I finished reassembling my 63 Corvette coupe about three months ago and I've managed to put about 500 miles on it since then. As you can already tell, this is a driver so originality is not a concern for me. While rebuilding the car, I took the opportunity to change several systems including the suspension, brakes, engine and radiator. I also added a VintageAir system. Now that I've had the opportunity to try out all of these new parts, I thought I'd briefly describe my impressions for those of you who may be considering some of these for your cars.

I replaced virtually the entire suspension systems with the Performance Plus setup from Vette Brakes. It includes heavier front and rear sway bars, fiberglass front and rear springs, Bilstein shocks, replacement A-arms and struts, and polyurethane bushings. I mounted Yokohama AVS db P215R65 tires on replica knock-off wheels. Manual steering is a little heavy at very low speed, but the car steers very precisely at speed. Its a little rough on bumpy sections, but there is almost no body lean in hard turns or under braking. It definitely handles better now than before.

I installed front disc brakes from an early 70s Corvette and a dual master cylinder with proportioning valve from Master Power Brakes. Braking was a little soft until the new pads broke in, but now it feels fine. I have not done any back-to-back high speed stops, so I can't speak to fade resistance.

I replaced an ordinary 350 c.i. truck engine with a clone of GM's ZZ430 crate engine. It took some extra work to get everything to fit, but the new engine feels and sounds great. It's backed up by a custom 2.5" exhaust system with an x-pipe and Magnaflow mufflers. I have not yet had the car on a dyno, but the new engine feels much stronger than the one it replaced.

Lastly, I installed a VintageAir air conditioner and a new Griffith aluminum radiator. I also took special care to seal all the air leaks between the radiator and the fan shroud. I'm a little disappointed that the heater/air conditioner is either on or off and there is no way to modulate the temperature. But the air conditioner blows nice and cold even on a hot day. And the water temperature has stayed at 180 F even with the a/c on.

Feel free to drop me an email if you want to discuss any of this off line.


[Modified by kellsdad, 10:03 PM 5/29/2002]

 

...nah, keep it online...what did you do for a fan, clutch, direct drive, flex or stock?


[Modified by Kid_Again, 10:09 PM 5/29/2002]

 

Kellsdad,

First off thanks for taking the time to post your comments on the changes you have made to your car. Over the weekend I installed the front monospring and lower control arm setup from vb&p along with a set of the Bilstein shocks. I’m glad to hear your are happy with the hardware. BTW, I don’t think that having the AC on full blast only in a midyear that is not overheating is by no means a disappointment!

Andy B

 

I went with a short water pump, two inch spacer and flex-fan.

 

......i like your choice on the fan combo - i've run the same setup on both cars for a few years and also found that it works well

 

kellsdad,

You done most of the things that I am planning to do on my 63 SWC... I just had all the guages redone and the clock converted to quartz, next I have to put the new dash harness in (earlier post). The prior owner did a complete rebuild of the suspension, including new brakes, front springs, drums all the way around and trailing arms. So I am a little reluctant to tear into this, but I do want to go with disc brakes, ala AB7Split63.

Two of the members in my Corvette club have installed Vintage Air, and both did not like the "on/off" with no inbetween situation. I just picked up the latest issue of Vette magazine and they have an article on a different "air" system. Haven't read it yet, but looking forward to reading it this weekend.

I have a 383 in the process of being completed, with AFR 190 heads, and block hugger headers which will attach to MAD's under car "chambered exhaust". I would also like to put in a Tremec 5 speed, but after visiting Forte's Transmission here in Mass, it's going to require some cutting and other mods, especially to the console, which I refuse to cut up. So I may opt for the Richmond 6 speed, but I really liked the way the Tremec shifted, very smooth and no "tranny whine".

One question, I am in the process of "blowing" my budget for this year, so for the time being I am looking at the "Air Gap" manifolds, but was wondering if I would have the under hood clearance necessary? What are you running for an intake and carb? In the future I am planning to go with FI, either Holly or Edelbrock.

Thanks for the info... :cheers:


[Modified by achapman, 3:37 PM 5/30/2002]

 

Hood clearance was a major challenge for me. The ZZ430 engine uses "Fast Burn" heads which are apparently similar to Vortec style heads in that they cause the intake manifold to sit higher than earlier heads. The engine came with a GM high rise intake and when all was said and done, I couldn't fit the Holley 4160 with air cleaner under the stock hood. I eventually swapped to an Edelbrock Performer (2116) to gain a quarter inch, and I had the top milled another quarter inch. Finally, I got a 1.5" drop base air cleaner with a bell shaped top from Univeral Spinner. That allows me to use a 2.3"x14" air filter. The hood closes normally, but the top of the air cleaner just barely touches the underside of the hood. ... As I recall, I checked the dimensions on the Air-Gap intake and it was taller than the 2116. But if your heads allow the intake to sit lower than mine, it might work. Incidentally, I also read somewhere about someone lowering the engine mounts on a different kind of car to gain a little space. I didn't give that option much thought, so I don't know what kinds of new problems it would create.

I plan to have this car on the dyno sometime soon, and I want to try the current air cleaner set up and a more aggressive K&N setup (that won't fit under the hood) just to see how much difference it makes. I'll post the results when I have them.