Considering new engine/tranny for 1981
02-17-2019, 10:06 PM
#21
02-18-2019, 09:29 AM
#22
Burning Brakes
Yes, very nice! I have the old reg somewhere with the vin. Mine looked just like that tho. But looks like you have painted tops and mine were mirrored glass. Also some other clues are pin stripes over the wheel arches and an stereo amp in the storage compartment.
02-18-2019, 12:12 PM
#23
Melting Slicks
Yes. I did a Richmond 5 speed with a 408 550 hp FI engine. I went crazy on everything. Suspension as well. All the goodies. I had $55,000 in it. I sold it for $24,000. I had fun building it and knew I would lose most of it but so does everyone who buys a new car unless it a collectable that doesn't get driven. I approached it from that angle. Would I do it again? Only if I were planning on keeping the car and be more budget minded.
02-18-2019, 12:50 PM
#24
I have a nice Navy Blue 1981 coupe. It's an honest car that runs and drives like a 1981 corvette. Having had a C5, a C6 and a 2017 Camaro 2SS, the 190hp stock 1981 motor and long throw stock 4sp gear box is just underwhelming. I'm contemplating a crate motor and 5 speed Tremec. Who has done this conversion? Has anyone paid to have it done? I'm wondering what I should expect in labor.
I could sell the car and move on to modern performance, but I'm a sucker for the 80-82 body style. Please chime in with your thoughts.
I could sell the car and move on to modern performance, but I'm a sucker for the 80-82 body style. Please chime in with your thoughts.
4 speed to TKO: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...0-install.html
Blueprint crate 383: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...3-project.html
Jim
PS - the car is awesome now
Last edited by jim-81; 02-18-2019 at 12:51 PM.
02-20-2019, 05:48 PM
#25
Melting Slicks
K.I.S.S= keep it simple stupid!
1. If it was me with MY OWN MONEY...funny how people tend to throw O.P.M. around (other peoples money) I'd buy a ZZ350 crate motor with warrantee.
2. I'd put a 700R-4 into it with manual controller....god! I love that .70 over-drive and the deep first gear.
3. If I'm not mistaken the '80 is the last year of the cast iron rear end...so, check the gearing (probably 3.08) and decide if you want wild or mild. (3.70's can wear you OUT!) EDIT! 81 has the light duty Aluminum rear end....you'll probably be okay with the 3.08
This is about er ah $8k-9k is pretty much drop-in, not requiring a change of pedals and clutches and stuff. And you'll end up with a helluva nice car.
Good luck and SMART for asking!
unkahal
1. If it was me with MY OWN MONEY...funny how people tend to throw O.P.M. around (other peoples money) I'd buy a ZZ350 crate motor with warrantee.
2. I'd put a 700R-4 into it with manual controller....god! I love that .70 over-drive and the deep first gear.
3. If I'm not mistaken the '80 is the last year of the cast iron rear end...so, check the gearing (probably 3.08) and decide if you want wild or mild. (3.70's can wear you OUT!) EDIT! 81 has the light duty Aluminum rear end....you'll probably be okay with the 3.08
This is about er ah $8k-9k is pretty much drop-in, not requiring a change of pedals and clutches and stuff. And you'll end up with a helluva nice car.
Good luck and SMART for asking!
unkahal
Last edited by L-46man; 02-20-2019 at 06:00 PM.
02-20-2019, 06:42 PM
#26
Le Mans Master
Maybe it's because I dont have a C5 to compare it to, but the 4-speed, 3.08 is fine in my 80. It came with a Hurst, though. Shifting feels like stirring a bucket of door *****, but its quick.
Hurst does not make the mount for 80-81 4-speeds anymore. I saw one for sale on CF last year. Perhaps you can track one down.
It seems like a waste of money and time to put in a TKO-600 for an overdrive and a modern shifter feel, but I wouldn't mind if elves did that to my car for free.
Hurst does not make the mount for 80-81 4-speeds anymore. I saw one for sale on CF last year. Perhaps you can track one down.
