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I definitely felt like my lucky day, I'm flabbergasted the Sheriff's Office and the Terre Haute Police were able to find and recover my 99TA. My girlfriend played a key role in getting the word out via Facebook. I've had to reevaluate my view of social media because that was the key to communications and spotting the car.
Saturday two days after the theft I could feel depression starting. I really didn't think the car would turn up ever unless as a parted out she'll. We learned the TA had been found while having lunch at Texas Roadhouse yesterday. I'm not ashamed to admit it - I though it was a cruel hoax or a different black TA with first report the car was spotted. My girlfriend was like no I think it's your car. I was like there is no way in hell they could be that stupid to joyride the car. When we learned the car police were on scene and following a car with NC plates - my heart skipped a couple of beats. I almost passed out sitting down. Then buried my face in my napkin and cried with joy. When a witness informed us the car stalled and the police had the car I kept expecting to wake up and find the whole event of finding the TA was just a cruel dream. It was probably half an hour before the reality the TA was found apparently intact and going to the impound lot set into my stress addled brain.
I'm great full to all the good people that helped with the recovery of the TA. The Vigo Sheriff's Office and the Terre Haute Police department all performed fantastically from the very start of this nightmare to the conclusion.
.....it appears the car stalled and suspects quickly abandoned the car and tried to flee on foot.
According an eye witness two males and a female were arrested.......
Went to pick up the TA at the Vigo County Sheriff Office. Had to pay for the tow first.
Durr's did a good job with towing the TA. They didn't damage the car.
My technical analysis revealed that 416's LSA motor's stall when their isn't any gas in the tank. Apparently the geniuses though if you keep cranking a car with an empty gas tank, eventually the car will start. Explained why the battery was dead. The dirt ball feces eating swine maggots left cheese - its and fig newton's in the car plus a Slayer and Usher CD's. Plus tons of cheap Pal-Man cigarette smoke. In two days they managed to get my TA filthier than the car has ever been in like 19 years. I tossed their treasures in the waste bin.
Checked the vital fluids and they were OK.
The car needed a new battery and a couple of gallons of gas. I let the fuel pump run a little while then the TA started right up. Oil pressure was normal and water temp held steady.
The car had a horrible round of power surging then quit doing that after a drove the car for fifteen minutes. The car is out of alignment, there are many exhaust leaks that weren't present two days ago and the Pro 5.0 shifter has more slop in it now than a stock LS1 shifter. The TA basically drove OK, shifted OK other than the shifter flopping around. The clutch seem normal.
I feel blessed and lucky.
Big thank you to everyone on that helped look for the TA and the Terre Haute Police and Vigo County Sheriff Office for recovering the TA intact.
Filled the gas tank and a couple of trips through CREW Car Wash removed most of the taint and grime. Vacuuming the car out and airing the car out got rid of most of sewer rat smells.
Then dropped the TA off with Mike Norris Motorsports for a proper check up. When the issues are resolved the TA will get its dyno tuning session.
Safe at last!
Last edited by 99 Black Bird T/A; Nov 20, 2017 at 07:18 PM.
The funniest thing about that whole post was the Slayer CD. That's one quarter step above "Winger".
Very glad you got it back in one piece. Was it you who sent me a vid of some idiots scoping your car in your driveway a month or two ago? If so, I wonder if it was the same clowns that your lady chased off.
Also have lifter noises that I mistook as exhaust leaks. It will be a fe days before we know the full depth of the damage. Lifters and cam may also be damaged - won't know until the heads come off.
If the TA has to have a new cam and lifters - a Cam Motion LLSR will be considered this time around.
If the short block I damaged, the old LS1 will be going back in the TA for the time being.
Pretty sure the LS1 swap for the 91 RS Convertible is not going to happen any time soon.
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That's one quarter step above "Winger".