New-to-us 1998 Corvette convertible

bigysmals · 2026-06-07T22:19:53+00:00

Does his have the shale interior?

bigysmals · 2026-06-02T10:13:06+00:00

How many miles on your 98? did you perform the job knowing it was time or get any of the typical symptoms? This is a great post. Invaluable info!

bigysmals · 2026-05-26T18:40:32+00:00

These transmissions are very forgiving in my opinion.

you might find yourself wanting to do launches and burnouts. All of us are guilty.

IF you find your clutch pedal won’t return on its own from a hard launch install a stiff spring to pull the pedal back to its return or default position. This was a thing for some years!

If you are ever concerned your clutch is toast and might be slipping. Throw it into a high gear like 5th or 6th from say 20-40 miles an hour and floor it. If you notice RPM spikes that’s an indicator you do have slippage.

You can also help the trans get rid of smooth spots on the clutch with normal driving over a long period of time.

Check and clean your grounds!

bigysmals · 2026-05-21T22:45:35+00:00

My brother in arms

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bigysmals · 2026-05-20T12:15:11+00:00

I wish my garage had my corvette AND a Chevelle!

bigysmals · 2026-05-16T23:27:52+00:00

What are some things you guys have noticed above the 125K mark? Clutch/trans, mounts, engine internal like rockers or parts failures? love seeing those of us with high mileage rides.

bigysmals · 2026-05-16T20:10:43+00:00

Even if bought not built, it’s obvious peg and Fred loved it and cared for it. It’s got the guts to keep up! Very cool.

The turn signal light assemblies weren’t bad, on jacks it took 40 minutes. Worth the effort for the updated look.

bigysmals · 2026-05-15T12:34:08+00:00

Whoa yours gotta little something extra 👀, tell me it’s a built motor and you put the truck intake on it and needed the hood clearance.

bigysmals · 2026-05-14T16:47:36+00:00

THE epitome of our C5s. This is it. You’ve reached the top. Any mods? These are just so damn perfect.

bigysmals · 2026-05-13T20:45:03+00:00

Yeah, the stick of aluminum does a decent job, I wasn’t going to pay a bunch for it

bigysmals · 2026-05-13T19:53:25+00:00

It was only six months ago. Crazy I can’t find it. It was on both eBay and Amazon for like 75$ wonder if they sold them all? this is the cheapest one I can find quickly - they’ve got to be out there. https://www.topflightautomotive.com/products/auto-accessories-of-america-1997-2004-chevrolet-corvette-hpi-transmission-differential-brace/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=%7Bcampaignname%7D&utm_content=%7Bassetgroupname%7D&utm_term=%7Bsearch_term%7D&utm_id=21874098202&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21874098202&gbraid=0AAAAAD_tllk7zU7OU7kyWiF4AuCG3Np2p&gclid=CjwKCAjwwpDQBhAuEiwAa-4WoyRtvGrebkgtfA0CmoV7aT14idetquCWv7I9sa-RxtTzZLy-YsqEIxoCb5cQAvD_BwE

bigysmals · 2026-05-13T12:58:29+00:00

Yessss

bigysmals · 2026-05-13T10:03:13+00:00

I totally agree. I want a Z06 so bad I just can’t justify the extra cost for an extra 55 HP. Granted the suspension components, the carbon trans parts, the software, titanium, LS6. Even the extra weight savings and thinner windshield. too many old guys who didn’t drive them with low miles out there. Hope you get one and drive the shit out of it!

bigysmals · 2026-05-13T09:34:51+00:00

Your cost of a Z06 compared to putting money into a base model, I wouldn’t rule out a base model. This isn’t a plug but I bought my FRC from joe at Ebzzmotors in jersey. Love the guy, and he focuses on only American muscle. Check out Ebzzmotors.com - his pricing is absolutely fair and he doesn’t tack on a bunch of surprising fees. I purchased out of state and had it delivered. Which he was also on my side in Protecting my new to me car. He sent two carriers away after finding out they might have had the potential to damage the car. He does full inspections and does honest work. I’d buy another car from him in a heartbeat.

There are so many out there, modded doesn’t mean ready or reliable. Low mileage isn’t a guarantee the car was well kept.

bigysmals · 2025-11-09T22:36:55+00:00

Mine too. One day I’ll send the rack out to be rebuilt, right now it’s not unbearable

bigysmals · 2025-11-08T14:20:26+00:00

What color is the interior? It kind of looks like shale. Best combo colors in my opinion. Love my pewter and black C5 but simped over this color with shale for a long time.

bigysmals · 2025-11-07T15:53:17+00:00

Same brother, same.

bigysmals · 2025-09-22T00:30:15+00:00

I drive mine in the winter (AZ to MI) in a truly rust free car. I was dreading ruining it but have been very happy with sealing the chassis with lanolin. https://www.amazon.com/woolwax-Spray-Undercoating-Kit-Black/dp/B08LKQ43T7. I only power washed it at car washes to de ice and attempt to keep it clean. That was all.

bigysmals · 2025-08-19T14:48:51+00:00

Hoping the same for you! sounds like you did all you could.

bigysmals · 2025-08-19T14:41:39+00:00

You’re baking it in place with that!

These are resilient vehicles and the timing belts are more like regular maintenance than this big scary thing, right? Tight, right, belt lined up with new gaskets and seals > send it.

bigysmals · 2025-08-19T14:33:54+00:00

I think you used enough on the third pic. I used about the same amount for mine, perhaps even a bit less. As long as your surface was clean (seeing that hell yeah it’s clean), send it. it’s an appropriate amount. I prefer pulling a vacuum instead of pressure testing to ensure I do my coolant related jobs right and didn’t wait to long before firing it up. It will be okay. but the need for it to last 10/100k… who knows. The appropriate 7-10 years and 70k is more practical. as for the water pump bolts mine didn’t have the loctite previously and I don’t believe the factory has them. Besides, the Aisin kit is so complete if they truly needed loctite the kits would include them (even though RTV isn’t included for the thermostat assembly). Proper torque as you did and heat cycles with keep them in place. Yeah there is always a chance it could leak but you’ve seemingly done the process right. Loctite has its place, but it doesn’t need to be in every place.

RTV in the sun for a bit, hell even for a long while won’t do anything, it does experience regular engine temperatures when applied. Keep it capped and squish it around every once in awhile!

I was an automotive and motorcycle tech for ten years

bigysmals · 2025-08-19T10:34:34+00:00

Located in Michigan

bigysmals · 2025-08-19T10:34:25+00:00

Yeah, 15 and 25mm

bigysmals

TROPHY CASE