Cheap, fast, reliable
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,412
Likes: 75
St. Jude Donor '14
Cheap, fast, reliable
You can't have all 3.
Assuming your C3 is in a good state of tune and properly maintained, what would you do with a $2,000 budget to make it more reliable?
What would you do with a $2,000 budget to make it faster?
Assuming your C3 is in a good state of tune and properly maintained, what would you do with a $2,000 budget to make it more reliable?
What would you do with a $2,000 budget to make it faster?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 1,232
From: PHX AZ
You have to be more specific. Are we talking an L-48 slush-box '75 or a 69 L-88?
1.. Add electronic ignition (Pertronix)
2. Optima battery.
3. 100 amp alternator.
4. Use AVgas
TAKE THE WEIGHT OUT OF THE CAR. every 100lbs is .10 0-60
1.. Add electronic ignition (Pertronix)
2. Optima battery.
3. 100 amp alternator.
4. Use AVgas
TAKE THE WEIGHT OUT OF THE CAR. every 100lbs is .10 0-60
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 1,232
From: PHX AZ
I find these threads quite funny.
You can tell the poster never had a Jaguar, Fiat, Audi etc etc. Possibly a Mazda Miata may be considered the most reliable sportscar on the planet, probably Corvette is #2.
Try throwing $2000 at a Porsche 911...it'll buy you 6 spark-plugs and a half of a set of lugnuts.
I find my C-3 to be FANTASTICALLY RELIABLE...but whadda I know, I've only owned it 43 years. I'll let you know when it breaks!
Unkahal
You can tell the poster never had a Jaguar, Fiat, Audi etc etc. Possibly a Mazda Miata may be considered the most reliable sportscar on the planet, probably Corvette is #2.
Try throwing $2000 at a Porsche 911...it'll buy you 6 spark-plugs and a half of a set of lugnuts.
I find my C-3 to be FANTASTICALLY RELIABLE...but whadda I know, I've only owned it 43 years. I'll let you know when it breaks!
Unkahal
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 82
Likes: 35
From: Ohio
Thats a rabbit hole that just keeps getting deeper and more costly.
For every one thing you change you can upgrade to help the first.
Going EFI would be a good start as you pick up more for drivability and probably more useable power.
For every one thing you change you can upgrade to help the first.
Going EFI would be a good start as you pick up more for drivability and probably more useable power.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,412
Likes: 75
St. Jude Donor '14
I find these threads quite funny.
You can tell the poster never had a Jaguar, Fiat, Audi etc etc. Possibly a Mazda Miata may be considered the most reliable sportscar on the planet, probably Corvette is #2.
Try throwing $2000 at a Porsche 911...it'll buy you 6 spark-plugs and a half of a set of lugnuts.
I find my C-3 to be FANTASTICALLY RELIABLE...but whadda I know, I've only owned it 43 years. I'll let you know when it breaks!
Unkahal
You can tell the poster never had a Jaguar, Fiat, Audi etc etc. Possibly a Mazda Miata may be considered the most reliable sportscar on the planet, probably Corvette is #2.
Try throwing $2000 at a Porsche 911...it'll buy you 6 spark-plugs and a half of a set of lugnuts.
I find my C-3 to be FANTASTICALLY RELIABLE...but whadda I know, I've only owned it 43 years. I'll let you know when it breaks!
Unkahal
Last edited by 7t5; Apr 29, 2021 at 02:18 PM.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,412
Likes: 75
St. Jude Donor '14
I am definitely not faster than a Prius, maybe a Yugo. Probably more reliable than a Yugo, too. Thank goodness for the Yugo.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,949
Likes: 4,507
From: Virginia
Almost free: proper ignition tune.
For reliable and faster, my answer is the same. Suspension/tires. $2K will almost cover a rear suspension rebuild, if you send the trailing arms out, replace the strut rods with heim joints, and add Bilstein shocks. Add another $1K for composite rear spring, all new bushings in the front suspension, and replacing broken parts.
