So I've seen some articles about putting in "new tech " in older rides in order to keep them as day to day reliable drivers. It seems that putting in a LT-1 EFI engine, say out of a 98 or better, is a very good way of achieving this. My thoughts are that my ragtop is an all numbers match kinda thing. When people say that to me I usually say "yeah that means everything is worn out and ready for replacement." The fact is I wouldn't hesitate to try this on my 69 camaro, - nothing matches on that thing - but this is the ride I really want to drive. So what does the group sway to this. Should I do it and put all the stuff I take out in storage, or is this wasting my money and time whey i could just as easily rebuild the stock stuff.

 

I think a stock rebuild would do just fine. IMO. I guess you have to consider what you are looking for over the stock setup. Performance? Reliability? Longer burnouts? And then how practical unmatching your car, and actually storing away the engine, just to replicate the driveability and performance of a 98 Vette (which have a much better chassis to mate to that motor BTW). I've seen more than a couple guys go with this approach, but the car never makes it back to its original setup for one reason or another, even though the intent was there. Or maybe you can just sell it that way some day, and just say "and I also have the original engine to go with it". Some guys enjoy yanking engines back and forth. I've just kind of gotten too old and lazy to do it too often anymore.

IMO, its not worth the effort and costs vs. the overall gain. Unless maybe you had a non correct car or just a rolling chassis, where you might actually be enhancing the value. Or a blown engine or something. In the end, you are the one driving the car. So you should do whatever the heck you want. They're meant to be driven and I think most everybody in these forums drives theirs, so to each their own. There are some pretty cool EFI converted C3s out there. The circumstances on how they got that way may differ though.

Anyhow, the stock motors were both reliable and peformed well when new if you think about it. Its gotten your car down the road for over 30 years already, right? I'd keep the car correct. Its cheaper and it will preserve the value, which is on the uptrend lately too by the way.

 

70inSbIn said it all.....
Eddie

 

It sounds like money isn't a big issue for you.
I would say to Fuel inject a new rebuilt engine or crate engine and pickle your number matcher away.
This way you still have the engine and it still has life in it?
You can pop in a modern engine with out too much grief since everything fits as it should and your not modifying too much in the engine compartment.
The EFI system is most of the modernizing and will net pretty good results without going to the new not meant to fit engine.
Ignition control as well as fuel injection.