1980 C3 Mods
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 25
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1980 C3 Mods
Hi all! This will be my first post on the Corvette Forum as I will shortly be picking up a 1980 Vette. The car runs and drives with a freshly rebuilt transmission and engine (less than 5k miles on both) but needs a new coat of paint. So, I have a few questions for you, the internet experts. What color should I have it painted? I want to do some performance mods even though they would decrease the value of the car, what mods can I do without sacrificing reliability? Thanks in advance for the help!
Racer
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 395
Likes: 52
From: wilmington Ma
I would paint it same color so you don't have to spend on painting the jambs, if I did mods probably headers ,exaust, maybe a fuel injection carb with ignition . .. all bolt ons you can do yourself although the headers could be a pain.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,949
Likes: 4,507
From: Virginia
Paint and cam? Don't run down the "while you were in there" rabbit hole so soon!
The correct color to paint the car is whatever it says on the trim tag in the doorframe. Otherwise, whatever color it already is for the reasons above. Perhaps both are the same!
My advice would be to drive the heck out of it before you do any mods/fixes that are not required for safety. Assuming brakes and steering work properly, suspension, wheel, and tire mods will give you the most bang for the buck while improving reliability, safety, and driving enjoyment. Keep the car on the road during driving season, and you'll see what you need to improve this winter.
Heads and cam can be swapped with the engine in the car, but it's not a small task Search the forum to see how it is done, but mobird's build thread has an example:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c3-general/4045083-my-79-hotrod-project-build-thread.html I figure when my car needs that, it will be time for a crate engine, and probably a transmission swap. The wide fenders of these cars will make your hamstrings hurt after working on your engine for a bit.
Welcome to the forum, and please post some pictures!
The correct color to paint the car is whatever it says on the trim tag in the doorframe. Otherwise, whatever color it already is for the reasons above. Perhaps both are the same!
My advice would be to drive the heck out of it before you do any mods/fixes that are not required for safety. Assuming brakes and steering work properly, suspension, wheel, and tire mods will give you the most bang for the buck while improving reliability, safety, and driving enjoyment. Keep the car on the road during driving season, and you'll see what you need to improve this winter.
Heads and cam can be swapped with the engine in the car, but it's not a small task Search the forum to see how it is done, but mobird's build thread has an example:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c3-general/4045083-my-79-hotrod-project-build-thread.html I figure when my car needs that, it will be time for a crate engine, and probably a transmission swap. The wide fenders of these cars will make your hamstrings hurt after working on your engine for a bit.
Welcome to the forum, and please post some pictures!
Last edited by Bikespace; May 16, 2018 at 10:25 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Racer
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 250
Likes: 29
I agree with a lot of the above statements.... especially having gone through this with the same year model. As for the paint color, changing the color and doing it right is a lot more work than it sounds. Be very careful of that rabbit hole mentioned above (While i'm doing this i might as well do that). That's exactly what happened to me. now in the end, i'm very happy with my results, but it cost a lot more money and especially time. My car pretty much sat for a year while doing all these extras.
Bottom line is i would focus on making it safe first, then drive and enjoy it ! This is a car. Something to drive an enjoy, not a painting that can only get looked at :-)
Bottom line is i would focus on making it safe first, then drive and enjoy it ! This is a car. Something to drive an enjoy, not a painting that can only get looked at :-)
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Verdad Gallardo
GM Cert Corvette Tech
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Anaheim Hills California
Paint and cam? Don't run down the "while you were in there" rabbit hole so soon!
The correct color to paint the car is whatever it says on the trim tag in the doorframe. Otherwise, whatever color it already is for the reasons above. Perhaps both are the same!
My advice would be to drive the heck out of it before you do any mods/fixes that are not required for safety. Assuming brakes and steering work properly, suspension, wheel, and tire mods will give you the most bang for the buck while improving reliability, safety, and driving enjoyment. Keep the car on the road during driving season, and you'll see what you need to improve this winter.
Heads and cam can be swapped with the engine in the car, but it's not a small task Search the forum to see how it is done, but mobird's build thread has an example:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c3-general/4045083-my-79-hotrod-project-build-thread.html I figure when my car needs that, it will be time for a crate engine, and probably a transmission swap. The wide fenders of these cars will make your hamstrings hurt after working on your engine for a bit.
Welcome to the forum, and please post some pictures!
The correct color to paint the car is whatever it says on the trim tag in the doorframe. Otherwise, whatever color it already is for the reasons above. Perhaps both are the same!
My advice would be to drive the heck out of it before you do any mods/fixes that are not required for safety. Assuming brakes and steering work properly, suspension, wheel, and tire mods will give you the most bang for the buck while improving reliability, safety, and driving enjoyment. Keep the car on the road during driving season, and you'll see what you need to improve this winter.
Heads and cam can be swapped with the engine in the car, but it's not a small task Search the forum to see how it is done, but mobird's build thread has an example:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c3-general/4045083-my-79-hotrod-project-build-thread.html I figure when my car needs that, it will be time for a crate engine, and probably a transmission swap. The wide fenders of these cars will make your hamstrings hurt after working on your engine for a bit.
