New 86 vette owner need performance help

[cra97]

I have recently purchase my first vette, 1986 coupe, and know absolutely nothing about performance enhacement. Since I am stationed in Germany, I have been told there are numerous things I could do to help my "get up and go". The only drawback is I bought a automatic. What can I do to help stay up with the others on the autobahn and where can I get it that will ship to me over here. Realize though that as a soldier I do not have unlimited resources to do this with but I do have mechanically inclined friend for any alterations. Thanks for any help you all can be.

 

[Mart]

Welcome, this is the place to be if you just picked up a Vette, and do not worry about the automatic you will come to appreciate it.

There are several threads in here on free mods, just do a coulple of searchs in the C4 section, but basically here's a short list.

• Open the air intake, along with K&N filter
• move the MAT sensor
• 180 or 160 thermo
• TB coolant bypass
• HPFR (High preasure fuel regulator)

This is just the start, is your Vette a Z51?

I just finnished with a new intake manifold gasket and while I was there I ported the plenum and intake.

And finally, just out of curiosity what are the last five numbers on your VIN, just looking for sisters of mine on the prod line.

Let's see a pic. Anyway welcome aboard, the guys in here are really helpful, a just chuckle at the smart As_ comments you will get, it's all in fun.

And last but not least, wave
Mart

 

[cra97]

Not to sound dumb but....

Thanks for the ideas but out of all those things you mentioned I only know what you mean by one: the air filter I am not very car savy so if you could be a bit more specific that would be awsome, but thanks for the info either way. I will post a picture as soon as it gets here, it is currently on a boat between the US and GErmany and is due to arrive in 10 days. As, for your question the last 5 numbers are 25211. Are we related? lol. I look forward to and expect the teasing as I am a easy target with my vette virginity and lack of mechanical knowledge. Thanks again for the help.

Rob Appleby

 

[Mart]

I little light reading through the C4 threads and in no time you will gain a whole bunch of knowleg on the things I mentioned, if some are unclear, jst ask.

So, you have a later year 86, aluminum heads, I'm pretty sure.

If you had the RPO code list you could tell how it is optioned.

Mart

 

[WNH]

Reading the threads are good to gain knowledge.
I would also recommend a few books:
'Haynes Repair Manual', Corvette 1984-1996.

'Chilton'' Corvette Repair Manual 1984-96.

I bought these books when I bought my Vette & it helped me understand the car better.

 

[C4ME]

Welcome troop and Bless you for your service. Another good book on the technical and design side of the C4 is a book call Cor-Vette Specs. You can get it from Overstock.com for ~$25. It is the real pinhead details like the optional Bose stereo add 13.4lbs. It is a really interesting anthology of the design and great detail of particular years and options.

This site is a great place to learn the language. A word of caution is to read before you buy a "get fast quick" product.

Joe

 

[c4cruiser]

First, congratulations on your purchase. You'll have a whole lot of fun and you might even pick up a few frauleins with it!!

You will find that even with an automatic, you can easily do 140+ on the autobahn so don't worry too much about being left in the dust. But make sure you have good tires and brakes. Spend some time getting to know the car and its already great capabilities. And with the summer coming in Germany, you will want to have a nice ride to check out a whole bunch of fantastic places.

Check with the PX to see what they can order for you. I would assume that basic maintenace things are available (oil, filters, plugs, etc). There are a number of Corvette clubs in Germany and you might be able to hook up with one. Expect them in the larger cities like H-berg, Munich or even Frankfurt. There are some big clubs in England, Holland and Sweden. Try doing a Google search on "European Corvette Clubs" or something like that.

Some parts suppliers will ship to APO/FPO addresses (Summit Racing is one so checkout their website www.summitracing.com ) They really don't show a lot of Corvette specific stuff, but you can always exchange e-mails. IF you need brake parts, try the Tire Rack www.tirerack.com They also ship to APO/FPO addresses. Expect ship time from 4-10 weeks for stuff from CONUS.

