Corvette Forum - C6 Corvette General Discussion

stupid question

h2oskiman — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:48:25 GMT

Please bear with me what does npp stand for I know what it is what do the letters npp stand for

Does anyone with Gumby wheels want to trade for other 5 star wheels?

lilitaly11 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:39:00 GMT

I am looking for Gumby wheels but cant find any used ones so was wondering if anyone who bought the car with them would rather have the other 5 star stockers.

Worth a shot, anyone?

Thanks

F1 Supercar Tire Repair Frustration (long)

V8lust — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:13:57 GMT

Here is a story about my attempts to get my Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tire repaired. I worked hard at it, suffered a mountain of misinformation, and I hope passing the story on here helps someone.

I've got about 16,000 miles on my '06 Coupe. About a month ago (took me a while to get to writing this) I heard a "pop" while driving to a golf course. I thought nothing of it. Played golf, drove home, no issues. The next morning when I started my car in the garage the dash informed me that the left rear tire was flat. I looked, and found a piece of metal embedded in the center of the tread, like a spike or something. I know I am only supposed to drive on it for 50 miles in that condition, so I wanted to do things right and not have to drive back and forth trying to work the issue out with Goodyear.

My first step was to call the Goodyear 800 number. I asked if the tire might be repairable, and they said it might be as long as the hole isn't in the sidewall and isn't more than 1/4 inch. I asked if it were not repairable, is there any warranty left for my 3 1/2 year old car with 16,000 miles on the tire. They said yes, it has a road hazard warranty which, after the first year of ownership, is pro-rated based on tread left. Sounded more than fair to me.

I then went to their website and found a local dealer listed on their site. I called and asked if they could in fact repair my tire. They said yes. I then asked them to confirm the pro-rated warranty information I got from Goodyear directly. They told me there is no such thing.

I called Goodyear back. They told me that the authorized dealer I had called is wrong, and probably wrong because that particular dealer, while an "authorized" dealer, does not have their special certification to fix run flat tires. I noted that the dealer told me they could fix them, and even if they couldn't the dealer should be able to give me the same pro-rating as any other dealer if I was going to have to get a new tire from them anyway. Whatever, they didn't care.

I then tried to use their website to find a local dealer with the above certification. The search engine there isn't particulary good, since when I punched in my zip code it came up with no dealer with the certification within its mileage range, and I couldn't set the search to go futher and further out from my location to find dealers further away. So I called them again to get them to find me an authorized dealer with certification. They gave me the name of a place maybe 20 miles away which had their certification to fix run flats.

I called that place. They said that you can't fix a run flat, because after you do it doesn't "run flat" anymore. I told them that was odd since Goodyear had them listed as being specially certified to fix them. The guy told me to call back tomorrow after he spoke to the boss. I called back and he told me that maybe you can fix them, but they won't because of liability issues. By now I pretty much think the entire Goodyear organization is nuts.

I call back Goodyear again, report my odd conversation with the certified dealer, and ask for another. They tell me that the nearest other dealer is about 60 miles away -- further than I'm supposed to drive. I hang up and then try to work their dealer search function again by myself, and instead of punching in my zip, I start to punch in zips further away from my home to see what they come up with. I discover a Goodyear-owned dealership about 35 miles away, which has the certification. Why they didn't give me that location instead of the non-Goodyear owned location 60 miles away is anybody's guess, but bottom line I'm happy to find one closer than 50 miles.

I call them and they confirm that they repair run flats and are aware of the pro-rated road hazard warranty. I make an appointment. On my way I stop at a gas station and fill the tire with air. I'm thinking it must be a slow leak since I got all the way home without the tire pressure warning going off, and maybe if I fill it up the mileage to the dealer won't "count" against my 50 miles if something goes wrong and I later have to drive home on it.

