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Thread: My 1996 Corvette

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    Noob TheTodd's Avatar
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    My 1996 Corvette

    This is my summer fun car... or as I like to call it... the reason I can’t afford better gear for my SQ car.

    I really have a bad habit of buying decent fixer-upper cars, fixing them, getting bored with them, then selling them only to repeat the process. I’m still working on the fixing with this car but this is the first one I think I can say I’ll probably keep for a long time. This car puts a smile on my face like no other has before. I just started a build log for the stereo, which will be pretty basic, but I’ll keep this one for all the other fixins & upgrades.

    The car:
    Click image for larger version. 

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    It’s got 95 ZR1 wheels on it which are 17x9 & 17x11 & LT4 Grand Sport motor. 330hp/340tq
    Click image for larger version. 

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    To start, when I bought the car it had a nasty habit of marking its territory with oil everywhere it went and the additional plus was the occasional white smoke and burning oil smell in the car. Then shortly after came the slipping clutch. Upon inspection someone slathered the intake manifold gasket area with RTV. It calls for a THIN BEAD of silicone between the heads along the valley. I guess someone thought slathering it all over would be better. So, $1800 later I had a new clutch, solid flywheel conversion (rather that OEM dual-mass), new valve cover gaskets, intake manifold gasket, new rear main seal and clutch slave cylinder.

    While the exhaust was off to do the clutch, I decided to do a muffler delete. I picked up the pipes with OEM tips for $180 and it was the best decision I made so far. It sounds so bad ass and it’s not as obnoxious as you’d think. Wide open throttle will make you grin ear to ear though.
    Click image for larger version. 

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ID:	8700

    This was now the time I discovered that with hard/quick shifts the shift pattern cap would fly out of the top of the shifter so... time for a new shift knob.
    Click image for larger version. 

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Views:	359 
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    I’m now in the process of replacing or repairing interior trim pieces. I also have a decent sized order coming as I type with some new goodies including some new intake pieces (more HPs... yay) as well as other assorted parts to fix a wobbly passenger mirror and a screw kit to replace a LOT of missing fasteners throughout the interior.

    The car itself is a really nice 5-footer. The stripes are not factory and were poorly done.
    Click image for larger version. 

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    These are just 3 examples of what the stripes over the whole car look like. There’s also overspray ALL over the entire car from the stripe painting. The last owner tried to take good care of it but didn’t do a great job so there’s scratches all over the entire car. Being a professional detailer I still couldn’t get it to where I’m happy so a repaint is in order. I’ve really been contemplating Plasti-Dip and dipping the whole car in Shadow Black from DipYourCar.com. While I do like the stripes, and get compliments on them all the time I’m not sure if I’ll re-stripe it or not.
    Last edited by TheTodd; 01-04-2020 at 04:18 PM.

  2. Back To Top    #2
    Noob TheTodd's Avatar
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    Re: My 1996 Corvette

    The coolant reservoir also decided to spring a leak so that got replaced. The bracket that holds the ECM is broken so the last owner zip-tied it in place and some of the weatherstripping is cracked & dry rotted. Luckily it only leaks under extreme downpours and I rarely drive it when it’s supposed to rain. When that does happen I get a small drip from the roof near the windshield so if I have to drive it in the rain I just put a towel on the passenger seat.

    Here’s what some of the seals look like
    Click image for larger version. 

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Size:	4.14 MB 
ID:	8714
    Nothing major, but it’s on my list to replace.

  3. Back To Top    #3
    Dickhead SublimeZ's Avatar
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    Re: My 1996 Corvette

    Sweet. Too bad those stripes are sketchy, I like the look. Should be a fun car, LT1's are torquey


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    Noob JayinMI's Avatar
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    Re: My 1996 Corvette

    Quote Originally Posted by TheTodd View Post
    This is my summer fun car... or as I like to call it... the reason I can’t afford better gear for my SQ car.
    I have two of those now. My '89 S-10 LQ4 swap and now a '99 Neon I bought as a daily (and MECA stock class Installation car.)

    Jay

  5. Back To Top    #5
    Noob TheTodd's Avatar
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    Re: My 1996 Corvette

    If you’re interested in a set of wheels & tires for the S10 project I’ll make you a deal on mine. With 315 wide tires on 11” wide wheels in the rear it should help that thing hook up.

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    Noob TheTodd's Avatar
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    Re: My 1996 Corvette

    I got a smidge of work done this week over my lunch breaks. A little while back I ordered a new shifter console plate and had to get a cheap Chinese knock-off because the original ones from GM are now made from unobtanium. Of course the knock-off version has that stupid rubberized coating on it. And just from laying my phone on the cup holder door it got all scratched/scuffed and it got kind of sticky.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    So after soaking it in a mild cleaner and scrubbing with a Scotch Brite pad I finally got the stupid stuff off. A couple coats of Duplicolor Flat Black later...

    Click image for larger version. 

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    It’s not perfect but you can only see the small imperfections close up and I highly doubt anyone is going to get their face THAT close when it’s in the car. Since it’s supposed to be 60* this weekend I’m hoping to get some actual work done on this thing. In addition to not wanting to work in the cold I really don’t want to risk breaking plastic parts... especially when some are made of the previously mentioned unobtanium.

  7. Back To Top    #7

    Re: My 1996 Corvette

    Quote Originally Posted by TheTodd View Post
    This is my summer fun car... or as I like to call it... the reason I can’t afford better gear for my SQ car.

    I really have a bad habit of buying decent fixer-upper cars, fixing them, getting bored with them, then selling them only to repeat the process. I’m still working on the fixing with this car but this is the first one I think I can say I’ll probably keep for a long time. This car puts a smile on my face like no other has before. I just started a build log for the stereo, which will be pretty basic, but I’ll keep this one for all the other fixins & upgrades.