As far as books, the Haynes and Chilton manuals are very basic and really don't get into the level of detail that a Helms manual does. Helms prints the factory service manuals for use by GM service techs and those are the ones to have. Go to www.helminc.com to order one. They run about $100 but are worth their weight in gold, especially if the car has to be worked on by a technician that may not be familiar with the C4 systems.

If you have trouble getting stuff delivered directly to you, consider having a good friend or relative get the things you need and then have it shipped to you.

WhenI was young (many years ago!!) my folks and I lived up in Hanau. Graduated from high school in Frankfurt. Really enjoyed Germany and all that I saw in Europe. We got there just as the Wall was going up. Sure miss the beer!! And thanks for serving your country!! You are very much appreciated by your fellow countrymen for all the sacrifices you make.

George
US Army 1967-1970
Viet Nam 68-69

 

[cra97]

George,

The sacrifices I make today would not be possible without the sacrifices YOU made during your service. I thank you and yours for all you did to keep our freedom before I was even born
I would like to thank all of you for such a wonderful welcome to the forum and all the great ideas given and to come. I really appreciate the indepth advice (some even including direct links, WOW) for me and look forward to reading what you all say in the future. As a footnote I am located in Heidelberg, so thanks for letting me know about the club here in town. Thanks again and keep the ideas flowing.

Cpt. Rob Appleby

 

[C4ME]

Cpt. as a new fellow 86' owner, please up date us as to your upgrades. I am curious of your opinion.

 

[WhalePirot]

Cpt. Rob- Must be Army, if there. Cool!

Read, read, read. Learn to search this site and try to filter the various opines. I also have the Helms' books for a few model years.

I miss Heidelburg, the Roten Ochsen, the bridge, castle and the Philosophen Weg across the river. Been a few years, but I was lucky enough to get there a few times before and during my service. Perhaps again, under CRAF.

I learned by doing, at the base hobby shop and by reading and spending. If I learned anything, it is: 1) to believe about 10% of the claims and 2) use ONE successful approach, from ONE non-BS hi-perf mechanic. A local club can steer you.

My dream of driving a Vette; any Vette on the 'Bahn is still just a dream. Enjoy!

 

[cra97]

THe Bahn is my dream too.....

I am still waiting to get my vette here. It shipped out of the states on 15 Jun and will be ready for pick up on 2 Jul, boy I cannot wait. I got on here before it arrived just to get some ideas on what to have waiting for her when she got here and that has turned out to be the best idea I have had (other than buying the vette It takes so long to get parts that I have order some basics and they will still not get here until about the same time as the car I will put some pics on as soon as I get things straight and get this, the port is six hours away from the berg here so my first trip in the car will be a long straight autobahn ride!!! I will have to take it easy i guess as I will want to make sure everything is ok wh\ith the car prior to "testing it" on the rode at high speeds. I never expected to meet so many helpful, nice, and even more impressive military people here in this forum. It truely is one of my favorite places on the net. I constantly find myself coming in here and just looking around and trying to find out all I can. I guess part of this is because my family (wifey and 3 kids) are back in the states for the summer and I have the time on my hands now, but hey whatever the reason I am learning more and more everyday. I guess I know what books I can take for reading when I go to Afganistan this winter for reading now though Thanks again guys for the help and friendliness.

Rob

 

[C4ME]

Rob,
I mentioned this book before and found if for a friend at a great price. This is the real detailed stuff about the design of the C4 and there is a chapter for each year along with a great deal on the early design decissions. Great pictures of models and interior mock ups. Also, there is a spec sheet on RPO codes for each year along with a four page data sheet on all manner of detail for each year with some very detailed specs.

cor-Vette Specs is the actual title.
http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?PAGE=PROFRAME&PROD_ID=250657

Thanks,
Joe (CPO USNR)

P.S. I just bought my car an it is shipping from NV to AL. The darn thing will not be here until the 1st and it is killing me! I am sure the shippers server that hosts their tracking software is getting a serious loading from me checking it status every 1/2 hour.
Keep your head down in Afganistan.

 

[WhalePirot]

SO, the only German driving movies I have seen were taken from an 850 BMW, 6-speed.

We all await films from this new autobahn speedster!

When I asked Dick Guldstrand about his experience driving a Vette there, he just smiled broadly.