1978 Silver Anniversay...here we go
01-25-2017, 10:46 AM
#41
Advanced
I just came across your thread and all I can say is, WOW!
I'm in the same boat as you with nearly the same story. I have my dad's original SA L82 with 6700 miles on it. He ordered it and only owned it for 2 years but I remember riding in it when I was kid. I found it almost 3 years ago and sold my C6 to buy it. Now it just sits in my garage and I'm not really enjoying b/c its not a fun car to drive, especially with the automatic. I've been thinking a lot lately about doing something like you've done but its hard for me to defile such a nice car. I had it Top Flighted two years ago. After seeing what you've done, I'm definitely inspired!
I'm in the same boat as you with nearly the same story. I have my dad's original SA L82 with 6700 miles on it. He ordered it and only owned it for 2 years but I remember riding in it when I was kid. I found it almost 3 years ago and sold my C6 to buy it. Now it just sits in my garage and I'm not really enjoying b/c its not a fun car to drive, especially with the automatic. I've been thinking a lot lately about doing something like you've done but its hard for me to defile such a nice car. I had it Top Flighted two years ago. After seeing what you've done, I'm definitely inspired!
The following users liked this post:
eddiejb (01-25-2017)
01-25-2017, 10:02 PM
#42
Melting Slicks
I think what youve done to the car is deplorable!
Just kidding! This is why we modify our cars. To make them fun to drive. Its why my 72 which was pretty much original, is now resto modded. And now that its on the road, is going to get a further big upgrade! Im bored as hell not working on it.
By the way, your car looks great!
Just kidding! This is why we modify our cars. To make them fun to drive. Its why my 72 which was pretty much original, is now resto modded. And now that its on the road, is going to get a further big upgrade! Im bored as hell not working on it.
By the way, your car looks great!
Last edited by Sunstroked; 01-25-2017 at 10:05 PM.
The following users liked this post:
eddiejb (01-25-2017)
The following users liked this post:
USMC 0802 (02-16-2017)
02-24-2017, 08:04 PM
#46
Family connection priceless
I'm having my '78 silver anniversary edition L-82 4spd. resto-modded and should be done in the spring. I inherited it from my dad and although it only has 12,000 miles on it, it was in fairly rough shape from sitting for many years.
My dad was the original owner, bought the car in '77 and was always in love with it. When I was young he instilled that same love into me. I remember always going for rides and sometimes having to sit in the hatch since my older sister demanded the passenger seat. It was a great time and I remember it fondly.
My dad let the car sit for about 12 years without using it or driving it and it deteriorated as these things do. He also would leave the windows down in the garage and stray cats that he fed would hang out inside of it to keep warm in the winter.
When I first got the car I redid all the suspension components, replaced the water pump, all the belts, brakes, tires, etc and basically got it back on the road and running again. Since then I've spent some time driving it and I wasn't convinced it was as great as I remembered.
I've had a hard time deciding what to do with the car. Part of me had trouble with the idea of "defiling" a 12,000 mile SA with such rare options but after spending the last 3 years with the car I've decided I just really don't enjoy driving it. It's slow, it stalls at traffic lights when you have the A/C on, the clutch is very stiff and the engagement point is very high, the tach bobbles and is inaccurate, etc etc. The sentimental value of this vehicle far exceeds the monetary value so selling it was never an option. Because of this I've decided to makeover the car and do it my liking.
I like fast cars and I have a couple so the goal of this car was not to be my fastest or craziest car in my garage. I just wanted something I could drive around Chicago comfortably and take on road trips on the nice weekends during the spring/summer/fall.
So...as of 2 weeks ago I sent the car to Custom Image Corvettes. After discussing this project with Josh for almost 3 years now I finally saved enough money and decided to go for it. Here are the plans for the car:
Rebuilt and Cammed LS1 w/ custom headers and exhaust
T56 Tremec 6spd
Single Color HOK gunmetal metalic paint (not 100% decided on this yet)
C5 seats
Dye the interior black
1982 Rear bumper and Pace car front valence
Vettenuts Insulation package
VBP FRONT COMPOSITE MONOSPRING CONVERSION KIT
VBP REAR DUAL-MOUNT SPRING KIT
VBP SMART STRUTS HD ROD ENDS
VBP 1" SOLID FRONT SWAYBAR
New Factory A/C
Wilwood 6pot fronts 4pot rears on OEM rotors
URETHANE MOTOR MOUNTS
VHX GAUGES
New WEATHERSTRIPPING
New Radiator
RetroSound ModelTwo Radio
And then just general TLC needed to replace the broken plastic and messed up interior bits.
here are some pics of her before I shipped her off:
My dad was the original owner, bought the car in '77 and was always in love with it. When I was young he instilled that same love into me. I remember always going for rides and sometimes having to sit in the hatch since my older sister demanded the passenger seat. It was a great time and I remember it fondly.
My dad let the car sit for about 12 years without using it or driving it and it deteriorated as these things do. He also would leave the windows down in the garage and stray cats that he fed would hang out inside of it to keep warm in the winter.
When I first got the car I redid all the suspension components, replaced the water pump, all the belts, brakes, tires, etc and basically got it back on the road and running again. Since then I've spent some time driving it and I wasn't convinced it was as great as I remembered.
