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Aftermarket Frames for a C3
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 76
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From: NEW ORLEANS Louisiana
Aftermarket Frames for a C3
Anyone have any experience with or preferences for an aftermarket frame? Starting to do the R&D for my project in the next year.
Going through total underside of vehicle. Motor rebuild, 5 psd trans, rebuild diff, suspension etc. Frame has surface rust, otherwise in decent condition.
My thoughts are to just go with new frame with a more modern suspension. I got a good deal on my 73 and don't see any drastic appreciation happening to a base model convertible any time soon, so i'm not really concerned with originality aspect of the vehicle. I don't think it can hurt the value, plus i don't think i will ever get rid of this corvette.
thoughts are welcome as well!
Going through total underside of vehicle. Motor rebuild, 5 psd trans, rebuild diff, suspension etc. Frame has surface rust, otherwise in decent condition.
My thoughts are to just go with new frame with a more modern suspension. I got a good deal on my 73 and don't see any drastic appreciation happening to a base model convertible any time soon, so i'm not really concerned with originality aspect of the vehicle. I don't think it can hurt the value, plus i don't think i will ever get rid of this corvette.
thoughts are welcome as well!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: myrtle beach sc
Army
The 73 models can be very desirable to some people and especially the convertibles. Just because it is a base model, does not mean that it is that less desirable. There are less and less early C-3's every day. The 73 has the last chrome rear bumpers. Lou.
Last edited by loup68; Mar 15, 2017 at 02:37 PM.
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Drifting
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From: Central Wisconsin
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 76
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From: NEW ORLEANS Louisiana
Still working on it, but the SRIII frame for my 73 is a quality product. Plugging along with body work right now but can't wait to be able to drive it. Attachment 48073449
Did you buy the stage one frame and build yourself?
It seems a little pricey for the stage two. i think i could assemble it cheaper.
Last edited by gmmeyerIII; Mar 16, 2017 at 09:11 AM.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 251
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From: Jefferson Ohio
Still working on it, but the SRIII frame for my 73 is a quality product. Plugging along with body work right now but can't wait to be able to drive it. Attachment 48073449
Can you give a description of the chassis components, rear end, engine, etc.?
Thanks,
Jim
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Joined: Jul 2015
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From: Queen Creek, AZ
I ordered a Stage II chassis from SRIII. The chassis has C5 suspension with QA1 coilovers, C4 rack and pinion, Curry 9 inch rear end, Strange gears. I ordered the SS fuel tank through SRIII but plumbed the SS fuel line myself. Engine is a crate LS3 430 mated to a 4L70e trans since my wife and daughters have never driven a stick. Mike at SRIII is a wealth of knowledge and is always helpful on the phone, can't praise him enough, even though this is an expensive project to tackle, but something I always have wanted to do. Someday I plan on starting a build thread when I have some more time.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 251
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From: Jefferson Ohio
I ordered a Stage II chassis from SRIII. The chassis has C5 suspension with QA1 coilovers, C4 rack and pinion, Curry 9 inch rear end, Strange gears. I ordered the SS fuel tank through SRIII but plumbed the SS fuel line myself. Engine is a crate LS3 430 mated to a 4L70e trans since my wife and daughters have never driven a stick. Mike at SRIII is a wealth of knowledge and is always helpful on the phone, can't praise him enough, even though this is an expensive project to tackle, but something I always have wanted to do. Someday I plan on starting a build thread when I have some more time.
I finished a complete frame off restoration on a numbers matching 72 Corvette LT1 about 2 years ago and I am itching to do something else.
I am leaning towards the same idea that you are doing.
Jim
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,970
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From: Cameron Park CA
Anyone have any experience with or preferences for an aftermarket frame? Starting to do the R&D for my project in the next year.
Going through total underside of vehicle. Motor rebuild, 5 psd trans, rebuild diff, suspension etc. Frame has surface rust, otherwise in decent condition.
