Just an observation
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,763
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From: SUFFIELD CT USA 2023 C8 CORVETTE UN-MODIFIED FINALIST
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Just an observation
I have a 47 year old Vette and everything works. I can't imagine everything working in my C8 in 10 years. Although the same can be said for many new cars !
Popular Reply
Jul 24, 2024, 12:21 PM
Racer
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 374
Likes: 351
From: Barrie, Ontario, Canada
When you said 'everything' works on your 47 year old Vette....'Everything' that long ago was a pretty small list.....Basically the engine still runs and that would be everything....LOL
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,461
Likes: 8,632
I have a 1966 Pontiac Bonneville and everything works. That includes
1.Engine
2.Turbo-hydramatic transmission
3. AC, including automatic climate control that will regulate between heat and cool automatically
4. Power windows
5. Power top
6. factory reverb unit
7. AM/FM radio
8. 4 way flashers
9. All guages - fuel, ammeter, clock
10. all idiot lights
11. horn
12. all exterior and interior lighting
13.power steering, power brakes
14. period correct, GM after market Jac-pac that will raise and lower the rear end, settable from the dash, with a vacuum powered air pump - all GM aftermarket products.
15. cigarette lighter
16 factory transistor ignition system
etc.
All working means a lot of stuff.
1.Engine
2.Turbo-hydramatic transmission
3. AC, including automatic climate control that will regulate between heat and cool automatically
4. Power windows
5. Power top
6. factory reverb unit
7. AM/FM radio
8. 4 way flashers
9. All guages - fuel, ammeter, clock
10. all idiot lights
11. horn
12. all exterior and interior lighting
13.power steering, power brakes
14. period correct, GM after market Jac-pac that will raise and lower the rear end, settable from the dash, with a vacuum powered air pump - all GM aftermarket products.
15. cigarette lighter
16 factory transistor ignition system
etc.
All working means a lot of stuff.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,981
Likes: 6,782
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
Your point is well taken, especially given problems getting parts. And, even if such were available down the road, so to speak, who would know how to do the required work. It will NOT be the same by any means, so let's enjoy our oldies to the max. 
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 1,323
From: Melbourne Florida’s Barrier Islands
My 1970 ‘mostly” works, something is always in a various state of not working. It starts, runs, stops, but one window is slow, the headlights pop up out of sync and there is oil dripping from various places. But my dash pad looks like new!
I don’t expect the C8 to age as well, but maybe JC Whitney will come up with a manual transmission kit and software hacks will make everything simpler so that it will essentially be a C8 shell with C3 technology.
I don’t expect the C8 to age as well, but maybe JC Whitney will come up with a manual transmission kit and software hacks will make everything simpler so that it will essentially be a C8 shell with C3 technology.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 35
Likes: 41
Uh-huh. And that 47 year old Vette never had a single frame rust repair? And more broadly, it never had a repair, ever?
You can make everything work in ANY car- you just repair the parts that break over time, which is exactly what brought your 47 year old Vette to having everything work at this specific point in time.
This is the most illogical thread I've ever read.
You can make everything work in ANY car- you just repair the parts that break over time, which is exactly what brought your 47 year old Vette to having everything work at this specific point in time.
This is the most illogical thread I've ever read.
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 16
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From: Atlanta, GA
As technology moves forward, things become more complex. However, this is not a reason to not buy newer vehicles (not implying you said this, just making a point).
All of this said, there is a HUGE issue right now with the lack of Right to Repair. Auto manufacturers keep locking more things down in the name of safety. This is making it harder and harder for you to work on vehicles that you own. Whether people repair their own vehicles or not, this affects everyone. The cost of repairs will continue to rise as auto manufacturers force people to use their dealers for basic repairs.
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,188
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From: DFW Area TX
Good luck getting any of the multitude of electrical modules with microprocessors in them replaced in 20 years, much less 47 years.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 7,289
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From: Decatur GA
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Don't necessarily agree. All of the computers on board will be outdated and out of production. These are quite expensive and difficult to replace / repair.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,129
Likes: 737
From: East Coast, USA
Modules can be replaced in the future with luck or skill. Assuming the specifications of the modules are documented along with any/all data protocol details, they can be replaced with new designs and/or emulated devices. It's done all the time for EOL components, system, microcontrollers, modules, and highly proprietary systems by highly knowledgeable reverse engineering. GM would have to purposely delay OEM modules via encryption or some other method; however, encryption is also only a temporary block so nothing really could stop it from happening.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,866
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From: Garden Valley CA
https://www.hagerty.com/media/mainte...omment-page-2/
And if there isn't enough of a demand there will be availability from auto dismantlers.
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,188
Likes: 18,040
From: DFW Area TX
Modules can be replaced in the future with luck or skill. Assuming the specifications of the modules are documented along with any/all data protocol details, they can be replaced with new designs and/or emulated devices. It's done all the time for EOL components, system, microcontrollers, modules, and highly proprietary systems by highly knowledgeable reverse engineering. GM would have to purposely delay OEM modules via encryption or some other method; however, encryption is also only a temporary block so nothing really could stop it from happening.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 943
From: West Palm Beach, FL
Basically the DCT is the most complex part of the car in this trim and even those are very easy from a mechanical perspective, just expensive.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,927
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From: Any City USA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,129
Likes: 737
From: East Coast, USA
GM has no incentive or legal requirement to release any of that information. All communication between modules on the C8 are encrypted. Reverse engineering of the C8 electronic modules just isn't going to happen. Try finding a 20 year old double over controller board replacement. They aren't out there, even though millions were made. The situation with the C8 is far more complicated due to the number of modules, the encryption and the fact that the volume just won't support the effort required. Tell your story to the C5 guys that have to scrounge through junkyards to find replacements.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 943
From: West Palm Beach, FL
The mechanic diff drives better for advanced drivers on small courses(I get ediff will save bad drivers) price was a factor but only because a stingray is NOT worth 100k and I don't need a heated steering wheel or a leather dash that will just peel back in a couple years, Z51 in S FL makes no sense considering every road is straight, consistent performance regardless of mode was my #1 reason for Non Z51. I am glad you are so wise you can see into my head and what my actual motivations are....
