Dunno. I guess when the car is stopped, this would be the case for any manual steer car (difficulty steering when stationary). And I guess it would make sense that the weight of the big block would make the turning motion more difficult when stationary.

I think about it like this, though: There is discussing discomfort because the car is a Corvette or discomfort because the car is old.

Other than the previously discussed heat issues, I'd say my car is EXTREMELY comfortable....as stated before, pretty comfortable ride-wise to any car I've owned. But the heat load from the engine/sidepipes/transmission is pretty massive. And that is a "Corvette" thing, not an age thing.

But discomfort because it is old is another thing. Lots of older cars have manual steering. I rebuilt my first car, a 1978 Honda Civic, from a pile of part and never griped about the steering. Its just one of those things that comes with the territory.

Going back to the OPs original question, I guess I'd offer some additional thoughts that are related to later posts:

A big block is going to generate more heat than a small block. These cars are "hot natured" as a rule and my 350 puts out more than enough heat to cook my feet. A big block would only amplify the issue by another 20+%.

A big block is going to have more front suspension to handle the extra weight. I don't have a direct comparison in ride quality between the two. I figure they'd be similar.

As far as power ratings, I had pulled a tired 370 hp 350 out of my engine bay about a year ago. It was putting out a very comfortable amount of power. Enough to have a bunch of fun, anyway. Big blocks have a FLOOD of torque, but also have more weight. More is generally better in the power category, but as you go from a higher-output (330 to 370 HP LT-1) small block to a stock big block, the differences get more fickle.

As far as the manual steering vs. power, I'd put that in the same category as manual vs. power brakes and 4-speed vs. automatic. I love my manual steering. I love my manual brakes. And I wouldn't have gotten my car if it wasn't a 4-speed. There are others that would not even THINK of purchasing a car if it had any one of those things. This is an item that you're going to need to understand for yourself and form a preference...or at least identify what you can't live without.

 

I may be missing something, but I thought you had owned C3s in the past, had driven them, and were looking for another to replace one you previously had.

Have you never owned/driven a C3?

 

Thank you for the detailed explanationi!!!! I will have more to say and will respond to Easy Mike's post so I don't duplicate the response. Best regards.

 

Yes sir, you are missing something.

Allow me to fill you in briefly.

No, I have never owned a C3. I have owned several late model corvettes. However, I have been looking for the 1971 for years. Unfortunately, I have been through several dissapointments. Mainly with cars that were misrepresented. I did find a great 1971 LT-1 Convertible, NCRS top flight which I agreed on price, received bill of sale, and was going to make the purchase. Unfortunately, the seller on the 11th hour disclosed he made an error in his description and I had based my offer on what he described. When, I asked for more explanation and then wanted to see the judging sheets (i did not look at them before i made the offer he became belligerient and the deal went to the toilet fast). The deal did not go through. I was so close I could taste it.

I HAVE driven a C3. A big block and it was uncomfortable as hell. It did have A/C which did not work that well at all. I can't remember if it had power brakes and power steering but it was hard to steer this car. I mean yes you can keep it on the road and all but it simply was not a paradise. The car got really warm inside and I would imagine driving it for long hours would be borderline unbearable. Maybe it was just the car I was in and others would have reacted differently.

Simply put, I am wondering if a small block would have more of a modern day ride or would it still have a lot of torque and pull to it? Also how the overall feel would be and than included an air conditioned car against one that is not. The only way I can tell I guess is to drive all three but hard to find them in a row for comparison at the same time.

 

To be clear: I really don't know crap. I've driven bunches of cars (including a 800+ hp 2007 Z06, a stupid fast GT500 Mustang, a 2006 Viper, and a bunch of not-as-fast cars) and have opinions about lots of them, but I am far from the expert in this area. Others have driven both small block and big block and could probably offer a more objective opinion on the differences.

