Ok, so I'm planning on making a 1000 mile trip from California to Wyoming on the 30th. I plan on driving straight there at night. I have a 88 NA with 100,xxx on the rebuild. There's some grinding when I down shift sometimes, and everyone once in a while when I throw it quickly into 4th it'll grind as well.

So, I plan on getting a tune up (anyone have any recommendations for a shop in the Palmdale/Lancaster, CA area?), rotating and balancing, and changing oil.

Here's the question: Will I be able to safely make this trip? Or is my car at risk after 500 miles of straight driving? A thousand miles is about a 14 hour trip, so will my car be able to handle 14 hours of non-stop driving? Average speed I'm looking at will be about 80 or 70mph.

Thanks for any help.

 

I'd be worried about a STRAIGHT non-stop drive, but stopping to eat/use the bathroom I'd think would be enough time to give the engine a little breather. As long as you don't have any serious problems with the car on regular city driving, you should make the drive no problem.

This is of course my opinion, and shouldn't be held up as the utter truth :p

 

i dont understand why people get all scared about roadtrips with the 7. The 7 was built for daily driving so it'll act just like any other car as long as you keep the maintenance up. Highway driving is easier on the car anyways.

 

gas it and go make sure you have roadside assistance not because the car won't make it but its always better to be prepared... Roadside assistance form your cell phone is like 2.50$ USD a month... Have fun!!!

 

I drove mine cross country! And am driving back on thurs. actually from New York to San Francisco, the first time I did it from S.F. to LA and then LA to New Jersey. I didn't drive for more than 13hours though and no longer than 6 or 7 hours straight, I'd take a lil break for me and the car. I just did a good tune up, changed all the fluids and go. And my pilot bearing went out also! The car is still going strong, I even went drifting at a event a month ago without a pilot bearing lol. You have nothing to worry about just do the regular maintance and make sure to take a couple breaks inbetween.

I brought plenty of hoses, wires, plugs, etc. incase anything happened, but nothing did except the pilot bearing. Not sure why the pilot bearing went out, it's happened to me in the past, but it was a VERY hot day that day and I did lots of driving (it happened in Arizona). I say have fun and enjoy the drive, I just hope you have AC cause I dont and it kinda sux, especially when you have a racing seat.

 

LOL wow interesting list Rotoree haha I thought that you went a box of oil and plugs but didnt expect hoses and wires haha

 

If your car works fine in the city the highway shouldn't be a problem.

Last month I blitzed from Denver straight through to Chicago in 100° weather and my car never hiccuped.
Obviously, YMMV but in general, highway miles are easier on a car than daily stop-n-go traffic.

 

QFT. It's a car. It's built to drive. If it's in such iffy shape that you're afraid to take it on a road trip, there are other issues you should be sorting out.

-=Russ=-

 

Just bring basic tools, flashlight, oil, DUCT TAPE zip ties and go for it! change the fluids before you leave, bring extra cash, you will be fine


I just took my car on a 1400mile trip and aside from a random problem i was having (fuel pump relay) i had to replace my waterpump belt once (3 years old) and add oil like normal

 

Highway runs are typically much less wear and tear than city driving. If the car is fine in the City, it will be fine on the highway.

On the highway you have more consistent speeds (no stopping and going-unless you are in a traffic jam) you have better cooling (unless you were pretending you are boy racer and stripped out all the cooling shields in the engine compartment), the oil pressure stays consistent.

A highway run is much better on the car than driving in a city... and if you have a car that you are worried about it not driving 500 miles... well how do you even get to work, because 500 miles is just two tanks of gas.

 

It's almost 3 for me

 

well I am getting 22 MPG on my '8, but all my FC's only do or have done about 17-19 so I averaged it.

 

Neither do I! I've been having fun relating my 87 TII story in all these threads on how to drive these cars.
I say DRIVE 'EM!...DRIVE 'EM HARD!
I worked for almost two years on the opposite side of Colorado from where I live. EVERY Monday I drove over the continental divide and back again every Thursday. Crossing two 10,000 ft passes each way. I got stranded once...broke an alternator belt and didn't notice until the battery started getting low (having too much fun driving fast). Had my wife bring belt and tools (fortunately it was just a few miles from home) and was back on the road in an hour.
one other time I called a tow truck. My dumb *** tried to make the trip in a blizzard with old rear tires. Spun out and nearly went over the side of a cliff. Anyway, ended up stuck in the median and had to get pulled out.
So, here I am at 240,000 miles and just now getting to where it needs a rebuild. I traveled to Phoenix in the summer, over Colorado mountain passes in the winter, to Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri and late this summer, I plan to go to Tennessee and visit an old college buddy.
Road trips in these cars are a dream. I agree wholeheartedly with the guy who said if it runs good in the city, hit the road with a clear mind. Prudent precautions for a road trip in any car, of course!

- k -

 

I made a 15 hour trip in mine and it was fine. With stops for gas and at least once for eating is plenty of rest im sure.

I did that with a messed up apex seal and no air conditioning. Damn fun ride if I say so myself.

 

Change plugs, make sure the hoses/belts are good, Air filter, etc. Check all the fluids, do an oil change, maybe even a tranny and differential fluid change. (not a must) Just keep a few gallons of water on you incase something happens with the coolant system, a quart or two of oil, maybe some brake fluid if you have a manual.... and if you still have the stock deck for a radio.... Get some blank tapes and just record your favortie radio station on them, you'll hit a lot of spots with no reception.....

I just got back from driving from Denver Coloardo to Austin Texas, ( 20 hour drive..) you should be ok... just remember to pull over to pee even if you dont think you need to lol same with gas also...

 

no worries mate, just have fun smoking some shitty *** mustangs on the way out there... and integras.... and evo's.... and camaro's.... and (dare I mention) civics. And all the other cars out there that you can burn.... corvettes...350Z's....