F.G.'s Corvette modernization/restoration thread

As some of you may know, I own a 92 Corvette. The car needs some minor restoration, which is mostly cosmetic to get it back into shape. As I do this, I will also modernize whatever can be modernized to bring it into the 21st century. Keep in mind that this project will take time, and updates will be done to it as time and money allow. I also have a DD Firebird and an F150 that need regular maintenance. However, the main focus will be on the Corvette.

When I bought it, it was bone stock and in good condition minus a little paint fade.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...3/103_0115.jpg

First ever dyno run when it was stock. Made 247 rwhp and 295 rwtq.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...-14_103008.jpg


Over the years I did the typical bolt ons, along with a built trans with 3200 stall. This is pretty much how it looks like. Its still a good strong car, but the paint is a 10 footer and the car has typical old car problems.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...ps59d20734.jpg

The past year and a half or so, I went through a bit of depression. The car was not neglected, but I didn't really do anything to the car other than regular maintenance. I drove the car regularly but did not go to car events like I used to. I was still enthusiastic about cars, but I was not as involved as I used to.

Slowly, things started getting better In my life and one day I decided to go to a weekly cruise in that was in its infancy. There I got back into the car scene as one of the first that went to that cruise and one of the die hards that is there every week rain or shine.

I met many great friends there whom, along with their cars, gave me the itch to get my car back in shape.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...psaaf7bd75.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...psb0a5a52e.jpg

Just as I was getting back into the car scene, my steering column broke, the key would not turn. At first, I thought the ignition cylinder was at fault, so I replaced that.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...ps69d75e67.jpg

It still wouldn't work, so I was able to get ahold of a used steering column from a 94. A mechanic friend of mine helped me swap columns, and that did the trick.

Over the years, my shocks got so worn out, that the car would actually bounce a little on the highway. Of course, not wanting to leave things stock, I went with Bilsteins with Z51 valving to go on my base suspension. The car is now stiffer, more stable, and corners a lot flatter.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...ps87114212.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...pse8552642.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...psa3dda025.jpg

My tires were also pretty worn, hard, and dry-rotted, so I decided to replace them. This time around, I went with Nitto 555 in 275 front and 315 rear. I wanted a tire that would still give me good dry traction, but would last longer, and be safer in the rain. I'm also trying to get the car to be more road trip friendly, as that's what I want to do with the car this year.

Getting the tires installed
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...psff506d38.jpg

Rear shot
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...ps185eaaef.jpg

Just wanted to show off my C5 brake swap I did a couple years ago. Great improvement!
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...ps1483516c.jpg

I cleaned my engine bay after over a year of not touching it. It took a good 3 hours, but the result was well worth it. I got many compliments when I entered my first car show in the past two years.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...pscb7fb2a5.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...psd60a16ac.jpg

The past two summers I had been living with no A/C in the car. 100+ degree weather here in Texas is no fun, and the girlfriend in particular did not even want to get in the car.

I was able to find a used, low mile compressor for 70 bucks, and decided to take a gamble on it. Everything else was bought new. I was planning on installing everything myself, but my mechanic friend offered to install it for $50 so I said why not.

As you can see, this compressor is black instead of natural aluminum. I wasn't too sure about it, but I like it now, and I plan on powdercoating the alternator to match.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...ps1a2b2b83.jpg

Last Friday, I decided to run errands in the car and I was very happy to have working A/C since it was the first day of the year that the temperature got to 100 degrees.

Unfortunatley, my starter heat soaked and would not start the car. I've been dealing with this problem ever since I installed the longtubes two years ago. Anyway, I let the car cool for about 40 minutes, and it finally started. I got home and tried to move the car, but this time it was so hot out, that the car would not start for an hour and a half.

I dealt with this all of last summer, and I really do not want to deal with it this year, so I bit the bullet and ordered myself a Powermaster 9502 mini starter. From the research Ive done, this starter is supposed to fix the heat soak problem.

This is where Im at now. I'm just waiting on the starter to get here and I hope to have the car ready by the 11th since me and the girlfriend plan on taking a small roadtrip in the vette for the first time.

The near future plans (no particular order) are:
1. Powermaster starter
2. Fix/replace my trans temp gauge
3. HID headlights/fogs
4. Convert to LED exterior/interior lighting
5. Weatherstripping
6. update the interior
7. update the sound system
8. hydrodip some underhood components such as frc's
9. Lower the car
10.Fix the right rear tail pipe hanger

Longer term plans:
1. LE2 or Ai topend or full build (depends on condition of engine when I get to it)
2. Lower gears
3. Full Z51 suspension
4. Toledo Pro cowl hood
5. Paint

I forgot to ask if installing a starter blanket on the new starter will be beneficial, or if it will just trap more heat inside?

Hey man...GREAT START to the write up!

I Never saw a starter blanket...but on my camaro...i wrapped the starter in header wrap and it worked GREAT!!!

LTXtech.com is my Drug...

Thank you popo. The starter blanket is pretty much like header wrap, I'll give it a try. On another note, today on my way to get my pre employment medical results, my A/C stopped working. The clutch is not engaging. On top of that, my starter is yet again heat soaked. I've been stuck here for almost an hour and I'm thirty miles from home. I'm not driving this car until my new starter comes in.

Gotta love the Corvette. My dream was to buy a 93 40th Anniversary Edition, but it never worked out. I'm coming up on my 25th year as a founding member of the National Corvette Museum, but I've never owned one. :(

Good luck with your project.... it's one I'm going to watch very closely.

Thank you for the compliments, I almost bought a 6 speed 40th before this one. That's cool that you're a founding member, hopefully one day you get your dream car.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by F.G.

Thank you popo. The starter blanket is pretty much like header wrap, I'll give it a try. On another note, today on my way to get my pre employment medical results, my A/C stopped working. The clutch is not engaging. On top of that, my starter is yet again heat soaked. I've been stuck here for almost an hour and I'm thirty miles from home. I'm not driving this car until my new starter comes in.

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My pleasure man, and that sucks... I hope you get it straightened out and fun to drive again. Even my lil l98 c4 is a blast to drive...drove it today actually. NO AC. lol

BTW, if you use the header wrap...wet it, and wrap it tight, use large zip-ties to attach it, as it dries, it will tighten.

Thanks for the tip popo.

So after waiting almost two hours, the car started. I got it home and checked the AC. The compressor is not noisy so I think that's good. Just the clutch is not engaging, and the car just blows hot air through the vents with the AC on. My mechanic friend is going to check it out later today. I think I need a new clutch. Does anyone think my suspicion is correct?

I think they also have a safety feature that if it loses r12 or freon or whatever, they will not cycle.... I THINK...