I get there before the low pressure warning goes off. The guy looks at the "spike" in the tire and says they can't fix it because it's bigger than 1/4 inch. I say I'm not sure if it is, we can only see the outside of the metal (which appeared to be a touch less than 1/4 inch to me) , and maybe the hole is smaller than the exposed metal makes it seem. The guy pulls the metal out with pliers, and it's now clear that it was a 1/4 inch bolt that went through the tire, and the head of the bolt was outside the tire making it look like the hole might be bigger. But the guy says the hole is too big. I ask if I had pulled the bolt myself before coming over, wouldn't you agree that it might seem like less of a hole, since the hole itself closed in after the bolt was removed. He said it doesn't matter, because the blunt end of the bolt, unlike a nail, would have ruined the steel cords anyway and the tire can't be fixed.

As you might imagine, at this point I don't trust anything anybody from Goodyear tells me, but I ask him how much it will cost for a pro-rated replacement. The guy measures the tread and tells me he can give me half credit, so it will cost $230 (installed w/tax) for a new tire. This seems like a much bigger credit than I should have expected with 16,000 miles gone. I feel kind of stuck anyway given how far I've had to come to find anyone who even says he can repair the tire, and I am concerned about a weakened tire, so I tell him to do it. He says okay, in about 4 days after I order you a new one.

Now I'm really stuck. I don't want to leave my car for 4 days with strangers. I've already driven it 35 miles, and am unsure if that mileage counts toward the 50 I can safely drive, and the bolt has been removed so I can't just go to a gas station and fill it up. I decide to pull the bolt out of the trash, and get the guy to loan me his pliers so I can sort of screw the bolt back in the hole to possibly plug the air from leaking faster. He then tries to fill it with air for me, and watches his gauge go down quickly. He tells me it won't last, and to go to a gas station and buy a temporary plug, which may hold until I get home. I end up going to a station and just filling it with air, and for some reason it does last until I get home. I have no idea what was wrong with his gauge, but the air lasted fine, even after pulling and replacing the bolt.

A couple of days later I go to a station again, fill it again, and go back and have the tire replaced for the $230 quoted. (BTW, if I had planned to replace my current Supercars with new Supercars when they all wore out, this would have seemed like a great deal to me. Unfortunately I was planning to get a different brand, so having to throw my new replacement rear tire away to match my new tires sometime soon made the current purchase less than ideal.)

Anyway, I don't know if they could have repaired the tire or not. I don't know if the fact that the bolt is blunt rather than sharp-edged is a real issue. I did get a replacement tire at what I feel is a better than reasonable price. I would have had to pay full price for a new tire if I had gone to the first authorized dealer I found. I'm not at all sure what the true value of a run flat tire is if in fact it can't be fixed, given that 50 miles is too short of a driving allotment if every tire has to be replaced with a new one after you find a Goodyear store and then have to order the replacement anyway.

That's my story. Sorry it was so long, but any one of you might benefit from hearing any part of the tale, and there's no telling what's the most important aspect of it for you.

My advice: Don't run over a bolt.

Any comments will be welcome.

This forum is real slow, whats wrong?

HotRedC5 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:44:17 GMT

Past few days its not been working well. Very slow. I mean real slow like dial up.

Tail of the Dragon Pics

Mike McG — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:44:05 GMT

Love my tinted windshield. If you saw my videos I posted, you can see there are NO visibility issues either. Hope you guys enjoy!

Carbon Fiber Dash Kits

HotRedC5 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:40:21 GMT

My 2008 coupe is a base model. I've seen the carbon fiber kits in some mags and thinking it might dress up the dash, steering wheels, shifter. If you have done this is it an easy install, and is it worth the $$$?

My new Vett!

#1 TA WS-6 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:23:42 GMT

I finaly got off my a$$ and picked up another vette. The new one is a base 2008 red m6. I love the power of the ls3 over the FRC I had. Tons of power and alot less traction. Picks can be found in my album I believe. I gotta run for now but let me know what you guys think.

Link to a few pics http://forums.corvetteforum.com/memb...msmy-cars.html

I intend to upgrade the brakes and suspension fairly soon.
The shifter leaves a little to be desired and the roof makes some racket. Both readily fixable.

