Finally got my first vette
03-21-2011, 01:17 PM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Finally got my first vette
When I was a 12th grader, driving around in a v6 firebird, I decided it was my goal to have a corvette by the time I was 30. Took nine years, a camaro, and an 85 trans am that taught me A LOT about working on cars, but here it is. A 1988.
I probably shouldve closed the hood before taking the pictures. Oh well. Gotta love how somebody stole the rear emblem...
Cost less than bodywork, fuel injection, subframe connectors, posi rear, and everything else would have cost upgrading the bird. Car has a spun bearing, luckily I just built a 350 for the bird that I can put in it. Does anybody think the tpi computer will have trouble with a voodoo 60101 cam?
Interior needs some work. Looks like somebody pried open the console box because they lost the key (dealer made me a new one from VIN for $4. this will cost more to fix) One of the rear boxes wont open. Key turns, but it wont open. Wonder whats inside. Any suggestions on how to get that without breaking things would be great.
Top has broken brackets, need to take it off before driving. I'll probably fab something until I get the money for a new one.
Now I just need to get my good motor from the firebird, put the 305 back into it, pull bad motor from vette, put in good motor, sell firebird, then I can finally enjoy my new car.
I probably shouldve closed the hood before taking the pictures. Oh well. Gotta love how somebody stole the rear emblem...
Cost less than bodywork, fuel injection, subframe connectors, posi rear, and everything else would have cost upgrading the bird. Car has a spun bearing, luckily I just built a 350 for the bird that I can put in it. Does anybody think the tpi computer will have trouble with a voodoo 60101 cam?
Interior needs some work. Looks like somebody pried open the console box because they lost the key (dealer made me a new one from VIN for $4. this will cost more to fix) One of the rear boxes wont open. Key turns, but it wont open. Wonder whats inside. Any suggestions on how to get that without breaking things would be great.
Top has broken brackets, need to take it off before driving. I'll probably fab something until I get the money for a new one.
Now I just need to get my good motor from the firebird, put the 305 back into it, pull bad motor from vette, put in good motor, sell firebird, then I can finally enjoy my new car.
03-21-2011, 05:55 PM
#8
Race Director
Love the parking brake. I have had the same style on many of my cars in the past.
Try www.contemporarycorvettes.com or www.vette2vette.com for used parts as this will save you some money.
Good luck with the project!
Try www.contemporarycorvettes.com or www.vette2vette.com for used parts as this will save you some money.
Good luck with the project!
03-21-2011, 06:46 PM
#9
Instructor
Thread Starter
Thanks guys.
You're actually seeing the good side of that trans am. The other side was sideswiped before I bought it. Only way I could find one for a thousand that didnt have rusty holes in the floors.
I picked that cam because it was the biggest that vortec heads could use without modding for more lift. Selling those rather than spending the money on a vortec tpi base.
Those blocks are there because the linkage was disconnected and trans shifted into neutral underneath. Didnt even think of the parking brake as it was rolled off the flatbed. And I've already put it in park, dont know why I left the blocks there.
You're actually seeing the good side of that trans am. The other side was sideswiped before I bought it. Only way I could find one for a thousand that didnt have rusty holes in the floors.
I picked that cam because it was the biggest that vortec heads could use without modding for more lift. Selling those rather than spending the money on a vortec tpi base.
Those blocks are there because the linkage was disconnected and trans shifted into neutral underneath. Didnt even think of the parking brake as it was rolled off the flatbed. And I've already put it in park, dont know why I left the blocks there.
03-21-2011, 06:58 PM
#10
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Dec 2005
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Now the fun begins. Eveything you need to know about you can research. It's a never ending project. And I don't mean that in a bad way. There is always something that needs to be done.
Enjoy the ride ____________ _________
Enjoy the ride ____________ _________
03-21-2011, 07:32 PM
#13
Le Mans Master
Congrats , same thing happened to me 4 years ago
i had a 82 V6 Bird for 11 years and my goal was to have my first vette before i turned 30,that was 2007 and 2 weeks later my engine needed a rebuild,it was the beggining of a real love story,i can't get enough of it !!! Welcome to the right place , here we will give you more ideas and the addiction will grow !
i had a 82 V6 Bird for 11 years and my goal was to have my first vette before i turned 30,that was 2007 and 2 weeks later my engine needed a rebuild,it was the beggining of a real love story,i can't get enough of it !!! Welcome to the right place , here we will give you more ideas and the addiction will grow !
03-21-2011, 07:37 PM
#14
Team Owner
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Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20
03-21-2011, 08:44 PM
#16
Intermediate
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Welcome, I am a new owner of a Yellow Vette at 30 years old too!
I have owned mine for 3 weeks and am in love with it all ready. (my wife is getting jealous)
Congrats!!
I have owned mine for 3 weeks and am in love with it all ready. (my wife is getting jealous)
Congrats!!
03-21-2011, 09:53 PM
#19
Welcome to the madness!
If the key turns and the button pushes in you should be able to open it. Maybe someone spilled some sugary drink and the door is just stuck. Give it a good tug?
03-22-2011, 07:35 AM
#20
1st Gear
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I saw this post and couldn't stop myself from registering and posting some pics of my '90 Coupe. I've had it for a couple months now. I bought it about a week after I turned 24. While I was at university I was looking for a new car, I saw these C4s and decided it had to be the next car I got! Took a little while to get there, but not that long really!
I'm not too sure how to post a pic so hopefully these links work...
I'm not too sure how to post a pic so hopefully these links work...