Horsepower needed?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Horsepower needed?
guys;
How much hp do you need for a very mild "fun car".
How do you raise the hp in a later C-3?
I'm thinking I only need 300 hp.
But I'd like decent gas milage.
So, I'm thinking Crate. A mild Crate.
If the de-tuned stock engine is a waste of time........
Rookie here.......just don't know
But I don't need 500 hp, I'm sure of that.
How much hp do you need for a very mild "fun car".
How do you raise the hp in a later C-3?
I'm thinking I only need 300 hp.
But I'd like decent gas milage.
So, I'm thinking Crate. A mild Crate.
If the de-tuned stock engine is a waste of time........
Rookie here.......just don't know
But I don't need 500 hp, I'm sure of that.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,274
Likes: 6
From: Corvetteville USA
Please don't take this the wrong way.....
But a C3 really isn't rookie material. My suggestion would be to get a later generation corvette that is MUCH more comfortable that you and your wife will enjoy.
You can always, get a C3 later, but personally I wouldn't get a C3 as a rookie. However, there have been sucessful first timers who have purchased C3s, but they knew EXACTLY what they were getting themselves into.
Good luck.
But a C3 really isn't rookie material. My suggestion would be to get a later generation corvette that is MUCH more comfortable that you and your wife will enjoy.
You can always, get a C3 later, but personally I wouldn't get a C3 as a rookie. However, there have been sucessful first timers who have purchased C3s, but they knew EXACTLY what they were getting themselves into.
Good luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Stock horsepower is plenty for many of us. We keep our cars stock. Lots of folks also like to tweak engines and increase horsepower.
What you do will depend on what you want on your car. No sense thinking about a crate engine until you have the car.
What you do will depend on what you want on your car. No sense thinking about a crate engine until you have the car.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Easy Mike,
Even a Vette with 165 hp ??
Anyway here's my plan. When I get "the money" I'm going to check out
a bunch of C-3's.
that should be in early 2014.
Until then I'm going crazy with curiosity.
I'm going to check out Streetside classic's, Cont'es, BuyAVette,
and some guys here on this forum.
I've wanted a corvette since 1958.
with NO computer crap.........
I want a distributer, a carburater, all that old school stuff!
Even a Vette with 165 hp ??
Anyway here's my plan. When I get "the money" I'm going to check out
a bunch of C-3's.
that should be in early 2014.
Until then I'm going crazy with curiosity.
I'm going to check out Streetside classic's, Cont'es, BuyAVette,
and some guys here on this forum.
I've wanted a corvette since 1958.
with NO computer crap.........
I want a distributer, a carburater, all that old school stuff!
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,274
Likes: 6
From: Corvetteville USA
Easy Mike,
Even a Vette with 165 hp ??
Anyway here's my plan. When I get "the money" I'm going to check out
a bunch of C-3's.
that should be in early 2014.
Until then I'm going crazy with curiosity.
I'm going to check out Streetside classic's, Cont'es, BuyAVette,
and some guys here on this forum.
I've wanted a corvette since 1958.
with NO computer crap.........
I want a distributer, a carburater, all that old school stuff!
Even a Vette with 165 hp ??
Anyway here's my plan. When I get "the money" I'm going to check out
a bunch of C-3's.
that should be in early 2014.
Until then I'm going crazy with curiosity.
I'm going to check out Streetside classic's, Cont'es, BuyAVette,
and some guys here on this forum.
I've wanted a corvette since 1958.
with NO computer crap.........
I want a distributer, a carburater, all that old school stuff!
Pics and be made to show a really nice car when in reality it is not. Be careful.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,274
Likes: 6
From: Corvetteville USA
The bird cage can be seen easily, that is if they allow you to remove the kick panels. Many places would not allow any parts taken off the car. So if they won't let you, then it is not easy to see the bird cage. Pass on cars that do not let you do a proper inspection on them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,215
Likes: 1
From: Orlando FL
It is perfectly fine to check out the places you listed, but remember if you do not know what you are looking at to hire an inspector to check out the car. I been through many of cars through my search as these classic car dealers and consignment shops to find what I was looking at was total garbage.
Pics and be made to show a really nice car when in reality it is not. Be careful.
Pics and be made to show a really nice car when in reality it is not. Be careful.
This is a slippery slope.
For every quality car out there... there are a ton of junk heaps
Finding the difference is an issue as well. I have had two C3s and thought I was up to speed and got into one that was a POS.
These cars are a time consuming, money eating mistress and require a true love and a little bit of crazy dedication from you.
If you don't have lots of tools and a place to work on it and the time
There could be real problems.ALL OF THESE CARS NEED PERIODIC ATTENTION.
If you have to pay an third party it can get into a lot of money in a hurry and one very upset wife unit.
If you have wanted one since 1958 I would put you in the mid 60s age wise.
No offence but be sure you are ready to spend a lot of money or time learning these cars.
Good Luck on the decision
Just trying to be honest here...
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
That would depend on whether you wanted a 165hp car. Lots of folks own them.
No sense getting shook up until after the first of the year. Between now and then, spend time reading about these cars and learning about them.
The birdcage is almost entirely covered with fiberglass or with trim panels. Very little of it can be seen without removing something first in order to get a look at it.
FWIW: when the time comes, my advice would be to shop locally and avoid the specialty car dealers. It is entirely possible to find a nice C3 and not have to fool with dealers.
...Until then I'm going crazy with curiosity...
The birdcage is almost entirely covered with fiberglass or with trim panels. Very little of it can be seen without removing something first in order to get a look at it.
FWIW: when the time comes, my advice would be to shop locally and avoid the specialty car dealers. It is entirely possible to find a nice C3 and not have to fool with dealers.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Nov 20, 2013 at 10:50 AM.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 557
Likes: 3
From: El Sobrante CA
I can relate. Though I've owned a slew of cars (and worked on 'em too), I had to re-learn just about everything when I decided to get a C3.
My first task was to read as MUCH on this forum I could. I stayed up late nights - going through messages, reading those especially about 'RUST!!" 'TIGHT WORKING SPACES!!" "CORROSION!!" "MUST MAINTAIN OFTEN!" "OH NO! NOT THAT AGAIN!" So - when I pulled the trigger on my 1st 'Vette last month, I wasn't surprised by anything.
Here I am - seven weeks into ownership. The car is still on stands because I've been grappling with rebuilding brakes. I've broken a fitting or two in the process. UPS and his arch rival Fred-X can be slow cowpokes at times. But my car is a project - a winter project I'm in no hurry to complete. Patience is my friend - a lesson I need to repeatedly learn. I know this because when the brakes are done, there will be something else needing attention. Like maybe those bushings shedding rubber on the garage floor.
So, I can ASSure you, horsepower, torque and engines in wooden crates are the last things on my mind. Maybe someday. But not this day.
Dan G>
My first task was to read as MUCH on this forum I could. I stayed up late nights - going through messages, reading those especially about 'RUST!!" 'TIGHT WORKING SPACES!!" "CORROSION!!" "MUST MAINTAIN OFTEN!" "OH NO! NOT THAT AGAIN!"
So - when I pulled the trigger on my 1st 'Vette last month, I wasn't surprised by anything. Here I am - seven weeks into ownership. The car is still on stands because I've been grappling with rebuilding brakes. I've broken a fitting or two in the process. UPS and his arch rival Fred-X can be slow cowpokes at times. But my car is a project - a winter project I'm in no hurry to complete. Patience is my friend - a lesson I need to repeatedly learn. I know this because when the brakes are done, there will be something else needing attention. Like maybe those bushings shedding rubber on the garage floor.
So, I can ASSure you, horsepower, torque and engines in wooden crates are the last things on my mind. Maybe someday. But not this day.
Dan G>
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 8,897
Likes: 1,353
From: Santa Ana CA
300 real hp at the rear wheels will move the car to ~13.0 second quarter mile at ~105+ mph with the right gears and will bark the tires in the first couple gears.
300 RWHP is enough to break the tires loose and use the throttle to steer the car in a turn.
300 RWHP is where things really just become fun.
Last edited by toddalin; Nov 20, 2013 at 01:17 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
In my experience you need 325-350 gross flywheel horsepower to have a fun car.
*assuming you have a manual trans or high stall torque converter and steep rearend gears.
*assuming you have a manual trans or high stall torque converter and steep rearend gears.
Last edited by Priya; Nov 23, 2013 at 03:55 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 15,817
Likes: 90
From: Fairfield, VA
DanFurr - Good for you with the research for your new Vette.
It has been said in this thread, and all over Corvette Forum,
pay someone or ask someone to inspect the car for you.
If I can find the link, it was an LT1 (?) that was just a no-go after a fellow CF
guy did the 'body cavity' search of the vehicle. You would be surprised
when you see the photos.
Ask for opinions on specific cars.
Go and drive a few, see if you like it.
edit: here's that link:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...urchase-3.html
Good Luck, take it slow.
It has been said in this thread, and all over Corvette Forum,
pay someone or ask someone to inspect the car for you.
If I can find the link, it was an LT1 (?) that was just a no-go after a fellow CF
guy did the 'body cavity' search of the vehicle. You would be surprised
when you see the photos.
Ask for opinions on specific cars.
Go and drive a few, see if you like it.
edit: here's that link:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...urchase-3.html
Good Luck, take it slow.
Last edited by mchar; Nov 23, 2013 at 05:46 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 257
Likes: 36
Ended up spending $2k in parts. Think you can find C3's that someone else already did the work. As others' have mentioned, this hobby can get expensive.
Not sure if this trick will work for the bird cage, a local body shop told me to spray water on the windshield. If it leaks, walk away...although doubt any seller will allow this
Mike
