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Topic: Tampa area mechanic

in Forum: C3 General Discussion


Tampa area mechanic

Posted: 9/10/05 8:05am Message 1 of 8
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Canada
Joined: 8/6/2004
Posts: 533
Vette(s): Coupe 74 - 454 Drive it like you stole it!
I am looking for a mechanic (for the Vette) in the Tampa area.
 
I try to do everything myself (as a learning and bragging rights thing), but sometimes, you have to know your limit, or the purchase of necessary tools don't make it worth it.
 
I just bought a complete exhaust system and I need a Vette mechanic who can weld and do little fabrication on the tubes (between the new headers and the first tubing.
 
I will most likely have this person do a few maintenance thing that I could do myself, but while being there...; transmission fluid change (not complete like discussed on another thread) and a coolant flush are what I have in mind.
 



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Tampa area mechanic

Posted: 9/10/05 9:42pm Message 2 of 8
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Montesano, WA - USA
Joined: 9/27/2003
Posts: 1931
Vette(s): had a really nice one. sold it to a good friend. Purchased 2004 custom coupe in Feb. 2009 did not tell anyone here until August 2009. BAD I KNOW.
maybe you should find a muffler shop that is recomendaed by local car clubs for the exhuast work, that is what I did for my chambered system.


Tampa area mechanic

Posted: 9/10/05 11:19pm Message 3 of 8
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Canada
Joined: 8/6/2004
Posts: 533
Vette(s): Coupe 74 - 454 Drive it like you stole it!
1BadLT1,  I met the local club about 2 months ago (on the purpose of finding good wrench references while doing a breakfest drive), but it turns out the the biggest local club is at a Chevy dealership (who really want to sell me a new car) and ot of about 45 members that I saw that morning, there was 2 C3 (including me), 2 C4, 1 C6 and all other C5.  Needless to say that for mechanic help, the majority pointed me out to that particular dealership, but the were talking in perspective of their C5 (which is propably under warranty anyway...)
 
I don't have anything against C5 owners, it's just that we don't see eye to eye when it comes to our Vette maintenance.
 
So in my location, local clubs and Chevy dealership are ruled out.  My gutt feeling tells me to not trust them.
 
I want to find a shop who cares as much about my car as I do.  It will be hard to find, but I have time.
 
Good advise!  I will make a few calls to local shops who specialize in exhaust.  I saw one recently with 3 different Vettes in his parking within a month.  So far, he's first on my list.
 
74-45438605.9734606482


Tampa area mechanic

Posted: 9/12/05 4:55pm Message 4 of 8
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Joined: 5/2/2005
Posts: 22
Hey this is Rick in Plant City. I know a giu right around the corner from your townhome. He's off Valrico Road and the railroad tracks. He did alllot of work on mine and he's honesttttttttttttttttttt. He works out of his garage, I don't know about muffler work but I'd recommend him anyday over a shop. The vette guy off No. Dalemabry is big bucks and cars tend to stay there too long in my opinion. The guys name is Efram (E'from) his number is 494. 0086. Good luck.


Tampa area mechanic

Posted: 9/12/05 8:35pm Message 5 of 8
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Canada
Joined: 8/6/2004
Posts: 533
Vette(s): Coupe 74 - 454 Drive it like you stole it!
Rick, nice to hear from you.  I was actually hoping you would respond, cause I remember you had some work done on yours in the area.
 
Your advise came right on time, since I almost call the 2 Vette shops on Dale Mabry today, but, without even knowing them, I had a bad feeling to begin with. I'm still gonna go see them, because they are parting out 2 C3 right now (according to their web site) and I could use a few accessories (like hub caps or even decent wheels).. we'll see!
 
I also have another reference from a Vette show about a year ago... if I can only find the business card.
 
I'll give Efram a call sometimes this week.
 
The Vette season is about to take off for us (in the south).  I am trying to work out the big problems so I can drive mine without worries (maybe another month or two; I have serious cooling problems and lots of smoke coming of cyl #1 right now).  We have yet to meet, but there's a lot of show coming up.  Let me know if you are going to attend one.  Even if mine is not ready, I'll go there.
 
There was a big classic car show last weekend (or the one before) in Plant City, did you go ?
 



Tampa area mechanic

Posted: 9/13/05 1:41pm Message 6 of 8
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DUNEDIN, FL - USA
Joined: 10/22/2004
Posts: 833
Vette(s): 1969 COUPE CORTEZ SILVER, BRIGHT BLUE INTERIOR 383 cu. in. 512 HP. Hooker headers w/ side pipes PS PS AC AM FM STEREO. 68,000.MILES C5 5oth Anniversary Coupe , auto.350hp

STEPHANE,

iF YOU NEED ANY SUSPENSION  OR REAR END WORK

i SUGGEST VAN STEEL IN CLEARWATER.

PLUS THEY ARE A SUPPORTING VENDER OF THIS SITE.

i JUST TOOK THEM MY CAR , i BELIEVE THEY OFFER A DISCOUNT TO C3VR MEMBERS TOO.

AND DON`T FORGET VETTE BRAKES AND PRODUCTS , THEY ARE LOCAL IN CLEARWATER AS WELL

AND ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED IN MANY VETTE MAGAZINES AND RESTORERS. GOOD LUCK

BOB




Tampa area mechanic

Posted: 9/14/05 12:49pm Message 7 of 8
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Canada
Joined: 8/6/2004
Posts: 533
Vette(s): Coupe 74 - 454 Drive it like you stole it!
Thanks Bob.  I actually drove to Van Steel to get an estimate on suspension work (with rear end and a bunch more).
 
I ordered their DVD a while back, since I was planning to do some of the work myself.  When it came by the mail, I realized they were right here in Clearwater, so I drove my Vette over there to get an estimate on suspension and rear end work.  It's more $$$ that I thought, so I'm currently saving for that.  I don't want to piece-meal it.  I want to get it all done at the same time.
 



Tampa area mechanic

Posted: 9/14/05 1:52pm Message 8 of 8
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DUNEDIN, FL - USA
Joined: 10/22/2004
Posts: 833
Vette(s): 1969 COUPE CORTEZ SILVER, BRIGHT BLUE INTERIOR 383 cu. in. 512 HP. Hooker headers w/ side pipes PS PS AC AM FM STEREO. 68,000.MILES C5 5oth Anniversary Coupe , auto.350hp

I don`t blame you for holding off.

I`m getting the whole nine yards done. I`ll let you know how it turned out




in Forum: C3 General Discussion


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