First Corvette Purchase Questions
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
First Corvette Purchase Questions
Hi everyone, New CF member!
I am ready to step up to my first Corvette, been my dream for decades, almost there. Anyway, I want a pre-purchase inspection done; I assume the best team to do this would be a Chevy dealer (Raleigh, NC). Is there any special qualification or certification I am looking for on the local dealers on the service side? All my local dealers say "Corvette Signature Dealer". Is that enough for the service qualifications; or does that just mean they are authorized to sell Corvettes?
I am looking at a private party sale of an 08 Base, m6, FE1, cam, intake, headers, exhaust, mufflers, tips. Good shape and runs well. The owner is upfront that the engine is rejecting the O2 sensors, they replaced them before, but that didn't solve it. I brought my mid grade scan tool and confirmed that it is O2 heater and circuit issues. I didn't write down the exact codes, but they were all O2 related, 5 of them, both banks. I'll have the service team look at it. But any ideas of what to chase first? What cost to expect from this repair? This seems like a simple thing to chase on the wiring harness or heater circuits, maybe $500 to get it sorted. Am I underestimating the cost and complexity of the repairs?
I am ready to step up to my first Corvette, been my dream for decades, almost there. Anyway, I want a pre-purchase inspection done; I assume the best team to do this would be a Chevy dealer (Raleigh, NC). Is there any special qualification or certification I am looking for on the local dealers on the service side? All my local dealers say "Corvette Signature Dealer". Is that enough for the service qualifications; or does that just mean they are authorized to sell Corvettes?
I am looking at a private party sale of an 08 Base, m6, FE1, cam, intake, headers, exhaust, mufflers, tips. Good shape and runs well. The owner is upfront that the engine is rejecting the O2 sensors, they replaced them before, but that didn't solve it. I brought my mid grade scan tool and confirmed that it is O2 heater and circuit issues. I didn't write down the exact codes, but they were all O2 related, 5 of them, both banks. I'll have the service team look at it. But any ideas of what to chase first? What cost to expect from this repair? This seems like a simple thing to chase on the wiring harness or heater circuits, maybe $500 to get it sorted. Am I underestimating the cost and complexity of the repairs?
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,037
Likes: 24,726
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Moved to C6 Tech.
Last edited by Vetteman Jack; Sep 20, 2021 at 07:40 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 53,702
Likes: 5,608
From: Plantation Florida USAF(Retired) 1966-1990
U.S. Air Force
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Just go to dealership and ask for safety inspections that in most dealership charges 1 hour charge.
They look the car over and tell you about what they see, tires & even wear, brakes, hoses, belts, and the service writer can run your vin number for safety recalls not done and service over the years if was done by Chevrolet dealership, and ask for CarFax report for accidents.
They will also connect there computers system to read the codes, and tell you what it would cost to repair it?
They give you copy so you have report what they find.
They look the car over and tell you about what they see, tires & even wear, brakes, hoses, belts, and the service writer can run your vin number for safety recalls not done and service over the years if was done by Chevrolet dealership, and ask for CarFax report for accidents.
They will also connect there computers system to read the codes, and tell you what it would cost to repair it?
They give you copy so you have report what they find.
Last edited by 1bdvet; Sep 20, 2021 at 08:20 AM.
Moderator, Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15,536
Likes: 4,017
From: Cape Coral, Florida
Hi everyone, New CF member!
I am ready to step up to my first Corvette, been my dream for decades, almost there. Anyway, I want a pre-purchase inspection done; I assume the best team to do this would be a Chevy dealer (Raleigh, NC). Is there any special qualification or certification I am looking for on the local dealers on the service side? All my local dealers say "Corvette Signature Dealer". Is that enough for the service qualifications; or does that just mean they are authorized to sell Corvettes?
I am looking at a private party sale of an 08 Base, m6, FE1, cam, intake, headers, exhaust, mufflers, tips. Good shape and runs well. The owner is upfront that the engine is rejecting the O2 sensors, they replaced them before, but that didn't solve it. I brought my mid grade scan tool and confirmed that it is O2 heater and circuit issues. I didn't write down the exact codes, but they were all O2 related, 5 of them, both banks. I'll have the service team look at it. But any ideas of what to chase first? What cost to expect from this repair? This seems like a simple thing to chase on the wiring harness or heater circuits, maybe $500 to get it sorted. Am I underestimating the cost and complexity of the repairs?
