Vive la Green Terror!, officially past 300K ;) Options

[CamaroFS34]

(IMG:http://www.xecu.net/kiirenza/picture/300K.jpg)

In Atlanta, yesterday afternoon. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Karen

[trackbird]

Only 700,000 more to the end of the K&N (or is that Borla) warranty!

Congratulations! Is that still the original motor? (I'm thinking it was).

[DryStout]

That is cool! You probably have spent as many dollars on gasoline as was the car's purchase price.

I seem to recall you posted your dyno numbers long ago, and they were better than most. Given you have not had to work on the bottom end, do you know where you are today?

How many more miles do you see yourself driving the car?

Thanks, Roger

[mitchntx]

300K, full tank of gas and 180* coolant temps ... you are good to go!

[Nestromo]

At 20MPG, then you have burned 15,000gal of gas... Figure an average of what.... $1.35? $20,250 in petro bills. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

[Cal]

My wife has 150,000 on her '93 LT1 T/A. I'll tell her it isn't even half worn-out yet!

[rmackintosh]

Yowza!

(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[2manyfbods]

It's just broken in (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

You may have the highest mileage F bod that has been continually raced with the original factory built engine. cool (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[CMC #37]

Awesome! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Nestromo]

I know a '93 T/A with quite a few more miles than that, but it's used for a commuter.... It's still on it's original 4L60E. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I guess my '94 is not even 1/6 used up. SWEET. You need to tell us what all has been replaced... how many optisparks, T56s, clutches, 10 bolt rear ends (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) , you know.... wear items. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[shortbus]

Mine just went over 120K

Congrats to you!

[y5e06]

Yes, you MUST give us a list of everything you've done to get to that milage! Itemized details like alternator replacements, water pump(s), optisparts (gotta be a few of those), rear axle bearing r & r, timing chain, valve springs, T56 rebuilds, clutches, ....
yeah, you get the idea.

[CMC #37]

Ok Shortbus, I gotta know the story behind that avatar! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[racerns]

Congrats Karen, that has to be some kind of record on original motor.

As for the avatar, I tell the story on that in this thread

[Soma07]

That's awesome Karen! And people say domestic's won't last (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

I hope my car will reach the 300k milestone too someday, its up to 192k and counting!

[CamaroFS34]

Okay, okay, so you wanna know the secret? It's simple, really.

Preventative maintenance.

I try not to wait for something to break before I fix it. There have been a few exceptions, but for the most part, I try to take care of the car. I also try to use the highest quality replacement parts.

So, what's been done, motorwise?

Mobil 1 oil changes from the get-go, every 3000-7000 miles, depending on the usage. And, that's always paired with a filter change. I know some people will change the filter every other time they change the oil, but that just doesn't sit well with me.

Water pump, twice. The first time was around 160K (you'll have to excuse the estimates here, since the records book is in the car, and I'm too lazy to go outside and get it right now). Stupid me decided to use a reman water pump, and surprise, surprise, it went south about 60K later. I replaced it with a new AC/Delco water pump, and it's still in there.

Cap and rotor, once. I think that was at about 100K. Yeah, I'm pretty sure it was with the first plug & wire change.

Speaking of, yes, plugs and wires have been done, three times now. First at 100K, second about 200K, and the third change was just the other month.

Radiator, once, but that was because I'm a hamfist, and broke off one of the outlets when trying to change a hose. The coolant reservoir has also been replaced, since the part that doubles as a battery holddown broke off, and I didn't want to use bungee cords to pass autox tech. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Rear main seal twice. The oil leak got to be too much to bear.

Oil pan and gasket, once. The pan had been dented in such a way that it was seeping oil, just barely. Of course, the f**ktard that replaced them broke the oil level sensor, so I needed to replace that afterwards. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

Oxygen sensors, mainly the driver side pre-cat one. I don't know why, but I've had to do that one three times now. The passenger side one is a little slow on the switch, but still functional; I'll be replacing it in a week or so. The post cat one has been replaced once.

Coolant temperature sensor was replaced just last Thursday, and the coolant level sensor is a flaky POS that needs replacing, yet again (for the fourth time, IIRC).

Head gaskets and valve springs were just done last month. I guess 296K on the originals is pretty good, eh?

Drivetrain-wise... I replace the clutch every 70K or so, and the diff every year (which, for me, is about 37-40K). I had to replace the ring and pinion last year after a botched diff install (Pat and I didn't keep the shims matched up correctly, and it got put back in too tightly). The rear axle bearings are pretty hardy little guys, but the last time I replaced them was at the Wendover ProSolo (yes, on site -- Larry was there) while trying to track down some bearing noise that turned out to be one of the side carrier bearings. The front bearings (aka, front hubs) last me about 1.5-2 years, on average, and I've replaced them 3 times. Front lower control arms I've done 3 times too, and the uppers I did for the first time last August, the weekend before the ProSolo Finale. Rear control arms were done last month, when it was in for the head work.

I've also replaced the tilt mechanism in the steering column when it had gotten to the point where it couldn't be tightened up any longer.

The clutch hydraulic system was also replaced (and I actually have an extra one of those sitting in the shed) when the original got damaged during something or other. I think during a clutch install. Maybe. I don't remember.

Brake rotors last me about 100K-120K (front and rear). The pads last about a third as long.

Oh, yeah, the EGR valve and AIR pump, both of which have recalls on them, were replaced long before the recall, but have since given me no problems.

Hm. I think that about sums up the parts list. I realize there is a distinct lack of optisparks and T56s on that list, but you'll have to take my word for it. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) If you wonder about something else, just ask. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Karen

[Absolut Speed]

Amazing. All in all it sounds like pretty good luck through the years. Here's to many more! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

[shortbus]

Musta been a Wednesday car. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[CamaroFS34]

Musta been a Wednesday car. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Lessee... it was "born on" 4/2/1996.... what's that?

Nope, it was a Tuesday car. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Karen