Best deal on orbital buffer and which brand?

SunsetStroker — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:04:32 GMT

Im unemployeed right now and cant find a job so I figured I could try making some money detailing friends cars. My pops has offered to buy me a orbital buffer of my choice as long as I get a good deal for an early christmas present. I want to get one of those complete packages that includes all the pads and polishes and I dont want to have to buy anything else for a while.

Can anyone recommend a vendor that has a good price and a complete package? Or if a vendor reads this, send me some info on a deal.

C7 Corvette

tslick98 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:28:42 GMT

I posted this in the C5 section cause that's what i have, but i figured you guys over here would like to know this as well.
I just got my February 2010 issue of Corvette Enthusiast and according to GM VP of global design, Ed Welburn, went on record to say that he expects the C7 to have a split rear window. Also stating that Sideswipe from the movie Transformers is NOT the C7.
Just thought you'de want to know.

Adjusting C6 rear Latch Assm??

SinisterBlkC6 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:03:32 GMT

I noticed the center of the rear hatch is high by about 1/8" in the center only. I tried playing with the rubber stops and its not that. The latch assm. either has to go down or remove some of the shims under the catch. Which is the correct adjustment and if it is the latch assm. how is it done?
Thanks in advance...

Wrong tempature reading?

obone — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:35:25 GMT

I know that these things are not the most accurate tempature readings out there, but my A/C control reads 42 degrees for an outside temp when it is clearly in the mid to high 60's. I cannot find anthing about it in searching. Has anyone had this? Will it correct itself? Or do I have a problem? The inside cabin temp seems to be correct. The A/C and Heater both work.

Black Vette Owner - anyone ever use this...

3L337 C6 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:28:53 GMT

Anyone ever use this product: http://www.turtlewaxblackbox.com/

reviews on it? Work for you? Is it safe?

New Tires - Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus RF

jenward74 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:40:01 GMT

Took Black Betty to the dealership Monday for 3000 mile service and tire balance. The tech said he did a walk around at first, checking tires, etc. and checked everything off as fine. I am fairly sure these are the original Goodyears, they were on the car when I bought it at 18000 miles, and now have 25000 on them.

When they got the car up on the lift, they noticed that the inside of the front tires were showing metal. They said it was due to alignment and offered to sell me some new Goodyears at an exorbitant price. The rears had no unusual wear pattern.

I had them do the alignment, then shopped around and ended up with a couple of Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus Run-Flats from Discount Tire. They were cheaper at Sam's, but Sam's here doesn't mount low profiles, nor do they service them, and as many miles as I drive, I needed the road hazard stuff.

Just got the Mich's put on last night, but on the 50+ mile drive home, I could immediately tell they were a much quieter, smoother ride. The rears are getting close to the wear marks, so I'll probably have to shell out some more in the next 6 months, but these Mich's are way easier on the wallet than the Goodyears. :thumbs:

PeterVette

HeadPapago — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:39:39 GMT

Just when you thought you've seen it all.....

When chroming out your Vette just ain't gonna cut it.... and NPP is for "gurly men"... just grow a pair 'stacks :rofl:

http://blog.cardomain.com/2009/11/17/why-2/

Ragin' Racin'-Stage 5 "Fastest Stock Shortblock C6 Z06"

Ragin Racin — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:18:13 GMT

Hey guys here is one of our Stage 5 Z06's
Mods include -
Vortech Supercharger 8lbs
RR-Blower Cam
RR- Ported Intake & TB
Kooks 1 3/4 Stepped 2'' headers
RPM Auto Trans 3200 stall
Snow Meth Injection
RR-Tuning
706rwhp
This is the Fastest Stock Short Block Z06 built by Ragin Racin. It also has the best 60' ft recorded by a C6 Z06 with a 1.29. It is also not a one hit wonder. We have several 9.5 timeslips to back it up.