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I'm having my '78 silver anniversary edition L-82 4spd. resto-modded and should be done in the spring. I inherited it from my dad and although it only has 12,000 miles on it, it was in fairly rough shape from sitting for many years.
My dad was the original owner, bought the car in '77 and was always in love with it. When I was young he instilled that same love into me. I remember always going for rides and sometimes having to sit in the hatch since my older sister demanded the passenger seat. It was a great time and I remember it fondly.
My dad let the car sit for about 12 years without using it or driving it and it deteriorated as these things do. He also would leave the windows down in the garage and stray cats that he fed would hang out inside of it to keep warm in the winter.
When I first got the car I redid all the suspension components, replaced the water pump, all the belts, brakes, tires, etc and basically got it back on the road and running again. Since then I've spent some time driving it and I wasn't convinced it was as great as I remembered.
I've had a hard time deciding what to do with the car. Part of me had trouble with the idea of "defiling" a 12,000 mile SA with such rare options but after spending the last 3 years with the car I've decided I just really don't enjoy driving it. It's slow, it stalls at traffic lights when you have the A/C on, the clutch is very stiff and the engagement point is very high, the tach bobbles and is inaccurate, etc etc. The sentimental value of this vehicle far exceeds the monetary value so selling it was never an option. Because of this I've decided to makeover the car and do it my liking.
I like fast cars and I have a couple so the goal of this car was not to be my fastest or craziest car in my garage. I just wanted something I could drive around Chicago comfortably and take on road trips on the nice weekends during the spring/summer/fall.
So...as of 2 weeks ago I sent the car to Custom Image Corvettes. After discussing this project with Josh for almost 3 years now I finally saved enough money and decided to go for it. Here are the plans for the car:
Rebuilt and Cammed LS1 w/ custom headers and exhaust
T56 Tremec 6spd
Single Color HOK gunmetal metalic paint (not 100% decided on this yet)
C5 seats
Dye the interior black
1982 Rear bumper and Pace car front valence
Vettenuts Insulation package
VBP FRONT COMPOSITE MONOSPRING CONVERSION KIT
VBP REAR DUAL-MOUNT SPRING KIT
VBP SMART STRUTS HD ROD ENDS
VBP 1" SOLID FRONT SWAYBAR
New Factory A/C
Wilwood 6pot fronts 4pot rears on OEM rotors
URETHANE MOTOR MOUNTS
VHX GAUGES
New WEATHERSTRIPPING
New Radiator
RetroSound ModelTwo Radio
And then just general TLC needed to replace the broken plastic and messed up interior bits.
here are some pics of her before I shipped her off:
I'm having my '78 silver anniversary edition L-82 4spd. resto-modded and should be done in the spring. I inherited it from my dad and although it only 12,000 miles on it it was in fairly rough shape from sitting for many years.
nice, I'm not sure when Josh will actually start working on it and when parts will be available but I'll keep you in mind and you've got dibs. Will come with pads as well. We'll figure out a price once he has everything off and I have pics of what's what.
I did basically the same thing to my 78, I installed a lt1 from a Camaro, a 6!speed speed transmission and a hydraulic clutch, major improvement. At the time I did mine, their were a few members that were just starting to install ls2s, the motor mount scared me away and it wound up being a fabricated plate to move the mount, a simple solution.
I did basically the same thing to my 78, I installed a lt1 from a Camaro, a 6!speed speed transmission and a hydraulic clutch, major improvement. At the time I did mine, their were a few members that were just starting to install ls2s, the motor mount scared me away and it wound up being a fabricated plate to move the mount, a simple solution.
Sweet! Any pics? My fiance is from Rochester Hills so if we ever take the vette to visit her parents I'll let you know. We can compare toys!
I did basically the same thing to my 78, I installed a lt1 from a Camaro, a 6!speed speed transmission and a hydraulic clutch, major improvement. At the time I did mine, their were a few members that were just starting to install ls2s, the motor mount scared me away and it wound up being a fabricated plate to move the mount, a simple solution.
Also, did you do anything with your diff or just left the factory one? Can the factory diff handle 400whp and does it have LSD or anything?
Also, did you do anything with your diff or just left the factory one? Can the factory diff handle 400whp and does it have LSD or anything?
No change in rear end, I don't beat on it so I would not be able to answer this, everything is basically stock on the engine. We are aboutb20 miles north of Rochester, in Lapeer County. PM sent
Sounds good. I think I would keep the oyster interior and the two-tone paint. If you go with the gunmetal, think about a lighter gray interior too. It's such a distinctive look that sets it apart from all the other c3's. I sold one just like it a couple of years ago, same colors, same options. Be sure to post some pictures when you get it back. I'm looking forward to seeing the outcome.
I still have mine, can't hardly find any tapes for it that work, but then I can't hear the radio anyways!
I have a bunch of 8 tracks from my dad. Neil Diamond, Otis redding, beach boys. I'd happily send you them. They're still in the corvette so I'm not sure when but if you pay for shipping you can have them
After a long wait due to a backlog of cars at custom image corvettes, they've finally started on my car! I also had Al Knoch do a french stitched custom dash, arm rests, and door panels that we designed. I deleted the glove box and the carpets on the doors.
and then here are some pics of Josh and the gang stripping down the car.
I'm doing a pace car front spoiler and an 82 rear bumper as well as a few other neat tricks. The car will be painted the same color as the Miranda Chevy Nova: http://www.mirandabuilt.com/steve/index.html
and then here are some pics of Josh and the gang stripping down the car.
I'm doing a pace car front spoiler and an 82 rear bumper as well as a few other neat tricks. The car will be painted the same color as the Miranda Chevy Nova: http://www.mirandabuilt.com/steve/index.html
last but not least, the engine.
The trans is a T56 with 33k on it. Clutch is a stock replacement that had a couple thousand miles on it.
Motor was completely dismantled cleaned and inspected. All new gaskets and seals. Heads are stock. GM upgraded springs and a GM hotcam. LS6 intake and C5 Corvette Z06 drive by wire throttle body.
11-06-2015, 03:11 PM
1978 Silver Anniversay...here we go
