and there's nothing imminently going to break or fail and nothing needs replacing (e.g. tires) right now. You've got $3k available for "upgrades". What do you buy/upgrade?
and there's nothing imminently going to break or fail and nothing needs replacing (e.g. tires) right now. You've got $3k available for "upgrades". What do you buy/upgrade?
Am I paying for parts only and doing all the work myself, or paying for labor?
What's that widebody kit thing that went on the Vette on Hot Rod Garage cost?
What do you want the car to be?
If modern interpretation, then LSx and updated features:
If period correct mods then keep the carburetor and head toward Greenwood. (So funny that this picture is in front of a mobile home):
If time capsule then head toward restoration pieces:
Crate SBC or LS. Even with the upgrade L82 engine those had barely over 200hp.
I guess what I was looking for was The Hive's suggestions for modest performance improvements. Dunno if the money's best spent on a LS swap, better brakes, better suspension, etc. Sorry if I didn't phrase the original post explicitly enough...
If you add more motor, you'll need more brakes. So, if not starting with motor, maybe start with brakes in anticipation of that more motor?
In reply to stroker :
I know my reply may have sounded facetious, but I was being dead serious. The stock C3 chassis, carried over from the C2, was actually pretty good, and had all the right stuff (IRS, LSD, 4WDB, etc.). GM in the late seventies knew that the party was over with regard to big engines and huge horsepower so they focused their energy on handling. By the late 70’s/early 80’s the GM performance cars (Corvette, Z28, Trans Am) actually handled pretty good. That’s why I suggest that more horsepower is the first improvement to make.
All the small block Chevrolet that $3k will buy.
Re-bush the suspension
Off the shelf brake kit/upgrade
Cam, intake, carb
Tires
Upgraded shocks and springs. ~550$
Stock motor then good aluminum heads uses with roller rockers 1K if you bargain hunt.
Performance mufflers and headers 500$.
272 cam 310$
Proper ignition system and carb replacement 1K.
Anything else on stainless steel brake lines and pads.
I have these wheels in a 14 inch that are super cool that will fit a 255 in the rear for sale if you want them. Also have the era appropriate two piece cragaers.
A set of hooker header side pipes not only do they get you more power and performer they can have better clearance then the factor out the back exhaust and can deliver better fuel economy aswell.
We did a C3 Corvette buyer guide over at Classic Motorsports:
Got me wondering how much the C3 weigh.. with modern power suspension brakes and a non rusty chassis - it might be a lot of craptastic fun.
Is there a reason I don't see these LS swapped as often as lots of other older GM chassis? I always liked the look of the C3, even though for some reason GM decided to not make the rear glass open so you could toss your stuff in the back..
I have a C3-- sorry, Shark bodied Vette-- and I can tell you they're quite the flexi-flyer. The frame and the t-top do their best to twist in the wind. I would do suspension: anything to tighten up the chassis. Engine up grades are easy button SBC. Brakes are actually quite good stock just get good pads (4 piston calipers all around). Don't go bigger than 17s for rims. I have 17x8.5 in front and 17x9.5 rear with 245 front and 275 rear. These are "sports cars" but really they're nice GTs. Yes they were raced, but the most successful had massive work done to handle the snap over steer casued by the rear toe out under compression. And the super flexi-frame. I've autocrossed mine and it was fun. What are you starting with?
stroker said:and there's nothing imminently going to break or fail and nothing needs replacing (e.g. tires) right now. You've got $3k available for "upgrades". What do you buy/upgrade?
Replace all the rubber. Everywhere. All of it. Door seals, t-top seals, suspension bushings, diff mounts, control arm bushings, engine mounts. Unless they've been replaced they'll be garbage. If the body mounts aren't seized in place maybe this too. You want a nice driver? What ever is left over throw at steering and suspension. Borg Warner steering box conversion. Get rid of the two inches of factory slop in the steering.
+1 for side pipes.
The only reason to not install side pipes as soon as possible, is because it already has side pipes.
Whatever he did lol
Detail and sell. Or make it look exactly like this. Those are the only options.
stroker said:I guess what I was looking for was The Hive's suggestions for modest performance improvements. Dunno if the money's best spent on a LS swap, better brakes, better suspension, etc. Sorry if I didn't phrase the original post explicitly enough...
Make the car safe and fun to drive before you add power. Brakes and suspension.
vwcorvette (Forum Supporter) said:stroker said:and there's nothing imminently going to break or fail and nothing needs replacing (e.g. tires) right now. You've got $3k available for "upgrades". What do you buy/upgrade?
Replace all the rubber. Everywhere. All of it. Door seals, t-top seals, suspension bushings, diff mounts, control arm bushings, engine mounts. Unless they've been replaced they'll be garbage. If the body mounts aren't seized in place maybe this too. You want a nice driver? What ever is left over throw at steering and suspension. Borg Warner steering box conversion. Get rid of the two inches of factory slop in the steering.
I came here to say this exact thing. I worked in a corvette shop in high school and I would do a couple a week. Changing all the suspension bushings, putting in new shocks, and brake lines would make them feel so much better.
John Welsh said:
Looks like a 935.
I never noticed until today that the hatch didnt open, seems like a huge failure on their part
hybridmomentspass said:
I never noticed until today that the hatch didnt open, seems like a huge failure on their part
I believe the last 1982s did, making the others tops on my list of Cars That Should Be Hatchbacks, But Aren't.
I guess the main question is what you're going for - more horsepower, more handling, or more disco. But in any case, I'd go with VWCorvette's option of first replacing every bit of rubber.
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