c4 corvette frame = street buggy?

I have wanted to do this since 2002 or so. You can pick up a ratty C4 for peanuts. Can I live vicariously through you guys?

Kenny_McCormic wrote: Also, what's a C4 minus all the bodywork and doors weigh?

According to the HotRod article about 2300lbs

I'm stripping down the car farther than Hot Rod did. The stock seats are heavy, the halo was very heavy. The windshield will be cut down or replaced with lexan. I'm also removing all of the AC components. I have racing scales. I'll let you know.

In reply to jmc14:

Cool project. Post back here when you start the build thread don't want to miss it

BBC

Here are some progress pictures. Not all of the bracing is in. But it's a start.

I will removing all of the AC, heater, dash, gauges and electronics. There will be a cowl brace that connects the 2 top frame rails just behind the top door hinge points. The cross bar will be tied into the trans tunnel. There will be bracing from the front tubes to the frame including X bracing between the radiator and engine. The roll bar will have cross bracing as well as the top of the fuel cell cage. I'm going to try and use the Vette hood cut down to allow for cycle fenders. And, the Targa top cut down for the fuel cell cover. The fuel cell cover will go from the rear horizontal tube to the lower roll bar horizontal tube.

I will convert the engine over to carb or use a ZZ4 crate engine. This car has an automatic. I'm thinking of keeping it but getting an aftermarket one that has been converted to full manual. Maybe use a paddle shifter. The dash will be simple, Locost style with Autometer gauges.

I'll start a build thread shortly.

[URL=http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/jmcbigbelly/media/exovette-34sidemockup_zps4b3b763e.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/jmcbigbelly/media/exovette34rearmockup_zps60d38eb6.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/jmcbigbelly/media/exovettesidemockup_zpsf6220589.jpg.html][/URL]

That wasn't a crossfire car, was it? Im looking for a cheap crossfire intake for a really bad idea...

So what class would this fall under? STR? STX?

Sorry, I don't know what STR or STX stand for. I'm guessing Street and Track. I'm building this to drive on the street. I've built a number of cars from scratch, including sculpting bodies, making molds, and spending a lot on paint work. I like driving light open air roadsters. The idea for this is to have a simple and inexpensive build.

Dusterbd13, It does have a crossfire intake. I'll let you know if I decide to sell it.

Thanks. Im just looking for a barely usable one to modify to accept a pair of 2bbl tbi units off a 2.8 v6, to disguise as a vintage trans am crossram for my el camino. Like I said, eeally bad idea.

looks awesome!

HOw about moving the rad to the rear to help reduce front overhang?

This is great! I look forward to more.

Cool! Glad to hear you're feeling well enough to get out in the shop too.

Adrian_Thompson wrote: HOw about moving the rad to the rear to help reduce front overhang?

I think this would really clean up the front end

Thread resurrection. Anyone seen the latest RoadKill. This is what they did to the C4 they hacked apart a few years ago. Looks awesome, and in the same ballpark as a Lingenfelter C7 on a road course.

That tunnel rammed small block sounded awful at anything under about 6K. They should have ditched that. I understand the need to look bad-assed and all but that thing stunk.

What does that thing weigh in at?

I think they said 2,300lb's with both of them on board. I'd have to re-watch to be sure. Under 2,000 with no peeps in it though, I'm sure.

Adrian_Thompson wrote: I think they said 2,300lb's with both of them on board. I'd have to re-watch to be sure. Under 2,000 with no peeps in it though, I'm sure.

check your numbers.. it was 2100 with noone onboard. and 2600 with fuel and people.

Fueled by Caffeine wrote:

Adrian_Thompson wrote: I think they said 2,300lb's with both of them on board. I'd have to re-watch to be sure. Under 2,000 with no peeps in it though, I'm sure.

check your numbers.. it was 2100 with noone onboard. and 2600 with fuel and people.

Fair enough, faulty memory sorry

still.... 2100lbs, rwd and 350hp? Nice.

These chopped & caged cars are growing on me. While a C4 is obviously a great donor, I'd even be tempted to try this with my E36 M3 and Miata.

not to bring up a old thread but I may be trading my bike for a 85 vette this weekend that has some light, non vital front end damage, still runs and drives with no problems. I'm basically set on making a mean steet buggy out of it. it'll get stripped down and the body parts will get sold off to pay for the tubing and lights that will get put on.

another thing im not sure about though is it being street legal. would it be registered as a corvette still since technically its still a vette just with body panels taken off? or will it have to get registered the same way a dune buggy is?

Still a vette I believe, just make sure you don't cut off the VIN plate.

The exocet guys are doing SB100 IE custom car in california rather than keeping it miata but the firewall/etc that has the vin plate is going away since it uses only the powerplant frame?

I think if you still have enough chassis to see the stock number plates especially if its got vin on firewall and engine? you might be good to leave it a vette. Depending on where you live however the custom registration can also come with smog exemption