Hi, I'm a new owner, advice, questions
12-12-2006, 10:14 AM
#1
Burning Brakes
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St. Jude Donor '07
Hi, I'm a new owner, advice, questions
Hi, my name is John, and we just purchased an '04 C-5 Vette in black with the light oak interior. The car is Mint, has 30k miles, and we paid $28.5 for it. From what people tell us, we did good on price, obviously, my wife and I love the car. First question, I need tires, yes, I know they are expensive. I'm leaning towards BF Goodrich G-Force KDW's, they seem like an awesome tire at a reasonable price, My second choice would be Michelin Pilot Sport PS/2's, more expensive, but are they THAT much better? Question, with the stock run-flats just with maybe 10% of usable tread left, the car is very unsteady, subject to alot of bump-steer, and just generally twitchy. Is this a product of the wear, the run flat tire, and just a Goodyear trait? Also, the car has the removable Targa, I've got a leak by the drivers side window upper right corner. Chevy is going to relace the seal, is this a common problem?
I've heard the '06 Corvette Z06 shifter is a bolt-in and big improvement, is it expensive? I don't care much for the stock "axe-handle" that shifts my car. Any other shifter recommendations? Well, I won't bother you much more. I've been active on Mustang Forums for quite awhile, and I know Mustangs in and out, having heavily modified my '04 to 310 HP, but the Corvette is a whole new experience, and I'm happy to be in the community. My wife is already talking about getting a red car for herself. Anyrate, my wife and I are near 50, schoolteachers, and live in VA, nice meeting Y'all, thanks ahead for your advice and wisdom.
John
I've heard the '06 Corvette Z06 shifter is a bolt-in and big improvement, is it expensive? I don't care much for the stock "axe-handle" that shifts my car. Any other shifter recommendations? Well, I won't bother you much more. I've been active on Mustang Forums for quite awhile, and I know Mustangs in and out, having heavily modified my '04 to 310 HP, but the Corvette is a whole new experience, and I'm happy to be in the community. My wife is already talking about getting a red car for herself. Anyrate, my wife and I are near 50, schoolteachers, and live in VA, nice meeting Y'all, thanks ahead for your advice and wisdom.
John
12-12-2006, 10:29 AM
#2
Burning Brakes
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St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09
NCM Lifetime Member
Hi John,
Welcome to the fun! Here's a
from Alabama.
Congratulations
-Joan
Welcome to the fun! Here's a
from Alabama.Congratulations
-Joan
12-12-2006, 10:39 AM
#3
Race Director
The stiff sidewalls of the stock GY runflats can aggravate the twitchiness and bump steer of the car.
Many here opt for the GoodYear GS-D3 as a maximum performance tire at a reasonable price. nothing wrong with the others you specify. The GS-D3 is on par with those on dry roads and surpasses them in the wet.
When you put on the new tires get a four wheel alignment. It should cost you under $100. even the local stealership only charges $90
A good alignment can alos improve handling by minimizing tramlining ( dartiness as you get stuck in ruts from trucks)
here's a link to a site with alignment specs.
I use the "Advance Street settings"
http://www.vbandp.com/instructions/h...ruct/align.htm
Many here opt for the GoodYear GS-D3 as a maximum performance tire at a reasonable price. nothing wrong with the others you specify. The GS-D3 is on par with those on dry roads and surpasses them in the wet.
When you put on the new tires get a four wheel alignment. It should cost you under $100. even the local stealership only charges $90
A good alignment can alos improve handling by minimizing tramlining ( dartiness as you get stuck in ruts from trucks)
here's a link to a site with alignment specs.
I use the "Advance Street settings"
http://www.vbandp.com/instructions/h...ruct/align.htm
12-12-2006, 10:59 AM
#4
Burning Brakes
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St. Jude Donor '07
Thank you for the advice, I'll check out the Goodyears on tire rack, and
I've got a great alignment shop near me, I'll have them do the car.
John
I've got a great alignment shop near me, I'll have them do the car.
John
12-12-2006, 11:06 AM
#5
Racer
I have a B&M shifter on the way as my Christmas gift from my lovely wife! Part #45044. It seems to be a popular modification & the B&M 45044 seems to have had the most praise recently. Based on my research, that's what I recommend. Enjoy the vette (I had a '00 coupe with no roof leaks - I was lucky) & welcome to the forum. During my brief tenure here I have found that there is a ton of helpful information & lots of helpful members. 
12-12-2006, 11:06 AM
#6
Drifting
The shifter question isn't an easy one. Alot of people are looking for an improvement over the stock set-up. That's where the concensus ends.
Do a search and you'll find alot of good insight on the options- C6 , MTI six-shooter, Hurst, etc, etc, and then look at the anti-venom mod, shifter adjustment.....
Alot of info to digest prior to making your decision...
As a former blue oval fan, welcome to the bow tie crowd... you'll not regret getting a corvette.....
Do a search and you'll find alot of good insight on the options- C6 , MTI six-shooter, Hurst, etc, etc, and then look at the anti-venom mod, shifter adjustment.....
Alot of info to digest prior to making your decision...
As a former blue oval fan, welcome to the bow tie crowd... you'll not regret getting a corvette.....
12-12-2006, 11:27 AM
#7
Melting Slicks
Welcome and congrats! 
