Vette lovers, help...
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 611
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From: The great state of Massholia
Vette lovers, help...
My '79 L82 4 spd has about 60k original miles. Three things aren't right on this car.
1) Previous owner painted it and changed the color.
2)The block is from a '75 (I know...) but the heads/intake etc. is original. The motor is burning everything and needs some TLC.
3)The trim around the rear window and along doors is chrome but around the windshield and (mirrored) T's it's black. I'm wondering if anyone else has a similar situation.
Otherwise, the car is fully loaded and everything works great except the clock.
So, I know that the last thing I'll do is the paint because it's OK but not right.
The motor: Either buy the completed 330hp GM crate motor and scrap what I have OR bore/stroke the block I have and have the heads reworked, try to get 350hp+ from it and preserve the appearence of factory originality.
It's at a point where if I get in to this Vette and I start upgrading everything I could wind up with a $20,000+ '79.
1) Previous owner painted it and changed the color.
2)The block is from a '75 (I know...) but the heads/intake etc. is original. The motor is burning everything and needs some TLC.
3)The trim around the rear window and along doors is chrome but around the windshield and (mirrored) T's it's black. I'm wondering if anyone else has a similar situation.
Otherwise, the car is fully loaded and everything works great except the clock.
So, I know that the last thing I'll do is the paint because it's OK but not right.
The motor: Either buy the completed 330hp GM crate motor and scrap what I have OR bore/stroke the block I have and have the heads reworked, try to get 350hp+ from it and preserve the appearence of factory originality.
It's at a point where if I get in to this Vette and I start upgrading everything I could wind up with a $20,000+ '79.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 16,483
Likes: 1
From: The Only Corvette in Gila Bend, Az.
St. Jude Donor '09
A $20.000 C3.....So your still going to have one of the cheaper vettes in this section...
A lot depends on how mechanically inclined you are, and if you want to go through a rebuild. If not, then lot's of people have had good luck with the crate motors...
A lot depends on how mechanically inclined you are, and if you want to go through a rebuild. If not, then lot's of people have had good luck with the crate motors...
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,508
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From: Wisconsin
Yeah, if you can do it yourself, do a rebuild, otherwise crate. A '79 isn't worth too much and if you never really plan on parting with it you might as well make it your own. If I had any plans to sell mine I wouldn't have cut the frame up like I have.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,248
Likes: 48
From: westland mi
Originally Posted by Desertdawg
A $20.000 C3.....So your still going to have one of the cheaper vettes in this section...
A lot depends on how mechanically inclined you are, and if you want to go through a rebuild. If not, then lot's of people have had good luck with the crate motors...
A lot depends on how mechanically inclined you are, and if you want to go through a rebuild. If not, then lot's of people have had good luck with the crate motors...
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 0
From: San Diego California
Originally Posted by Schmucker
Yeah, if you can do it yourself, do a rebuild, otherwise crate. A '79 isn't worth too much and if you never really plan on parting with it you might as well make it your own.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 611
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From: The great state of Massholia
I guess I was a little more concerned about whether it'd make more sense to restore/maintain an original '79 or get in to the full-on total rebuild...which for me, will mean full suspension and brakes, lines etc, etc...
Just don't know what's worth doing so the car is sitting in the garage and running <500 miles/yr.
Just don't know what's worth doing so the car is sitting in the garage and running <500 miles/yr.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
Well, you have a non-original block so as far as the NCRS is concerned the car will NEVER be correct. So why go through pains to make it as close to correct as possible when the NCRS will never accept it anyway?
Instead, make it into something YOU want drive. Pop in an engine that has enough power to excite you. Go with an overdrive automatic or maybe even a 5 or 6 speed manual so you can drive it cross country. How about a new LS1? Or a 454? The possibilities are endless once you let go of the originality shackles.
Instead, make it into something YOU want drive. Pop in an engine that has enough power to excite you. Go with an overdrive automatic or maybe even a 5 or 6 speed manual so you can drive it cross country. How about a new LS1? Or a 454? The possibilities are endless once you let go of the originality shackles.
