1996 LT-1 General Maintenance Questions

DMGroh · 01-27-2005, 05:13 PM

I am a week into ownership of my 1st Corvette and need some tips/advice from long term owners. Mine seems well-cared for and has 115000 miles.

1. The rear suspension is not your typical Oldsmobile; can I trust a typical Firestone/Goodyear shop to do a 4 wheel alignment? If so, what do they typically screw up or omit? If not, who to look for?

2. The car already has traditional coolant (green). Owners Manual states that Dexcool will maintain internal aluminum parts better. If so, any precautions or tips for flushing out the old?

3. This car will only be driven on weekends and not very hard. Go with the factory specified spark plug? Any brand seem to be better than another?

4. About to change the filter on the automatic. Anything special about this item? How about the rear-end service?

5. I have used Seafoam in my motorcycle for carbon buildup with great success. Any thoughts about using this in the gas?

6. Rotors are in good shape, but I'll need pads within the year. Anything special to look for or avoid?

7. Anything else I just don't know to ask?

Atok · 01-27-2005, 08:23 PM

Ok, I'll take a crack at it:

1. Anyone can do the alignment, but in my experience it's very hard to find someone that does a good job. Most shops have people that don't really care about that last 1/2 degree or their alignment machine is hosed. Therefore, I do my alignment manually in my own garage using turntables, castor/camber gauge, tape measures and string.

2. Hmmm, there is something very bad about mixing these coolants. If I remember right the chemical reaction causes sludge. You need to do a complete flush, get it all out.

http://www.getahelmet.com/jeeps/maint/dexcool

3. Go with AC or NGK platinum, stay away from Bosch.

4. Pretty standard, same as any other vehicle. Don't forget to use friction additive in your rear-end. Redline make excellent oil for the rear-end.

5. Nothing goes in my gas tank except for gas and fuel stabilizer in the winter. Your engine runs hot and efficient enough that carbon build up is not a problem.

6. Brake pads...you get what you pay for. You can't go wrong with the factory pads. Performance Friction are good quality pads as well but expensive. BTW, the service manual states only turn the rotors if they are warped (vibration under braking) or they have grooves deeper than 2mm if I remember right.

7. Always use Mobile 1 oil and don't forget to wave when you meet another Vette!!

Have fun!

Atok · 01-27-2005, 08:27 PM

Oh yeah, a better place for these type of questions is the General forum. Check it out if you haven't already.

DMGroh · 01-28-2005, 02:06 PM

Thanks for the info. I read thru the general discussion but found more specific info relating to my questions in this forum.

DOCTOR J · 01-29-2005, 12:58 PM

FWIW -

Re carbon:

I initially pulled the heads on my L98 after its first 5 years of running and found considerable carbon
build-up on the back of the valves. This I attributed to dried-out stock oil seals & some city driving.

If my engine were at >100,000 miles & hadn't been opened lately I'd certainly consider doing a
complete valve job (or at minimum new springs & seals) as normal maintenance.

Also:
You didn't mention it but at that engine age I'd wonder greatly about the condition of the injectors.
Replacing originals with a fresh set would be an early priority in my experience. I'd replace the fuel
filter & check the fuel pump sock at the same time just for peace of mind.

HTH

DMGroh · 01-29-2005, 10:56 PM

Thanks for the reminding me about the fuel filter...that should have been a no-brainer for me, but I see I'm loosing speed as I get older. I'll pull the plugs soon to see what else I can find. ...still getting history from the previous owner (of 5 years).

rtracy · 02-12-2005, 12:36 AM

They are makeing the green coolant for aluminum engines now.