New 1987 Corvette Owner!
01-06-2013, 09:55 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
New 1987 Corvette Owner!
Hello everyone! My name is Stephen and I recently purchased a 1987 Corvette. It currently has 86,xxx miles and in pristine show room condition. It's white with red interior, targa roof, custom exhaust tips, and a 6 disk CD changer. The red leather seats look untouched. The carpet is relatively new, just dirty. New weather stripping. New brakes.
I have a few questions for all you fanatics and "know how's" out there!
This Vette has the digital gauges. Are those at all rare or were they pretty standard?
It is going to be turned into a daily driver, 20 miles every other day, what's the best way to keep this engine clean and electrics up to par so I can get as many miles out of it as I can?
The engine is stock, which I like, but are there any tiny upgrades I could do to increase power a bit?
I'd like to change out the exhaust completely. Headers, pipes, tips. What brand is recommended for a nice deep throaty sound?
Also, I plan on changing out the head unit, do they make kits for this year? Or would one have to be made custom? Yeah yeah, I know it lowers the value of the car but I have a thumping sound system from a previous car. And like I said, it's going to be my daily driver.
Why I purchased a Vette: I'm a Chevy man! I had a 1991 Z28 Camaro Convertible that was very special to me. My father purchased it 3 months after I was born. It was in the family for 19 years. I drove it for the last four years of it's life. I was restoring it because of the sentimental value it held. Thousands upon thousands of my hard earned cash went into it. New engine with 5k miles, new tranny, new rear end, new interior was on it's way, new suspension, and a lot of little GM NOS parts. It was my life up until about 3 weeks ago. A drunk driver rear ended me at a stop light. He fled the scene and hit a cop a few blocks down. They got the bastard (excuse my french) I had a buddy of mine who is a master Camaro expert look it over and explained that the rear frame support and rear end is torqued. He said that in order to fix this, the back of the door to the end of the rear bumper would need to be cut off and all replaced. So it is currently sitting in my back yard being parted out.
Which is why I purchased another Chevy! I've heard good things about this year of Corvette yet I don't know much about them. I'm hoping you guys can guide me in my dive into Corvette society!
I have a few questions for all you fanatics and "know how's" out there!
This Vette has the digital gauges. Are those at all rare or were they pretty standard?
It is going to be turned into a daily driver, 20 miles every other day, what's the best way to keep this engine clean and electrics up to par so I can get as many miles out of it as I can?
The engine is stock, which I like, but are there any tiny upgrades I could do to increase power a bit?
I'd like to change out the exhaust completely. Headers, pipes, tips. What brand is recommended for a nice deep throaty sound?
Also, I plan on changing out the head unit, do they make kits for this year? Or would one have to be made custom? Yeah yeah, I know it lowers the value of the car but I have a thumping sound system from a previous car. And like I said, it's going to be my daily driver.
Why I purchased a Vette: I'm a Chevy man! I had a 1991 Z28 Camaro Convertible that was very special to me. My father purchased it 3 months after I was born. It was in the family for 19 years. I drove it for the last four years of it's life. I was restoring it because of the sentimental value it held. Thousands upon thousands of my hard earned cash went into it. New engine with 5k miles, new tranny, new rear end, new interior was on it's way, new suspension, and a lot of little GM NOS parts. It was my life up until about 3 weeks ago. A drunk driver rear ended me at a stop light. He fled the scene and hit a cop a few blocks down. They got the bastard (excuse my french) I had a buddy of mine who is a master Camaro expert look it over and explained that the rear frame support and rear end is torqued. He said that in order to fix this, the back of the door to the end of the rear bumper would need to be cut off and all replaced. So it is currently sitting in my back yard being parted out.
Which is why I purchased another Chevy! I've heard good things about this year of Corvette yet I don't know much about them. I'm hoping you guys can guide me in my dive into Corvette society!
01-06-2013, 10:04 PM
#2
Drifting
every 84-89 Vette had that dash. It's not like the Berlinetta Camaro.
They make a kit for the radio.
Exhaust is a great up grade. Brand is personal preference.
Oh, service it regularly and enjoy!
Where ya located?
Oh yeah, Welcome to the party.
We like pics!
They make a kit for the radio.
Exhaust is a great up grade. Brand is personal preference.
Oh, service it regularly and enjoy!
Where ya located?
Oh yeah, Welcome to the party.
We like pics!
01-06-2013, 10:11 PM
#3
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Jul 2011
Location: Myrtle Beach South Carolina
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Welcome to the club! Somewhere we have jackets....
you will love your corvette and it will make you.........
