Kevin BC

Sorry if this first post is a bit long.
I bought my 81 in 2013. Thoroughly enjoyed driving it at the start, but by the fall of that year already determined I was going to have to make some changes. Not thinking that an 81 had any significant value increase from staying stock I got going.
Over the winter (it's purely a spring to fall car for me) I installed a VB&P 330 lb rear composite spring, poly adjustable strut rods, longer bolts, Bilstein Shocks, and Coys 18" wheels. 18 x 8 fronts with 245 45 tires and 18 x 9.5 with 285 45 nitto tires. Lowered to still have a little rake, it looked the part but power? well it was still the 190hp L81. The Corvette Central 2.5" exhaust system did make it sound better too.

I bought a 350, 4 bolt main, roller block to build a 383 stroker in the fall of 2013 too. Unfortunately I did not have enough time to build the engine so that had to wait until late 2014 to start.
This is my first V8 engine build.
My 383 has the following parts
All the necessary machining and at High Performance Engines, in Burnaby BC. Dave did all the high tech work and I did some grinding of my own for oil passages, flash removal etc.
Scat 9000 crank
scat 5.7 rods
Icon dished pistons
Comp Cams XR269 (fairly mild but suited my plans)
Comp lifters, spider retainer and push rods
Performance World Aluminum (PW) Heads (House brand for Mopac Auto Supply in BC, yes made in China but quality looked good and I trust Mopac) 180 runners with 64CC chambers
PW 1.5 roller rockers.
Edelbrock RPM Air Gap intake. (I have a drop base Cold Air Intake air cleaner purchased from Pauldana, so will have hood clearance)
PW 6010 EFI HEI distributor
Holley Terminator Fuel Injection.
Aeromotive Phantom Stealth fuel pump
Did the break in and dyno pull this week. Results 436 hp and 470 tq I'm thrilled.

Engine won't be in the car for a few weeks because I got carried away.
Also changing to a 700R4 transmission. Transmission built locally and using Bowtie OD cross member and lock-up wiring. Drive shaft was shortened and renewed with Spicer Life Series U-joints.
Rear end is being rebuilt and re-geared to 3.55-1
And of course why do that if you don't also upgrade the half shafts. So I have new half shafts with Spicer 1350 Life Series U-joints, and the rear end and trailing arm flanges to fit.
Also waiting to be installed is a GM serpentine belt kit (my alternator and AC compressor needed changing anyway.
and a DeWitt's radiator with dual fans.

You could say I got carried away. You should see the looks on some of my clients faces when these car part keep getting delivered to my office (I am an accountant)

Today I rolled the car out of the garage on my rolling stand and cleaned and pressure washed the underside before I start putting it all back together May 1.
Target to be on the road is May 31.
I will post some pics and progress as I finish up.

Wish me luck.
Kevin

ddawson

Nice, keep the pictures coming.

xhartman

The car looks good - the garage floor is amazing.

Street Rat

I have an '81 also. I just put a new engine in her as well. 190 hp in a Corvette just doesn't cut it. I love your build. Sounds like you are doing it right. Keep us posted on your progress.

By the way my wife is an accountant too. She doesn't let me spend that kind of money though.

C3_ERROR

Isn't that always the case? I started out with bleeding the brakes and now I have rebuild all 4 calipers, powder coated them, SS brake lines, new pads and rotors.

My interior went from replacing the carpet to a complete gut job and soon a custom interior.

I guess we just can't help it.

BTW sweet looking 81. I love silver vettes.

Kevin BC

I like the floor coating, but have to admit, if you drop a washer or small nut it can take forever to find it with all the flecks in the finish.

Kevin BC

Here is the dyno sheet for my 383.

pauldana

I am very impressed how clean everything is... wow... I can't keep that clean in my garage for more than an hour.... then after that everything (tools and what-not) is everywhere!!! I can have 4 desks filled with crap in no time at all!!!! lol..

can't wait to see the finished pictures!!

Kevin BC

Today's project is to put the differential back in the carrier and get the rear end back together. I painted the frame rails where ever they are exposed in the back end. Painted the new half shafts clear.
Sure feels good to have things going back together instead of taking more apart.

doorgunner

Outstanding!

Keep us updated!

Kevin BC

Rear end differential install is complete. New half shafts and wheel flanges for the 1350 u-joints. Did a lot of cleaning and painted what I could see. With the gas tank out I could paint the back end of the frame.
Pic of the finished job.

Kevin BC

Cleaned, detailed and painted the engine bay. Probably one of my least favorite jobs in this process.

Kevin BC

Picked up some heat film to apply to the firewall and under the foot wells. Product is called "Reflect-A-Gold" Here is the link to their webpage www.designengineering.com
The underside has to be completely clean to apply. It's self adhiesive and very thin. basically a foil over fiberglass.

VETTEWITHLEGS

Kevin, what floor coating did you use? Also, how in the heck do yo have that much free space? I have room to park 1 c3 in a 30 x 52 garage.

Kevin BC

It's a urethane coating and I think it was made by Sico. Have to warn you about the flecks though. I put a lot of flecks in and I like the look, but when you drop a little nut or washer it's tough to find.
Garage is 24 x 32. I have a lot of cabinets to put things away. Usually my wife parks in the garage and my corvette. But she is parking outside while the car goes back together.

bbrunson

Looks so good! I'm contemplating an engine change in my 80!

golfradict

Wow, incredible build there, just might dig into my bone stock 81 like this one day.

Kevin BC

That's nice looking car!

Kevin BC

In tank fuel pump install.
Installed the Aeromotive Phantom 340 fuel pump in my gas tank.
Will route the gas lines after the engine is installed.
The peak on the Corvette tank means you have to modify the instructions a bit. I wanted the pump above the filler neck as this was above the full fuel level. It's all well sealed, but it feels better to me.
You have to cut the foam on an angle to match the shape of the tank so that the foam tube and pump sit right at the bottom of the tank.
Unfortunately this means the stock kit is a little bit too short to fit and you have to by the extension kit. $190 for an extra piece of foam, longer wires and longer mounting bar. A bit much, but that's where I wanted it. It is a really simple install for a first class system.

Kevin BC

Picked up the 700R4 today.
I bought the 700R4 cross member from Bowtie Overdrives and it is mounted and ready for the engine and transmission.
That will happen on Saturday as I need a couple of extra hands around.
I did get the GM Serpentine system brackets mounted today so I am ready.
Here is my engine and tranny.