making c3 as quick as c5
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,329
Likes: 17
From: woodbury new jersey
making c3 as quick as c5
ok guys, dont flame me for this! im still in my never ending battle between wether i want to go chrome bumper c3, or a c5. in all honestly the thing that draws me so into the c5s is the pure speed. but overall i like the c3 so much better. so what would it take to making a small block 4 speed c3 go as quick as a c5? lets say 0-60 times and quarter mile. would it require alot of engine stuff? obviously id start with making everything work right on the car before i start making it go faster, but eventually id want to start upgrading. so lets hear your opinions! 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,000
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis, Mn USA
Lots of people go down the same road.
You can get 350HP and a 700r4 in a C3 and go as fast as a C5 Auto. that not a problem. You can put a 400HP+ motor in and set-up your tranny and rear gear and go as fast and faster than a C5-Z06. Its done everyday.
The problem comes when you go to turn
You can set-up your C3 suspension with lots of goodies like front-rear composite mono leaf suspensions, brake upgrades, tire-wheel upgrades. Youll get pretty close, but you cant match the C5 geometry and ability to put down the power due to 40 years of technology improvement and study.
It's sure a lot of fun trying though
You can get 350HP and a 700r4 in a C3 and go as fast as a C5 Auto. that not a problem. You can put a 400HP+ motor in and set-up your tranny and rear gear and go as fast and faster than a C5-Z06. Its done everyday.
The problem comes when you go to turn
You can set-up your C3 suspension with lots of goodies like front-rear composite mono leaf suspensions, brake upgrades, tire-wheel upgrades. Youll get pretty close, but you cant match the C5 geometry and ability to put down the power due to 40 years of technology improvement and study.
It's sure a lot of fun trying though
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,329
Likes: 17
From: woodbury new jersey
haha ya, i know about the turn thing, thats why i refrenced the 0-60 and 1/4 mile. haha dont plan on doing too much corner cutting in this car. so you think a c3 putting out 350-400 hp would be a match for a stock c5 in a straight line? that would be great! so, whats it take to get a small block, say a 327 or 350 up to that power? obviously basic things like intake, exhaust. but what about h/c? think a 350 with intake, side exhaust, heads and cam would put out over 350 hp?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,838
Likes: 13
From: Kingman AZ
An L-48 motor (stock 190 hp) with the proper heads, cam and aluminum intake can easily make 350 horses. Its a reasonable amount of HP for a C3. (10 To 1 hp to weight ratio) Or you can get a crate motor from 290 hp and up. Hell Chevy makes a BB 572 CU motor with 650 horses if you got the bucks. Putting the power to the ground getting traction and not breaking things is a whole nother story.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 7,032
Likes: 2
From: Newburgh NY
Or you can pretty much turn your C3 into something that will spank many a C5 but it requires throwing a few bucks at it. Weighs 3100lbs, about 550hp+ to the rear wheels, and corners like a slot car on rails.
You can have the best of both worlds.
Some of the things needed:
Put it all together and you have one hell of a ride.
You can have the best of both worlds.
Some of the things needed:
- SRIII Motorsports Tube Frame Chassis or other chassis setup for C4/C5 Suspension
- Late model C4 Z51 or C5 Front Suspension with Rack & Pinion Steering
- Late model C4 Dana 44 Rear and suspension
- CoilOver adjustable shocks all around
- LSx Engine with Heads, Cam, and optional Supercharger!
- 6 Speed T56 Transmission or TKO600
Put it all together and you have one hell of a ride.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 780
Likes: 1
From: Shelby NC
That is knock down beautiful!! That is one nice looking ride for sure, I can only imagine what that thing translates to as to dollars??? But like my Dad always told me--"It costs to ride the wagon"--but that would be great to aspire to!!!!!! Got to get me a bigger jug to save my change in?????????????????????
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,860
Likes: 959
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
Or, home grown. (C4 suspension, 5 spd, and ZL1 engine under construction)
All tucked under stock appearing bodywork and wheels.
Getting a C3 to go fast in a straight line is easy. Getting it to go around a corner with the later models takes a lot of work. But the grin on your face will make it all worthwhile.
