Corvette Overhaul, Many ?'s, Please help.

[WantaVette]

Well the problems have piled up and I'm finally gonna have the $$ to take car of them. I will be doing all of the work myself so labor is not an issue. Here is the list;

-Clutch and flywheel
-rotors and pads front and rear
-rebuild and paint calipers
-tune up; plugs, wires, 02 sensors, fuel filter, air filter
-water pump, thermostat (just replaced radiator so the pump is next for preventative reasons)

My questions are; First, the shop manual. I want the one that will tell me exactly how to do everything, what exactly is it called and where do I get it.

I also have a question about the plugs and wires. I plan to put a nitrous shot on by the end of summer. I've heard that you have to run colder plugs for N20 so should I put those in now, will they affect anything if I dont have the N20 yet? What kind should I get.
Regarding the wires, what are the best ones to buy.

If anyone can see anything that I have missed here please let me know.
My car is a 96 LT4 with 75000 miles

 

[Ken]

For the manual there's none better than the Service Manuals, Wiring Diagrams and Bulletins from Helm. They're the most accurate and complete manuals available and are written by the OEM.

I have no idea of how to work with NO2.

 

[SPANISHVETTS]

For the manual there's none better than the Service Manuals, Wiring Diagrams and Bulletins from Helm. They're the most accurate and complete manuals available and are written by the OEM.

I have no idea of how to work with NO2.

I picked up a set on eBay for $70 but it took 3 months of watching and bidding.

 

[TriTown]

My advise on doing the clutch... Use the parts that are known to work!!!!!!! I did a clutch on my 85 and tried to save a buck. It ended up costing me instead. I used parts made in India that came from the local parts store. Turns out the pressure plate is bad. This time I'm installing a Center Force performance clutch. My car is fast enough for me so I'm using the Center Force 1 witch is 30% stronger than stock. You may concider a Center Force 2 for street and strip. If you want to check their stuff out and find a dealer in your area go to http://www.chr.centerforce.com/ Also if you are changing the slave cylinder you should also change the master cylinder at the same time. Good luck with your project! Let us know how you make out too. It will be an experience on your back. :crazy

PS use an oxy/acetlen torch to heat up the exhaust studs before you try spinning them off or you'll snap them off instead. Propane or map gas won't be hot enough. Not a happy moment!!!ad

 

[Edmond]

Sounds like you're going to have a lot of fun!

I've heard that some of those plugs and wires in the LT engines are pretty difficult to get to. Hopefully, I'll find out for myself later this year.

 

[WhalePirot]

I have Magnacore wires, because of the ceramic boots. Might be overkill for you. The factory wires are good and last a long time.

So, UR goint to install Nitrous? You may need an MSD-type setup, but I have no experience with either. I didn't see that in your list of things to do, but your NO2 thang........

After you ger the car 'up' start the exhaust bolts soaking with some penetrating oil. Let it work for a bit and, with your milder climate, you may not need the acetylene flamer.

Here, here on the quality parts. You may be able to exchange the calipers for about the same coin as doing it yourself; with perhaps better outcome.

I hope you enjoy it all and take your time.

Dito on the Helm, Inc. manuals. Take time to learn how they're laid out and what is where in them. Also, read the descriptions of how things are designed to work, to better understand the car.

 

[Bob Yates]

A little thing you should know

The Helm shop manual is a great book but it has it's draw backs...one of them is special tools for repairs on your vette.Sometimes you can't complete a job with out the tool mentioned in the manual. The nice thing is it gives you the part number of the tool needed. The bad news is most of them have no aftermarket replacement that can be picked up at your local tool store. Having worked for GM I know were to buy the tools. The company use to be and I think still uses the name KentMoore. I ordered a ball joint removing tool from them last summer. Here is the phone number in case you need them 1-800-328-6657 . They get the stuff out fast. I've always had good luck with them. Have fun.....Bob Yates

 

[tyrel]

I agree about Ebay, there are used service manuals listed all the time. I seldom rely on just the service manual, however, as I also use the Haynes manual which can be found at any auto supply store. The reason for this is that the service manual is not 100% accurate and sometimes I extrapolate between the two manuals. Also, the Haynes manual has invaluable pictures instead of just illustrations, and gives some real-world advice instead of the by-the-numbers legalese of the service manual. For example, there are differences between the torque settings for various bolts, invariably I just go with the Haynes manual recommendations. As if all this isn't enough, there is a wealth of information available on this site and other forum sites, and I'm speaking of the tech tips and not necessarily some of the forum responses that I've read over the years. I'm sure there are people who are very knowledgable about Corvettes, but I'm very cautious about forum advice only because some of it has been dead wrong.

Anyway, these three sources of data have taught me more about my car than anything else.