I'm pleased to say my Z28 will no longer be my daily driver! I have been given a company car which I can also use for personal trips, so the Z can now become a garage queen and weekend warrior. It's got 55k and is paid for, and I have the garage space, so I can justify keeping it around.

I'll be storing the vehicle for 2-3 week intervals, and then finally put it to bed for the rainy season starting here in October. Is there anything I should do for the short durations so the car doesn't dry up/rot/whatever? How about for the winter?

 

Your battery can discharge over that period of time. I bought a CTEK battery charger that's designed to not over charge batteries.

 

2-3 weeks is no big deal.

winter time you could put some fuel stabilizer in the tank.

but don't fall into the wives tale about starting it regularly to "circulate the fluids"
it's actually better to just let it sit. after just a few days most of the oil has drained out of the engine and bearings, so the initial startup is for the most part "dry" of oil...which increases wear. so the fewer "dry starts" the better.

for the 2-3 weeks...don't start it
for the winter i wouldn't even start it

and the battery maintainer is a good idea

you could go as far as putting some moisture absorbers in it over the winter to help draw moisture out of the interior. and if you have rodents...maybe tape off the exhaust tips.

 

---------
WINTER
---------

For moisture - open box of baking soda or those nice fridge packs sitting in the car work fine.

Rags in your exhaust (I also like to spray all exhaust components besides headers with WD-40 just to help out there).

Treat weather stripping/tires/add little extra air to tires.

Fuel Stabil/full tank/fresh oil.

Wash/wax/cover if desired.

Disconnect battery - should be fine just sitting in car, depending on garage conditions...

Spray under-hood components with silicone spray.



---------------
COUPLE WEEKS
---------------

disconnect battery.









----> as mentioned, do not bother starting it unless you feel the desire to take it out for a weekend. The above is what I have been doing the past 3 years - never a problem. Garage is not heated, but attatched to house (so not uncomfortable as others may be?) and I haven't had battery problems ever. When you start it wouldnt hurt to prime the fuel pump a one or two times. That's all I can think of at this time of night.