All right, here's my problem. I've had the car for about six months now. I started tearing it apart right of the bat. Thats the easy part. I tore the steering column apart,painted it all, but it's been sitting for a month now. Started stripping the paint. I've been buying parts here and there, but I'm all over the place with that. I bought everything to do a 4 speed convert, then a LS1, then I decided I didn't want the 4 speed so I have that taking up room. Then I bought some interior parts and a frame. Today I bought some LS6 heads and I'm thinking about the motor. Now I can't decide if I want a six speed or auto. Yes, I'm a little obsessive compulsive and I'm not really getting anything accomplished.
After following some of the threads on this forum, some of you guy's just seem to be on a mission and get things methodically accomplished. Then it dawned on me, I have no plan. I know what I want in the end, but this is getting out of control.
What order should I do this build in? I know I need to start focusing on one thing at a time. But what should it be. I'm doing all of the work myself and want to rebuild or replace every sub assembly on the car including the motor with a stroker kit.
Sorry for the long winded rant, but I could really use some guidance here.
Thanks, any input is appreciated.

 

clean up the engine bay first...... take care of that.... then move to the suspension..... if you plan on paint, then do body paint.... last would be interior.....


good luck.....


i did everything on my 77..... but i didnt pull the motor...just replaced heads/cam/etc... left the block in....

b

 

OK, so you bought a frame...Why? Is yours rusted, damaged?
I would not do a body off unless you really need to, its a lot of work.
Rust in the birdcage and WS frame is a problem sometimes, is on mine anyway. Check into that, if there is a problem, Strip the interior and go ahead and fix it. Once thats done, you have suspension work to do and brakes, do those together, Poly Bushings, SS Rotors, O-ring calipers and hydroboost.
So at this point you have a solid chasis to start with, decision time, Auto or 6 speed? Get as much of that done as you can on the stand, clean up the engine bay and drop the engine and tranny back in.
Paint and body is next, then put the interior back in.
Hey! you got a driveable car!
Nuttin but time, blood and cash

 

First thing, sit down and write out your plan. You obviousy bounce off the walls too much to do otherwise.

Start with your goal - what do you want.

Then work backwards, what needs to be done to get there.

Then type it up, post it in the garage, and check off items as they are accomplished.

For example:

1. Fix brakes and bleed.
2. Buy LS6
3. Buy 6 speed
4. Clean chassis and paint.
5. Clean engine bay and detail.
6. Install engine.
7. Change wiring harness for engine.
8. Install transmission. Fit in tunnel and modify as needed.
9. Paint car.
10. Install interior.
11. Buy new tires and wheels.
12. Drive LS6 with 6 speed Corvette.

Obviously, this is over-simplified, but you get the idea. By checking off what you have done, you will see the accomplishments and feel good about it.

 

This is how we did our 71 Vert.

Remove Body and store on Body Dolly.

With Body Off decide what will be rebuilt ,replaced. painted,etc on the rolling chassis. I did a total frame off, including having a high performance engine built, rebuilt tranny & rearend, new offset trailing arms, Control Arms, etc.. With the LS6 and 4speed conversion you will have some additional work over what we did(clutch/brake pedal assembly, Clutch cross shaft assembly, Engine wiring harness,etc.).

Before you lower the body back on clean and paint the underside and engine bay areas.

Here are a couple pics:

 

Thanks for the input guys.
Sixfooter, The frame is damaged. The front crossmember has broken loose and some bubba tried to fix it without realigning it. Plus there are a lot of jack dents in the bottom of it that I can't live with.

Onaqwst, I'd like to see some pic's of your custom dash if you don't mind.

Mark, I like the Idea of the list. I've already started it. It's gona be long. I've decided to go ahead and focus on getting the engine rebuilt first as far as the spending goes for now. Z06 heads, stroker kit, cam, fast intake and 90mm throtle body, injectors, etc. Then on to the chasis.

b71, awsome car! I hope mine turn's out as nice as your's.

Thanks again, I doubt I would have taken on a project of this magnatude if it were not for the support and information from this forum. I have done some projects before, but never gone this far from stock and a complete tear down all at once. It's just time to rethink my direction and try to focus on one thing at a time. I realize I can't do everything at once.