Here's the scoop: I love corvettes but cannot afford a new one. I like the c3 body style over all the rest. What I want to do is buy a c3 (preferably a 1981 4spd) and over time put money into it and make it a formidable vehicle. I want to pick one up more maybe under 9000 $ (usual price on ebay with 80k+ miles). So that's the start.

I've heard on this forum that the first thing you want to do is get it running well, and the way I would like to go about doing that is have a crate motor dropped in (approx 350-400 hp engine). I don't know what one of those would go for, or even the installation of said crate motor.

I've also heard of dropping a more modern transmission i.e. a 5spd mustang transmission. Also, I don't know the cost of said part or installation.

I also hear that when putting in a new engine, it has to pass emissions (I'm in CA) so you have to change even more parts i.e. catalytic converters. Again, what is approx said cost. However, isn't it that when a car is a certain age, one can put any desired motor in the car and be exempt? Is the 81 at that age yet?

As for interior and paint, I've got the cost on that figured out fairly decently.

Also, I would like to know what other financial factors I'm missing here that pretty much need to be done.

Overall, is the cost of doing all this eventually going to cost more than a brand new vette? (I know it is different however, b/c you can have the old c3 already paid off quickly, as it is cheap, and progressively put in new parts at the time of your choosing)

Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to help me out.

 

Heh if you want to put a non-stock engine in it, you better go with something prior to '81.

Here's what you can do legally, regarding a new engine, in a non-smog exempt vehicle. You can get a later model engine and put it in a new model car, HOWEVER, you now have to meet the emissions requirements for the engine's year not your car's year.

I would suggest going prior to '81 because of the computer and hassle with emissions, since you want to mod it.

Here's what you're looking at, though, high hp engine ~$3000 - $4000 + labor ($500 - $1000 depending on the shop). Transmission, depending if you wanna go manual or auto will most likely be $3000+.

Doesn't sound like you're going to do much work yourself so next is going to be suspension, which is about $2500 for the performance plus system from VB&P and it'll probably be like ~$1500 to have it installed, maybe more maybe less.

Anything else?

 

if you dont want/not able to do the work yourself, you may want to buy one for a little more money that is already had everything done. you will not recoup most of the money you spend on mods, so it may be in your best interest to buy one someone else lost all the mod money on.

 

Yeah, so how far back would you have go to not have emissions be an issue, because I am a fan of the fastback rear window style (which is 78-82 I think) The 78 and 82 aren't really appealing to me (spoiler on 78 and lack of manual on 82) so I guess anything b/t 79 and 81. I do prefer the 81 for a couple of reasons though, lighter, more modern, etc. So if I put say, a 383 (that's about 350-400hp correct?), what would I have to change to meet emissions? I mean, I'm not looking for racecar performance or anything, I just want the vette to have the power it deserves. Also, so what I'm getting is that including the cost of the car, it's about 30k to make a reliable and formidable vehicle out of a c3?

 

Yeah, I've thought of that, but it may be too much money off the bat for the car, you know? It seems more affordable and felxible to buy the car cheap and mod whenever you are able. Also, I haven't seen many on sale that are around my year and have a lot of money in them. Resale I don't believe will be an issue for me, as I don't sell things that I have invested time and money into, I usually get connected and dont sell my stuff.

Thanks for the help thus far, guys. Appreciated.

 

I'm with Sacredgrooves on this one. Buy a more expensive Vette to begine with! If you farm out all the work and add up all the costs for new parts you will be in WAY TOO DEEP. Since your not doing the work youself/as a hobby/project, its really just a matter of finances. Save yourself a TON of cash and buy one done. You can buy a KILLER modified vette for ALOT LESS than what some garage is going to charge you to build one!!

 

Alright if you want to do an '81 with lotsa horsepower the LEGAL way here's what you CAN do.

You've gotta keep the computer controlled crap so you're going to be limited. This is why I suggest an '80, because you have more flexibility.