All tucked under stock appearing bodywork and wheels.
Getting a C3 to go fast in a straight line is easy. Getting it to go around a corner with the later models takes a lot of work. But the grin on your face will make it all worthwhile.
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 422
Likes: 1
From: portland or
a c5 taking a turn will never look as sexy as a c3 taking a turn 
you COULD drop in an LSx motor with a nice 6speed tranny and you will have the engine reliability/performance of a newer car and the class and style of an older car
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area CA
ok guys, dont flame me for this! im still in my never ending battle between wether i want to go chrome bumper c3, or a c5. in all honestly the thing that draws me so into the c5s is the pure speed. but overall i like the c3 so much better. so what would it take to making a small block 4 speed c3 go as quick as a c5? lets say 0-60 times and quarter mile. would it require alot of engine stuff? obviously id start with making everything work right on the car before i start making it go faster, but eventually id want to start upgrading. so lets hear your opinions!
It would cost you pretty much the same to buy a good chrome bumper C3 or a C5. Then if you consider the amount of money that you will end up pouring into the C3 to make it go as fast as a C5, you are better off buying a C5.
Sorry.. not sure if I helped you much here
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 422
Likes: 1
From: portland or
If you want to do quarter mile with the car, why don't you just buy a C5?
It would cost you pretty much the same to buy a good chrome bumper C3 or a C5. Then if you consider the amount of money that you will end up pouring into the C3 to make it go as fast as a C5, you are better off buying a C5.
Sorry.. not sure if I helped you much here
It would cost you pretty much the same to buy a good chrome bumper C3 or a C5. Then if you consider the amount of money that you will end up pouring into the C3 to make it go as fast as a C5, you are better off buying a C5.
Sorry.. not sure if I helped you much here
he likes the looks of a c3. by the way, my c3 with ls1/6speed will end up costing me less than 12k thats with new interior and everything. i'd like to see you buy as sexy a looking c5 for that price
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Quicker ET's than a C5 are relatively easy, as pretty much "all" you have to do is have a better power to weight ratio and sufficient grip, and can be accomplished with virtually any car you can imagine. Now, if you want to talk matching or outperforming a C5's handling, IMHO that's a considerably more interesting puzzle...
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,329
Likes: 17
From: woodbury new jersey
haha thanks guys, like i said not too worried about how fast it corners, but id like to be able to get it going fast in little time. as to the question about just buying a c5, like stated i love the c3s so much more. i love the look, feel, sound, and being able to work on it! im very good mechanic wise so dont mind doing some work on the car. damn now i just need to find a car
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: Poconos PA
What are you doing with my dream car? 
Or you can pretty much turn your C3 into something that will spank many a C5 but it requires throwing a few bucks at it. Weighs 3100lbs, about 550hp+ to the rear wheels, and corners like a slot car on rails.
You can have the best of both worlds.
Some of the things needed:
Put it all together and you have one hell of a ride.
You can have the best of both worlds.
Some of the things needed:
- SRIII Motorsports Tube Frame Chassis or other chassis setup for C4/C5 Suspension
- Late model C4 Z51 or C5 Front Suspension with Rack & Pinion Steering
- Late model C4 Dana 44 Rear and suspension
- CoilOver adjustable shocks all around
- LSx Engine with Heads, Cam, and optional Supercharger!
- 6 Speed T56 Transmission or TKO600
Put it all together and you have one hell of a ride.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: Poconos PA
One thing to consider would be to look at a custom c3 already finished. Unless of course you plan to do the work yourself. Always cheaper to buy it finished then to have it done.
haha thanks guys, like i said not too worried about how fast it corners, but id like to be able to get it going fast in little time. as to the question about just buying a c5, like stated i love the c3s so much more. i love the look, feel, sound, and being able to work on it! im very good mechanic wise so dont mind doing some work on the car. damn now i just need to find a car
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 8,897
Likes: 1,356
From: Santa Ana CA
This is how you do it! The very best of both worlds with 630 normally asperated hp and SBC compatibility!
http://www.vetteweb.com/tech/vemp_09...ine/index.html
http://www.vetteweb.com/tech/vemp_09...ine/index.html