Hello my name is Matt and have a few questions for you guys. I have owned my 1980 vette since 2008 and its time to restore/customize the toy. There are a lot of ideas that I have for it, but would like to ask you guys what you think. The car is all original the previous owner replaced the cam, intake, and carb as well put a msd 6al ignition box. I started having problems with the car this summer and now want to make it mine and personalize the car to my likings. I know I want to redo the suspension and brake system, so I figured I would take the body off the frame and start there. So I need some advice on where to start. I also have a 350 short block core that my older brother gave me and plan to rebuild that to my likings. I figure that 375-400 hp should make for a nice ride, but again any ideas would be appreciated.....

Thanks Matt

 

What kind of problems are you having as that would be where your mods will start

 

Hi matt. First off you need to have in mind a budget how much do you want to spend. From there you can start to plan the build IMO

 

Well as for problems, i have had a short somewhere ever since i bought the car. I have to disconnect the batt when i shut the car down for more than 8 hours. When i first got the car i noticed that the rear window defogger switch was broke so i bought one at the corvettes of carlise show back in 08. when i went to replace it i noticed the old one was some what melted. so i do know that I'm going to have to replace the main harness at some point. as for new problems it started back in the spring time every now and then there is a clicking sound coming from the rear pass side and now the the brake light has come on and the rear bowl in the master cylinder keeps going dry but i don't see a leak anywhere. as for sound my older brother seems to think its the u-joints in the half shaft. i know the car has problems but all i have is time to restore things well customize to what i think a vette should be, i have always wanted a vette and i finally have one. i have notice looking for the problems that i have described i have notice that everything looks so old and rusted and bushings are dry rotted and looks like they need to be replaced. as for working on the vette all i have is time and for money well think god I'm an electrician and have plenty of side work (lol)...............

 

Body off the frame that will turn into a long project. Have fun. Any pic's of the project?

 

I am in the middle of a body off and once you do it, plan on everything changing. (not necessarily a bad thing) Once the body is off, you will want to powder coat or POR the frame. Then the "might as well's" start to kick in. Then you get the "since I did this, I should really do that's"
Like I said, it is not necessarily a bad thing, just be prepared for it and have fun with it.
Best of luck!

 

I wanted to just go over my Vette too, but it turned into a $35,000.00 body off rebuild.

 

My advice is not to separate body and frame if you don't have to. You can do brakes and suspension with the body on the frame.

 

unless you have decided to do a full restoration. i have completely rebuilt the underside of my 78, all brakes, suspension, body mounts, replaced the rear spring (once it was removed it was determined it was cracked on 5 of the 7 leafs (gymkhana suspension). in addition, the motor was pulled and rebuilt (383 stroker), headers and new exhaust and a complete wall to wall interior restoration. in the process of all of this all electronics were check, double checked, repaired or replaced as necessary, new harnesses where necessary, etc, etc, etc. all without removing the body. a complete inspection of the underside should be sufficient to determine if a body off is really necessary or everything can be accomplished without it.

either way, be prepared for a project. mine has taken about 3 years and is just about done (hooray!!)

 

Doesn't anybody ever use the search function? It's like the last decade of discussions were all in vain.

 

From the sound of it, the very first mod I'd do - unless it will not move an inch until this is done - is mount a fire extinguisher where you can get at it! Wiring problems can be nasty, and many nice Vettes have left us over the years for that cause!