VetteJohn

Hey guys,

I got the itch to do a restorod. I can't decide if I should go with a new chassis or just mod the heck out of the original. I'm pretty sure I want to use an LS engine so I was wondering if someone makes a kit for installing the LS in a C2 chassis.

I'm in the planning stages so feel free to jump in with ideas, suggestions and comments.

John McGraw

Putting a LS engine in any GM car with side mounts is a piece of cake.

There are motor mount adapters that will bolt the LS to standard Chevrolet motor mounts and the engine and trans will bolt into the existing frame mounts. Everybody sells the mount adapters, including Edelbrock, but you can find the dimensions on LS1 Tech and build your own from some 3/8" plate aluminum. I have never bough a set of pre-made ones, as I would rather build my own than pay $100 for a set of pre-made ones. There are people who make headers for this application, but a good set of F body or LS2 exhaust manifolds will fit fine and make good power.


Regards, John McGraw

torose

What's your budget?

VetteJohn

Part the reason I'm asking for input is to figure how much I'd need to spend taking each different route. I figure between $30K using the original chassis and $50K with a custom frame.

Vette Daddy

That's IF you do your own work and just how "restomod" you want to go.

vettegozzzz

As you know, I just finished up my resto-mod.

The condition of the car you are going to resto-mod has a lot to do with the cost of your project. Before I did mine I did alot of research and put together a general budget for the project. My car was in pretty good shape to start with. I did about 80% of the labor myself.

I have around $50k (including the car) invested doing a body-on with the original chassis. I can provide you with some cost break-downs if you want.

I'm still considering a GTO LS2 conversion to mine. I've already installed a TKO 5spd tranny to handle the increased power.

Beach Dude

Unless you do all the work yourself, I think 30k is very light, I'm gathering parts for my conversion targeted this November and I had a budget guess of 40K not counting repaint or interior, I believe I will be much closer to 50K.

There is a very large sticky in the C3 technical section on LS conversions.

Vettegozzz, I would like to see some of your breakdowns if you don't mind, I am doing the research and always open to other peoples thoughts.

vettegozzzz

IT AIN'T CHEAP...most of the labor was done by me.

$20,000
Original purchase price

$6,500
Complete VBP Performance Suspension, power steering, brake rotors bearings calipers brake lines, body cushions, E-brake, off-set trailing arms, differential, Tremec 5 spd Transmission, clutch pressure plate and misc. parts. My labor

$4,500
Engine Rebuild, cam, MSD ignition, carb, aluminum radiator, misc. parts and sublet labor

$4,500
Body, paint, hood, most body and prep done by me

$3,000
Wheels, tires, alignment

$4,000
Interior replacement, my labor

$2,000
Trim restoration, bumpers, headlight motor rebuild, mirrors, tail lights, door handles, glass etc.

Credit: $2,000
Sale of original wheels and misc. parts







But, to me, it was worth it.

Beach Dude

Vettegozzzz,

Very nice looking ride, Thank you for the post on price breakdown, good thing you are capable of doing so much of the labor, otherwise you would probably at least double or possibly triple the cost.

Thanks again.

st1speed

Very pretty car! I'd give you your money back on it! Thats just a joke....don't wanna get flamed on that. Silver is such a classy color.
Don

62Jeff

I think you got a bargain for what you ended up with. Thanks for sharing some of the details, too many go into this financially blind, and get burned. Good on you for helping others clear their vision.

AirWizard

If you don't do the work yourself you're looking at $80,000 to $100,000 for show car quality

vt65

IT AIN'T CHEAP...most of the labor was done by me.

$20,000
Original purchase price

$6,500
Complete VBP Performance Suspension, power steering, brake rotors bearings calipers brake lines, body cushions, E-brake, off-set trailing arms, differential, Tremec 5 spd Transmission, clutch pressure plate and misc. parts. My labor

$4,500
Engine Rebuild, cam, MSD ignition, carb, aluminum radiator, misc. parts and sublet labor



IT AIN'T CHEAP...most of the labor was done by me.

$20,000
Original purchase price

$6,500
Complete VBP Performance Suspension, power steering, brake rotors bearings calipers brake lines, body cushions, E-brake, off-set trailing arms, differential, Tremec 5 spd Transmission, clutch pressure plate and misc. parts. My labor

$4,500
Engine Rebuild, cam, MSD ignition, carb, aluminum radiator, misc. parts and sublet labor

$4,500
Body, paint, hood, most body and prep done by me

$3,000
Wheels, tires, alignment

$4,000
Interior replacement, my labor

$2,000
Trim restoration, bumpers, headlight motor rebuild, mirrors, tail lights, door handles, glass etc.

Credit: $2,000
Sale of original wheels and misc. parts
$4,500
Body, paint, hood, most body and prep done by me

$3,000
Wheels, tires, alignment

$4,000
Interior replacement, my labor

$2,000
Trim restoration, bumpers, headlight motor rebuild, mirrors, tail lights, door handles, glass etc.

Credit: $2,000
Sale of original wheels and misc. parts


Money well spent, you made all the right decisions IMO ...

70mph@2200rpm

What a beautiful color combo...I don't usually like aftermarket mags on C-2's, but I think your car is stunning!

VetteJohn...
For my 65 coupe, I had a local shop, that specializes in restomoding, give me a detailed breakdown for a complete drive train and necessary componets: new LS w/700R4, replacing my factory AC compressor, new radiator w/elec. fans, fuel tank w/pump, etc...$17,500...if you want to see the bid sheet, I'll e-mail it to you.

mredi1

Here is what we have done to my 65 coupe, spent about $35K on chassis, engine, trans, exhaust, wheels and tires. Good luck with your project. Tim

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...-65-vette.html

70mph@2200rpm

this link doe not work...

62Jeff

This is the correct one
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...-65-vette.html

mredi1

Thanks Jeff, not sure how it got messed up. Tim

3JsVette

The BIG thing to remember here is the car was in good condition to start with and "vettegozzzz" did a lot of the labor himself.

I was talking with a Streetshop dealer yesterday and you're looking at 18K+ for a C5 chassis swap. You still need a motor, trans, and driveshaft. What about a radiator? No body freshening and labor yet. What about all the nickle and dime stuff? It adds up real quick. I think you would be hard pressed to do something "nice" with a "new" chassis for less than 75K. If you're looking at "now and wow" show quality you would be "blessed" if you stayed under 6 figures.

On the other hand "vettesgozzzz" you did a h3ll of a job and your car looks "priceless".

AirWizard