C3 Restomod Pro-Touring
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: San Diego California
C3 Restomod Pro-Touring
Hello, I am almost 15 years old, and my father told me that if I want a better car I have to build it, so I decided to do a C3 corvette. I would like to know what the best year to do is and whether or not there is a company that makes DOHC piston heads for a small block chevy, and how much it would cost to acquire them. I am also a resident of San Diego, California, and I know that there are strict emissions laws here. I'm looking for a good engine and transmission/ transaxle, suspension, and head and tail lights. Interior isn't too big of a deal for me either. Also, what are some good sized wheels, because I really like the new wheels available for the c7, but they're huge 19" and 20". And, with the wheels, some good disc brakes, preferably with ABS.
Last edited by iPro1969; Mar 25, 2015 at 08:28 PM.
Instructor
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 127
Likes: 1
From: Land o Lakes Florida
Hello, I am almost 15 years old, and my father told me that if I want a better car I have to build it, so I decided to do a C3 corvette. I would like to know what the best year to do is and whether or not there is a company that makes DOHC piston heads for a small block chevy, and how much it would cost to acquire them. Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,358
Likes: 379
From: Plano TX
Unless you have a strong aesthetic preference for a certain year you should get one where you get the best condition for the money. That will probably be 1975-1982.
No DOHC heads, and you don't want them. Don't believe the hype. You can make just as much power without the complexity and space requirements of DOHC.
Transplanting a modern era LS-style engine gives you good bang-for-the-buck power. Anywhere from 350hp to whatever your wallet allows. There are LS engines making 1000+ hp.
No DOHC heads, and you don't want them. Don't believe the hype. You can make just as much power without the complexity and space requirements of DOHC.
Transplanting a modern era LS-style engine gives you good bang-for-the-buck power. Anywhere from 350hp to whatever your wallet allows. There are LS engines making 1000+ hp.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,108
Likes: 4,170
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi iP,
Welcome!
It sounds like you have a pretty ambitious car in mind for someone your age!
In order to help you move in the right direction it would be good if people here had some idea of the $$$ budget you have to buy a car, and then the $$$ budget to make it into a Pro Touring car.
Also, it would help to know what sort of experience you may have working on cars, the sort of garage you'll have to do the work in, the tools and equipment that will be available to you, and what work you might be doing yourself and what you might be sending out to various shops to have done.
With an involved project it's important to have a good start or things can get out of hand pretty quickly and expensively!
So, what are you thinking your Pro Touring car will be…. both in your dreams and in reality?
Regards,
Alan
You realize that the fabulous pro touring cars you see in magazines and on line have usually had a zillion $ spent on them, right?
Welcome!
It sounds like you have a pretty ambitious car in mind for someone your age!
In order to help you move in the right direction it would be good if people here had some idea of the $$$ budget you have to buy a car, and then the $$$ budget to make it into a Pro Touring car.
Also, it would help to know what sort of experience you may have working on cars, the sort of garage you'll have to do the work in, the tools and equipment that will be available to you, and what work you might be doing yourself and what you might be sending out to various shops to have done.
With an involved project it's important to have a good start or things can get out of hand pretty quickly and expensively!
So, what are you thinking your Pro Touring car will be…. both in your dreams and in reality?
Regards,
Alan
You realize that the fabulous pro touring cars you see in magazines and on line have usually had a zillion $ spent on them, right?
Last edited by Alan 71; Mar 25, 2015 at 01:42 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Totally up to you. Your choice. What model year do you want?
Free unsolicited advice: why don't you and dad get together, talk about this, and make some decisions between the two of you? Might help you decide where you're going with this project.
Good luck.
Free unsolicited advice: why don't you and dad get together, talk about this, and make some decisions between the two of you? Might help you decide where you're going with this project.
Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 241
From: Niles, MI
The OP doesn't list the state of residence but you may want to check your states emission laws when deciding on a year. Here in Kalifornia, all 1976 and newer need to be smogged so that limits your options for mods.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: San Diego California
Unless you have a strong aesthetic preference for a certain year you should get one where you get the best condition for the money. That will probably be 1975-1982.
No DOHC heads, and you don't want them. Don't believe the hype. You can make just as much power without the complexity and space requirements of DOHC.
Transplanting a modern era LS-style engine gives you good bang-for-the-buck power. Anywhere from 350hp to whatever your wallet allows. There are LS engines making 1000+ hp.
No DOHC heads, and you don't want them. Don't believe the hype. You can make just as much power without the complexity and space requirements of DOHC.
Transplanting a modern era LS-style engine gives you good bang-for-the-buck power. Anywhere from 350hp to whatever your wallet allows. There are LS engines making 1000+ hp.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 6,196
Likes: 58
From: Denton, Texas
Welcome again, and glad to know that you are young. I was 15 when my dad gave me my '72. I am early 20s now and still own it. Glad to have another young CF member, especially a C3 CF member.
Like I said in the intro, you can stuff just about any motor you want in a C3. I have no doubt that you will get your numbers, the only question is on what platform.
Like I said in the intro, you can stuff just about any motor you want in a C3. I have no doubt that you will get your numbers, the only question is on what platform.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4,206
Likes: 8
From: Belmar NJ
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 103
From: Brisbane Queensland
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 484
Likes: 10
From: Newcastle NSW
This can all be done without the added weight and complexity of DOHC. A cam-in-block V8 is one of the best packaged engines out there in terms of power for the physical space taken up by the engine. Why do you think the RX7 guys are getting rid of their triangle nightmares for big cube LSx motors?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,737
Likes: 644
From: Lincoln, CA
This can all be done without the added weight and complexity of DOHC. A cam-in-block V8 is one of the best packaged engines out there in terms of power for the physical space taken up by the engine. Why do you think the RX7 guys are getting rid of their triangle nightmares for big cube LSx motors?
Hey I still have my Wankel in my RX7.I vote LS3 if you want a car that will GO.
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 484
Likes: 10
From: Newcastle NSW
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,737
Likes: 644
From: Lincoln, CA
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 304
From: Lansing MI
Edit: run any engine/exhaust, not ruin. Though you can ruin the engine if you want.
Last edited by chazde3; Mar 27, 2015 at 10:40 AM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: San Diego California
