What do you guys do when?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 1
From: Liberty Missouri
What do you guys do when?
I am just about done adding accessories under the hood and in the interior. What I keep struggling with is not adding things under the hood just to be doing something. I think there is a line between tastefully done and just gaudy. How do you know where that line is? I would like to hear your thoughts on this.
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 398
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento California
Unless you are going for a strictly original car, build it to suit your tastes. What is overdone to one person is a starting point for others. In the end, you are the one that has to drive and work on it, so you are your own ultimate judge. The internet is a good place to look for ideas, both good and bad.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Unless you are going for a strictly original car, build it to suit your tastes. What is overdone to one person is a starting point for others. In the end, you are the one that has to drive and work on it, so you are your own ultimate judge. The internet is a good place to look for ideas, both good and bad.
The line is your own personal taste. Not everyone will like what you do, but the most important thing is that you make it your own and that you build the car to fit your needs...not everyone else's.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 1
From: Liberty Missouri
I’m not sure we are on the same page. I have the engine compartment where “I” like it. My problem is I enjoy working on the car and don’t want that to end. Don’t get me wrong there is still plenty to do, but what is left is BIG dollars that I just don’t have at the moment. Here is a for instance: I don’t like the ribbed polished radiator hoses that the parts places sell, BUT I was looking at them going “that might look OK”
I just wanted to put something else on the engine. I’m like a crack addict trying to get my next fix. 
I just wanted to put something else on the engine. I’m like a crack addict trying to get my next fix.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
When I get the new engine in and have the new geometry of the T-stat housing and radiator correct I am going to have a custom a custom stainless pipe made...bent to match the path the upper rad hose needs to follow, and couple it to the radiator and water neck with silicon joints.
It'll be polished and should look very nice.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 41
From: Raleigh NC
St. Jude Donor '13-'14
When I get the new engine in and have the new geometry of the T-stat housing and radiator correct I am going to have a custom a custom stainless pipe made...bent to match the path the upper rad hose needs to follow, and couple it to the radiator and water neck with silicon joints.
It'll be polished and should look very nice.
It'll be polished and should look very nice.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 1
From: Liberty Missouri
When I get the new engine in and have the new geometry of the T-stat housing and radiator correct I am going to have a custom a custom stainless pipe made...bent to match the path the upper rad hose needs to follow, and couple it to the radiator and water neck with silicon joints.
It'll be polished and should look very nice.
It'll be polished and should look very nice.
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Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 398
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento California
I have seen the stainless coolant lines on a few hotrods, but mostly they were trailer queens. It's a hot look, I just wonder if the silicone ends have sufficient flex (i drive them like i stole them heh). I'm sure someone makes a clean appearing clamp, I just haven't looked for one.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,972
Likes: 6,197
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
I’m not sure we are on the same page. I have the engine compartment where “I” like it. My problem is I enjoy working on the car and don’t want that to end. Don’t get me wrong there is still plenty to do, but what is left is BIG dollars that I just don’t have at the moment. Here is a for instance: I don’t like the ribbed polished radiator hoses that the parts places sell, BUT I was looking at them going “that might look OK” I just wanted to put something else on the engine. I’m like a crack addict trying to get my next fix.
I just wanted to put something else on the engine. I’m like a crack addict trying to get my next fix. 
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
Have you thought about doing this as a side business? There are lots of people who want to make their cars look or run a certain way and have more money than time or patience. If you're not a member of a local Corvette club, you should become one and start getting to know some people in your area and what your availability is. And if there isn't a club in your area, maybe you should start one.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,672
Likes: 199
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
C'mon over to my place, I actually can't stand working on my Vette, I love it when it's done just don't like the work involved.
I think the ultimate in rad hoses is the AN stuff, the same as braided stainless fuel lines except bigger like 16 or 20an. Now forget about the fake clamp on ends, I'm talking welded on AN fittings to the rad and AN thermostat housing etc. Allot of work but this is the top of the line stuff
I think the ultimate in rad hoses is the AN stuff, the same as braided stainless fuel lines except bigger like 16 or 20an. Now forget about the fake clamp on ends, I'm talking welded on AN fittings to the rad and AN thermostat housing etc. Allot of work but this is the top of the line stuff
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 1
From: Liberty Missouri
Have you thought about doing this as a side business? There are lots of people who want to make their cars look or run a certain way and have more money than time or patience. If you're not a member of a local Corvette club, you should become one and start getting to know some people in your area and what your availability is. And if there isn't a club in your area, maybe you should start one.
I go into the garage and work on my car when I feel like it. If I did it as a business that would end. I have been getting my fix through him, he just ordered around 3500.00 worth of parts that we started putting on this weekend. His motor will be nice when we get it finished.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 27
From: Sonora CA
I just bought my 73 a few months ago and I don't know the history of the car, but I have encounted several Bubba-rized items. So, when I don't have anything better to do, I'm trying to get rid of all the "Jury-rigs"
At this point, I'm just trying to get it back to a somewhat stock condition in reasonablely good and dependable running condition. Once I find out what I have, then I'll go after the HP. To me, and this is just me, I think you have crossed the line when you start doing things that you are not too sure of in the quest for HP, or when you try to "Out-do" the other guy. That's my story and I'm sticking with it!
At this point, I'm just trying to get it back to a somewhat stock condition in reasonablely good and dependable running condition. Once I find out what I have, then I'll go after the HP. To me, and this is just me, I think you have crossed the line when you start doing things that you are not too sure of in the quest for HP, or when you try to "Out-do" the other guy. That's my story and I'm sticking with it!