My thoughts are to just go with new frame with a more modern suspension. I got a good deal on my 73 and don't see any drastic appreciation happening to a base model convertible any time soon, so i'm not really concerned with originality aspect of the vehicle. I don't think it can hurt the value, plus i don't think i will ever get rid of this corvette.
thoughts are welcome as well!
Going through total underside of vehicle. Motor rebuild, 5 psd trans, rebuild diff, suspension etc. Frame has surface rust, otherwise in decent condition.
My thoughts are to just go with new frame with a more modern suspension. I got a good deal on my 73 and don't see any drastic appreciation happening to a base model convertible any time soon, so i'm not really concerned with originality aspect of the vehicle. I don't think it can hurt the value, plus i don't think i will ever get rid of this corvette.
thoughts are welcome as well!
Racer
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 301
Likes: 170
From: Alabama
Since we’re “dragging out the dead” ( threads), I’ll go with this, because it’s been a constant wonder for me. With all of the work that some put into the frame offs, why isn’t frame reinforcing not an almost required thing?
Every unibody car I’ve ever modified has had some form of reinforcements added to the frame, and I haven’t raced a car in 20 years. Forget racing. The benefit added by keeping the frame from twisting makes for a far better street car. Just having No creaks, no rattles, and no groans every time you drive the thing aside, it handles better, and drives more predictable. Raised Maintenance no longer requires you to worry about whether the doors will open or close when it’s on jack stands, and if you do add power to the chassis, things just work better.
I for one, intend to reinforce the factory frame with a second set of frame rails welded in to allow the factory body/ exhaust limitations to rule how I place things. It won’t be optimal, but it won’t be a $10,000 bare frame either. I hope to be able to do this for less than 200.00.
anybody with a mig welder and a sawzall can do what I intend to do, I just wonder why it isn’t done more prolifically.
Every unibody car I’ve ever modified has had some form of reinforcements added to the frame, and I haven’t raced a car in 20 years. Forget racing. The benefit added by keeping the frame from twisting makes for a far better street car. Just having No creaks, no rattles, and no groans every time you drive the thing aside, it handles better, and drives more predictable. Raised Maintenance no longer requires you to worry about whether the doors will open or close when it’s on jack stands, and if you do add power to the chassis, things just work better.
I for one, intend to reinforce the factory frame with a second set of frame rails welded in to allow the factory body/ exhaust limitations to rule how I place things. It won’t be optimal, but it won’t be a $10,000 bare frame either. I hope to be able to do this for less than 200.00.
anybody with a mig welder and a sawzall can do what I intend to do, I just wonder why it isn’t done more prolifically.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
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From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
Still working on it, but the SRIII frame for my 73 is a quality product. Plugging along with body work right now but can't wait to be able to drive it. Attachment 48073449
AllC34Me
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,696
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From: Cottonwood AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Since we are responding to an old thread, once you go to an aftermarket frame you are at the very least on the road to a “restomod.” This modification is expensive no matter what year of car or it’s value prior to the new frame. Typically restomods today sell for more money than the run of the mill ORIGINAL type restoration IF you have all the current bells and whistles. The same is true in the street rod world. They become very dated very quickly because these buyers want the latest and greatest gadgets.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,038
From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
The 73 have been and always will be a “halfbreed” in the C3 world (I had one) and are unlikely to ever be a very valuable car by comparison to the 68-72 models.
Since we are responding to an old thread, once you go to an aftermarket frame you are at the very least on the road to a “restomod.” This modification is expensive no matter what year of car or it’s value prior to the new frame. Typically restomods today sell for more money than the run of the mill ORIGINAL type restoration IF you have all the current bells and whistles. The same is true in the street rod world. They become very dated very quickly because these buyers want the latest and greatest gadgets.
Since we are responding to an old thread, once you go to an aftermarket frame you are at the very least on the road to a “restomod.” This modification is expensive no matter what year of car or it’s value prior to the new frame. Typically restomods today sell for more money than the run of the mill ORIGINAL type restoration IF you have all the current bells and whistles. The same is true in the street rod world. They become very dated very quickly because these buyers want the latest and greatest gadgets.
Best to all,
David