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found a 1992 Z Rag Top

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Old Sep 23, 2007 | 05:14 PM
  #1  
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From: Richmond Hill, GA
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found a 1992 Z Rag Top

I've come across a 1992 Z28 Convertible. Would like to get it this week or next week before its gone. but need to ask a few questions before making the trip.

the car has just under 50k miles on it, the motor has been rebuilt because it sat for such a long time. since then its sat another year or so. so he said 5 years total.

what kind of things go wrong when a car sits for a long time? I know the tires are all shot, but he's giving me 4 replacement tires for it. and he's giving all new struts.

He said the car would need to be towed, cause of the tires, and whatever else could be wrong. I figured i would go down there and have it towed to a local shop to put the tires on for me, and give it a once over to make sure everything looks alright. then head home with it.

the engine/ tranny/ rear are all in great running condition, i think he;s just worried about the wheels and suspension. it should be able to drive fine right?

after all i've said. He wants no less than $4,500 for it. it just needs a really good cleaning, and paint job.

Worth it?

this is the only pic i have to go on.

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Old Sep 23, 2007 | 05:57 PM
  #2  
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From: Boosted Land
Car: 92 Z28
Engine: Boosted LSX
Re: found a 1992 Z Rag Top

ask for more pic's. Has it been sitting on grass or the likes. check for under body rust.

dry roted brake lines/under hood hoses. make sure no animals made a home out of it. (in heater box/ chewed up wires,etc)
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Old Sep 23, 2007 | 07:45 PM
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From: Richmond Hill, GA
Car: They all sit.
Engine: LS1, LB9, LB9, L98, LT1, LT4, LT4
Transmission: A4, T5, T5, A4, A4, T56, TR6060
Re: found a 1992 Z Rag Top

in 2001 it had all the engine work done. all new hoses, sensors, wires, everything internal with the engine, 3k in reciepts. new gas tank and pump. i'm prob going to snag this one. he going to get it moving for me, enough to get it to a shop. i'll have the shop check the vitals for me and then go from there. i'll have more pics tomorrow. hes going to clean it up a bit move it and take pics.

its been sittin on cement, not grass. and it was stored inside for most of its life, untill the last 5-6 years. im not worried about paint, or how clean it is, i can do that kind of stuff myself.

one other thing he did tell me was that when he bought the car, the guy who sold it to him marked it as not actual milage, cause of a speedo problem when they did the rebuild. maybe a hundred miles between the time he had it rebuilt and when he noticed it wasnt working. but had it fixed, and was honest about it b4 selling it.
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Old Sep 23, 2007 | 07:59 PM
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From: plano texas
Car: 91 RS Vert, 87 SC T-Top
Engine: LO3, LG4
Transmission: 700r4's
Axle/Gears: 2.73, not sure yet
Re: found a 1992 Z Rag Top

my 91 sat for 3 yrs with 73,000 miles on it
all i did was change the battery and replace the O2 sensor
she roared to life of the first time
even with the 3 yr old gas
but thats mine
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Old Sep 23, 2007 | 08:21 PM
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From: Somewhere around the South Side of Chicago just crusin' in one of the Niteriders
Car: 92RS 25th Anniv./88 IROC Z28 Vert
Engine: 305 TBI w/Tpi Air / 305 TPI
Transmission: 700r4/700r4
Axle/Gears: Posi
Re: found a 1992 Z Rag Top

My 92 sat for a year and a half and we put a battery in and Vroom with the old gas in it.

Still I would change all rubber hoses, rubber brake lines, etc. I would also be wary of brake pads, alternators and starters which once the car is running you can judge.

Basically dry rot and rust is your enemy.
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Old Sep 23, 2007 | 08:39 PM
  #6  
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From: Richmond Hill, GA
Car: They all sit.
Engine: LS1, LB9, LB9, L98, LT1, LT4, LT4
Transmission: A4, T5, T5, A4, A4, T56, TR6060
Re: found a 1992 Z Rag Top

should i take one of my batteries out of my SS's as a back up? as long as i bet it going, i should be able to get it home and work on it from there.

hopefully my girlfriend will let me go get it on saturday morning.
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Old Sep 23, 2007 | 09:21 PM
  #7  
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From: plano texas
Car: 91 RS Vert, 87 SC T-Top
Engine: LO3, LG4
Transmission: 700r4's
Axle/Gears: 2.73, not sure yet
Re: found a 1992 Z Rag Top

Originally Posted by 86NiteRider
My 92 sat for a year and a half and we put a battery in and Vroom with the old gas in it.

Still I would change all rubber hoses, rubber brake lines, etc. I would also be wary of brake pads, alternators and starters which once the car is running you can judge.

Basically dry rot and rust is your enemy.
yea thats what i did
i dumped like $500 into it after starting the next day to be on safe side
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Old Sep 23, 2007 | 10:17 PM
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From: Richmond Hill, GA
Car: They all sit.
Engine: LS1, LB9, LB9, L98, LT1, LT4, LT4
Transmission: A4, T5, T5, A4, A4, T56, TR6060
Re: found a 1992 Z Rag Top

the good thing is their is no rust on the car, or under it.

as for the rest, once i get it home, i plan on changing everything i can. hoses, lines, brakes... prob some sensors. ill have to see what all its going to need.

