cumbercr

My 85 has a third brake light. They added them mid year.

pletzvet

I'm not disputing this, but it is the first that I've ever heard that the third brake light was introduced during mid year production of the '85's. My VIN puts it pretty much right in the middle of the production year (18,??? - not exactly sure of the last 3 numbers). There is no 3rd brake light on mine.

Pwnage1337

Looks like I lucked out!

I thought they came in 86 with ABS. >.> Guess not lol

LD85

my vin ends in F5138369

the vins end in 85 model year with F5139729

they must have added the 3rd light in the last 1360 cars

cumbercr

My VIN is F5121007 and it definitely has the third light.

eguyett1985

My 85's are F5115406 and F5121787 and neither of them have it. Are you sure someone didn't add it later? I once had an 84 that someone added the 3rd brake light to using GM parts and it looked just like a factory install.

powerpigz-51

F5110134 here, no light....where do the numbers start for 85?

AKS Racing

Third brake lights started in '86. The '85 that claims mid year was most likely added by a previous owner.

LD85

f5100001

MTVETT

I have a 85 vette and no 3rd brake light

ChadHeckert

If your looking for engine mods, I have stock heads, air intake, throd body with after market air foil, cam, roller lifters with push rods, MAF housing with both air hoses, air intake housing with a K&N filter from a '95 LT1. I'm pretty sure they'll bolt on being that we both have iron block 350's but maybe some guys here will know for sure. '95 LT1's was rated at 300hp but you probably get a bit more with the air foil and K&N filter. Their all in excellent condition and I'm looking to sell if your interested. Just let me know.

ch@0s

lt1 heads wont fit an l98 cam and lifters wont work either with an 85. Lt1 and L98 engine parts will not interchange. With few exceptions.

pkazsr

I am amazed the OP bought a Vette without knowing anything about it.

ch@0s

I agree .. to the OP please spend some time using the search feature you will learn a lot.

Welcome to the Forum

gaguy

I suggest getting FSM, you are going to need it!!!

856SPEED

85's have no third brake light.......unless modified at some point.....I have a late production run 85....no 3rd brake light!......mine is number 34,525...one of the things I like about the model year.....especially when adding the "ZR1 aftermarket rear end" like I did....no third light with the later model (91-96 rear)......

but to the original question......no cheap mods I agree to this model year if you are a serious performance nut.......they require some substantial "tinkering" if you want to bring them into the 21st century performance levels.....which I have done over the years to mine as a project car.....

have fun

John A. Marker

Welcome to the Forum. The 85 has its good and bad issues, but over all a good car. If you are lucky, the auto with a set of 3.07 gears is a great base. really no need to go down a ratio or two (3.73 or 4.11's). The 85 was known for its torque with the L98. Best modifications to for the $$ are involved with the exhaust.

PM sent.

Bondami

I think its pretty common, I bought one without knowing anything other than I wanted a Vette since I was a kid. I mean after all its a car.. its not one of the secrets of the ancients or something, It is in fact a car made by Chevy and as hard as this is to convince some folks it was actually made with wipers and a heater because it was made to be driven in bad weather..(you know rain,snow etc)

and for the OP , I second getting the factory service manual (FSM) and get ready for some serious acronyms.. D36 Dana model 36 rear end and yea they are all posi-traction. Its a great car and responds well to most common mods like exhaust, cam etc. Welcome.. and get ready to learn alot, this forum is very helpful