Smile
Cry
Laugh
Get mad
And any number of other emotions, but most important, you will be a proud member of an exclusive club! Congrats on the purchase, now where's the pic?
you will love your corvette and it will make you.........Smile
Cry
Laugh
Get mad
And any number of other emotions, but most important, you will be a proud member of an exclusive club! Congrats on the purchase, now where's the pic?
01-06-2013, 10:52 PM
#7
Racer
Thread Starter
Wow thanks everyone! Such a warm welcome into a new family! And I use my phone to post on the forums, how do I go about posting photos on here?
Thanks for the quick response to the questions! I appreciate it.
I live down here in Florida!
I remembered a few other things by the way.
I plan on getting a full car cover and covers for my seats. Any recommendations on either of these? I don't want these untouched seats to crack or fade.
Is there any protection against the pleather piece where the emergency brake is? I think it's called a bolster..? Correct me if I'm wrong.
I'm also looking for floor mats to preserve the carpet. Anyone find cool ones around?
Thanks for the quick response to the questions! I appreciate it.
I live down here in Florida!
I remembered a few other things by the way.
I plan on getting a full car cover and covers for my seats. Any recommendations on either of these? I don't want these untouched seats to crack or fade.
Is there any protection against the pleather piece where the emergency brake is? I think it's called a bolster..? Correct me if I'm wrong.
I'm also looking for floor mats to preserve the carpet. Anyone find cool ones around?
Last edited by Stephenms; 01-06-2013 at 10:55 PM.
01-06-2013, 11:07 PM
#8
Drifting
Congrats on the purchase!! Sorry to hear about the Camaro! Check the websites like Mid America, Ecklers, Corvette Central, Wilcox etc. you can find anything for a C4. Welcome to the insanity!!
01-06-2013, 11:09 PM
#9
Drifting
The best way to post pics is use a Photobucket account or something like it. I don't know how that will work with your phone. If need be, until you can get it figured out, you can email me 2 or 3 and I'll post them for you, to keep the pic wolves at bay. LOL
Compyellow95@gmail.com
Compyellow95@gmail.com
01-07-2013, 12:18 AM
#13
Race Director
Some good, trusted sites for you:
www.corvettecentral.com for new parts.
www.vette2vette.com for used parts.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/audio-electronics-20/ for audio questions and advice.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/southeast-42/ to find other Corvette owners in your region of the country.
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/vader86/ for advice on modding your car that actually work.
Welcome!!!
www.corvettecentral.com for new parts.
www.vette2vette.com for used parts.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/audio-electronics-20/ for audio questions and advice.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/southeast-42/ to find other Corvette owners in your region of the country.
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/vader86/ for advice on modding your car that actually work.
Welcome!!!
01-07-2013, 12:32 AM
#14
Race Director
I am going to be renting a place on the beach in Pensacola the first part of April. If you live nereby then I would love to come by and take a peek at her. (anything to keep from going to another freaking shopping trip with the bride)
01-07-2013, 01:10 AM
#15
Drifting
01-07-2013, 07:07 AM
#16
Racer
Thread Starter
Thanks for the welcomes everyone!
I've taken note of the websites previously posted and will be looking for new exhaust shortly!
And I'm here in Sarasota. Pensacola is a 7 hour drive!
Has anyone taken their catalytic converter off in these things? When my dad had the Camaro he took it off I think 3 weeks after he got it. It sounded mean! I'm thinking I could do that to this Corvette with not much of a problem.
My dad and I were reading up on this year of Corvette! Fantastic things were said about it. I am impressed!
EDIT: Also, I just read that these require 91 Octane fuel, is that correct? My Camaro had the 305 but it was modded, I never put 91 Octane in. I think that was a no no...
I've taken note of the websites previously posted and will be looking for new exhaust shortly!
And I'm here in Sarasota. Pensacola is a 7 hour drive!
Has anyone taken their catalytic converter off in these things? When my dad had the Camaro he took it off I think 3 weeks after he got it. It sounded mean! I'm thinking I could do that to this Corvette with not much of a problem.
My dad and I were reading up on this year of Corvette! Fantastic things were said about it. I am impressed!
EDIT: Also, I just read that these require 91 Octane fuel, is that correct? My Camaro had the 305 but it was modded, I never put 91 Octane in. I think that was a no no...
Last edited by Stephenms; 01-07-2013 at 09:29 AM.
01-07-2013, 07:30 AM
#17
Drifting
Welcome and congrats on your first vette!
Make sure you check your local laws before you remove your converter, especially when you get it smog tested. It may also cause your vette to throw a problem code.
Make sure you check your local laws before you remove your converter, especially when you get it smog tested. It may also cause your vette to throw a problem code.
01-07-2013, 02:27 PM
#20
Race Director
Member Since: Jul 2000
Location: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
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