Just wanted some things to look for when i go to see it. if everything looks good and i think i can get it home by driving it. then i'll be happy.

thanks
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Old Sep 24, 2007 | 09:32 AM
  #9  
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Car: 85 Trans Am
Engine: LG4
Re: found a 1992 Z Rag Top

Definitely change the oil before driving it. I wouldn't go but a few miles on old oil, to be safe.
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Old Sep 24, 2007 | 05:03 PM
  #10  
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From: plano texas
Car: 91 RS Vert, 87 SC T-Top
Engine: LO3, LG4
Transmission: 700r4's
Axle/Gears: 2.73, not sure yet
Re: found a 1992 Z Rag Top

yea and go easy on the brakes
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Old Sep 26, 2007 | 12:52 AM
  #11  
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From: Richmond Hill, GA
Car: They all sit.
Engine: LS1, LB9, LB9, L98, LT1, LT4, LT4
Transmission: A4, T5, T5, A4, A4, T56, TR6060
Re: found a 1992 Z Rag Top

the guy changed the shocks and struts for me. He's putting 4 new tires on it. and puttin some brake pads on the front. and going to change the oil out. he also put a battery in it. and i got some more pics





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Last edited by jer4251; Sep 26, 2007 at 12:54 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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Old Sep 26, 2007 | 10:23 AM
  #12  
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From: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi
Re: found a 1992 Z Rag Top

Damn clean car!

I'd be careful though, about him doing work to it, to get it ready...

I was looking at a #s matching 67 Impala SS. He made the same kind of offer....tinkering, replacing this & that...When I went back to get it, he has changed his mind about selling it! Messing with it, renewed his interest, so he decided to keep it!

I shoulda told him "No thanks....I'll tackle it myself."
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Old Sep 26, 2007 | 11:09 PM
  #13  
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Car: 1988 Iroc-Z 28 Camaro
Engine: LSX
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Re: found a 1992 Z Rag Top

very nice find man, even the coolant jugs look lean lol
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Old Sep 27, 2007 | 12:56 AM
  #14  
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Re: found a 1992 Z Rag Top

Originally Posted by jer4251
should i take one of my batteries out of my SS's as a back up? as long as i bet it going, i should be able to get it home and work on it from there.

hopefully my girlfriend will let me go get it on saturday morning.
If not, then dump the girlfriend.
What do you mean if she let's you?
How PW are you?
----------
Originally Posted by thedude
Definitely change the oil before driving it. I wouldn't go but a few miles on old oil, to be safe.

Uhhh, oil never losses it's properties.
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[QUOTE=jer4251;3477895]the guy changed the shocks and struts for me. He's putting 4 new tires on it. and puttin some brake pads on the front. and going to change the oil out. he also put a battery in it. and i got some more pics
QUOTE]

Last edited by DREGSZ; Sep 27, 2007 at 01:02 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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Old Sep 27, 2007 | 01:01 AM
  #15  
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Re: found a 1992 Z Rag Top

[QUOTE=jer4251;3477895]the guy changed the shocks and struts for me. He's putting 4 new tires on it. and puttin some brake pads on the front. and going to change the oil out. he also put a battery in it. and i got some more pics
QUOTE]


Super clean car Dude, A total steal

You should see the POS vert I'm buying this weekend for $2k
Attached Thumbnails found a 1992 Z Rag Top-z28vertbefore.jpg  
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Old Sep 30, 2007 | 10:23 PM
  #16  
jer4251's Avatar
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From: Richmond Hill, GA
Car: They all sit.
Engine: LS1, LB9, LB9, L98, LT1, LT4, LT4
Transmission: A4, T5, T5, A4, A4, T56, TR6060
Re: found a 1992 Z Rag Top

[QUOTE=Evan Ginsberg;3478923]
Originally Posted by jer4251
the guy changed the shocks and struts for me. He's putting 4 new tires on it. and puttin some brake pads on the front. and going to change the oil out. he also put a battery in it. and i got some more pics
QUOTE]


Super clean car Dude, A total steal

You should see the POS vert I'm buying this weekend for $2k
looks like a good find to me. BTW i did bring the car home. Its mine now. a lot of cleaning to do and a few bugs to fix. wheels and a paint job and we'll be in business.

got it up on a lift to check things out b4 i left for home. ended up with a blown out tire on the trip back tho, set me back a lot of hours. but i made it



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Old Oct 1, 2007 | 12:43 PM
  #17  
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From: Killam, AB
Car: 1989 IrocZ Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T5 - 5 Speed Standard
Axle/Gears: 3.08
Re: found a 1992 Z Rag Top

Originally Posted by Evan Ginsberg
Uhhh, oil never losses it's properties.
Not really accurate. The chemical compounds in the oil can break down over time due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures. Especially if your running conventional oil. And not to mention that the oil's job, conventional or synthetic (besides just reducing friction) is also to hold all the by-products of combustion in suspension (acids, silica, sludge and many other contaminants). A filter no matter how good it is, is not 100% perfect, otherwise the oil would never need changing.
If an engine has old oil in it, some damage can be caused over time even while sitting. This is due to all these contaminants in the oil being directly exposed to the seals and metal surfaces.
An oil change would be near the top of my list when servicing a car that has been sitting for a period of time. That's also why it's a good idea to do an oil change before a car is going to sit for a period of time (into storage for the winter, etc). Besides, it's so cheap and easy. why not?

Also, gas gets stale fairly quickly. Metal surfaces that have gas on them or that have been exposed to gas can develop a sticky varnish which can effect all kinds of components (fuel pumps, fuel lines, fuel filters, injectors, carb parts, etc). It can also effect performance. Also depending on the climate and frost, water can settle in the gas tank and cause corrosion and eventually rust through.


Last edited by Iroctopless; Oct 1, 2007 at 12:49 PM.
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