You can have the original engine stroked to a 383 and either get some L98 heads or Camel hump heads (the camel humps will be easier to find). These flow better and will help bump up the compression, unless you want to use domed pistons but the stock heads have horrid flow so that'd be a bit of a waste. You'll have to pick a cam that the CCC system likes, generally one that will give a decent amount of vacuum. Finding an '81 4 speed is going to be the real hard part because only 1 in like 8 have a manual. The '81's transmission will hold up to 400hp no problem so don't worry about that. Now the tricky part is getting that beast of an engine to pass smog!(I'll tell you the expensive way to pass the sniffer easy in a sec) For exhaust you're going to need 2 1/2 tubing that goes in to a Y pipe in to the cat and then exits in to either a Y pipe or you can do a single 3" or 2 1/2" pipe coming off of it since the cat is already going to kill the flow. Your best bet for exhaust manifolds are some off of an early C4 since those have your AIR tubes and flow decently.

Alright to pass the sniffer, if you live near an E85 station you're in luck! www.rochesterproducts.com has the Flex-jet system, it'll run ya like $1500 or mebbe a little more but it's 100% smog legal and will allow you to run E85 (ethanol) without having to do any major changes to the car. E85 burns tons cleaner and will get you to pass the sniffer test.

You'll have to research engine stuff but that's the legal way of getting a beefy '81. I did it the illegal way and am dodging registration, basically.

 

California changed its smog-exempt law last year. It used to be a 'rolling' 30-year rule. Now, only 1975 and older cars are exempt from smog inspection. So if you buy a '76 or newer car, you'll have to have it inspected--now, and from here on. Meaning you'll have to retain, or obtain and install (if it's missing from the car you buy), all the smog stuff for that year. This is all assuming that the car has the engine in it that is OEM for that year. If it's a newer engine that's been installed, I believe that Kalway is right: you'll have to have all the smog equipment that's required for that particular year of engine.

Also, the '78 didn't come with a spoiler on all versions--it was only factory installed on the Pace Car. Some people have added them on to their '78's as an aftermarket item, because they prefer the look over the non-spoiler rear end.

Good luck with your search, and your project when you find it.

 

Unless you can find a very solid car for way under $9000 and do the work yourself, you will be much better off buying a car that has already been finished the way you want it. If you start with a $9000 car and add the engine, trans, etc. you will easily be in the high teens.

Be patient and you can find the finished product for around 12k. Where in CA do you live?

 

The wife and I took four years to find our 1971 Coupe. The thing you want to do is get online and order some parts catalogs now and look at the parts prices for the years you are interested in. That way when you see a bad dash, you know then cost. Be as educated about the year you want as possible. Don't be afraid to paid alittle more for a outstanding vehicle. Look and ask for documentation as well!

Good luck!

Bob

 

Great point Bob. I did just that while looking for an '80 ~ '82. Surprised at how much some of the things I considered would be an "easy fix" cost...and that's just for parts. You can use this info to help negotiate the price with a seller; i.e. drop X # $$ based on the cost to repair/replace a certain item. It helps "buba" realize how much his car is really worth down here in AL .

 

Cheaper to move to a different state.

Sounds like you want an 81 but need a 74.
74 ... perhaps a vert ... BB and sidepipes .... or an 81 ... with cruise control and storage area ?
Tough choice for some, but not for me.

There is a guy in here removing the bubble window rear (late C3) that
someone put on the back of his 69 coupe .... sounds like just what you want.

Good luck deciding.

 

If you take your time and have the right tools and reference books, there are alot of easy fixes on vette's. Alot of not so easy fixes. I found out through the years most of the really easyones were complicated by something I had to take off to get to the "easy Fix"

But if your baby is a sunday driver and not something you have to drive to work the next day you can take your time and do it right! That is about the best advice I can give. Get informed, start looking now test drive only the cars you think you might be interested in and when the right one pops up, you'll know it.

I would also not be affraid to spend alittle more than you planned for a car that needs little or nothing rather than less for a car that needs EVERYTHING! It will pay off in the long run! A big mistake alot of people make is paint. A good paint job on a vette done right that will last costs BIG BUCKS!

Anyway I can help just ask!

Bob

 

On the subject of paint cost's, talk to a couple of bodyshops before buying a "could use paint" car. Cheepest paint job i was quoted was $4000, 3 others said $7000 and one said $8500. Food for thought.

 

Since Im fairly new in my project...Ill chime in. My 74 was purchased for the bargain price of $900 last year. Since then Ive invested ALL my spare time and about $5000. It doesnt even move under its own power yet. Im looking at vettes for sale in better shape for less money than Ive already invested. You need to take this advise and get the most you can for your money from the very start. There is one out there close to what you want even if you have to bend a little. I estimate that I will have about double invested in mine as to what I could sell it for when Im through.