LT1pwrd'94

'14 Z51 coupe M7 7190 miles

Car already had kooks long tubes and high flow catted xpipe. I only added an afe cold air intake.

Been waiting 18 years to get one. Less than 3.5 weeks after getting it, she's dead. Drove about 10 miles at normal cruising speeds, didn't get over 3500 or so rpms. Then, loss of power and valve train noise got loud. As I was pulling off the road into a parking lot, it shut down completely. No leaks, has plenty of oil in it.

Corgidog1

I would hope you contacted the dealer/person you purchased it from and took it from there. Sounds like you done got ripped off. Hate stories like this. Good luck

DanZR1

Ouch. Sorry for your bad luck. I hope it was purchased from a dealer who will stand behind it, and not a private party.

chronage

Very strange. I can't imagine an LT1 with a sump full of oil blowing up that quickly. Could something have gotten into the intake?

Avanti

Sorry, sorry, sorry to hear!

That's why I NEVER buy a used performance car and say so whenever asked or have the opportunity to speak.

Now you can build the engine YOU want. Or, maybe that can be a better way to try and look at. Hang in there!!!

c54u

It should still be covered under the powertrain warranty. But the mods concern me and it may have a tune that could possible void the warranty.
How many owners did the car have?

Did you buy it from a GM dealer?

LT4_CE

Whoa, so sorry to hear about this. Good luck with whatever your next steps to fix this may be. Hopefully all turns out well!

mschuyler

You bought a modified car? Good luck.

NSC5

It probably doesn't have a powertrain warranty with the modifications and it is probably tuned or there would be a CEL from the long tube header install.

There are a lot of things to cause an engine to stop other than complete carnage so I wouldn't start mourning until you investigate further to see what failed.

Fcal

Exactly my thoughts.
The mileage doesn't mean a thing. It could've been 7000 miles of street racing or track.
Hope it works out for you.

checkur6

Now you know why he sold it!

'Merica

That doesn't sound good. Something had to have been in the intake?


And while I agree, I wouldn't buy a tuned used car, buying a used performance car doesn't have to be scary. I'm selling my Z51 now, full bumper to bumper and extended warranty with 18.5k miles. No engine modifications, there is literally 0 risk to the buyer- something happens, it is covered under warranty- and you reap the benefits of paying 47k for car that is 3 years old and went for over 73k new.

LT1pwrd'94

Not gm dealer..small dealer that got it from auction. Deal has funded, so I'm not sure there's anything I can do about. Unless anyone knows different?

Nexxussian

Daaayyyyuuuummmm!

Sorry to hear that.

As others have said, this could be an opportunity to build it the way you want it (lumpy cam? ported heads? stroker? ).

But before breaking out the long and green (or pink, or whatever color our money is these days ) as others have suggested, check it out.

If you aren't comfortable doing it, have a shop check it out.

I can't fathom even a sick engine having that kind of catastrophic failure sub 3500 RPM.

As you have mentioned plenty of oil and no leaks:

1) what does the oil look like? ( drain if necessary, "milkshake" or "glitter" R bad, M-Kay...)

2) are there any codes?

3) what do the spark plugs look like? (if the engine failed that bad I would expect at least one beat up plug)

4) can you rotate the engine at all? (not with the starter)

If yes

5) what cylinder leakage / leak down do you have?

6) if you have made it this far, does it build oil pressure on the starter? (if not check for a clog / foreign object / kinked or pinched off line between the oil tank and pressure pump inlet. Add oil first, if drained in previous step ).

7) if all is good so far, check the fuel filter and low pressure fuel "supply" pump. (I've heard HPCR diesels run dry, their injectors rattle like "valve train death rattle" when that happens, no idea if the GDI injectors do, but I figure it's worth a look)

Good luck and build it up so you can beat on it like it owes you money.

Always Red Dave

Sad to he’s your story but this is why I keep all my new cars original factory stock. Good luck and hope you get it fixed without a lot out of pocket.

Nexxussian

Wait a minute!

I just had a thought. (crazy, I know, right? )

What do these things sound like if On Star or some other theft recovery device shuts them off?

Op, you mention either you bought it at auction, or the small dealer you bought it from did.

What's the chance the Previous Owner called On Star or whomever and reported it stolen just to F with you?

Any idea why the auction?

Any kind of forfeiture (repo, dwi, etc) can leave a PO with a vendetta of sorts.

spinkick

Lol at all the idiots telling you how they keep things stock and I told you so's. Come on, the guy just blew an engine, stop being dicks

I know you didnt have a warranty so you'll probably just take it to a reputable corvette shop and see what the damage is. This is also an opportunity to build it bigger and stronger, better than before. Youll be in the motor anyway, make the best of it!

on star is not going to blow an engine.. lol this is some grassy knoll stuff, right here

We have always wanted to know why you kept things stock

smugness level: over 9000!

AORoads

You're in DFW metro. Look carefully for a place to have it towed, not driven (not that it's moving). I'd first find out why it stopped as others have said, before I start spending money on a new engine. So, what you need is diagnosis and some dealers just don't do that (they put on parts)- so select a dealer wisely. Since you've probably had a '94 LT1, I'm hoping you know the right dealers (or indie shops) to take it to, or the right clubs to call and ask who's the best. You need the best. Good luck.

c54u

Just a wild guess, but some places that sell used cars include 30, 60 or 90 day automatic warranties with a purchase of a vehicle from them. I would call them and ask. You said you bought it 3 weeks ago.

ZorenZ51

You are from Texas and bought it in an auction? More than likely this is one of those cars damaged by flood and sold in an auction?! I find it hard to believe such low mileage corvette would be in an auction unless the title is salvage. But you did not mention about it being one.

Sorry to hear this happen.