    The car:
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	25C1FE6D-B91F-47EE-82FD-6B59CD154E79.jpeg 
Views:	367 
Size:	3.13 MB 
ID:	8697
    It’s got 95 ZR1 wheels on it which are 17x9 & 17x11 & LT4 Grand Sport motor. 330hp/340tq
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	6B60C0CA-E2F6-4D0D-A230-FEF785982AEF.jpeg 
Views:	358 
Size:	2.85 MB 
ID:	8698Click image for larger version. 

Name:	281F5372-E46E-4061-963C-69D3DC3133A6.jpeg 
Views:	369 
Size:	2.85 MB 
ID:	8699

    To start, when I bought the car it had a nasty habit of marking its territory with oil everywhere it went and the additional plus was the occasional white smoke and burning oil smell in the car. Then shortly after came the slipping clutch. Upon inspection someone slathered the intake manifold gasket area with RTV. It calls for a THIN BEAD of silicone between the heads along the valley. I guess someone thought slathering it all over would be better. So, $1800 later I had a new clutch, solid flywheel conversion (rather that OEM dual-mass), new valve cover gaskets, intake manifold gasket, new rear main seal and clutch slave cylinder.

    While the exhaust was off to do the clutch, I decided to do a muffler delete. I picked up the pipes with OEM tips for $180 and it was the best decision I made so far. It sounds so bad ass and it’s not as obnoxious as you’d think. Wide open throttle will make you grin ear to ear though.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	46AE6172-6376-4217-BC6A-F58F10C5BBF2.jpeg 
Views:	359 
Size:	2.83 MB 
ID:	8700

    This was now the time I discovered that with hard/quick shifts the shift pattern cap would fly out of the top of the shifter so... time for a new shift knob.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	73498648-A408-4B6E-A5A4-FD0E4DD96F4F.jpeg 
Views:	359 
Size:	2.70 MB 
ID:	8701

    I’m now in the process of replacing or repairing interior trim pieces. I also have a decent sized order coming as I type with some new goodies including some new intake pieces (more HPs... yay) as well as other assorted parts to fix a wobbly passenger mirror and a screw kit to replace a LOT of missing fasteners throughout the interior.

    The car itself is a really nice 5-footer. The stripes are not factory and were poorly done.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	B0A7F668-A117-4E0F-A182-B0DBC7E3FBB1.jpeg 
Views:	341 
Size:	3.29 MB 
ID:	8702Click image for larger version. 

Name:	EF260718-30C6-4A01-917B-2FEBC2EB6A67.jpeg 
Views:	351 
Size:	3.94 MB 
ID:	8703Click image for larger version. 

Name:	71621DB3-C7B8-4F39-A60B-417F7E7AB508.jpeg 
Views:	355 
Size:	2.36 MB 
ID:	8715
    These are just 3 examples of what the stripes over the whole car look like. There’s also overspray ALL over the entire car from the stripe painting. The last owner tried to take good care of it but didn’t do a great job so there’s scratches all over the entire car. Being a professional detailer I still couldn’t get it to where I’m happy so a repaint is in order. I’ve really been contemplating Plasti-Dip and dipping the whole car in Shadow Black from DipYourCar.com. While I do like the stripes, and get compliments on them all the time I’m not sure if I’ll re-stripe it or not.
    Don't ever get rid of that car! There is nothing else like a torquey V8 with a manual transmission in a real sports car. Regarding your shift knob, Hurst makes some damn fine shifters, complete with knobs.

  8. Back To Top    #8

    Re: My 1996 Corvette

    Quote Originally Posted by TheTodd View Post
    .......I also have a decent sized order coming as I type with some new goodies including some new intake pieces (more HPs... yay).......
    That LT4 intake is pretty damn good, I'm guessing you're getting a throttle body?

  9. Back To Top    #9
    Noob TheTodd's Avatar
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    Re: My 1996 Corvette

    Quote Originally Posted by ckirocz28 View Post
    Don't ever get rid of that car! There is nothing else like a torquey V8 with a manual transmission in a real sports car. Regarding your shift knob, Hurst makes some damn fine shifters, complete with knobs.
    Quote Originally Posted by ckirocz28 View Post
    That LT4 intake is pretty damn good, I'm guessing you're getting a throttle body?
    Nope. I just went with some simple bolt-ons. I don’t plan on doing any more HP upgrades. The 330 this thing has stock is plenty for me. As for the shift knob, the pic above is the new one. I got it from Speed Dawgs shift knobs. I highly recommend them. They have good pricing and LOTS of designs to choose from.
    Last edited by TheTodd; 01-11-2020 at 09:20 PM.

  10. Back To Top    #10
    Noob TheTodd's Avatar
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    Wink Re: My 1996 Corvette

    Stock intake :
    Click image for larger version. 

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    And I replaced it with this:
    Click image for larger version. 

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    I'm not 100% sold on the fitment. You can see how the one side of the filter is bowed in a little. I’m not sure if it’ll affect anything but I’m definitely going to keep an eye on that. I also replaced one of the accordion boots with a smooth one. Some people say the accordion boots collapse under heavy acceleration but I have no way to confirm that. It seemed pretty firm when I took it off but, if nothing else, it should provide smoother airflow into the throttle body.

    I also managed to replace both broken seat release bezels, fixed my wobbly passenger side mirror, and realized that replacing the broken ECM bracket is beyond my capabilities. Apparently it’s integrated into the mounting for the brake booster and I’m not comfortable removing that myself so... that’ll have to wait.

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