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I would say guts...and time span of the past 5 years...Owned the car since High School (1981)- originally a LS5 w/ a 4 speed-
To an ITB fuel injected all aluminum V12 w/ custom made dry sump- backed by a TKO 5 speed w/ custom bellhousing...14" Wilwood brakes and Vansteel coil overs all the way around...
Richard454 is a tough act to follow! For now, I'll have to fold them.
Really impressive to put a modern engine, a V-12 at that, into a older non-BMW car. Aside from mechanical fit problems, I'd imagine there's complicated problems getting the car's engine control computer to work in the older Corvette. No cats on the Corvette?..bypass cat warning codes? Fuel pressure...in tank fuel pump for the V12? Of course there are all the issues with mating the V-12 engines computer system to the Corvette old technology gauges.
OK, just for mischeviousness for this excellent conversion....a small gotcha...the strut rods on your rear suspension are not parallel to the rear half axles. You need to buy Tom's dropped differential strut rod attachment bracket....with it the strut rods will be parallel to the rear half axles.
Richard454 is a tough act to follow! For now, I'll have to fold them.
Really impressive to put a modern engine, a V-12 at that, into a older non-BMW car. Aside from mechanical fit problems, I'd imagine there's complicated problems getting the car's engine control computer to work in the older Corvette. No cats on the Corvette?..bypass cat warning codes? Fuel pressure...in tank fuel pump for the V12? Of course there are all the issues with mating the V-12 engines computer system to the Corvette old technology gauges.
OK, just for mischeviousness for this excellent conversion....a small gotcha...the strut rods on your rear suspension are not parallel to the rear half axles. You need to buy Tom's dropped differential strut rod attachment bracket....with it the strut rods will be parallel to the rear half axles.
THANK YOU- sir!!!
The ½shafts are pointing down...I know- that was the pic I took way back...If you'll notice the coilovers are all the way down- so I could put it together easier...since been leveled up. I am thinking I want to cut the diff x member and move it up a bit.
Running a total standalone ECU-Megasquirt MS3 Pro- so only an O2 sensor and no cats. There is a lot of wiring involved...
55PSI- just running an Aeromotive Phantom Fuel Pump system in the stock tank.
Gauges? I just added the GM temp sensor right next to the BMW one. For the oil pressure- made a banjo fitting to AN-4 adapter and it runs the mechanical gauge just fine. The used an Autometer Tach- that would handle a 6 cylinder- mounted it behind the Chevy stock faceplate.
Making up the throttle linkage took the most noodling-
Headlights -> Electric
AC -> Vintage air
Brakes -> Hydroboost
Steering -> Rack and pinnion
Headlights -> H11 low and high beams.
Steering column -> 75
Electrical -> interior and engine harness remade with 14 gauge or bigger wiring. Seperate interior and engine fuse boxes.
Interior -> dash and center remade in fiberglass (in progress)
Exterior -> fiberglass bumpers, Daytona blue metallic paint (In progress)
Rear lights -> Led + Halos
L48 Engine -> 383 stroker + Vortec
Exhaust -> Sidepipes
I have the parts/supplies for everything I havent completed, I just need the time.
I will post pics when I get a chance.
Over a significant time span to take your C3 into another age, and do it YOUR WAY????
So what have you all done on YOUR OWN, with obvious parts supply and maybe tuner help.....I will hold off on my input and let you all go first.....
Well, I've done quite a bit to my 77 with more to come, here are some items:
427 Dart SBC
MSD 6AL
Powermaster 100amp alternator
Hedman 68300 hedders with ceramic coating
Wilwood aluminum master cylinder
Wilwood calipers/pads with EBC rotors
Dewitts aluminum rad with dual spal fans
Coys C5 18"x8" wheels and BFG KDW2 tires
Speed direct - Corbeau GTSII seats
AEM Air/Fuel gauge
Centerforce Dual friction clutch
Hays Steel billet flywheel
Removed A/C
Parts owned to be installed
VBP Dual mount composite rear spring
Offset trailing arms
3 1/2" half shafts
Bilstein sport rear shocks
Koni adjustable front shocks
550lbs front springs
VBP spreader bar
VBP smart strut rods
rear cross member reinforcement kit
All poly bushings in front and rear suspension
Addco Front and Rear stabilizer bars
Borgesen steering box
VBP lightweight upper tubular A-arms
Rebuilt lower A-arms
iPod dock and sound system.
