Well-cared for 5.7L...how long will it last?

[HallenTi]

I am looking at a few C4s, and got to thinking that there is a wide-range in the number of miles on each car. Some with less that 35,000 and others at or over 150,000. I realize that there are many factors involved here, but with regular maintenance and reasonable care, overall...how many trouble-free miles would you expect these engines to give before they need anything "major" done to them?

 

[Edmond]

We have a member here with over 200K on the clock. Like with anything, if you take care of the motor, it will last for a long time and treat you very well.

 

[HallenTi]

Thanks Edmond...I like the sound of that (the over 200K)! Tim

 

[vettl83]

The secret is to perform the pm maintenance thats prescribed in the owners manual on schedule. It covers a lot more than just the motor, if you follow it to the letter 200,000 plus miles is easily obtainable. Remember preventive maintenance is always cheaper than corrective maintenance. 84 CF 91 ZR-1

 

[chevyaddict]

I always like to think of regular maintenance in a "synergistic" way. If you don't take care of simple oil and filter changes, lubes and such over time these cause other things to wear which cause other things to wear which cause other things to wear. It perpetuates itself. Keeping up on the simple things and replacing other things when they need it can make a WORLD of difference on mileage. The IROC we have now has 160,000 miles on it and you would never know by looking at it OR by driving it. Still going strong. Our 84 has upwards of 150,000 miles on it and the motor is as strong and smooth as ever. Granted, we didn't own these from the time they were new but I know the IROC was well taken care of before we got it. On the flip side, my hubby's father doens't know the first thing about maintenance. Spent $30,000 on a new Suburban a few years back and after 64,000 miles had to put a new motor in it - simply from neglect. Go figure....:eyerole

 

[Edmond]

What the Chevyaddict said above is so true and it's not just for the 5.7L GM cars, but the same goes for every car. The cost of maintainence is much cheaper and the money is better spent than spending money on replacing motors, tranny's, etc...

And it's not just maintaining the OE parts with just any old cheap stuff, you have to put the premium parts on there because it's a sportscar. If you try to put cheap parts on there, you'll get bad results. But it's also true that you don't have to always get the most expensive part out there. You have to balance between what you want and what your budget will let you do.

 

[vigman]

My 84 had

183,500 when I sold it.. and it was running ok!

My 88 has 136K and shows no sign of dying early!


Don't run it hard.. do maint.. keep the engine cool and she will pay you back in spades!


BTW my neighbor's Dodge van has 225K.. it JUST threw the timing chain ( orig ) and he NEVER did ANYTHING to it... cept oil changes
& tune ups just before smog checks!

My Bronco has 187K and running strong.


So do the math... hey this looks like a poll to me!

Vig!

 

[SPANISHVETTS]

In a time long ago, in a now distant land We had a fleet of 4 vans, 2 pickups, an Olds all with small block GM engines and 1 lonely Ford Bronco. All were maintained to a higher standard than the book called for. When I packed it in the average mileage was over 230K. 2 of the vans were close to 300K with the bronco bringing up the rear at 115K. The Olds dropped the lower end early on in life but GM made it good in warranty. Sure we had parts wear out, A few valve jobs, transmission rebuilds, etc. but with the exception of the Olds not a single major component failure.
My brother on the other hand treats his cars the same as his women. Never had either one last for more than 18 months. Guess how many times he has been left on the side of the road to walk home.

 

[qwall]

My brother on the other hand treats his cars the same as his women. Never had either one last for more than 18 months. Guess how many times he has been left on the side of the road to walk home.

........was he left by the woman or the car? j/k...........its like everyone said above , preventive maintenance, you do little things now and here and they pay off in the long run........my brother didnt change oil on his car for over 5 months and his head blew , had to buy a new head, his reasoning for not changing the oil was that he didnt put 3000 on it yet ( he only did about 1200)

 

[Edmond]

........was he left by the woman or the car? j/k...........its like everyone said above , preventive maintenance, you do little things now and here and they pay off in the long run........my brother didnt change oil on his car for over 5 months and his head blew , had to buy a new head, his reasoning for not changing the oil was that he didnt put 3000 on it yet ( he only did about 1200)

See how much money and aggravation a $20 oil change can prevent? Maintainence is like cheap insurance, buy it now or pay later! LOL.

 

[qwall]

See how much money and aggravation a $20 oil change can prevent? Maintainence is like cheap insurance, buy it now or pay later! LOL.

well he learned the hard way

 

[newowner'91]

I purchased a 1991 with 221,461 miles. I have since turned 222,000 miles and it is still going strong. I'm planning on rebuilding the motor and stroking it to a 383 but it would be interesting to see how long the motor would go. The previous owner said that the motor has never been opened. He changed the oil every 3,000 miles and used Mobile one.

 

[qwall]

wow 222,000 and never any problems? wow , then again maybe i shouldn't be wowed by it, after all it's a vette

 

[Vettelt193]

My brother had a 1990 Chevy Truck with a 5.7... he had close to 300k when he sold it, never opened... used synthetic and took care of it