Modernising and upgrading a C3??
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 98
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From: Nr London England
Modernising and upgrading a C3??
Hi guys after a little friendly advice.
How easy is it to modernise and upgrade a C3 Vette to offer up more modern all round performance?
I'm thinking along the lines of much better brakes, uprated suspension (and chassis?) along with something like a 400hp ls1 and t5/t56 manual.
Are there any places that sell off the shelf items to do this, or is it mostly going to need custom fab work?
The aim would be to retain all the looks and charm of a 70's car while offering up C5 or newer levels of performance and ability and mpg.
The reason for this is I'm in the UK (England) and over here we have loads of tiny, tight twisty, bumpy lanes.
Thanks.
How easy is it to modernise and upgrade a C3 Vette to offer up more modern all round performance?
I'm thinking along the lines of much better brakes, uprated suspension (and chassis?) along with something like a 400hp ls1 and t5/t56 manual.
Are there any places that sell off the shelf items to do this, or is it mostly going to need custom fab work?
The aim would be to retain all the looks and charm of a 70's car while offering up C5 or newer levels of performance and ability and mpg.
The reason for this is I'm in the UK (England) and over here we have loads of tiny, tight twisty, bumpy lanes.
Thanks.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 5
From: Middleburg Florida
Sure you can do it. Easy depends on you and your abilities. There's lots of information here from LS swaps to suspension mods and rack and pinion installs. You'll also find information on making the interior quieter, sound systems all that stuff. If you're thinking this kind of work is just bolt on, that wouldn't be quite true. You can learn from others experiences that are shared here, but there's still going to be some modifications that will be needed. Then there's the unknown of what previous owners have done to the car... The only real limiting factor is budget!!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,910
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From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
You can do anything your skills (or wallet) allows. Later model engines or suspensions have been done on several cars in this forum. Some home brewed, some contracted out. Let us know what you have in mind, and there will be plenty of info and help available.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 98
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From: Nr London England
Cheers.
As an example I've got a 4th gen fbody at the mo. And there are a number of places I can go and buy uprated suspension that can and does transform the cars handling. Same with brakes, I can buy bigger discs and bigger callilpers.
Are there shops that sell similar items for a C3?
Not saying a stock C3 isn't any good. But they were production cars and from a number of years ago. So I assume even keeping the same basic design and uprating the bushes, dampers and springs should see advantages.
As an example I've got a 4th gen fbody at the mo. And there are a number of places I can go and buy uprated suspension that can and does transform the cars handling. Same with brakes, I can buy bigger discs and bigger callilpers.
Are there shops that sell similar items for a C3?
Not saying a stock C3 isn't any good. But they were production cars and from a number of years ago. So I assume even keeping the same basic design and uprating the bushes, dampers and springs should see advantages.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Unless you are going to do some serious road racing, the C3's brakes and suspension are no 'slouch' for their capabilities. You can replace springs with stiffer units, change/add torsion bars, and install some Bilstein shocks to make the suspension handle pretty darn good....for much less money. If steering is in poor shape, you can fix the original stuff or install rack & pinion, if you want. Better pads will allow the brakes to stop pretty well by modern standards; but if you will be racing, bigger calipers/rotors are probably in order. Your existing engine can be rebuilt to provide 400 hp OR a new crate engine can do the same for a bit more money.
I just suggest that you spend your money wisely based on 'need' rather than 'want'.
I just suggest that you spend your money wisely based on 'need' rather than 'want'.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,239
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From: Palatine, Peoples Republic of Illinois
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18
NCM Sinkhole Donor
You can pretty much do anything you can afford. So far my '70 has a ZZ4 engine, TKO 5 speed, rack and pinion steering, Vintage Air AC system, upgraded stereo, upgraded wheels and tires. A lot of work but it's fun. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,136
Likes: 8
From: Chichester, UK
Why buy a C3, throw all mechanical parts away ,replace them with odds and sods parts which will cost more than a new C6 and than race it on narrow twisty country roads?
Even if you replace everything underneath the basic wheelbase is quit long and this itself will make it challenging on narrow, twisty, bumpy country roads.
Leave it as it is and enjoy the challenge of a classic vehicle or buy a C5/C6 and spend the spare cash on a Mini Cooper.
Just my opinion
BTW, have you tried the CCCUK?
http://www.corvetteclub.org.uk/
Even if you replace everything underneath the basic wheelbase is quit long and this itself will make it challenging on narrow, twisty, bumpy country roads.
Leave it as it is and enjoy the challenge of a classic vehicle or buy a C5/C6 and spend the spare cash on a Mini Cooper.
