winter storage. restarting car. Options

[redbird1]

I have had a pretty lazy winter. I haven't started my car since early December. I was thinking it might be wise to pull the coil wire and turn it over a bit to get some oil moving before I actually start it. Worth the trouble?? Bad idea??? Any thoughts???

[Teutonic Speedra...]

I have had a pretty lazy winter. I haven't started my car since early December. I was thinking it might be wise to pull the coil wire and turn it over a bit to get some oil moving before I actually start it. Worth the trouble?? Bad idea??? Any thoughts???

I'd suggest removing the fuel pump fuse as well, and if you don't want to work your battery too hard, take the plugs out. Mine took a lot of cranking recently, but mine was apart and the oil cooler, lines, etc. all needed to be filled.

[redbird1]

I just said screw it and turned the key. Started right up. Took it for a little ride. About a mile. I hate to say it but the car just really doesn't get it for me. Just does not feel like a refined sports car. I don't know what I expected. Sure, it's pretty fast, 370 RWHP ( did not test it on this run) but with all rod end suppension it's just rough. I don't know. Can't wait for summer. Sure wish I could afford a C5 Z06.

[slowTA]

Some 'refined' sports cars use better bushing, but not rod ends. So there goes your decent ride automatically.

A couple more trips with it and you'll love it for all the reasons you don't like it now... that's what I keep telling myself anyway.

[94bird]

Just does not feel like a refined sports car.

I'll agree with you that a Firebird is not a refined sports car. As I get older I'm having some of the same battles with myself. Since selling my Firebird I've given some serious thought to selling all my LT1 stuff and Camaro and buying something like a Honda S2000 as a fun car. I'll tell you though, every time I think about it when seeing a "refined sports car" on the street I think about the instant "set you back in the seat" TQ of our V8s, and the just brute force fun of having one of these cars and my mind is right again.

I remember way back in '87 I rode on an autox course in Arkansas in 2 cars. One was Grady Wood in his CRX in CSP. The other one was a guy named Steve Bledsoe in his '73 (?) ESP 455 Trans AM. During turns I couldn't see when in Grady's car. It was all I could do to hold on since he didn't have anything other than a factory seat belt in the passenger side. That was fun, but when I rode in Steve's car EVERYTHING was a blur. All my muscles hurt after Steve's ride. I have owned a F-body ever since.

BTW, when my son was 2 years old he was already saying "wussy car" when he saw a Miata. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/2thumbs.gif) He hasn't ridden in my Camaro yet but he certainly loves hearing it start up and go down the street. He has ridden in my truck and he just smiles so big when I get into the throttle enough to hear the deep tone of the V8.

Certainly a C5 Z06 is not a wussy car, but for whatever reason Corvettes just aren't for me.

[jensend]

From its inception onward, the Camaro's bloodline has always been that of the barbarian musclecar. It makes no pretense about refinement, advanced ergonomics, or "sportscar" handling. Hell, how refined is a car that has been around for four decades and still uses solid axle rear suspension? None of those things are the point or purpose of the car. It is a wonderfully affordable, brute force base that has great potential for personalized development. For econobox dollars, it offers some of the best value in a car that can be adapted to motorsports. I'd love a Z-06. I'd love an Exige. But realistically, I can afford a Camaro- which, with a bit of development, can give most of what the others offer at a cost I can manage without catastrophic expense. Enjoy it for what it is- a basic bargain in performance.

[redbird1]

From its inception onward, the Camaro's bloodline has always been that of the barbarian musclecar. It makes no pretense about refinement, advanced ergonomics, or "sportscar" handling. Hell, how refined is a car that has been around for four decades and still uses solid axle rear suspension? None of those things are the point or purpose of the car. It is a wonderfully affordable, brute force base that has great potential for personalized development. For econobox dollars, it offers some of the best value in a car that can be adapted to motorsports. I'd love a Z-06. I'd love an Exige. But realistically, I can afford a Camaro- which, with a bit of development, can give most of what the others offer at a cost I can manage without catastrophic expense. Enjoy it for what it is- a basic bargain in performance.

