1974 Stingray Project
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Tempe,AZ/Chicago
1974 Stingray Project
I am currently looking at buying a 74 stingray I found one with 40k original miles but want to get the car to run in the 11s preferably 11.5 ish but I know nothing about the C3 corvettes and the amount of work needed to get the car to where I want, I previously had a 2004 Z06 which I had to sell (huge mistake) but now I want a weekend warrior this car will not be daily driven and I want it to run on pump gas and no nitrous what will I need to do to get my car where I want it to be the interior and body are in perfect condition, I have nothing against dumping a new motor in and trans but what road should I take on this if anyone can help me that would be great
Last edited by kjhasan; Jun 14, 2010 at 05:40 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,239
Likes: 19
From: Chino CA
I am currently looking at buying a 74 stingray I found one with 40k original miles but want to get the car to run in the 11s preferably 11.5 ish but I know nothing about the C3 corvettes and the amount of work needed to get the car to where I want, I previously had a 2004 Z06 which I had to sell (huge mistake) but now I want a weekend warrior this car will not be daily driven and I want it to run on pump gas and no nitrous what will I need to do to get my car where I want it to be the interior and body are in perfect condition, I have nothing against dumping a new motor in and trans but what road should I take on this if anyone can help me that would be great
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Do your homework. There are -- literally -- dozens of C3 history books available. Buy three or four and start reading.
You will be disappaointed if you attempt to compare C3 ride and performance to the C5.
You will be disappaointed if you attempt to compare C3 ride and performance to the C5.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Jun 14, 2010 at 09:04 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 43,136
Likes: 155
From: Thomson Georgia
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
Do you intend to street this thing much? Think big block, a 'glide and a back half for mid 11s, but you might need a full cage depending on who sanctions your track, and that kind of stuff takes the fun out of a sunday drive with the love in your life.
A turbo small block, modern trans, and a "12 bolt" rear conversion might get you there if you beef everything else in the rear suspension, and with a "street" set of sneakers MIGHT be a tad nicer to cruise... But again what safety stuff is mandated for the trap speed?
Lotsa bux any way you slice it, but you can go as fast as there's funding with these cars. Just remember... they're heavy, the frames flex something awful and it can cost obscene dollars to get the IRS to live under serious torque and a heavy right foot.
A turbo small block, modern trans, and a "12 bolt" rear conversion might get you there if you beef everything else in the rear suspension, and with a "street" set of sneakers MIGHT be a tad nicer to cruise... But again what safety stuff is mandated for the trap speed?
Lotsa bux any way you slice it, but you can go as fast as there's funding with these cars. Just remember... they're heavy, the frames flex something awful and it can cost obscene dollars to get the IRS to live under serious torque and a heavy right foot.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 93
From: Bellmore NY
Getting any [chevy v8 powered car] to run mid 11's doesnt take a tremendous amount of know how...it just requires well spent money.
With that, I guarantee whatever the chosen combo is, it will not have the same polite manners that your 2004 had. A C3 with any given combo to run that fast probably would have even worse manners than an A or G bodied car with the same drivetrain.
A 10:1 406 sbc with 500"-ish lift, AFR heads, 750 carb, 3000 stall and 4:10's will run mid low 11's in a 3500 pound car all day long without breakin a sweat.
In a C3, I would imagine this would equate to a sweltering hot cabin, and some very unhappy rear end components.
If you are looking for a fun car, C3's are awesome. If you want to go fast easily, get respectable fuel economy, and be comfortable...its hard to beat anything from 1997-present.
With that, I guarantee whatever the chosen combo is, it will not have the same polite manners that your 2004 had. A C3 with any given combo to run that fast probably would have even worse manners than an A or G bodied car with the same drivetrain.
A 10:1 406 sbc with 500"-ish lift, AFR heads, 750 carb, 3000 stall and 4:10's will run mid low 11's in a 3500 pound car all day long without breakin a sweat.
In a C3, I would imagine this would equate to a sweltering hot cabin, and some very unhappy rear end components.
If you are looking for a fun car, C3's are awesome. If you want to go fast easily, get respectable fuel economy, and be comfortable...its hard to beat anything from 1997-present.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
You could just buy a tube frame with C4 or C5 suspension and a C5 driveline to go under a C3 body. Best of both worlds as much as it is possible. If you don't want to go that far, how about an LS conversion.
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Tempe,AZ/Chicago
I could buy a car with an ls motor in it but I want something unique I had an M3 and a Z06 I want old school muscle I have a vw golf for daily driving so this car is going to be strictly for night drives and occasionally the track I just need to find a shop with in the Chicago area that will work with me to pay them over time and take baby steps with building the car I am not trying to do any auto cross so i could care less about handling as long as it can go in straight line i was gonna have it built in chicago and then shipped to arizona were i am currently going to school
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
I could buy a car with an ls motor in it but I want something unique I had an M3 and a Z06 I want old school muscle I have a vw golf for daily driving so this car is going to be strictly for night drives and occasionally the track I just need to find a shop with in the Chicago area that will work with me to pay them over time and take baby steps with building the car I am not trying to do any auto cross so i could care less about handling as long as it can go in straight line i was gonna have it built in chicago and then shipped to arizona were i am currently going to school
.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,246
Likes: 114
From: Watkins Glen NY
I am currently looking at buying a 74 stingray. I found one with 40k original miles but want to get the car to run in the 11s preferably 11.5 ish, but I know nothing about the C3 corvettes and the amount of work needed to get the car to where I want. I previously had a 2004 Z06 which I had to sell (huge mistake); but now I want a weekend warrior. this car will not be daily driven and I want it to run on pump gas and no nitrous. what will I need to do to get my car where I want it to be? the interior and body are in perfect condition, I have nothing against dumping a new motor in and trans but what road should I take on this? if anyone can help me that would be great.
