unfortunately, my 91 z28 isn't getting any younger. it has 160,000 miles on the original 305 tpi linked to the stock 5spd. i was wondering if anyone knew how much longer i can expect this car to last. few mods, slp chip, k&n's, gutted cat with a pipe thru it. it runs rich, shaky when cold, i figure about the norm for such a car with 160,000 miles, i switched to mobil 1 last year to get all i can out of it. i'm living close to dc, so i have to deal with winter weather (not good for her) and emissions tests. i love this car, but i'm worried that she can retire herself at anytime. i was wondering what problems i could be running into in the near future due to the intended life of the parts, and the engine. i've replaced:
-clutch
-water pump
-starter
-heater pressure regulator

what other problems should i watch out for with this vehicle. thx guys.

 

Our 92 RS has 193,000 on it and the only thing thats been done to the engine was a new rear seal around 185,000. Its starting to sound a little rough when its first started(cold) and sometimes I will get a little smoke at startup. Other than that, the car look great and gets around 27 mpg on open road and about 16 to 18 in town( "lots" of stop and go).

The 89 RS (my toy)had over well 200,000 when I got it with the engine locked up because of a small hole in the oil pan and the guy who had it let it run out of oil. I knew the car and it ran great up to that point.

 

I would do a full tune-up on it first. Should not be running rich or shakey when cold. Miles mean something but not what your talking about. I can see lower oil pressure and maybe the engine seems tired, but should not be doing what your talking about. I'd stick with the stock chip and go with tune-up stuff first.

 

the chip was in there when i got it, as far as oil pressure, it's still nice and high (at least that's what the gauge is telling me), and i put new plugs and wires on it last year.

 

Check timing, cap and rotor, and make sure IAC is clean

 

You certainly need a valve job if it hasn't been done yet. The exhaust valve faces must look terrible if those are original heads and have never had a valve job. Any TPI heads I have pulled with more than 75K miles needed a valve job pretty badly due to erosion and pitting of the exhaust valve faces.

 

if its running very rich the new plugs are not gonna fire correctly and cold start will have more rough running untill some heat gets in the engine to help with combustion. When was the last lime the O2 sensor was changed?

I think a good tune up its all it needs.
check the tps for proper setting
change o2 sensor
get you hand on a scan tool so you can check the blms
check the base timing

You will be amazed what a few small details will do when added together.

 

thanks for the info, i'll see what all i can do for her, oh, and u guys wouldn't happen to know a good place for headliners would ya? 180 after shipping and handling seems to be the going rate i can find, and i tried the do-it-yourself, but the board was in too bad of shape. thanks

 

before I spent $180 I think i would see if I could find one at a salvage yard. If nothing else,find a good board to recover.