story
Hello everyone...
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 44
Likes: 15
From: Seattle suburbia... for now
Hello everyone...
Just found this forum while searching for info on TPI performance for C4s. I had a '91 roadster that I bought new, with all options except Ride Control, at the bottom of the recession caused by the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, for 14 years. Then, in a fit of insanity I sold it back in 2004. Well, last week my 17-year old son dragged me down to look at the exotic cars at the local dealers, and we stopped by a high end consignment shop... and found a '91 roadster, in immaculate condition. It looked exactly like my old Vette... and then I walked up and saw the VIN and, yes, it was my old car. So, I bought it.
Turns out the 2nd owner (the guy I sold it to) had put it up for sale. It had 41K miles when I sold it, has 52K on it now. He had it professionally repainted the same black, and it is immaculate. He's put headers and a Corsa exhaust on it, plus a mild cam. He's also changed out the stock valve covers to black sheetmetal ones that look like what might be on Vortec heads. I'll pick up the car today, to see if he actually changed the heads. It has the original TPI intake on it, as far as I can tell, don't know if it's been ported. He's also put C5 brakes on it, and it now has C5 5-spoked wheels. I'm trying to determine whether original OEM C4 wheels will fit over the larger brakes (because I like the way they look). The 2nd owner has purportedly put $25K into the car (the paint job was over $12K, according to the invoice, and only the front dam was replaced), and I'm trying to figure out how much was put into the engine (what was done). I'm toying with the idea of getting a FIRST TPI intake system for it, or perhaps also rebuilding it into a 383 to give me close to C6/C7 base performance... but I want it to look close to stock when I lift the hood.
I hadn't planned to buy another car, but how often do you come across your favorite car, one that you regretted selling more than a decade ago... and it's in as-good or better condition than when you sold it? Especially when you paid exactly what you had sold it for to buy it back.
Turns out the 2nd owner (the guy I sold it to) had put it up for sale. It had 41K miles when I sold it, has 52K on it now. He had it professionally repainted the same black, and it is immaculate. He's put headers and a Corsa exhaust on it, plus a mild cam. He's also changed out the stock valve covers to black sheetmetal ones that look like what might be on Vortec heads. I'll pick up the car today, to see if he actually changed the heads. It has the original TPI intake on it, as far as I can tell, don't know if it's been ported. He's also put C5 brakes on it, and it now has C5 5-spoked wheels. I'm trying to determine whether original OEM C4 wheels will fit over the larger brakes (because I like the way they look). The 2nd owner has purportedly put $25K into the car (the paint job was over $12K, according to the invoice, and only the front dam was replaced), and I'm trying to figure out how much was put into the engine (what was done). I'm toying with the idea of getting a FIRST TPI intake system for it, or perhaps also rebuilding it into a 383 to give me close to C6/C7 base performance... but I want it to look close to stock when I lift the hood.
I hadn't planned to buy another car, but how often do you come across your favorite car, one that you regretted selling more than a decade ago... and it's in as-good or better condition than when you sold it? Especially when you paid exactly what you had sold it for to buy it back.
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Congrats on finding and purchasing the C4 you owned years ago - not many people get that chance. Best of luck finding out what was done to the car and welcome to the forum.
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Congrats. on your C4.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 44
Likes: 15
From: Seattle suburbia... for now
In the showroom... I noticed that the wheels had been changed to late C4 ZR1 wheels.
Here it is, being given a final once-over by the detailer before I drive it away.
Here are some photos...
