C3 LS1 & T-56 Frame Up Project
03-06-2010, 07:04 PM
#1
7th Gear
Thread Starter
Member Since: Dec 2009
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
C3 LS1 & T-56 Frame Up Project
My father and I have recentely purchased a 1977 corvette. We are going to build the car from the frame up. We got the LS1 out of an 04 GTO with around 60,000 miles. We came to find out after purchasing the engine that it has a mild comp cam in it, so that was a plus. We are going to base coat clear coat the frame bright silver and also accent it with some miscellaneous red parts ie: A-arms and fuel lines. The exterior will be a nice fire engine red. We are also debating on a black or tan interior.
Here are some pics of the progress so far:
When we first brought it home
Floor boards will deffinately need some more metal
Old 350
New LS1
Body off!
Built a wood frame to set the body on the trailer for easy transportation
Clutch pedal off ebay
Also going to do a rack and pinion conversion. I have one question though. What type of spindle is everyone using to put the rack in front of the engine instead of going under the oil pan?
6-Speed
Prepping the frame
We also don't feel any play in the wheel bearings on the trailing arms so we might be able to get away with just replacing the bushing on the frame mount.
And that is where we stand as of today. Next week we are going to begine setting the engine and trans in place. We also bought an 82 bumper off of ebay because we liked it not having the bump stops
Will have more pics in the future
Here are some pics of the progress so far:
When we first brought it home
Floor boards will deffinately need some more metal
Old 350
New LS1
Body off!
Built a wood frame to set the body on the trailer for easy transportation
Clutch pedal off ebay
Also going to do a rack and pinion conversion. I have one question though. What type of spindle is everyone using to put the rack in front of the engine instead of going under the oil pan?
6-Speed
Prepping the frame
We also don't feel any play in the wheel bearings on the trailing arms so we might be able to get away with just replacing the bushing on the frame mount.
And that is where we stand as of today. Next week we are going to begine setting the engine and trans in place. We also bought an 82 bumper off of ebay because we liked it not having the bump stops
Will have more pics in the future
Last edited by cmaurice876; 03-06-2010 at 07:06 PM. Reason: wrong picture
.
03-06-2010, 07:31 PM
#3
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2006
Location: Westminster Maryland
Posts: 30,173
Likes: 0
Received 2,878 Likes
on
2,515 Posts
Hi c876,
First question... is the dog a laborer or supervisor?
Lots of pictures make it interesting for us and you'll be able to look back and say "WOW, have we come a long way"!
GOOD LUCK!
Regards,
Alan
First question... is the dog a laborer or supervisor?
Lots of pictures make it interesting for us and you'll be able to look back and say "WOW, have we come a long way"!
GOOD LUCK!
Regards,
Alan
03-06-2010, 10:02 PM
#5
Safety Car
Post lots of pics. We may be able to help you through some of the sticky parts 
.
For a good headache remedy, I would just get an F-body LS1 oil pan and use a VBP or Speed Direct R&P kit for the C3. It will go in like it was meant to be there. No issues really. Life is too short to fool around that long on your R&P set-up trying to create proper bracketry, unless your that good.
When your done, it a sweet rumble with the sound of an open header LS1 firing up in your garage!!!
.For a good headache remedy, I would just get an F-body LS1 oil pan and use a VBP or Speed Direct R&P kit for the C3. It will go in like it was meant to be there. No issues really. Life is too short to fool around that long on your R&P set-up trying to create proper bracketry, unless your that good.
When your done, it a sweet rumble with the sound of an open header LS1 firing up in your garage!!!
03-07-2010, 11:08 PM
#7
7th Gear
Thread Starter
Member Since: Dec 2009
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ha ha but we have more time then money. I do have one question though on the rack and pinion. I have found two different styles: the one like we have pictured and one that the tie rods link to center of the rack. Also from what i have seen most are putting these "center steer" type racks behind the crossmember and the one like we have in front of the crossmember using a different type of spindle. Why is this and can you do it either way?
06-26-2010, 02:58 PM
#9
7th Gear
Thread Starter
Member Since: Dec 2009
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry that it has been such a long time, but we have made a pretty good bit of progress.
Here are the pictures:
F body oil pan
Base coat clear coat trailing arms, differential, and strut bars
Modified the heater hoses on the water pump. Plug are 3/8" and 1/2". We tapped the holes with a 3/8" pipe threaded tap. Then used 2 3/8" 90 degree brass fittings with 5/8" heater hose adapter.
Now the modified transmission crossmember. We used a transmission mount from an old Jeep
And here is the motor and trans sitting in place. We got a brand new oem clutch, flywheel, and pressure plate. Also, while we were there we put a new pilot bearing in.
Thats all for now, next on the list is to clean, prime, and paint the frame. More pictures to come.
Here are the pictures:
F body oil pan
Base coat clear coat trailing arms, differential, and strut bars
Modified the heater hoses on the water pump. Plug are 3/8" and 1/2". We tapped the holes with a 3/8" pipe threaded tap. Then used 2 3/8" 90 degree brass fittings with 5/8" heater hose adapter.
Now the modified transmission crossmember. We used a transmission mount from an old Jeep
And here is the motor and trans sitting in place. We got a brand new oem clutch, flywheel, and pressure plate. Also, while we were there we put a new pilot bearing in.
Thats all for now, next on the list is to clean, prime, and paint the frame. More pictures to come.
06-26-2010, 03:22 PM
#10
Safety Car
Looking good
. Why did you choose to go with a oem clutch? Stock LS1 clutches aren't the best out there and are known to slip a lot if you plan on running it hard. You should upgraded to a better one while it's out and maybe get a lighter flywheel. Did you do a cam swap or any mods? Right now is the time to do upgrades since the engine is out. Good luck
.
. Why did you choose to go with a oem clutch? Stock LS1 clutches aren't the best out there and are known to slip a lot if you plan on running it hard. You should upgraded to a better one while it's out and maybe get a lighter flywheel. Did you do a cam swap or any mods? Right now is the time to do upgrades since the engine is out. Good luck.
