C1 to C4
10-19-2014, 01:17 PM
#1
Cruising
Thread Starter
Member Since: Oct 2014
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
C1 to C4
I have a 61 C1 vette and a 89 C4 vette. Mechanically the 89 is in good shape and performs well. The frame on the 61 is rough. I would like to put the C1 body on the 89 frame and use the entire drive train and suspension from the 89. Is this possible or would I need to by a new frame that will accept C4 parts and move everything to the new frame? Thanks
10-19-2014, 01:21 PM
#2
Team Owner
Member Since: Feb 2003
Location: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
Posts: 49,014
Received 6,945 Likes
on
4,784 Posts
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
Not going to work. A C4 does not have a frame.
10-19-2014, 01:25 PM
#3
Le Mans Master
Even if you could just "swap the bodies" there is also a considerable difference in the wheel base and the wheels would not end up in the centers of the wheel wells.
10-19-2014, 01:26 PM
#4
Team Owner
Member Since: Feb 2003
Location: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
Posts: 49,014
Received 6,945 Likes
on
4,784 Posts
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
Why not sell your 89 and buy a aftermarket frame either stock or custome for your C1 and be done with it
10-19-2014, 01:27 PM
#5
Cruising
Thread Starter
Member Since: Oct 2014
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have a 61 C1 vette and a 89 C4 vette. Mechanically the 89 is in good shape and performs well. The frame on the 61 is rough. I would like to put the C1 body on the 89 frame and use the entire drive train and suspension from the 89. Is this possible or would I need to by a new frame that will accept C4 parts and move everything to the new frame? Thanks
10-19-2014, 01:28 PM
#6
Team Owner
Member Since: Feb 2003
Location: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
Posts: 49,014
Received 6,945 Likes
on
4,784 Posts
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
Why buy a frame that uses 30 year old technology?
10-19-2014, 02:58 PM
#8
Team Owner
Member Since: Oct 2000
Location: Washington Michigan
Posts: 38,899
Received 1,857 Likes
on
1,100 Posts
12-09-2014, 12:04 AM
#9
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Jul 2010
Location: Between Tally and Gatorville ,Florida
Posts: 3,454
Received 83 Likes
on
69 Posts
Corvette correction has a great frame for Under $8700. It's what I used and I'm super happy. After that mostly it's all about taking the parts off the C4 and installing on the frame. You still will need to installed your own brake and fuel system . I overhauled everything that came off my C4,but not required if they are in working condition when removed.
12-09-2014, 05:28 AM
#11
Team Owner
Member Since: Feb 2003
Location: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
Posts: 49,014
Received 6,945 Likes
on
4,784 Posts
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
12-09-2014, 10:41 AM
#12
Melting Slicks
Once again... No, it isn't.
On a unibody car you can't have a rolling chassis with no body.
http://image.vetteweb.com/f/13940400...t_corvette_zr1
On a unibody car you can't have a rolling chassis with no body.
http://image.vetteweb.com/f/13940400...t_corvette_zr1
12-09-2014, 11:01 AM
#13
Team Owner
Member Since: Feb 2003
Location: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
Posts: 49,014
Received 6,945 Likes
on
4,784 Posts
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
Once again... No, it isn't.
On a unibody car you can't have a rolling chassis with no body.
http://image.vetteweb.com/f/13940400...t_corvette_zr1
On a unibody car you can't have a rolling chassis with no body.
http://image.vetteweb.com/f/13940400...t_corvette_zr1
12-09-2014, 11:04 AM
#14
Race Director
Once again... No, it isn't.
On a unibody car you can't have a rolling chassis with no body.
http://image.vetteweb.com/f/13940400...t_corvette_zr1
On a unibody car you can't have a rolling chassis with no body.
http://image.vetteweb.com/f/13940400...t_corvette_zr1
It is obvious that the Corvette body provides substantial structural support, you can't simply strap down a chair onto that C4 frame and drive it like you can a full frame car.
Doug
12-09-2014, 12:48 PM
#15
Team Owner
Member Since: Oct 1999
Location: Land of Thunder
Posts: 33,596
Received 217 Likes
on
160 Posts
2018 C2 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15, '19
That is close enough to uni body that i would call it one, the rear suspension attaches to the body to provide motive force to the body. It isn't that much different than an early camaro with its front subframe.
It is obvious that the Corvette body provides substantial structural support, you can't simply strap down a chair onto that C4 frame and drive it like you can a full frame car.
Doug
It is obvious that the Corvette body provides substantial structural support, you can't simply strap down a chair onto that C4 frame and drive it like you can a full frame car.
Doug
Last edited by Zoomin; 12-09-2014 at 12:51 PM.
12-10-2014, 12:02 AM
#16
Instructor
I had a nice running 88 that I wanted to use for a 57 body and used a frame from Antique Autos but would not recommend it to anyone who is not a very good fabricator. I would use the one from Corvette Corrections if I didn't build one myself using the side rails and center section from Art Morrison.
Some seem to be hung up about using 30 year old technology but the C-4 is very advanced compared to the C-1 and will give a nice ride along with better handling (and the parts are cheap)
If you would like to see what I have done so far you can check out my photo page on the flickr wed site. The following link should work but if not just search for buickfan.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/buickf...7644602219941/
Some seem to be hung up about using 30 year old technology but the C-4 is very advanced compared to the C-1 and will give a nice ride along with better handling (and the parts are cheap)
If you would like to see what I have done so far you can check out my photo page on the flickr wed site. The following link should work but if not just search for buickfan.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/buickf...7644602219941/