Welcome to the forum, and please post some pictures!
Racer
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 395
Likes: 52
From: wilmington Ma
The problem with a cam swap is sounds cheap when you look at the price of the cam but then they will tell you you need lifters, new valve springs,new keepers, timing chain and gears then you can't put back on the old water pump or fuel pump , then radiator . .... it's going to Ballon into a huge bill . Like the others say drive it first , I can say first hand you can go over board easy I started on my 81 two months ago it's still in the garage and I spent 7k on parts already 
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
The problem with a cam swap is sounds cheap when you look at the price of the cam but then they will tell you you need lifters, new valve springs,new keepers, timing chain and gears then you can't put back on the old water pump or fuel pump , then radiator . .... it's going to Ballon into a huge bill . Like the others say drive it first , I can say first hand you can go over board easy I started on my 81 two months ago it's still in the garage and I spent 7k on parts already
All i changed was cam and lifters , went on to rack up 100k miles by 88 89,
I wish at the time i knew i was supposed to have changed all that other stuff too..
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,939
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From: NSW, Australia
C3 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
Hi all! This will be my first post on the Corvette Forum as I will shortly be picking up a 1980 Vette. The car runs and drives with a freshly rebuilt transmission and engine (less than 5k miles on both) but needs a new coat of paint. So, I have a few questions for you, the internet experts. What color should I have it painted? I want to do some performance mods even though they would decrease the value of the car, what mods can I do without sacrificing reliability? Thanks in advance for the help!
I agree with the posters that said colour is a personal choice, and also with those who said that colour change resprays are significantly more work/money. That said, in my opinion, nothing looks cooler or tougher than black on a c3.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 25
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Thanks for all the responses guys! Pics will be coming soon, may keep it the stock black but it still needs pretty significant touch ups. I like the idea of doing some suspension work as the ride is less than stellar, can anyone direct me to a kit or parts list for a suspension? I would like for it to be streetable but still pretty tight if that makes any sense
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,402
Likes: 8,207
From: Napa Valley California
Contact Van Steel. They can set you up and give you expert advise on what you need for your style of driving and intended use for your car.
What ever you do, do it right and don't take short cuts.
If you are like me, my budget is somewhat restricted so I save my money, purchase the best quality parts, shelf them, and when I have every part I need, only then will I tear down my car and upgrade.
For what it's worth, my 73 is bright white, but my plan is to go black because for me nothing looks better.
What ever you do, do it right and don't take short cuts.
If you are like me, my budget is somewhat restricted so I save my money, purchase the best quality parts, shelf them, and when I have every part I need, only then will I tear down my car and upgrade.
For what it's worth, my 73 is bright white, but my plan is to go black because for me nothing looks better.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
Congrats on the new to you car!! I also just recently bought an '80. Red/Red with auto (112k miles). Have many plans for it as well, but working on the safety aspect of it right now as the brakes are worrisome in my opinion, then the suspension next as the steering is horrid.
Want to get it real road worthy before the serious mods begin.
Not worried about resale value as I bought this one for my hot rod plans as I love to tinker and mod cars.
Best of luck and enjoy the ride.
Want to get it real road worthy before the serious mods begin.
Not worried about resale value as I bought this one for my hot rod plans as I love to tinker and mod cars.
Best of luck and enjoy the ride.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 69
From: Regina Sk Canada
Welcome to the forum, Congrats on your C3. I did a 3-4 year body off the frame rebuild. I ordered all stock replacement suspension parts for my car, Ecklers had kit at the time. I ended up with a steel rear leaf spring and KYB shocks all around. My car is pretty much stock, except the motor makes 350 hp and 390 tq. and i added 3.55 gears. car is way more responsive.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,949
Likes: 4,507
From: Virginia
Good news on the color! Black is the best C3 color. You may find that white is a bit faster, but it's probably not worth repainting the whole car.
I would have recommended VB&P as your first stop for bolt-on suspension mods. They may be in the process of going out of business right now, or being bought out, or who knows. So Van Steel, Ridetech, or Detroit Speed would be my suggestion now for a complete, and very expensive, solution.
You can do things incrementally, as many on the forum have (that's what works for me), just have an end goal in mind and make improvements as you go. There are lots of build threads for that. I have a bunch of parts to bolt on my 80 now that the 79 is back on the road.
Looking forward to pictures!
I would have recommended VB&P as your first stop for bolt-on suspension mods. They may be in the process of going out of business right now, or being bought out, or who knows. So Van Steel, Ridetech, or Detroit Speed would be my suggestion now for a complete, and very expensive, solution.
You can do things incrementally, as many on the forum have (that's what works for me), just have an end goal in mind and make improvements as you go. There are lots of build threads for that. I have a bunch of parts to bolt on my 80 now that the 79 is back on the road.
Looking forward to pictures!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
black is also very easy to touch up and match. you wanna try fixing up that one bad spot? a rattle can will usually blend it back in pretty good. also the most desirable vette color, and very rare. many years black was not even an available color. brakes first. steering second. durability and reliability 3rd. NOW you can start worrying about pretty.
Last edited by derekderek; May 22, 2018 at 06:35 AM.