It seems like a waste of money and time to put in a TKO-600 for an overdrive and a modern shifter feel, but I wouldn't mind if elves did that to my car for free.
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foundvettelifeisgood (02-23-2019)
02-24-2019, 11:13 PM
#29
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Sep 2001
Location: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Posts: 7,739
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556 Posts
KISS
brand new gm vortec crate … with discounts it's $1800 delivered
not rebuilt … same 350 iron head Vortec roller cam 4 bolt main as in GM lite trucks, suv, van 96-2002. Made honest 255hp as delivered in gm truck.
it'll cost about $100 for local machine shop finish fuel pump mount.
add about $500 for larger roller cam, springs, retainers for an easy but reliable 370-400 hp … roller lifters already in it! compare this end result to chevy perf 350/357 but this can easily make more hp with which cam grind you choose.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-OEM-NEW-...item4636cfc330
brand new gm vortec crate … with discounts it's $1800 delivered
not rebuilt … same 350 iron head Vortec roller cam 4 bolt main as in GM lite trucks, suv, van 96-2002. Made honest 255hp as delivered in gm truck.
it'll cost about $100 for local machine shop finish fuel pump mount.
add about $500 for larger roller cam, springs, retainers for an easy but reliable 370-400 hp … roller lifters already in it! compare this end result to chevy perf 350/357 but this can easily make more hp with which cam grind you choose.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-OEM-NEW-...item4636cfc330
02-25-2019, 12:10 AM
#30
KISS
brand new gm vortec crate … with discounts it's $1800 delivered
not rebuilt … same 350 iron head Vortec roller cam 4 bolt main as in GM lite trucks, suv, van 96-2002. Made honest 255hp as delivered in gm truck.
it'll cost about $100 for local machine shop finish fuel pump mount.
add about $500 for larger roller cam, springs, retainers for an easy but reliable 370-400 hp … roller lifters already in it! compare this end result to chevy perf 350/357 but this can easily make more hp with which cam grind you choose.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-OEM-NEW-...item4636cfc330
brand new gm vortec crate … with discounts it's $1800 delivered
not rebuilt … same 350 iron head Vortec roller cam 4 bolt main as in GM lite trucks, suv, van 96-2002. Made honest 255hp as delivered in gm truck.
it'll cost about $100 for local machine shop finish fuel pump mount.
add about $500 for larger roller cam, springs, retainers for an easy but reliable 370-400 hp … roller lifters already in it! compare this end result to chevy perf 350/357 but this can easily make more hp with which cam grind you choose.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-OEM-NEW-...item4636cfc330
02-25-2019, 08:23 AM
#31
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Sep 2001
Location: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Posts: 7,739
Received 628 Likes
on
556 Posts
KISS
brand new gm vortec crate … with discounts it's $1800 delivered
not rebuilt … same 350 iron head Vortec roller cam 4 bolt main as in GM lite trucks, suv, van 96-2002. Made honest 255hp as delivered in gm truck.
it'll cost about $100 for local machine shop finish fuel pump mount.
add about $500 for larger roller cam, springs, retainers for an easy but reliable 370-400 hp … roller lifters already in it! compare this end result to chevy perf 350/357 but this can easily make more hp with which cam grind you choose.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-OEM-NEW-...item4636cfc330
brand new gm vortec crate … with discounts it's $1800 delivered
not rebuilt … same 350 iron head Vortec roller cam 4 bolt main as in GM lite trucks, suv, van 96-2002. Made honest 255hp as delivered in gm truck.
it'll cost about $100 for local machine shop finish fuel pump mount.
add about $500 for larger roller cam, springs, retainers for an easy but reliable 370-400 hp … roller lifters already in it! compare this end result to chevy perf 350/357 but this can easily make more hp with which cam grind you choose.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-OEM-NEW-...item4636cfc330
As in California State DMV - Smog ?
Here in SC, No one inspects, looks or checks anything … yet.