Well said. I'm sure I'll be fine as soon as summer gets here. I think I have the winter blues. I've been thinking about putting a set of red Sparco Torino's in the car. Just hate the thought of dumping $1200. I may do it. That should help increase the fun factor. I really wanted to put a bigger cam in this winter. Dyno's 370 RWHP but I beleive I left a lot on the table. I've just had a very lazy winter.

I'll agree with you that a Firebird is not a refined sports car. As I get older I'm having some of the same battles with myself. Since selling my Firebird I've given some serious thought to selling all my LT1 stuff and Camaro and buying something like a Honda S2000 as a fun car. I'll tell you though, every time I think about it when seeing a "refined sports car" on the street I think about the instant "set you back in the seat" TQ of our V8s, and the just brute force fun of having one of these cars and my mind is right again.

I remember way back in '87 I rode on an autox course in Arkansas in 2 cars. One was Grady Wood in his CRX in CSP. The other one was a guy named Steve Bledsoe in his '73 (?) ESP 455 Trans AM. During turns I couldn't see when in Grady's car. It was all I could do to hold on since he didn't have anything other than a factory seat belt in the passenger side. That was fun, but when I rode in Steve's car EVERYTHING was a blur. All my muscles hurt after Steve's ride. I have owned a F-body ever since.

BTW, when my son was 2 years old he was already saying "wussy car" when he saw a Miata. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/2thumbs.gif) He hasn't ridden in my Camaro yet but he certainly loves hearing it start up and go down the street. He has ridden in my truck and he just smiles so big when I get into the throttle enough to hear the deep tone of the V8.

Certainly a C5 Z06 is not a wussy car, but for whatever reason Corvettes just aren't for me.

Mike,
Great to here about your son. I remember when you first started talking about having a kid on this site. Time fly's. At one time I think you talked of leaving Michigan for work. What ever happened to that? When's his sister arriving? (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[CrashTestDummy]

I'll agree with you that a Firebird is not a refined sports car. As I get older I'm having some of the same battles with myself. Since selling my Firebird I've given some serious thought to selling all my LT1 stuff and Camaro and buying something like a Honda S2000 as a fun car. I'll tell you though, every time I think about it when seeing a "refined sports car" on the street I think about the instant "set you back in the seat" TQ of our V8s, and the just brute force fun of having one of these cars and my mind is right again.

I remember way back in '87 I rode on an autox course in Arkansas in 2 cars. One was Grady Wood in his CRX in CSP. The other one was a guy named Steve Bledsoe in his '73 (?) ESP 455 Trans AM. During turns I couldn't see when in Grady's car. It was all I could do to hold on since he didn't have anything other than a factory seat belt in the passenger side. That was fun, but when I rode in Steve's car EVERYTHING was a blur. All my muscles hurt after Steve's ride. I have owned a F-body ever since.

BTW, when my son was 2 years old he was already saying "wussy car" when he saw a Miata. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/2thumbs.gif) He hasn't ridden in my Camaro yet but he certainly loves hearing it start up and go down the street. He has ridden in my truck and he just smiles so big when I get into the throttle enough to hear the deep tone of the V8.

Certainly a C5 Z06 is not a wussy car, but for whatever reason Corvettes just aren't for me.

You are REALLY going to miss that low-end torque with that S2K. Yeah, they are cool high-end screamers, and 'verts, but nothing, NOTHING, can replace that torque. Heck, even my little 92 B4C 1LE still gives me a smile everytime I get behind the wheel. Sure, it is not our 95 SS, or our CP Firebird, and it rattles like any 3rd Gen, but it sure is fun to drive. Keep the F-bod!

Gene Beaird

[Soma07]

I hate to say it but the car just really doesn't get it for me. Just does not feel like a refined sports car. I don't know what I expected. Sure, it's pretty fast, 370 RWHP ( did not test it on this run) but with all rod end suppension it's just rough. I don't know.

FWIW I've felt the same way for the past 2yrs or so. Even with a relatively stock suspension our cars have a awful ride quality. Plus compared to alot of other cars I've driven it doesn't feel like I get much feedback either which is the opopsite of what a sports car should do.

I've kept it mostly because its paid for and there is nothing close to the performance for the price. But even that isn't going to be enough much longer. Plus I hardly drive it anymore so I'm beginning to think its a waste to have two cars when I barely drive one of them.