Hey guys,

I've been lurking on this site for a couple of months now and have found it very helpful on a number occasions. I recently bought a new 2003 Z06 and WOW what an amazing car! I took it easy for the first 500 miles, and then began driving it more and more aggressively enjoying every minute of it. Anyway... after a little over 4000 miles I decided to try it out at the track (it was my first time at a track). I went to the track at Engishtown in NJ and did a couple of runs. My first run was a horrible 14.2, launching at 3000 and spinning through the first 3 gears. After asking for some advise from some of the other drivers I was told because the track was slippery today I should launch just above idle and feather the gas, I followed this advice and it launched great. The problem is the as I shifted into 4th the rear hopped a few times then it locked up and it felt as if the tranny was breaking into little pieces and falling off the car! I immediately pressed in the clutch and coasted into the pits. BTW, my time was 13.2 @ 79mph. I tried to put it in gear and it felt like tranny had rocks in it. I finally coasted to a stop and shut down. After a while I started up the car and tried to see if it could limp back home. The car moved for a couple of yards then the rear locked up for good and I had to get a tow all the way back home. Can someone tell what might have happened? Has this happened to anyone else? I guess I should contact a dealer about warranty, anyone know of a reputable dealer in the NY/long Island area?

Thanks in advance for your help

Jim

P.S. Also posting this in the Z06 forum

 

warranty

 

Do not tell them you were racing when it broke or they will weasel on the warnt. repairs.

 

You broke it alright.... Tow it to the dealership (call GM customer service and ask them to send a tow truck) and tell the dealership that you were driving along and it broke. BEFORE you do all of that... be sure to wash out the wheel wells and the front side of the mufflers... so you dont have burnt up rubber or any evidence of having been to the drags... I made that mistake once and they were pulling handfulls of sticky rubber out of my wheel wells then asked me if I had been to the track. :rolleyes:

VR :cheers:


[Modified by vetterdstr, 6:12 AM 10/26/2003]

 

Ouch! Yep you broke it, I'm sorry to hear that. Follow the above advice and clean the car and don't ever admit you were at the track. What you do with it in your free time is your business not theirs. Hell I've launched hard from a stop light and WOT getting on to interstates all the time so it sounds like your tranny or rear end would have gone without being on the track anyways. Good luck! Keep us posted.

 

I would guess that you missed fourth gear and possibly went into second gear by accident. I've heard of guys doing that and I've done it once myself. I'm surprised you tore up the rear end though and not the engine. Kind of weird.

Sorry to hear about the bad news on your brand new baby. Better that is happened now then when you go out of warranty.

 

There was definatly somethign goign on with the car them. Eather you did not break it in, or it was defective to begin with. Ive done thing twice as bad and have had no probs,. Good luck, i'm sure it will all work out for ya

 

Sounds like maybe the output shaft for the tranny broke. Definitely don't mention racing when the dealership picks it up. :cheers:
And let us know what broke

 

:iagree:


If they find out you were racing it it is out of warranty. See your waranty for the specifics.


[Modified by EB20003, 5:02 PM 10/26/2003]

 

I don't think it was the rear. If I went into 2nd from 3rd at 6500 rpm I think I would've definitely blown the motor, right?? One more thing, I forgot to mention; the only way I can move the car is if I get in and press down the clutch. The shifter moves into each gear freely but it seems that there is a lot boken parts "moving around" in there.

This really sucks, my first time at the track and I had to go home in a tow truck.

BTW, anyone know of a reputable dealer in NYC area that may have a good corvette mechanic?

 

Quote:
________________________________________ _____________________
I made that mistake once and they were pulling handfulls of sticky rubber out of my wheel wells then asked me if I had been to the track.
________________________________________ _____________________ :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

 

Man sorry to hear that. You will be A LOT MORE sorry if the dealer finds out that you were at the track Like others have said. Clean it up and come up with a good sound story! :thumbs:

Tell them that you were just driving down the road going from 3rd to 4th and it just locked up! It will be interesting to find out what broke,

Please keep us informed and let us know how the dealer treated you.

Good luck!
Bill C

 

Has anyone dealt with Ramp Chevrolet in Port Jefferson Long Island? any good/bad experiences?

Thanks

 

Dealt with them for Purchase or Service? They are not the less expensive but do a great job with their customers. Their Service is very good and caters to the Corvette owner. They have several trained Corvette Repair Specialists and are again offering the "Rampage" Performance upgrade packages. In addition, they have a seperate dedicated Corvette Center (next to main dealership) that is staffed with fully trained Corvette Sales Specialists.

:cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

 

Wow, Makes me think twice about running my car hard. Listen to the advise these guys gave they know what they're talking about. Sad Story.