping it under the hood, a 671 would look a riot poking through the hood. Not what I'm looking for, but everyone's tastes are different.

Good luck with it.


Edit:

I just found this:

 

Maybe unpopular opinion, but I don’t see non-ZR-1 c4s as investments. I would do what you want with the car and enjoy it.
If you don’t enjoy stock, then don’t keep it stock.
I think a c4 with a healthy cam would be awesome.

When I was shopping for a late model c4(94-96) I was surprised at how many low mile cars there were for sub $10k

 

I don't think originality in a C4 is anywhere as important (valuable) as a C2 for example. I also feel certain modifications may actually increase a C4s value. 60k miles on a 86 while low for a 39 old car is not uncommon for a C4.

I recently purchased a triple black 96 LT4 vert with 63k miles, mostly all original, but it had aftermarket GS replica wheels on it. If it had stock saw blade wheels on it I don't think it would have caught my eye, especially since I wasn't really in the market to buy a C4, let alone another car.

 

Congrats on your first Vette. Hagerty valuation tool shows an 86 convertible in #4 (fair) condition, at $5900. -8% for an automatic... which unless it was maintained over the 14 years its been sitting, Id imagine is an acurate valuation. That said, I would just build on the stock 230 hp engine and make it just what you want it to be. Have fun with it and good luck!

 

Is it yellow with the number plate on the dash and logos? Or just a regular 86? If a yellow numbered one I would think that is enough of a value difference to leave stock. How’s the paint and interior? If it is a detailing away from a show car definitely leave it stock with those miles. If it needs paint and interior then who knows…
Post some pics

 

I appreciate all the responses here! 😁 So just to update everyone, it's not yellow. It's like a burgundy red color? 🤷 And I'm finding lots of little things wrong with it. Sterio doesn't play through the speakers, (it's a Pioneer Super Tuner) mirror control is dead, right window button is broken, both door lock switches are broken, cables on the rear panel for the soft top are broken, air cleaner is broken, a/c does not work, cruise does not work, tires are flat spotted, passenger seat 🤷 is torn, etc, etc.

I've ordered some parts for it. New tires (245/50/R16) because the 255s aren't available unless you want to pay $200 each for them. New window switches, new sending unit, new emblems for the hood gas lid and back of the car, used cruise unit. I just got a set of NOS pace car decals delivered today. Oh and I ordered the Headman 68440 headers yesterday.

I plan on recovering the seats myself with an ebay kit. All the other stuff I can fix pretty easily. And of course I'll be removing all the smog garbage and replacing the exhaust with 3 inch pipes that I'll weld up myself.

I've been doing some research on the intake system. I know I can install an intake and carb and help it out a bunch. But I kinda like the looks of the TPI unit. So can I remove the TPI unit and polish it up on the inside to get better flow? Is there a bigger/better throttle assembly that flows better? Can I polish it for better flow? Is there a high flow MAF that I can use? How about high flow tubing in front of the intake? I'm thinking of fabricating my own if I can find a better flowing MAF. Can I rewire a newer MAF to work?

I'm also considering replacing the cam with a hotter cam. I'm don't want anything radical, just a better sound, more flow, and an increase in HP.

Another question: can I use roller rockers on this engine? Would 1.6 roller rockers make a difference with the stock cam? Can I remove the cam without removing the radiator and condenser?

I'm going to do some basic maintenance on it first. Install the sending unit, oil change, trans service, spark plugs, etc. I will also do a compression test at that time. That will determine my steps forward.

Here's a few pics of the old girl. She's looking kinda sad, but I know how to make her rum like a scalded cat if that's the direction I decide to go! 😁 Give me your thoughts, wisdom, experience, etc. Thanks I personally think this car is badass, but of course GM FUBAR'ed it, but with the right skills, it can run pretty damn good! It's got 9.5:1 pistons, so I know it has good street potential. And yes it has the aluminum heads so it's a later model '86 which is probably even better. BTW the VIN is 1G1YY6786G590491.

 

Looks like a fine base to start with. One of my favorite color combos

 

I have an 86 AT.
Your Right by today's standards not a fast or high-power car.
For the time it was quick.
I don't know the condition of your car but mine Runs ok compared to the V6 and turbo 4's I driven as a
Driver for one of the biggest Auto Dealers in the Midwest.
Allot people think it's an 86 C4 and very slow but I drive allot of new cars and it's not a slouch like
most people think.
Lacking in high RPM but by the time you're in High RPM you're getting a ticket if you're caught.
I would check state of tune of your car.
I've taken a few people for a ride in mine, and they were very surprised it wasn't as slow as they thought.
End of the day it's a small Block chevy and response well to the right Mods and C4 is light compared to allot of performance cars these days.

 

Welcome aboard from East Tennessee. Keep the TPI port the heads and intake,get some large tube runners,gut the gut the plenum,it has a lot of excess material inside that restricts air flow. Add cam and heaters. The TPI makes loads of low and mid range torque. Don’t switch it out for a carb. You can also polish it up! Have fun.