Well, i'm about to hit 50k miles on my 97 Z28 manual. I got the car at around 43k miles and i was wondering what i should start to pay attention to as far as reconditioning goes, or what i should get checked. Basically i want to catch the problems before they happen and i thought i should come there cause you guys probably know what i should start checking at this point in time. The car isn't really modded heavily... bit more effecient intake... performance headers, cleaned out cats and i was told buy a mechanic that worked on my car that the previous owner must have rerouted the cooling system to somehow cool my throttle body, not sure on that one though.

 

there isn't much that you can really "prevent" unless you tear apart the intake to fix the "intake oil leak" that is a comon problem.

how old are the plugs and wires? it's probably worth changing if they aren't new. and maybe run some Seafoam through the engine to clean out the grim (do a search)

 

I've got over 100K miles more than you and my car is FINE. I've changed opti and waterpump. Changed the clutch. About to change the coil.

Aside from that, unless its just a lemon, your car is still an infant. Don't worry...it's got TONS of life left, just start up a little savings fund for when parts start going bad. Water Pump and Opti are usually your first to go.

 

if its not broke dont fix it, you can do the basic tune up if you want, plugs wires, fuel filter,

 

Sounds like the previous owner did the throttle body bypass.

A note on running Seafoam through your intake--be careful. I ran Seafoam through my intake and it caused both my O2 Sensors to go bad. (They were about due for a change anyway, but I'm sure they would have been fine had I just left things alone.)

You may cause yourself more trouble trying to fix things that aren't broken. I'm sure you'll be fine sticking with a regular maintenance schedule.

 

I agree. I used to be a fix-it-before-it-breaks kind of guy, but (and I can't remember what it was) I was doing something like that on my Jeep a few years back and wound up breaking something else...cost me around $600 when it was all said and done, on TOP of what I'd spent before hand!

Now, I wait til it breaks. I do change plugs, wires, and fuel filter like underwear though...never hurts to do that. Good spark and clean fuel; good combination!

 

The previous owner probably did the famous "throttle body bypass" mod. It's a free mod you can do on a 97 that just re routes one of the hoses from the cooling system that runs through the throttle body. It allows the throttle body to run cooler by not not pumping 180 degree coolant through it.

As far as other maintenance as mentioned changing plug, wires, fuel filter is a good idea unless you know they were replaced when you bought it. The only other thing I would recomend for a "tune up" would be to change your front two O2 sensors. I did mine at 50K while I was in there doing headers and new plugs and wires. Good luck with it and, oh yeah, howdy neighbor!

 

Ok, now all of a sudden the "Service Engine Soon" light is flashing and there is now a shudder... i parked it of course. As you guys can imagine for someone who doesn't know much about the workings of a car this is very frustrating for me.

 

How much would a good tune up run me? So far i have plugs wires fuel filter and front two O2 censors.

 

what you have is about all you can do for a tune up on these cars (also rear O2's). I would drive it down to Autozone and have them scan it for you to find out what your problem is.

 

Yeah, i went to autozone, they said i was running lean and there was something wrong with my computer chip... i think the Camaro Gods are trying to screw me over or something.

 

Well i'm taking it to the garage today, wish me luck and a low bill.

 

well, on a 97 there is no "chip" per say...only the PCM...whcih is the entire computer. you could have a bad sensor thowing the code, probably an o2.

good luck with the mechanic

 

breaking stuff is cool,
gives you a chance to upgrade


Trans went, better rebuild with a stall and 383
rear went? time for 3.73s
exhuast manifold leak? long tubes/catback
seats wearing? Corbeau seats

my only problem is tires
I cant get a set of street tires to last over 5000 miles

change the coolant, thats about it

as far as your code, its throwing an 02 sensor code because your cat was hallowed out. dont let them scam you
get 2 o2 simulators and skrew them in. very easy cheap too, under $100 right?

 

If you change your underwear as often as your plugs, etc., you either are wasting money on plugs, etc., or you wouldn't be someone I'd want to be be stuck in an elevator with...one or the other