Crunch527

Don't be fooled by the folks who say the stock setup is as good as it gets...no doubt its good, yet it can be improved.

To repeat a few that have been mentioned: Borgeson power steering or a rack and pinion, adding a 5 speed Tremec, replacing suspension bushings throughout.

I've done more with adding a rear mono spring, heavy duty rear strut assembly, stiffer and lower front coil springs w/ 4, single adjustable QA-1 shocks. This was as far as I took my 67...it did everything I needed it to do and handled great...I didn't feel as if I was along for the ride...it stayed planted and went where I steered...I had stock rally wheels with Diamond Back/Michelin Redline Tires.

Some guys have gone farther with the original chassis and put the Ride Tech kits on...these are really spendy, plus they require new spindles, calipers and rims to fit...it starts to creep into the arena of it might be better to just go with a new chassis.

Doing a Street Shop or a SRIII chassis with C6 components is sexy and a whole different ball game. Bigger money and at the end of the day the car still isn't all that much more practical...but who ever said this was about being practical?

So yes, there are some "scalable" options to improve the C2 OEM suspension setup...just depends on you and your wallet.

65air_coupe

I've owned mine for 40 years and agree with many of the recommendations, especially new bushings but whatever you do there, don't go with urethane. I also wouldn't add a rear sway bar but would go for the adjustable shocks. As for the motor, I replaced the original L79 but not because I wasn't happy with the performance, I just didn't want to risk loosing the value if I blew it up. I did add a 5 speed at the same time and absolutely love it.

Crunch527

Oh, don't tell anyone, but I forgot to mention that I also broke the "C2 hp limit rules" and dropped in a 500+hp 383 stroker., AFR heads, Lunati roller cam w/ 4:11 gears and guess what? It hooked up great and I didn't break a damn thing! Amazing...

gosofast

I've modified a lot of mechanicals on my C2, steering, fuel system, A/C, brakes, and more. The only change I might not do again is the Tremec. Not really worth the trouble of install, found I don't need the extra gear, and it's noisy...

00fxd

Years ago I was going to update and "improve". I wanted handling so I upgraded with solid bushings, tubular control arms, spherical rod ends where possible, front mono leaf, LS engine, 18" wheels and all sorts of fancy stuff. Got a car that handled but rode stiff as hell - its a trade off. A learning experience for me - eg: I just removed my Bilstien "Sports" and love it- way smoother ride. Stiff suspensions work great on race tracks - but race tracks tend to be flat. I actually think my car handles better now - a softer susp in this light car glides and follows the imperfections in normal road surfaces instead of bouncing and skipping around corners. If you think about it there's a reason the later Corvettes etc have the two suspension settings and you probably aren't going to replicate that.
I never did the rear monospring 'cuz every car that I ever rode in with one was bouncy - the owners seemed to not notice and to be happy but people tend to be happy when they've spent a bunch of time and money. No rear swaybar unless you have a big block or you like oversteer.
My [softest setting] front mono spring is now way toned down with the stock style shocks but I'm still going to remove it. Rebuild your stock susp and steering with quality parts - no urethane -"Kindergarten Engineering" as John Z calls it and I get it now. [High durometer del-a lum "bearing style" control arm bushings if you must].
If you don't have power steering go with a Borgeson. If you do have P.S. rebuild as required but it will probably start to seep/leak in a couple years.
If you are an AC kinda guy, install aftermarket air - theres lots of good advise on this site with guys that have been there and done that.
Larger diameter, wider wheels with lower profile radial tires to get to your 26-27" o.d. are beneficial. Overdrive if you want but nothing shifts like my Muncie with the Hurst.
Hope this all make sense to you but thats where I'm at after lotsa 'improvments', frame off etc.

warrenmj

I have owned my '66 L79 convertible (Nassau blue) for 18 years and have made the following mods to it;

- 5 speed Tremec trans
- Steeroids rack and pinion steering
- radial tires
- Bilstein shocks
- composite rear spring
- aftermarket stereo and speakers
- LED tail lights
- Torque Thrust wheels
- smaller aftermarket steering wheel
- Quickfuel carb

Probably forgot a couple little changes, but I've done a lot to improve my car for me. Just a note, everything I've done required no cutting, drilling or welding and I've kept every original part taken off the car so it all can be easily reversed. The only exception is the Muncie trans, which came out of a '69-70 Firebird so it was sold.

It's your car, so do what pleases you! Good luck

GTOguy

I still haven't a clue on what the O.P. wants to do with his car. How about converting it to a hybrid for economy?

JRRHINO

I could see having the 5 spd tranny

Nowhere Man

The options are endless. And there really isn’t anything nobody has already done. So the OP needs to figure out what he really wants out of his car.

Boyan

OP, get rid of all that 1960’s technology and upgrade to modern chasis/suspension/engine/fuel management/ transmission. There is no way GM in the 1960’s would be able to engineer a reliable, well handling car that would be reliable for people to drive every day, much less, on the weekends......


And when you are ready to toss all that 60’s junk from your car, I will drive down and haul it away for you.

JRRHINO

Dilly Dilly

hikerneil

The insights, experience, recommendations and comments are all exactly what I was looking for. I'm really impressed with the knowledge and upbeat posts on this forum.

I have no pre-determined budget and no master plan yet, so I am listening to all ideas at this point.

Thank you everyone for your helpful comments.

Nowhere Man

Unless your building YOUR car for one of us it doesn’t matter what we say. You first must find out how your car will make you happy when driving it. But like I said if your spoiled by newer stuff you may never be happy with the car no mater how much money you throw at it The possibility are endless your check book may not be thought

J.Moore

Just a thought but have you considered buying a later Corvette like a C5 or C6 that will already have these updates or mods on them from the factory?

You could easily spend thousands on changes to the 65. Nice clean low mileage C5 or C6 can be had for under 20k.

Of course if you can't or won't want to buy another car I can understand.
But that 65 sure looks good as it is. Is it mostly factory original?

When I drive my 99% factory stock 65 it makes me appreciate my newer C6. When I drive my 99% factory stock C6 it makes me appreciate my old C2.

66RBS

Not familiar with Global West Bushings. Please elaborate

Randy

CorvetteMikeB

Car looks great! I am converting my C2 Corvette to a Restro-Mod, but keeping the same exterior and interior car's appearance. I will be installing a 4-speed 4L60E automatic with overdrive, Rack & Pinion power steering, adding A/C, adding power disc brakes, new non-lifting air shocks and new surround sound system in the interior. It will be a like driving a new car.

65 396

I can tell you my experience. I own a 65 roadster L78 NOM. It came with power brakes but I didn't appreciate the manual steering (I'm 70) so I decided to add power steering. I purchased the OEM style PS from Volunteer Vettes in Tennesee. This change made a very good car into a great car. Whether you choose OEM or Borgeson, I believe you will be very happy with the results.

CorvetteMikeB

Keeping the 1960's suspension would give it/keep that special ride of those days, it not suppose to ride like a Buick. I do agree with getting rid of 1960's technology by adding Over-Drive Automatic, A/C, power disc brakes, power Rack & Pinion steering, New modern sound system,

Nowhere Man

you realize only one of those things is not 60's tech

skids

http://www.globalwest.net/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUQb...ature=youtu.be