I just looked at an 85 manual and had a few questions for you all. Did 85 have a 4 speed or is it the 4+3? How can I tell if it is a Z51 car? I don't know a lot about C4's, what should I look out for? What are problem areas?

Does $8,800 sound about right for a 59,000 mile manual 85?

thanks
Jeff

 

I'm sure that it has the 4+3 gearbox. As for things to look for besides the clutch, there are a few common problems in early C4's. Pull the dipstick on the power steering reservoir. If the fluid is grayish and opaque, the steering rack is headed south. Look at the weather stripping all over. Check the headlights for proper function. Look at the dash for missing segments in the LCD displays. Try to get the rear off the ground and try to rock the wheels at 6 and 12 o'clock then at 9 and 3 o'clock. Excess play in the first could mean wheel bearing trouble. Play in the latter could mean worn rear tie rods. Half-shaft U-joints are almost a given for needing replacing. Check for overheating and that the fans turn on at around 230 degrees.

These cars are also notorious leakers. Look on top of the intake for puddles of oil. Coolant also finds it way out around the intake gaskets. Look carefully at the paint and look for stress cracks. Open the doors and look for cracks in there too.

If you open the rear storage compartment on the driver's side, the RPO codes should be listed. If you don't find them there, look under the center console lid. Look for code Z51 on the list. Several sites on the web can help you decode your RPO codes.

As for the price, well, that is at the high end. If you can find an '87 or newer, it will have the aluminum heads and roller cam worth a few more HP.

 

If its manual it is 4+3 unless someone has done the 6 speed conversion. As to the steering rack...yep, I've done that.

Did the headlights, need to weatherstrip soon...

...did that...

..yep, wheel bearings replaced...

Yep, did that...spent $5K on suspension work last year...

What about Air conditioning, high idle, door panels, wiper crash, VATS no start, roof leaks and squeeks, uneven tire wear, overheating, Doug Nash OD unit, master cyl, bose crackle, blah, blah, blah...

One of my favs is the "amateur repair - particularly wiring...look for tape and marrettes....

As to price...thats a tough one. I have virtually rebuilt most of my car and spent over $20K on it...but I wouldn't get more than half that for it. My father bought a 60,000 mile 86 automatic for $8,000...I guess it depends what has been done to it...

Final thought, don't get skeered by the 4+3...it is an awesome concept when it is working right. Most of the problems with this configuration is more related to people not really understanding it...GM didn't help matters by changing the damn thing virtually every year. To me, it is the best of both worlds...manual (true sports car) and the kick-down throw your head back accelleration when you need it...kinda like Nitrous...ish :lol:





[Modified by redvette1986, 2:19 AM 8/20/2003]

 

Thanks for the advice. I am going to go take a detailed look at it and take it for a drive.