CWerner

The Project Timeline Started on January 3rd, 2013. My PLAN is to be complete by 12/31/13. My GOAL is to be done by 10/1/13.

I installed a 4 post lift 2 months ago. My plan is to do the conversion myself with help from "unqualified" local friends. This project will prove that anyone can do it as long as they have tools, money, dedication, and support from the Corvette Family I've been working with Josh Powers @ Custom Image Corvettes for guidance and support. He's been a great help so far. So here we go!

The Conversion:
- LS3 480 Hot Cam Motor (All Accessories & Harness by Custom Image Corvettes)
- Custom LS Radiator with dual fans (Custom Image Corvettes)
- RS500 Keisler 5 spd (Auto to Manual Conversion)
- Magnaflow 16841 Quad Tip Stainless Exhaust System
- Flaming River Rack & Pinion Steering
- Van Steel Front Coilover Kit with QA1 Adjustable Shocks
- Van Steel Rear Mono Spring with QA1 Adjustable Shocks
- Front & Rear Sway Bars + Rear Smart Struts
- Dakota Digital VHX Gauges for C3 Corvettes (not yet released to public)
- Vintage Air Gen IV AC with Stock C3 controls
- Rebuilt rear diff by tracdog2, and change from 3.08 gears to 3.55

Everything above has been ordered. Yesterday, the clock started when the LS480 and Exhaust arrived. First thing I had to do was install a hoist above my lift. It's set just right in relationship to my engine bay when my car is on the lift. I'm hoping to avoid needing the use of a cherry picker, primarily due to space constraints.



Engine Unloaded



Exhaust Arrives


My first Goal is to have the original 350 SB, TH400, and Radiator removed by the end of February. Once that's done, I will start replacing the suspension, steering, and AC.

Stay tuned for updates, and lots of requests for help.

Dustup7T2

Neat project and thanks for the invitation.

F4Gary

If you haven't already bought the steering gear, you might want to seriously look at the Borgeson kit. It's cheaper and a lot of people think it is a better system.

3JsVette

This will be a great do it yourself project to follow.
Thanks for starting the thread. Good luck going foward.

Quil

Looking forward to this build. Good luck!

7t2vette

Looking forward to following your build thread!!

Any info on the Dakota VHX gauges? I have been considering their universal round gauges, but a C3 specific kit would be nice.

rogman16

Subscribed CW!!! Looks like a great conversion...

Rogman

ranger9812

I was just talking with Josh a couple of nights ago about this. DD has prototyped some 68-77 style gauges with the blinkers & everything in the speedo & tach like the originals that they will be offering soon. Personally, I want something that pulls everything into the main speedo & tach gauge pods so I can free up the entire center dash for a dual DIN head unit or maybe some sort of touch screen tablet arrangement for entertainment. Josh is going to talk to DD again to see if they can use the mounting arrangement from the new 68-77 speedo/tach with the universal dual round VHX gauges. It wouldn't have the blinkers & parking brake indicator, but that's easy enough to work around.

ranger9812

Hope you've budgeted plenty of money for tires after you get that 480hp motor running!

ranger9812

Don't know if you're planning to run a single or dual mount spring, but I have a single mount fiberglass VB&P spring that was only in the car to hold it up (i.e. never driven) sitting in Josh's shop that I'll sell at a discount. I want to say it's a 330#, but I'd need Josh to double check that. PM me if you're interested.

Gordonm

Looking forward to this project. Mine has stalled due to personal issues but hope to finish mine this year also. It is doable for sure.

Garys 68

Not sure if you'll be losing the signal indicators, brake, brights, but if you need these, a couple options.
http://www.newvintageusa.com/panels.html
http://www.snakebite.com.au/logodash...ach-p-494.html

CWerner

Guys, Thanks for looking and the replies. Many of you have gone down this path already and I've been following your threads. The combination of reading about your experiences along with drinking plenty of vodka gave me the courage to tackle this project.

Gary, the DD gauges have signal, brake, brights, etc. built in. The really cool part is that they also have a message center. I can add all kinds of additional info if wanted. I will also get engine code indication.

F4Gary....I went back and forth on the rack vs B Box. Ultimately I jumped all in on the FR Rack. I don't think there was a wrong answer.

aks801

I like your plan, and it's always nice seeing a local project. Looks like you have a nice shop set-up there.

Goin70

Congratulations on starting your restomod project. I'm subscribed and will follow your progress, since I'm planning a 1970 Convertible restomod project for 2013, as well. Plans are to put in the same engine as you, so keep us posted!

Redwing01

Looking forward to following along , good luck with the build !

CWerner

Nothing major to report. I've received my new valve covers and I installed them today.




I also removed the water pump and sent it off to Josh @ Custom Image Corvettes to get modified.


I've also installed my new leather wrapped steering wheel.



Any suggestions on really nice billet fuel rails? I've also got to make a decision on coil relocation brackets and location. I want to mount them to the engine, not the fire wall. CBM seems to have nice options for both items.

More next week.

Chris

Gordonm

I am running some billit fuel rails but had to make some custom hold downs. Not really a big deal but at the time nobody made any fuel rails for the LS3 motors. I like the valve covers as I have the same ones only in black. I mounted my coild down low on the firewall by where the heat sheilds are. I made some custom aluminum panels for this and it worked well. I had to rework the wiring harness slightly but just took a few hours to do this. You can check my build thread and there are some pictures on it of all this.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...o-my-72-a.html

CWerner

Gordonm

Thanks!

Chris

gator79

where did you get the wheel?