C3 moon roofs
I think that's it for now. May be some L-88 fender flares and a L-88 hood with a paint job in the future. Would also love a 5speed transmission
Nothing radical on our 71 coupe... but a few little things that only a "purist" would quickly spot....
moved front center grill flush with valence
headlight bezels black, not body color
black paint removed from "Stingray" emblems
wiper door trim stainless, not body color
electric headlight & wiper doors
4 tail lights, (LED reverse lights planned)
playing with making "Astro Vent" flaps electric
I have owned my 78 L-82 4 speed since 1983 after I graduated college (bought it with 25,000 miles on the car-totally stock). Prior to the engine rebuild/upgrade last spring 2014:
Short Block work done by builder (no one has ever touched the car other than him and only the engine out of the car), preserving as much L-82 as possible:
Pulled engine myself and reinstalled
L-82 block bored .030 preserving numbers-355 now
Recondition Forged L-82 rods
New bearings
New JE forged Racing pistons-9:1
reconditioned Forged L-82 Crakshaft
Reused L-82 aluminum intake
New oil pump
New Fuel pump
New motor mounts
New Harmonic Balancer
Engine balanced
New Hayes Clutch kit balanced-installed by me
Various other parts-planning on ARH long tube headers (has shorty's already, 2.5 inch duals, Monza Turbos done by me over the years) this Spring-looking for 450 Gross HP
I installed:
New Howards roller cam-.525/.525, Duration 219/225, LSA 110
New Afr 180 64 CC heads
comp cams 1.52 roller tipped rockers
OEM L-82 valve covers and L-82 aluminum intake
New Pushrods
Everything on top end
Dewitts aluminum radiator
Aluminum Stewarts water pump
OEM dual snorkel cold air intake
Reinstalled
Front completely rebuilt over the years:
Poly upper and lower control arm bushings
Poly bushings on stock 1 1/8 inch from bar
Spreader bar
550 front springs-1 inch shorter than stock
custom rebuilt/blue printed oem steering box
new rag joint
Bilstein HD shocks with poly bushings
SLP 17 inch rims with 255/45/17 ZR tires
Stock front brakes with PF pads and SS braided lines
Rear:
VBP 360 mono spring with poly cushing
Competition adjustable Heim jointed Strut rods
3/4 OEM type rear sway bar with poly mounting bushings
Bilstein Sport shocks
SLP 17 inch rims-255/45/17 ZR tires
Stock brakes with PF pads and SS braided lines
Interior:
New carpeting and heat shielding (non OEM) -whole interior
81/82 oil temp gauge in place of clock
Bird cage supports from upper seat belt mount to seat belt floor mount-like rear heim jointed strut rod setup
CS-144 OEM alternator 140 amps
Headlight relay for 4 Hella Euro halogen headlights-55/60 watt lows, 100 watt highs
Other Stuff I can't remember over 30+ years…but certainly a very different feeling 78 L-82 4 speed from the power perspective, handling, braking, ride, and steering..feels like a modern sports car now…32 years later
Installed Pertronix and MSD ignitions parts. Ripped 'em out and put points back in.
It seems the older I get the more I admire originality.
I do have 16X8 Chrome Ralleyes with 255/50/16 Comp TA's.
Makes her sit lower, which is good.
Right now the stock 15X7 Ralleyes are back on...
I really admire the craftsmanship in the custom cars. Just beautiful.
What's the length of that engine? It sure seems to fit nicely at the front damper/cutout area.
Regarding the rear strut angle, your setup is directionally correct, as there needs to be either an angle difference or length difference between the halfshafts and strut rods to provide negative camber gain for cornering grip.
I would say guts...and time span of the past 5 years...Owned the car since High School (1981)- originally a LS5 w/ a 4 speed-
To an ITB fuel injected all aluminum V12 w/ custom made dry sump- backed by a TKO 5 speed w/ custom bellhousing...14" Wilwood brakes and Vansteel coil overs all the way around...
I just went out and threw rocks at my work. Hats off to you, and your incredible badazz creation. Also, how long are the 2x4's you made the risers out of? Thanks for your time and sharing your passion with us.
I love Richards V12 vette! Truly a tough act the follow
73C34me's clamshell front end is extremely cool also!
Several years ago when there weren't many LS transplants I transformed my 79 ON MY DRIVEWAY w/ an LS1/t56 the hard way (used block w/heads, firebird PCM , used 6 speed tranny from a hot rodder, modified a camaro wiring harness from an auto tranny, built custom rad shroud for two used electric fans). Sanded her down to the fiberglass, removed all trim drove it with doors bungled shut to paint shop and back after painting to put her back together. Bought HP tuners to get it running right. Got a custom bracket for AC compressor from josh before CIC existed.
I did have the trailing arms worked on by a shop (no press) and paid for a pro to paint her. All the rest on my own, lots of work but fun working on the old vette,
What's the length of that engine? It sure seems to fit nicely at the front damper/cutout area.
Regarding the rear strut angle, your setup is directionally correct, as there needs to be either an angle difference or length difference between the halfshafts and strut rods to provide negative camber gain for cornering grip.
Thank you!!!
The engine is about the same length as a Big block- 29.5" But since it's a 60º block- the plugs are a lot easier to change!!! It fits nicely because of untold hours of making it fit!!!
Originally Posted by radiotexas
I just went out and threw rocks at my work. Hats off to you, and your incredible badazz creation. Also, how long are the 2x4's you made the risers out of? Thanks for your time and sharing your passion with us.
Thank you-
2 X 4 are 12" and 16"- I made mine w/ a break in the middle- and to attach them together I just drilled a hole for a carriage bolt to slide down.
Don't throw rocks...I have wanted to have this car up and running for years!!! But life happened- whether it was time or money- most of the time both- I now am an empty nester- and spend a LOT of time in my basement.
Biggest motivation for me was a guy that spent 17 years building a Lambo Countach replica in his basement- He just kept at it!!!
I love Richards V12 vette! Truly a tough act the follow
73C34me's clamshell front end is extremely cool also!
Several years ago when there weren't many LS transplants I transformed my 79 ON MY DRIVEWAY w/ an LS1/t56 the hard way (used block w/heads, firebird PCM , used 6 speed tranny from a hot rodder, modified a camaro wiring harness from an auto tranny, built custom rad shroud for two used electric fans). Sanded her down to the fiberglass, removed all trim drove it with doors bungled shut to paint shop and back after painting to put her back together. Bought HP tuners to get it running right. Got a custom bracket for AC compressor from josh before CIC existed.
I did have the trailing arms worked on by a shop (no press) and paid for a pro to paint her. All the rest on my own, lots of work but fun working on the old vette,
Thank you!!! Working on my Vette is much more satisfying than sitting in front of a TV...or Facebooking!!!
I have owned "several" vettes from 66 to 86 and not one was stock, stock bores me,
The 66 had an early GS kit, one 81 had a wide body and 400-450hp engine,
My 69 I have now, there is a bats build thread with tumble weeds and cobwebs forming from my lack of updates due to the car stuck in shop limbo but the 69 will sport things like fast swap tilt front clips ranging from mild to wild depending on mood, mild 454 and it's a convertible.
The one thing I can't seem to totally get away from is old school.
Well it's not a major mod like some of these great cars / mods but what started out as me wanting my window trim to be a little different than the next guy turned into an obsession with wanting my car to stand out ( at least in my eyes ) . It hasn't left the garage / driveway in almost 2 Years do I don't know how people are going to react . But on the forum
it's been on both ends of the spectrum . Love it or can't stand it .
Still to come is Black wheels , black sidepipes & some type of modified hood ( my mind changes every couple of days )
03-02-2015, 08:27 PM
How many of you have had the GUTS.....
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