I've had a hard time deciding what to do with the car. Part of me had trouble with the idea of "defiling" a 12,000 mile SA with such rare options but after spending the last 3 years with the car I've decided I just really don't enjoy driving it. It's slow, it stalls at traffic lights when you have the A/C on, the clutch is very stiff and the engagement point is very high, the tach bobbles and is inaccurate, etc etc. The sentimental value of this vehicle far exceeds the monetary value so selling it was never an option. Because of this I've decided to makeover the car and do it my liking.
I like fast cars and I have a couple so the goal of this car was not to be my fastest or craziest car in my garage. I just wanted something I could drive around Chicago comfortably and take on road trips on the nice weekends during the spring/summer/fall.
So...as of 2 weeks ago I sent the car to Custom Image Corvettes. After discussing this project with Josh for almost 3 years now I finally saved enough money and decided to go for it. Here are the plans for the car:
Rebuilt and Cammed LS1 w/ custom headers and exhaust
T56 Tremec 6spd
Single Color HOK gunmetal metalic paint (not 100% decided on this yet)
C5 seats
Dye the interior black
1982 Rear bumper and Pace car front valence
Vettenuts Insulation package
VBP FRONT COMPOSITE MONOSPRING CONVERSION KIT
VBP REAR DUAL-MOUNT SPRING KIT
VBP SMART STRUTS HD ROD ENDS
VBP 1" SOLID FRONT SWAYBAR
New Factory A/C
Wilwood 6pot fronts 4pot rears on OEM rotors
URETHANE MOTOR MOUNTS
VHX GAUGES
New WEATHERSTRIPPING
New Radiator
RetroSound ModelTwo Radio
And then just general TLC needed to replace the broken plastic and messed up interior bits.
here are some pics of her before I shipped her off:
02-24-2017, 10:01 PM
#47
Here is my T56 Magnum in my 1978 Corvette. I started with a TH350. The extra issue you will have is the fixed transmission cross member (normal for 4-speed cars). I suggest you convert to a removable cross member at this time. (from your pictures it looks like you already have this mod so you should be ok)
As for the LS1 engine I found my ZZ383 is ok but now I wish I had more. Something in the 475+ hp range would have been better.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-corvette.html
As for the LS1 engine I found my ZZ383 is ok but now I wish I had more. Something in the 475+ hp range would have been better.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-corvette.html
Last edited by cagotzmann; 02-24-2017 at 10:02 PM.
The following users liked this post:
eddiejb (03-07-2017)
02-27-2017, 07:54 PM
#48
Family Connection: Priceless!
I just came across your thread and all I can say is, WOW!
I'm in the same boat as you with nearly the same story. I have my dad's original SA L82 with 6700 miles on it. He ordered it and only owned it for 2 years but I remember riding in it when I was kid. I found it almost 3 years ago and sold my C6 to buy it. Now it just sits in my garage and I'm not really enjoying b/c its not a fun car to drive, especially with the automatic. I've been thinking a lot lately about doing something like you've done but its hard for me to defile such a nice car. I had it Top Flighted two years ago. After seeing what you've done, I'm definitely inspired!
I'm in the same boat as you with nearly the same story. I have my dad's original SA L82 with 6700 miles on it. He ordered it and only owned it for 2 years but I remember riding in it when I was kid. I found it almost 3 years ago and sold my C6 to buy it. Now it just sits in my garage and I'm not really enjoying b/c its not a fun car to drive, especially with the automatic. I've been thinking a lot lately about doing something like you've done but its hard for me to defile such a nice car. I had it Top Flighted two years ago. After seeing what you've done, I'm definitely inspired!
03-07-2017, 09:57 PM
#49
Here is my T56 Magnum in my 1978 Corvette. I started with a TH350. The extra issue you will have is the fixed transmission cross member (normal for 4-speed cars). I suggest you convert to a removable cross member at this time. (from your pictures it looks like you already have this mod so you should be ok)
As for the LS1 engine I found my ZZ383 is ok but now I wish I had more. Something in the 475+ hp range would have been better.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-corvette.html
As for the LS1 engine I found my ZZ383 is ok but now I wish I had more. Something in the 475+ hp range would have been better.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-corvette.html
As for the LS1, it's rebuilt with GM upgraded springs, a GM hotcam, LS6 intake manifold and C5 Corvette Z06 drive by wire throttle body. With those upgrades it will make around 400whp.
The following users liked this post:
eddiejb (04-04-2017)
03-15-2017, 01:51 PM
#52
Some people asked for older pics of the vette. Here's the car along with my dad's 1960. He sold the 1960 a long time ago but it was a great car. Numbers matching, 48k original miles. He had it repainted with the black and red scheme you see. No picture of my old man with the cars yet. I'll keep searching.
The following users liked this post:
bj61662 (03-25-2017)
03-17-2017, 03:58 PM
#54
theywere in the car when i sent it to CIC. I gave the owner of CIC dibs but if he doesn't keep them i'll have them back when I go to pick up the car. I'm also selling a few parts (brake calipers, master cylinder, etc...all in the for sale forum)
The following users liked this post:
eddiejb (04-06-2017)