If you're looking at a stock car in whatever form, the big block will have a very different feel from the small block, I would figure. Never will you match the limitless torque that a big block has. WITH A PRICE, though. Having extra weight in the nose is never considered a good thing. Not to knock big blocks. I'm sure they're awesome.

That said, an 'uprated' small-block is still very peppy. Not a slug by any stretch. My very tired 370 hp LT-1 would squirm in 1st gear, work 2nd hard, and chirp 3rd.

Of course if you start talking about NON-stock engines, you can get the 350 to exceed the stock big-block in about every category without a huge amount of effort and without the weight penalty. Heck...you could probably even change the internals and keep the blessed NCRS folks happy.

Good luck looking! I know it's been a long time and you're probably tired of looking...but that is going to make finding the right car that much more satisfying.

 

I hear where you are coming from. As an aside!!!! 800 plus hp z06!!!!!!!! that is insane.

there is something about that big block hood and lt-1 hood that just gives me goosebumps. I would pay a premium for the right car (within reason). And if that car demands a LOT of money it damned better be perfect and loaded with documents.

On the other hand, I would not be opposed to finding the right driver that is priced appropriately that I can ride and enjoy without worrying about it getting breathed on wrong.

There are two types of cars I would consider. A museum piece or simply the daily driver. I am okay with both but I haven't found either one that gave me the wow that I should buy (except for that LT-1 that the deal did not go through as I was so very close on that one).

 

IMHO a big block 71 will give you that seat of your pants grunt off the line but with a price both in cost and in ride quality (heat & heavy front end). An LT1 is a high revving motor giving more oomph at a higher rpm. It's downside is that it's a solid lifter motor that needs a moderate amount of routine adjustment and a good one will be costly. The standard small block is a hydraulic lifter motor and is easy to live with. It's no torque monster nor is it a high revving motor but it can get out of it's own way and for my money is a good compromise between the big block and LT1 both in cost and ride quality.

Best of luck in your search, you'll find your car, don't get discouraged.

 

Thank you for your AWESOME posting. I appreciate that!!!!!!!!! I am not discouraged. I just remain patient and not making any impulsive decisions.

 

I own a 71LT1 and in the summer time it gets hot in the car with no air. The big block would just be hotter. Back on the day a friend of mine owned a 72 big block with 3k miles on it . We went to the beach and in heavy traffic his car puked water out the overflow tank and this car was new.

 

I have a big-block '71 with headers. I don't notice any heat around my feet or the tunnel. I lined the inside of the floor with insulation (a dynamat-clone). I also put aluminum tape (usually used for HVAC ducting in houses) on the underside of the floor and tunnel. I then painted the tape satin black so it looks ok. That fixed the heat problem.

As for the AC, I've done some updates to it and have it to where it's fine except if the car sits in the sun in 100+ weather. It then takes a while to cool off, longer than a modern car. But if it sat in the shade it's comfy within minutes.

My point with this is: If you want something that approaches modern convenience, you probably won't get it with a top flight car. You say you want either a top-flight or a modified driver. I'd say you need to take some time and decide which you really want, because they are very different things. From this and earlier posts I'm thinking if you get a top-flight you will then be disappointed when it drives like a 40 year old car.

 

Thank you.

 

BV, you really need to decide what you're going to do with the C3.
Museum piece...you won't want to drive it. It would ruin what it is. May as well buy that enclosed car hauler to take it to events.
Pristine all restored to original bb or lt1 car...trade offs. As stated the 71 lt1 needs minor maintenance to keep it running perfect. How often depends how hard you flog it. No real time intervals. Something to think about if you want to cruise America in it.
BB, tend to get hot. Thats the way it is. With gobs of torque make it fun. Its hot in FL most of the year. Trips to Disney world in July should be avoided. Lol.
Base motor car, hmm something you haven't really talked about until this thread. Why now?
Nothing from 1971 is going to compare with today's corvette. It's had 40 yrs to evolve.