Just my opinion
BTW, have you tried the CCCUK?
http://www.corvetteclub.org.uk/
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Jersey Shore
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 799
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From: Lexington Park Maryland
If you wanted a modern corvette, why get or did you buy a C3. Gave up all the modern vehicles and replaced them with my 72 LT1 more fun to bring something to life than just ride a newer version.
My insanity, induce hydrogen and feel the 350 come to life.
My insanity, induce hydrogen and feel the 350 come to life.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,910
Likes: 962
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
Why buy a C3, throw all mechanical parts away ,replace them with odds and sods parts which will cost more than a new C6 and than race it on narrow twisty country roads?
Even if you replace everything underneath the basic wheelbase is quit long and this itself will make it challenging on narrow, twisty, bumpy country roads.Leave it as it is and enjoy the challenge of a classic vehicle or buy a C5/C6 and spend the spare cash on a Mini Cooper.
Just my opinion
BTW, have you tried the CCCUK?
http://www.corvetteclub.org.uk/
Even if you replace everything underneath the basic wheelbase is quit long and this itself will make it challenging on narrow, twisty, bumpy country roads.Leave it as it is and enjoy the challenge of a classic vehicle or buy a C5/C6 and spend the spare cash on a Mini Cooper.
Just my opinion
BTW, have you tried the CCCUK?
http://www.corvetteclub.org.uk/
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,910
Likes: 962
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Nr London England
Thanks for the replies so far. I know it's not to everyone's cuppa. But I quite like the idea of taking an older car and making it perform better.
Astor buying a C6. Maybe, but doesn't look the same. And a C6 would set you back £26,000-36,000 easy over here. Whereas you can buy a decent C3 from £7000-11,000. Which quite frankly leaves quite a large price difference.
Also there is something about running a classic that appeals more and I like the look of the C3 interior more.
Think I'll do some more reading. Can anyone recommend some good speed shops for C3 Vettes?
Thanks.
Astor buying a C6. Maybe, but doesn't look the same. And a C6 would set you back £26,000-36,000 easy over here. Whereas you can buy a decent C3 from £7000-11,000. Which quite frankly leaves quite a large price difference.
Also there is something about running a classic that appeals more and I like the look of the C3 interior more.
Think I'll do some more reading. Can anyone recommend some good speed shops for C3 Vettes?
Thanks.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,136
Likes: 8
From: Chichester, UK
What I was trying to say is:
I love my cars, but I would not describe the handling of Corvette's on narrow, twisty, bumpy UK roads as nimble!
This is nimble:
http://www.google.co.uk/images?hl=en...w=1076&bih=482
But, check this out for inspiration
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...ion-begun.html
Paul
I love my cars, but I would not describe the handling of Corvette's on narrow, twisty, bumpy UK roads as nimble!
This is nimble:
http://www.google.co.uk/images?hl=en...w=1076&bih=482
But, check this out for inspiration
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...ion-begun.html
Paul
Last edited by C3Paul; Mar 29, 2011 at 04:57 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,910
Likes: 962
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
What I was trying to say is:
I love my cars, but I would not describe the handling of Corvette's on narrow, twisty, bumpy UK roads as nimble!
This is nimble:
http://www.google.co.uk/images?hl=en...w=1076&bih=482 Nimble, perhaps, but darn homely (I prefer the early Esprit). I can't spend money on a car that's so homely I have to sneak up on the gas pumps.
But, check this out for inspiration
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...ion-begun.html
Paul
I love my cars, but I would not describe the handling of Corvette's on narrow, twisty, bumpy UK roads as nimble!
This is nimble:
http://www.google.co.uk/images?hl=en...w=1076&bih=482 Nimble, perhaps, but darn homely (I prefer the early Esprit). I can't spend money on a car that's so homely I have to sneak up on the gas pumps.
But, check this out for inspiration
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...ion-begun.html
Paul
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 3,351
From: NYC NY
Take a look at this old thread. There is over 200 posts on this kind of discussion. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...ion-maybe.html
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Check out this web site http://corvettec3.ca/index.htm
This guy has done just about what you are looking to do. I have followed his lead on the suspension, rack and pinion and will be doing the engine and tranny upgrade when money allows. He's a great resource and will answer any question you have. Upgrades on C3 make the car handle and perform as good as it looks. You wont be disappointed
This guy has done just about what you are looking to do. I have followed his lead on the suspension, rack and pinion and will be doing the engine and tranny upgrade when money allows. He's a great resource and will answer any question you have. Upgrades on C3 make the car handle and perform as good as it looks. You wont be disappointed
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 9
From: B'Ville NY
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
Improved ride = new suspension
Improved handling = new suspension bushings and larger diameter wheels.
Performance and MPG = LSX motor and O/D transmission.
Vintage Air = creature comfort
Improved handling = new suspension bushings and larger diameter wheels.
Performance and MPG = LSX motor and O/D transmission.
Vintage Air = creature comfort