I am ready to step up to my first Corvette, been my dream for decades, almost there. Anyway, I want a pre-purchase inspection done; I assume the best team to do this would be a Chevy dealer (Raleigh, NC). Is there any special qualification or certification I am looking for on the local dealers on the service side? All my local dealers say "Corvette Signature Dealer". Is that enough for the service qualifications; or does that just mean they are authorized to sell Corvettes?
I am looking at a private party sale of an 08 Base, m6, FE1, cam, intake, headers, exhaust, mufflers, tips. Good shape and runs well. The owner is upfront that the engine is rejecting the O2 sensors, they replaced them before, but that didn't solve it. I brought my mid grade scan tool and confirmed that it is O2 heater and circuit issues. I didn't write down the exact codes, but they were all O2 related, 5 of them, both banks. I'll have the service team look at it. But any ideas of what to chase first? What cost to expect from this repair? This seems like a simple thing to chase on the wiring harness or heater circuits, maybe $500 to get it sorted. Am I underestimating the cost and complexity of the repairs?
Welcome to the Forum !!…O2 sensor diagnosis is easy especially if you have a mid grade scan tool…if it is a heater code you will need a DVOM to check power and grounds…save your money and do it yourself !!…what were the DTC’s BTW ??
Last edited by C5 Diag; Sep 20, 2021 at 11:07 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,466
Likes: 51
St. Jude Donor '17
modded corvette i would not bother going to a dealership they may make it worse or replace the tune.
Who did all the cam header work is better questions to ask and speak with them. Usually you need o2 cable extenders and if they made their own with out proper heat shielding they are probably toast and grounding out and need replacement. You usually end up with 2 02 sensors actually working with aftermarket headers with the rear 2 being sims or tuned out.
They usually go bad due to lean conditions but since you see circuit issues and they keep replacing it i would have second thoughts on someone else problem they could not fix.
They say it has Bad 02's and it runs well? Yeah right
I would take it to RPM Motorsports and have them check it out.
Who did all the cam header work is better questions to ask and speak with them. Usually you need o2 cable extenders and if they made their own with out proper heat shielding they are probably toast and grounding out and need replacement. You usually end up with 2 02 sensors actually working with aftermarket headers with the rear 2 being sims or tuned out.
They usually go bad due to lean conditions but since you see circuit issues and they keep replacing it i would have second thoughts on someone else problem they could not fix.
They say it has Bad 02's and it runs well? Yeah right
I would take it to RPM Motorsports and have them check it out.
Last edited by Got uid0; Sep 20, 2021 at 10:59 PM.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
Good info, thanks for the help. Unfortunately they don't know much about the cam or who did it, other that its a "stage 3". It does run well, I test drove it for a while, other than cam lope it felt really good. I suspect its running too rich, the exhaust stung my eyes while on the ground looking up underneath the car. Honestly, I just wish it was stock except for a muffler swap. My life of dealing with mods, its just 99.9% of them are half baked designs, installed by people that are a day short on experience.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 2,499
Likes: 1,165
From: Northern Wisconsin
Good info, thanks for the help. Unfortunately they don't know much about the cam or who did it, other that its a "stage 3". It does run well, I test drove it for a while, other than cam lope it felt really good. I suspect its running too rich, the exhaust stung my eyes while on the ground looking up underneath the car. Honestly, I just wish it was stock except for a muffler swap. My life of dealing with mods, its just 99.9% of them are half baked designs, installed by people that are a day short on experience.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
I think at this point I want to offer them $1k less than asking as consideration for my needed emissions repairs. In case I need to buy new cats, extension wires, or other tomfoolery to make the mods work.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,466
Likes: 51
St. Jude Donor '17
Good info, thanks for the help. Unfortunately they don't know much about the cam or who did it, other that its a "stage 3". It does run well, I test drove it for a while, other than cam lope it felt really good. I suspect its running too rich, the exhaust stung my eyes while on the ground looking up underneath the car. Honestly, I just wish it was stock except for a muffler swap. My life of dealing with mods, its just 99.9% of them are half baked designs, installed by people that are a day short on experience.
If the cats are not gutted and o2 not working what do you think happens to the cats and engine?
Last edited by Got uid0; Sep 22, 2021 at 10:49 PM.