Okay, I recently purchased a 1971 LS5, the car looks great but needs a lot of repairs and part replacements. I am at the point of redoing everything on the car.
Okay what direction should I go, keep it stock or add as much modern stuff as I can. Was thinking about modern suspension and steering stuff, Mono leaf spring and so on. I want to keep the body stock and in general keep the motor stock looking. I have also thought about an overdrive transmission, the 3 speed auto the car comes with is not helping much on the Highway.
What do you guys think? I am going to keep the car for fun and car shows, I want it to look classic but drive more like a modern car.

 

Depends on how much money you're willing to spend, but a few brake/ suspension upgrades, may not be a bad idea. If you really go nuts, like putting a complete C4 or C5 chassis under it, not gonna be money well spent. An od trannys a good idea, especially with the way gas prices are going. Done this a few times myself, well as couple friends, and much better on the highway.

 

If you don't care what the car will be worth when you get done, go the 'modern' route. That costs a ton of money, but it nets you next to nothing as most folks don't want other people's mods...they want to do their own.

If you put money into restoring a 'real' LS5, much of that money (unless you just throw it at the car) will get returned, as it maintained the originality of the car.

That said, it's your car...and your money. Do with it what you choose.

 

If it hasn't been modified already, I say leave it stock. I like cars the way the rolled off the assembly line.

 

At the time your car was assembed, it was modern.

Sell it and purchase a C5 or a C6. They drive like modern cars.

 

 

Most of the things that make an old C3 not so nice to drive are caused by the deterioration of 40 some odd years. If you bring the suspension bushings, wheel bearings, wheel alignment and such back to like factory new condition, you will be pleasantly surprised by how nice the car can drive. I would only put some (slightly) larger stabilizer bars on it. The modern tires grip much better than the old ones did, so you can use a bit more roll stiffness. The stiffer bars will affect the ride less than stiffer springs.
You can spend a bunch of money on the car, and make it different. Not so easy to make it better.
Have fun.

 

Well said...

 

I bought my most recent `73 coupe from a guy that owned it for 33 years- just about every receipt and record except for gas from the day he got it from a buddy.

That said, he really wasn't a "car guy" and although the car was well maintained, had been painted and had seat covers and a driveline freshening, the first thing we did was go over it from a safety and drive-ability standpoint before making any wholesale changes.

It's not unique by any real standards- L-48, 4 speed AC car with leather- but genuine enough that the worst thing done was a change to some ill-sounding "Corvette" brand casette radio.

We replaced the brakes, lines, master cylinder, shocks, and every suspension bushing in the car- what a difference ! Rebuilt the original Q-jet and changed/flushed every fluid. Nowhere near the power or handling of my C6, but a much higher fun factor with maintaining it's originality.

I've been sand-blasting/painting/polishing suspension and engine components, replacing carpet, door sills, restoring or replacing brite-work and enjoying the old-school feel of the car -just as much fun as when I had my first `73 coupe in the 70's when it really was Chevy state of the art.

Point is- I'd suggest getting it right within it's own era by focusing on safety and driving factors- then make up your mind if you need/want to go "resto-mod" to one degree or another. You may find that as a weekend cruiser, it's absolutely fine and you enjoy stepping back 40 years when you fire her up.

Good luck -

 

Minimum I would change out is the tranny. Stick in an OD and if you don't change out the faceplate - no one will know but you , untill you hit the highway.
In the case of a '71, I'd leave everything else looking stock , although I'd change out engine internals and chase the LS7 specs. You can never have enouh hp.
just my 2¢

 

Thanks everyone, lots of great comments. Many of the comments are the same thoughts I am struggling with. For sure the OD is going in as soon as I can get the car all worked out and running great. I was very much shocked when I took it on the Highway and it was screaming at 70 MPH, it totally needs another gear (I'll bag up the original trans for the next guy in the future but it needs an OD).
I am also having some issues with the NCRS guys as I was there when this car was new and no one back then kept them stock and no one liked them stock so why are we putting all the classics right back to the way they came of the showroom?
I am thinking it will remain stock looking but I will try to upgrade the suspension if I can hide the parts under the car. For sure it will remain a 71 LS5 thats why I purchased it. And yes the OD is on the list and when it comes time to redo the motor it will get as much HP stuff as I can get inside of it and keep it fun to drive. Thanks everyone great comments, Corey_68 I really really liked your comments thanks.

 

It is the same today. The C4, C5, and C6 boards are full of people changing out the stock parts for more performance or to personalize the cars...C1, C2, and C3 boards have a lot of people trying to find those parts that were changed and put them back on the car.

 

Put a 330# monospring in the back; rebuild the rest of the suspension with original (stock configuration) parts [I suggest rubber instead of poly]; and install Bilstein 'Heavy Duty' shocks all-around. Your car will handle better than 95% of the other C3's, and nearly as well as the C4's.

 

Sounds like you answered your own question...you know what you want...now do it

 

I was also there when these cars were new and a lot of them were kept stock. Lots of folks liked them that way. I have purchased three since that time and all three have been (and still are) stock. You have one which has managed to survive essentially stock.

Why not become an "NCRS guy" and see what it's like?
http://www.ncrs.org/

It's your car, do what you want, but you're going to be disappointed if you want it "modern."

 

I suggest an Overdrive trans and an ls9 shark bite coil overs and will wood braking system but other than those slight modern upgrades keep it stock

You asked what we thought then you argue an tell us what you already planned on doing. I agree with you on the going modern part but the guys who say to keep it original in my expierence on this site have been the most helpful to us guys who want to go modern. I wouldn't ignore their advice these guys on this site have helped to shape many junk old cars into beautiful c3 restos an resto
Mods they just have a passion for a classic an want to help keep the classic survivors original Jmo

 

Everyone will have thier own opinion about this, but I say go as modern as you can!! It is all pretty much bolt-on stuff anyways, it's not like you would be ruining the car. Among many other things, I've done the following to my car:

-406 cu in full roller engine
-FAST EZ-EFI fuel injection
-Tremec TKO600 5spd
-VB&P front and rear composite mono springs
-VB&P tubular front control arms
-VB&P rear control arms
-QA1 adjustable shocks
-American Racing Torq Thrust II 17" rims
-Fuzion ZRi 255/50/17 tires

My car drives and rides awesome, the next major part I plan to change is the brakes, most likely the bolt-on Wilwood 6 piston front and 4 piston rear kit.

 

I say modernize it, but, keep any original parts and make it where the next guy can return it to stock.

DC

 

Thanks everyone, keep in mind, I am hearing everyone here. I also respect everyone, I do love the stock original car very much, so do not take me wrong on that. I would not be asking this if I was not pulled between going original or going with upgraded parts. Regardless of what I do the Vette will look like an original LS5, with that said I want a nice ride in the car, so if I can add some modern stuff under that glass I would consider it. OD, Mono shock and new suspension parts are all on the board. At this point the car needs new parts all around so even if they are stock parts it will be an upgrade in the handling area. Everyone here has given some great comments and I looked over every response. Thanks

 

Either way you decide to go, it is a slippery slope that can end up here: