First Corvette, Things to look into
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 926
Likes: 2
From: Castle Rock CO
That was the one. Never did I think someone else would recognize the car. Runs great. I'll be bringing it to wherever that car show that was on scotts and el-camino ends up in the future If you want to see it. I DELIBERATELY went for a 75 because I can't bear to see it get a colonoscopy every year. I already have enough trouble with our other cars.
Long term goals for the car.
Replace the engine because I'm tired of factory specified 165 HP. (was thinking about ls1's, 427's, or TRYING to build my own engine)
Rebuild clutch and related systems
Rebuild transmission or replace with 5 speed
Power assisted brakes?
Paint, weatherstripping, frame paint,
Definitely going for dual exhaust, No two ways about it. Thinking that I'm going to do a crossover system like my dad's 68 has. Probably putting a magnaflow in because flowmaster (As much as I like it) would be too loud for some of the cruising I'll be doing.
Regardless of what I do, the mufflers SHOULD be reusable regardless of the engine then? I was thinking that if i had an engine that generated a lot of pressure, that it'd change the performance of the mufflers or that if the exhaust system had a different gauge it'd alter it as well.
I got a quote for a different system without any crossing over, but dual pipes and flowmaster for $800. Fair price?
Crossover exhaust and magnaflow exhaust, what do you est the price would be for it? Also, If i posted to the "for sale" forum, do you think i could find a decent pair of mufflers?
Thanks, You guys
Long term goals for the car.
Replace the engine because I'm tired of factory specified 165 HP. (was thinking about ls1's, 427's, or TRYING to build my own engine)
Rebuild clutch and related systems
Rebuild transmission or replace with 5 speed
Power assisted brakes?
Paint, weatherstripping, frame paint,
Definitely going for dual exhaust, No two ways about it. Thinking that I'm going to do a crossover system like my dad's 68 has. Probably putting a magnaflow in because flowmaster (As much as I like it) would be too loud for some of the cruising I'll be doing.
Regardless of what I do, the mufflers SHOULD be reusable regardless of the engine then? I was thinking that if i had an engine that generated a lot of pressure, that it'd change the performance of the mufflers or that if the exhaust system had a different gauge it'd alter it as well.
I got a quote for a different system without any crossing over, but dual pipes and flowmaster for $800. Fair price?
Crossover exhaust and magnaflow exhaust, what do you est the price would be for it? Also, If i posted to the "for sale" forum, do you think i could find a decent pair of mufflers?
Thanks, You guys
Nice thing about the 1975 in most states it is emissions exempt or just needs to pass the smoke test where there is no visible smoke out of the exhaust system from oil burn or pass the emission testing of Pre Catalytic Convertor exhaust systems .
My 1977 has a dual exhaust system with Dual CATs on it to pass emissions and was hand fabricated at a muffler shop. I had to install some additional heat shields on the exhaust system because whomever installed it before I bought the car did not put a heat shield between the drivers side CAT and floor pan. they also ran it too close the tranny so I covered that area in Mylar Fabric so it would not melt the automatic tranny shift rubber cable shields.
The L48s in 1975 were the lowest in HP history and if your planning on replacing the engine look for Long Block rebuilt or remanufactured L82 engines in same era. The other option is go looking in the Vortec Engines which will have higher compression, higher HP and better fuel economy you can pick up a rebuilt long block for around $1800.00 bucks shipped.
http://www.jegs.com/i/GM+Performance...Fcg7MgodvSsAqQ
Nice thing about the Small Block 350s over the years not much changed but you may need newer brackets for the alternator and use a newer water pump. All depends on your budget and how far you want to take it.
power assisted brakes are as easy as buying all the parts for a power brake system all you really need is a new master cylinder and brake booster from that model year and an intake manifold with the booster vacuum port on it. here are some parts.
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1968-1976.html
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1968-1982.html
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...late-1976.html
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1968-1976.html
Last edited by MakoJoe; Mar 21, 2014 at 10:13 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 76
Likes: 2
And I did bleed both calipers for the rears. Only one of each set had bubbles though.
Welcome!
Go with the true-flex on the bumpers. I glassed my nose in, so the line doesn't show. Looks 100% better.
Replace the hoses. soft lines on the brakes too. Check the bearings, and the U-joints.
Don't give up on that 350! SB Chevy's can be made into screamers with bolt-on parts.
Go with the true-flex on the bumpers. I glassed my nose in, so the line doesn't show. Looks 100% better.
Replace the hoses. soft lines on the brakes too. Check the bearings, and the U-joints.
Don't give up on that 350! SB Chevy's can be made into screamers with bolt-on parts.
What kind of mods would you recommend to the l48? New cam? I was thinking i'd rather get another engine just because the price of modding this one wouldn't be cost efficient compared to buying another engine.
Well, Last summer there used to be a small show of about 100+ cars on scotts blvd and el camino in santa clara every Wednesday night; that ended because target moved in and our spot that we used to meet up at was demo'd. So nobody really knows what's going on. I'll let you know when I find something about the next place.
Last edited by NothingSpecial; Mar 22, 2014 at 12:32 AM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 76
Likes: 2
it is very easy to dual the exhaust out on a C3 all the way until 1979 because the cross member for the tranny has the holes on each side to install dual exhaust. Depending on your budget they do sell dual exhaust kits for 1974 and earlier that will bolt right into your 1975 with very little modifications. I saw some starting at about $360.00 and on up to around $1000 bucks. Magna Flow and DynaFlow are going to be in the higher range for a full exhaust kit. For kits check out the sponsor websites on this forum.
The L48s in 1975 were the lowest in HP history and if your planning on replacing the engine look for Long Block rebuilt or remanufactured L82 engines in same era. The other option is go looking in the Vortec Engines which will have higher compression, higher HP and better fuel economy you can pick up a rebuilt long block for around $1800.00 bucks shipped.
http://www.jegs.com/i/GM+Performance...Fcg7MgodvSsAqQ
Nice thing about the Small Block 350s over the years not much changed but you may need newer brackets for the alternator and use a newer water pump. All depends on your budget and how far you want to take it.
The L48s in 1975 were the lowest in HP history and if your planning on replacing the engine look for Long Block rebuilt or remanufactured L82 engines in same era. The other option is go looking in the Vortec Engines which will have higher compression, higher HP and better fuel economy you can pick up a rebuilt long block for around $1800.00 bucks shipped.
http://www.jegs.com/i/GM+Performance...Fcg7MgodvSsAqQ
Nice thing about the Small Block 350s over the years not much changed but you may need newer brackets for the alternator and use a newer water pump. All depends on your budget and how far you want to take it.
Are the kits already pre-bent into the right positions to fit? I got a quote from a guy who'd custom bend pipes to fit the car + add the mufflers for $800.
I dont think cali requires smog for 1975 or before. not even a visual. So I'm safe there. Isn't dual cats illegal btw?
The mylar was a good idea, My car doesnt seem to have any issues with heat shielding though, but if it does in the future I'll keep that in mind.
Thanks for the info on engines+Brakes, I'll definitely have to read a bit more about my options before I proceed anywhere.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 557
Likes: 3
From: El Sobrante CA
I dont think cali requires smog for 1975 or before. not even a visual.
Definitely true. No colonoscopy as you say. You can go nuts with the engine mods and the Republik Of DMV will leave you alone.
Keep us posted on that Santa Clara show; may be a kick to drive down and see your car in person.
Definitely true. No colonoscopy as you say. You can go nuts with the engine mods and the Republik Of DMV will leave you alone.
Keep us posted on that Santa Clara show; may be a kick to drive down and see your car in person.
