C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Modification Advice

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 28, 2018 | 05:48 PM
  #1  
Radster859's Avatar
Radster859
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Default Modification Advice

Hi all, I know its been a while but I wanted to get my hands on some pictures of the C3 I purchased! Also, my budget for the car has ballooned to a whopping 25k and beyond cosmetic work I have absolutely no idea what to do with this car. The engine has already had some work on it (383 stroker w/ incredibly aggressive cam) and I will be getting it tuned ASAP. What can I do for 25 grand? The current work that I will have done in the coming weeks includes paint (thinking a dark turquoise with black racing stripes), side pipes (black covers), new center console, and new t-tops. My ultimate goal would be a good handling car that has close to 600 supercharged hp if possible. Sorry for the low resolution on some of the pictures, have no idea what happened there...

EDIT: The cars original color was green (I have NO CLUE what happened there lol)
Attached Images    

Last edited by Radster859; May 28, 2018 at 05:50 PM.
Reply
Old May 28, 2018 | 06:10 PM
  #2  
The13Bats's Avatar
The13Bats
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 778
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Default

Be honest with yourself, what do YOU want and how will you use it
why have a 600hp engine if the only place it sees that is a dyno?
I guess bragging rights are what does make some cats happy,
Look around google, car shows the forum, figure out what you want and need and go from there
Reply
Old May 28, 2018 | 06:32 PM
  #3  
Radster859's Avatar
Radster859
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Default

The end result that would make me happy is to have a car that I can drive and when someone gets in, I can put my foot down and shut them up. Kind of a shock-and-awe build (hence the sidepipes and the want for ludicrous power) but also one that handles decently too in case I ever decide to take it out to the track one day. The main issue for me is that I struggle finding the cost to actually do a full blown engine/tranny swap or heavy suspension modifications which is why I came here to try and glean what I could do with that kind of money.
Reply
Old May 29, 2018 | 02:53 AM
  #4  
terrys6t8roadster's Avatar
terrys6t8roadster
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,192
Likes: 343
From: Allenton Wisconsin
Default

To install an underhood supercharger 600hp set-up is approx. $10K and you best have a very good short block. T
Reply
Old May 29, 2018 | 05:57 AM
  #5  
Haggisbash's Avatar
Haggisbash
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 271
From: Dunedin NZ.
Default

If it was me I would be going first for the chassis and especially the drive train mods to handle your projected horsepower else the shock and awe might be that half shaft that let go and smashed holes in your fibreglass underbody.
Reply
Old May 29, 2018 | 08:26 AM
  #6  
PainfullySlow's Avatar
PainfullySlow
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 364
From: Tolland CT
Default

You mention having a good handling car but do not mention anything about suspension upgrades.

If I had a bunch of cash to spend, that is where I would drop it first, especially since you already have an engine for the car.

Get it painted, get some quality suspension on it, and drive the crap out of it =)
Reply
Old May 29, 2018 | 08:48 AM
  #7  
GregX1's Avatar
GregX1
Instructor
 
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 134
Likes: 24
Default

I would change the frame to a modern hand-built one, with BIG engine and trans
Reply
Old May 29, 2018 | 08:17 PM
  #8  
Radster859's Avatar
Radster859
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Default

The car already has a rebuilt tranny and lsd on it, I figured it would be able to handle the power. The reason why I havent mentioned any suspension mods is because Van Steel is the only place I have heard of, but getting a new frame swapped in also seems appealing. Thanks for all the advice so far by the way! Love this community, part of the reason why I pounced on the vette (that, and I have a soft spot for em)
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

 Joe Kucinski
Old May 29, 2018 | 09:08 PM
  #9  
540 vette's Avatar
540 vette
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,606
Likes: 344
From: No Where USA
Default

I was in the same situation. I had an 80 with a 383 and was a real nice car. I also had 25K to put into it. I sold it, got 13k for it and bought a 72 for 18k. So I had a chrome bumper car and 20k to put into it. I put a 502 in it and redid the interior and still have enough to do what I want to it.
Reply
Old May 29, 2018 | 10:29 PM
  #10  
Radster859's Avatar
Radster859
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Default

I know I may get a lot of flak for saying this here on the forums, but I prefer the look of the late model corvettes. Only grievance is the fuel crisis power. :P
Reply
Old May 30, 2018 | 04:46 AM
  #11  
540 vette's Avatar
540 vette
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,606
Likes: 344
From: No Where USA
Default

Originally Posted by Radster859
I know I may get a lot of flak for saying this here on the forums, but I prefer the look of the late model corvettes. Only grievance is the fuel crisis power. :P

I loved my 80. I like the look of them. But I felt I had enough in the car at that point and always wanted a chrome bumper car. I took the opportunity to get one.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Modification Advice





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:40 PM.

story-0
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-20 17:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-7
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

Slideshow: Breaking down the 2027 Grand Sport, Grand Sport X, Stingray, and LS6 V8.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-03-26 13:48:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

Slideshow: 5 reasons bad drivers crash sports cars & 5 ways to avoid a costly shame!

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-25 16:32:55


VIEW MORE