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I just got a 75 coupe from my brother in law, needs mostly cosmetic work. But this will be for my wife to drive mostly, so I want to make it more reliable.
So I thought I would like to add a sniper EFI, maybe a manifold. Anyone that could recommend whether headers are a good idea. Also, want to get the AC up to date, and any help in that area is appreciated.
I'm a newbie to this, so all tips are welcome from tires to fuel.
Congrats on the new to you 75 Abel. Reliability is key and money spent to achieve this end is a wise move, especially if you’re going to put your wife behind the wheel. It’s fortunate that a family member owned the car and you can get honest reliable history. What is the current state of repair on the car regarding reliability? Be careful with your cash, its important to plan well as its pretty easy to get upside down financially on a C3, particularly the rubber bumper cars. Heck, just getting the basic vehicular systems to function properly can easily cost what the vehicle is worth let alone jumping into EFI modifications. Tell us more about the car.
If it was for my wife I would keep it stock. Get the a/c working as well as possible. Make sure it looks good and runs well. She'd care about that.... and she wouldn't care about headers or EFI--- and that way if she found herself needing assistance it would just be a stock Chevrolet.
About the only things I would consider for modification for her would be an OD transmission, and if available, an aftermarket a/c unit (if you can't get the installed one to cool really well). Just my 2 cents from my perspective.
Originally Posted by Abel_R
Hello All.
I just got a 75 coupe from my brother in law, needs mostly cosmetic work. But this will be for my wife to drive mostly, so I want to make it more reliable.
So I thought I would like to add a sniper EFI, maybe a manifold. Anyone that could recommend whether headers are a good idea. Also, want to get the AC up to date, and any help in that area is appreciated.
I'm a newbie to this, so all tips are welcome from tires to fuel.
Thanks in advance.
Last edited by carriljc; Sep 16, 2019 at 11:51 AM.
Congrats on the new to you 75 Abel. Reliability is key and money spent to achieve this end is a wise move, especially if you’re going to put your wife behind the wheel. It’s fortunate that a family member owned the car and you can get honest reliable history. What is the current state of repair on the car regarding reliability? Be careful with your cash, its important to plan well as its pretty easy to get upside down financially on a C3, particularly the rubber bumper cars. Heck, just getting the basic vehicular systems to function properly can easily cost what the vehicle is worth let alone jumping into EFI modifications. Tell us more about the car.
Ken
Thanks Ken,
Car was owned by my brother in law since April of 96, it was his uncles before that. Car was repainted white in 94' was originally silver, has silver interior, needs carpet, is all stock except for radio but came with the stock one, and it has aluminum wheels I think from a 78'. Only 66k on the clock, runs pretty good considering age and lack of use. It needs new front bumper, and the rear bumper is new but needs new mounting hardware, paint in the future too. Frame has a small crack I'm told, not sure how I will proceed with that yet. Otherwise it's not bad. Got a lot of repair manuals, extra parts, two sets of t tops, 2 covers, etc., etc.
My wife has already driven the car, ( made her smile ) I just want reliable starts and stops, maybe a little more oomph.
Thanks still considering the non EFI stock route as well. Been researching AC options already. OD trans would be nice, but I read that fit is an issue. Car shifts good now, probably leave it for now, just do trans service.
First off , before you spend any money on upgrades have the frame and body mounts checked out. Small crack? not having that checked out isn't keeping the car safe for the wife. Probably the best bang for the buck to get a reliable running old car is going EFI. A lot of choices out there , read read read. then make the choice.
Wise to drive it for a while before you start in on mods. Get a feel for where the car is at now. I'm with L82. "Small crak in the frame" is something that gets my attention. Need to make sure that the frame, birdcage and brakes are sound before doing anything ese, especially handing it over to the wife as a daily driver.
Don't overlook the tires. A lot of these cars are driven very little. The tires could look great with lots of tread and be a decade old, a blow out waiting to happen.
Weird science! Here is my silver/silver 75 that I got from my uncle (original owner) last year. Also at 66k miles lol.
Mine was running fine and completely stock. So of course I modified/changed literally every part. I’m not a good person to ask advice from if saving money and/or effort is the objective.
I will say that the brief time I drove mine with the stock 4-speed I hated the revs in top gear at speed. An od trans would be on my list for sure.
That's what mine is supposed to look like I guess. All your missing is RWL tires.
So what have you done that made a difference with your car? I'm not looking for savings so much, just want to get it right and try to avoid the mistakes others have already seen or made.
Wise to drive it for a while before you start in on mods. Get a feel for where the car is at now. I'm with L82. "Small crak in the frame" is something that gets my attention. Need to make sure that the frame, birdcage and brakes are sound before doing anything ese, especially handing it over to the wife as a daily driver.
This is sage advice Abel. It sounds like a decent car with good history. However, If you ever wondered how inoperable Corvette project cars are born, your 75 and the next few decisions you make will determine whether it remains a nice driver or an inoperable money pit in your garage, or worse, in some experts shop.
Any pics you you can share with your new no-cost advisor team?
Here are images in the current state, ,this was a few weeks ago.
So I need the rear bumper mounting kit, a front bumper, that will get it on the street. Going to try and get compression testing done this week, evaluate the motor condition somewhat. Timing was WAY off, set that, gonna replace plugs as compression testing is done. Cap and wires to follow, Maybe get underneath it this weekend.
Any car clubs in your area? Maybe someone has a hoist that you can put the car on for a good look at the underside. i have done that for a few guys in the past. But I am 1000 miles away. Even a muffler shop in between jobs for a few buck, beat jack stands.
Thx for the pics Abel. That interior pic indicates that the carpets are wet (green algae and rusty stains) and are signs that he steel floor pans underneath are rusty and perhaps permanently compromised. I’d be pulling off those sill plates and kick panels real soon to take a look at the extent of the rust under the A-pillars. BTW I like that silver interior and the seats look pretty nice. ����
75 is glass floor pans. Front bumper dissolved. Has rear been replaced already? If not, it is gonna go too. If so, the 80 to 82 rear bumper is prettier. They make an 80-82 front bumper that fits 75-79 also. Brakes first. Then suspension. AC. https://www.ebay.com/itm/73-77-CORVE...1/362486891072
Just got a 75 Project
