First Time Corvette Owner Questions

chuckndonna67 · 10-23-05, 05:35 PM

Just bought a 1987 Convertible from a private party, my first vette. Couple questions: 1) Spare tire/wheel and jack/wrench missing---where can these be bought?; 2) I have only one ignition key---unknown coding---where can duplicate ignition keys be obtained?; 3)Previous owner replaced the Y-pipe on the muffler system, but not the mufflers, not good connection at the mufflers. I am considering replacing the mufflers----anyone had any dealings with Midas? Just sold a '56 BelAir for my first vette. Hope to get the kinks out so I can enjoy it.

NC2Stay · 10-23-05, 05:51 PM

Welcome and congratulations on the new purchase! I am not an expert, and more will chime in, but...

1) some models had run-flat tires and did not come with spares; sometimes the owner removed the spare and jack to reduce weight if racing - but not sure how you would get them.

2) Any GM dealer can reproduce the key - you may want to bring your registration/title with you so that they can be sure its not stolen.

3) Nobody here seems to use Midas...

Bob

tigmaned · 10-23-05, 06:10 PM

great ready to have some fun with your vette.
alot of that stuff can be found on eBay motors, i found alot of my stuff fo my 86 there, like a factory GM service manual, the keys too.
i just got my walker sound FX mufflers off rockauto.com for $53 each, bolted right up to my rear Y-pipe and have a nice low rumble to them.

also check the sale adds here and corvetteforum too.

chuckndonna67 · 10-23-05, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NC2Stay

Welcome and congratulations on the new purchase! I am not an expert, and more will chime in, but...

1) some models had run-flat tires and did not come with spares; sometimes the owner removed the spare and jack to reduce weight if racing - but not sure how you would get them.

2) Any GM dealer can reproduce the key - you may want to bring your registration/title with you so that they can be sure its not stolen.

3) Nobody here seems to use Midas...

Bob

Thanks Bob for the tips----how about Meineke (for muffler work)? Chuck

tnovot · 10-23-05, 09:07 PM

For parts, a Corvette specialty salvage company like Contemporary Corvette or vette2vette.com could be good choices.
For the mufflers, I think most owners would browse the catalogs or websites of Mid America Motorworks or Corvette Central and buy a set of mufflers. They both have a nice selection of different styles. You could do the install yourself (pretty easy - especialy with a newer Y pipe) ) or have a reputable local exhaust shop (not a chain) do the install.

toms94 · 10-23-05, 10:31 PM

I have not heard anyone using any of the "chain" shops for their mufflers. I bought Corsa system and installed it myself. If you are handy at all you should be able to do it. As for the spare, 1994 was the first year I think for the run flats (EMT, extended mobility tires). So your car should have come with a spare. Like suggested above, contact one of the several vette salvage yards to find replacement jack/wrench/etc.

Oh and welcome to the fold.

tonylong · 10-24-05, 01:04 AM

Contemporary Corvettes is located near Phila, also Stoudt Motors in Reading specializes in vettes.
Welcome to the board.

Andy · 10-24-05, 05:21 AM

Welcome to CAC..As stated, look online..EBAY has numerous items for your car. I have had several duplicate keys made for my 1979 and they did not work. I even went to a locksmith, and he couldn't replicate it....Just an fyi....Hope you can get around that one..

By the way, on 10.23.04 their was an all vette show in Whitehall, i believe put on by the Allentown Corvette Club. Joining a club would open up your corvette world a bit.

Good Luck and Welcome from a fellow Pennsylvanian.....

Andy

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckndonna67

Just bought a 1987 Convertible from a private party, my first vette. Couple questions: 1) Spare tire/wheel and jack/wrench missing---where can these be bought?; 2) I have only one ignition key---unknown coding---where can duplicate ignition keys be obtained?; 3)Previous owner replaced the Y-pipe on the muffler system, but not the mufflers, not good connection at the mufflers. I am considering replacing the mufflers----anyone had any dealings with Midas? Just sold a '56 BelAir for my first vette. Hope to get the kinks out so I can enjoy it.

Andy · 10-24-05, 05:23 AM

Chuck..make that 10.23.05!!! Still a bit early

Andy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy

Welcome to CAC..As stated, look online..EBAY has numerous items for your car. I have had several duplicate keys made for my 1979 and they did not work. I even went to a locksmith, and he couldn't replicate it....Just an fyi....Hope you can get around that one..

By the way, on 10.23.04 their was an all vette show in Whitehall, i believe put on by the Allentown Corvette Club. Joining a club would open up your corvette world a bit.

Good Luck and Welcome from a fellow Pennsylvanian.....

Andy

Silveradojoe · 10-24-05, 09:08 AM

Good luck with your "new" ride. You will have a blast.
I went to a local locksmith who had worked with keys with chip inserts. He made me duplicates for ignition and door for $20. He even told me the chip number for future reference.
Enjoy.

vettedoc · 10-24-05, 09:19 AM

Good luck with the "new" car. You can find out which chip your key has by measuring the resisitance with an ohm meter across the chip and looking it up on the chart. Many of the catalogs have replacement keys which can be cut by your local hardware store. Try Ecklers, The Last Detail, and Corvette America. You can buy the mufflers and clamps from any catalog and have your mechanic do the work as well.

Doc

NC2Stay · 10-24-05, 02:05 PM

As others have pointed out, most of the crowd here does not go to the chain stores. I don't think there is any reason against them, just that guys here are more hands on, and with access to all the parts it's a do-it-yourself job, or something your local mechanic can easily do.

If you do go to a chain for a "turnkey" job, make sure that the mufflers they put on are low restriction, as the original equipment was. An important part of getting best performance from your Vette is moving air through it - this includes both the air intake and the muffler.

Lots of guys complain (or replace) because the stock mufflers are in fact very quiet. But if you replace then, it would be just for the sound - even the replacement mufflers are not THAT much better than stock in air flow - so I have been told!

Bob

Tuna · 10-24-05, 03:16 PM

I'll second Contemporary Corvettes. I've found them to be quick and reasonable with good parts.

BTW, the spare tire and wheel adds to the crash worthiness of the rear end. So, it might be nice to have one back there for more than just having a spare in case of a flat.

vett boy · 10-24-05, 07:08 PM

Use to be Strouts in Reading Pa. great place when i had a bunch of vetts that always needed good used parts.

chuckndonna67 · 10-24-05, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy

Welcome to CAC..As stated, look online..EBAY has numerous items for your car. I have had several duplicate keys made for my 1979 and they did not work. I even went to a locksmith, and he couldn't replicate it....Just an fyi....Hope you can get around that one..

By the way, on 10.23.04 their was an all vette show in Whitehall, i believe put on by the Allentown Corvette Club. Joining a club would open up your corvette world a bit.

Good Luck and Welcome from a fellow Pennsylvanian.....

Andy

Thanks Andy, I have made contact with the Easton Area Corvette Club and hope to attend their next meeting. They have members who also have an '87. Joining a local club will hopefully give me local information: mechanics, parts, etc.