I just got my first Corvette a 1973 stingray 350. I have the entire car taken apart and cleaned but before I start to rebuild it I wanted to pick some peoples brains about some worthwhile upgrades that won’t kill the bank. This car will be driven regularly so not every upgrade needs to be performance but ease of use as well. Thank you a head of time!

 

Most "performance" upgrades are minor improvements, and frankly, sometimes I think I wasted alot of money. Fact is, if the car is built like GM built it, and all you are doing is cruising, the car is everything it needs to be. If you are racing, different story. So, you decide first what you want out of the car, because bone stock it is a fun machine. I promise you, many proclaimed improvements are minor at best. That being said, 40 plus year old cars have lots of parts that need replaced,.....its just a question of new stock parts or "aftermarket improvements". I built my 77 with lots of "improvements", but my current 69 project is going together with mostly new stock parts.

If anything, I may use composite spring, Bilstein shocks, and maybe adjustable heim joint rear struts. But, maybe not???

 

Welcome to the forum and to the exclusive 73 club.
My suggestions would be:
Willwood brake caliper upgrade, they never leak,
Borgeson steering box, replaces the oem box, slave cylinder and hoses that constantly leak,
17” wheels and tires for better handling and ride,
Monoleaf composite rear spring and new coils up front with new sport shocks all around,
New Moog rubber bushings or good quality Energy Suspension poly bushings or a combination of both,
Send your carb to Lars (forum member and carb/timing guru), have him rebuild your oem Qjet and set up timing pursuant to his timing papers,
New wiring harness, American Auto Wire or Letriclimited both have complete oem and restomod harnesses available,
Headers, long tube,
Performance intake manifold, drop base air cleaner, to ensure hood clearance,
HEI, MSD or other preferred ignition system,
DeWitts aluminum radiator with dual electric fans,
New or rebuilt seatbelts,
Etc...
If you are going through the engine there is a multitude of performance upgrades that will quickly break the bank like,
aluminum heads, roller camshafts, pistons, rods, strokes kits and the list goes on and on!
Another costly but one of the most recommended upgrades, especially if you are planning to really drive the car would be to go to an overdrive transmission, either five speed manual or overdrive automatic.
Thats a short list and not intended in any order.

I’ll be starting my 73 restomod project soon.
We do like pictures, can you post some of you project and keep us updated on your progress?

 

The biggest difference between modern cars and your 73, aside from fuel and spark management systems, is NVH and squeak/rattle abatement. If the car is apart, I’d recommend taking care to refurbish and improve the function of the HVAC system where you can. I’d also pay attention to weatherstrip fitment and adjustment particularly with the t-tops. Improper fitment causes lots of wind noise, rub related squeaking and hard contact induced rattling and creaking.
My C3 pet peeve is owners that compromise the car by focusing on audio system replacement and performance. Bottom line in my experience is that the C3 is not the natural habitat for listening to anything except V8 engine noises. Drive the Honda if you want to listen to music or talk on the phone.

Ken

 

Two 'upgrades' I recommend to simply improve the joy of driving;

1 - Replace the stock rear spring with a fiberglass spring. You'll need to replace the shocks also to eliminate a 'bouncy' rear end.

2 - Add a sound deadening material under the carpet.

There are many posts related to both these changes. The spring change makes the ride smoother while the other quiets the car and eliminates a lot of heat inside.

 

I would recommend headers and a free flowing exhaust. Win-win situation, improves both performance and economy.

 

Welcome. Know what an exciting time a new C3 can bring. You have come to the right place for all things C3 related. The combined brain trust and generosity for sharing on this forum is second to none. You will get a multitude of answers that will allow you to dial in your car to your preferences, but for my .02 worth, as my 72 is a daily driver in a metro area, overdrive trans was the first order of business. The second was a Borgeson steering box, then there was....Good luck!