I put the C6 ZO6 shifter in mine a few months ago...was a pretty easy install. Lots of threads on it if you do a search. Got it from Fred Beans for around $200-210 I believe. Definite improvement, but then just about anything is an improvement over the stock one!
I put the C6 ZO6 shifter in mine a few months ago...was a pretty easy install. Lots of threads on it if you do a search. Got it from Fred Beans for around $200-210 I believe. Definite improvement, but then just about anything is an improvement over the stock one!
12-12-2006, 11:43 AM
#8
Team Owner
Welcome to the forum the stock run-flats need to go and your replacement ideas sound fine ,
12-12-2006, 11:45 AM
#9
Burning Brakes
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Welcome John from the sunny southwest I can really only talk to you about the tires and the wind noise. On tires I bought the zero pressure PS/2's. I wanted to stay with a runflat and not worry about having to have a tire repair kit stored in the car ( would rather have golf clubs in there). I am very happy with the handling in both wet and dry (I have not tried in the snow yet, probably several more weeks before I see any of that in the mountain pass). The wear has been great too. I already have over 20k on the tires and they still look new and handle great. Road noise is reduced also.
The wind noise is another problem. I cannot seem to get rid of it no matter what I do or the body shop does. I am going to work on it again next weekend while I have several sets of hands to hold the door in place while I adjust it and tighten the bolts down. The new seals help a little in my case but I think another adjustment is the only thing that will work.
Congratulations and good luck.
I can really only talk to you about the tires and the wind noise. On tires I bought the zero pressure PS/2's. I wanted to stay with a runflat and not worry about having to have a tire repair kit stored in the car ( would rather have golf clubs in there). I am very happy with the handling in both wet and dry (I have not tried in the snow yet, probably several more weeks before I see any of that in the mountain pass). The wear has been great too. I already have over 20k on the tires and they still look new and handle great. Road noise is reduced also.The wind noise is another problem. I cannot seem to get rid of it no matter what I do or the body shop does. I am going to work on it again next weekend while I have several sets of hands to hold the door in place while I adjust it and tighten the bolts down. The new seals help a little in my case but I think another adjustment is the only thing that will work.
Congratulations and good luck.
12-12-2006, 12:00 PM
#12
John,
Congrats on the new Vette... you did great on the price! My BFG KDW's (traditional tread) were just delivered yesterday from DiscountTire. DD was offering a $100 rebate if you used their card, I applied for the card online to take advantage of the discount. Total shipped price was $650 after the rebate (which I still have to mail in).
Definitely pleased with their appearance and construction in person... not mounted yet though.
I may wait until the spring to have them mounted, still have to order new tire sensors. I'll post a write up after I've had them on for a bit.
Good luck... you'll drive yourself nuts looking at the reviews for tires!
Congrats on the new Vette... you did great on the price! My BFG KDW's (traditional tread) were just delivered yesterday from DiscountTire. DD was offering a $100 rebate if you used their card, I applied for the card online to take advantage of the discount. Total shipped price was $650 after the rebate (which I still have to mail in).
Definitely pleased with their appearance and construction in person... not mounted yet though.
I may wait until the spring to have them mounted, still have to order new tire sensors. I'll post a write up after I've had them on for a bit.
Good luck... you'll drive yourself nuts looking at the reviews for tires!
12-12-2006, 12:01 PM
#13
Melting Slicks
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St. Jude Donor '07-'08
Just went from Run Flats to Michelin PS2's and wow what a major difference I have also a Hurst short throw shifter and really like it. Probably best thing to do is attend a corvette show or club meeting and ask to feel the differences in the shifters. With the tires, Goodyears or Michelins are a personal choice. Welcome to the forum
12-12-2006, 12:25 PM
#14
Welcome
Congratulations and welcome to the family. I live in Chicago and have a 99 with 80,000 gentle miles and have replaced tires twice. After 2 sets of GY runflats i got tire of the harsh ride. I'm now using non runflats(Nitto, larger size) and upgraded to heavy duty shocks (bilstien) with different sway bars a tie rod ends, what a different ride, I love it....
One piece of advice of advice with the non runflats, you will need an inflator kid with sealant, I purchase a kit used in the Z06s.
SAVE THE WAVE
One piece of advice of advice with the non runflats, you will need an inflator kid with sealant, I purchase a kit used in the Z06s.
SAVE THE WAVE
12-12-2006, 12:29 PM
#15
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Congrats on your '04 C5. Its an awesome car for sure.
As far as the tires go, I'd look at the Goodyear GS-D3's too. They were the top rated tire in a recent test and the price is not bad at all.
As far as the tires go, I'd look at the Goodyear GS-D3's too. They were the top rated tire in a recent test and the price is not bad at all.
12-12-2006, 12:34 PM
#16
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The BFGs are fine. Just have a plan in place for if and when you get a flat.
I suggest picking up a Continental Inflator Kit for TireRack.
Welcome to the Club
I suggest picking up a Continental Inflator Kit for TireRack.
Welcome to the Club
12-12-2006, 12:38 PM
#18
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St. Jude Donor '07-'08,-'13-'14, '16-'17
Welcome to the Forum!Good Advice above^
I went with the C6 shifter and PSII's. The KDW's are a great choice as well. I would have gone that way but when I ordered my rims they were on a 2 month back order...
Peace
Chip
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