For reliable and faster, my answer is the same. Suspension/tires. $2K will almost cover a rear suspension rebuild, if you send the trailing arms out, replace the strut rods with heim joints, and add Bilstein shocks. Add another $1K for composite rear spring, all new bushings in the front suspension, and replacing broken parts.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
replace or upgrade that which you don't like. brakes need to be right. suspension needs to be at least stock and good. after that, fix what breaks. you do this, that is gonna break. the car is the boss. let it tell you what to spend money on...
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 10,590
Likes: 8,412
From: San Antonio, TX/Mahopac, NY
2026 Restomod of the Year Winner
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C7 of the Year Winner - Modified
Based on your name, is this a ‘75? Need more information!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,412
Likes: 75
St. Jude Donor '14
Yes, I have the mighty l48 with the catalytic converter still on the car. Not sure if it has been de-pelleted or not. Someday I'll look.
I am currently working on some issues after the car sat for a few years. Last year I figured out why the fuel bladder was collapsing, new plugs and wires, simple at home carb refresh and a few other things. Trying to get the brakes sorted out now and just started taking a look at the power steering to repair the drips.
Although the pandemic only had me out for 1 month last year, it was enough to get me started. This year I have put on about 100 miles to see what is going to pop up.
BTW, is that your car in your profile pic? C2 is my favorite but I do not believe it would bring me enough joy and happiness to drop the coin.
I am currently working on some issues after the car sat for a few years. Last year I figured out why the fuel bladder was collapsing, new plugs and wires, simple at home carb refresh and a few other things. Trying to get the brakes sorted out now and just started taking a look at the power steering to repair the drips.
Although the pandemic only had me out for 1 month last year, it was enough to get me started. This year I have put on about 100 miles to see what is going to pop up.
BTW, is that your car in your profile pic? C2 is my favorite but I do not believe it would bring me enough joy and happiness to drop the coin.
Last edited by 7t5; Apr 29, 2021 at 09:18 PM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,412
Likes: 75
St. Jude Donor '14
Almost free: proper ignition tune.
For reliable and faster, my answer is the same. Suspension/tires. $2K will almost cover a rear suspension rebuild, if you send the trailing arms out, replace the strut rods with heim joints, and add Bilstein shocks. Add another $1K for composite rear spring, all new bushings in the front suspension, and replacing broken parts.
For reliable and faster, my answer is the same. Suspension/tires. $2K will almost cover a rear suspension rebuild, if you send the trailing arms out, replace the strut rods with heim joints, and add Bilstein shocks. Add another $1K for composite rear spring, all new bushings in the front suspension, and replacing broken parts.
Really, I am more interested in reliable than fast. I might do 1,000 miles in a year if I trust the car.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,949
Likes: 4,507
From: Virginia
I'm thinking about this winter for the trailing arms and the rest. But I wonder if the spring is worth it. Weight loss is good, I guess. But I read so many threads that are unhappy with ride height and not being able to get it correct. As derekderek said, fix what is broken. Which for me is the 45 year old trailing arms and the hillbilly bent strut rods. And I am happy with regular shocks, I suppose.
Really, I am more interested in reliable than fast. I might do 1,000 miles in a year if I trust the car.
Really, I am more interested in reliable than fast. I might do 1,000 miles in a year if I trust the car.
But, yes, the spring is absolutely worth it, if you're in there anyway.
For reliable, carry an extra 4-pin HEI module with you, and a distributor cap with coil. The coil can go out slowly with symptoms. The module can leave you stranded with no warning.
Please post some photos!
Last edited by Bikespace; Apr 29, 2021 at 10:08 PM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,412
Likes: 75
St. Jude Donor '14
Nothing unusual here except the zip tie holding the front grill in place. I have a new grill waiting to be put in place
I really like the look of the stock engine compartment. Wires under manifolds. Orange everywhere. Chrome distributor and wire covers. I just get a kick out of it.
Another typical Corvette picture. The paint is much worse than the pics show, especially the driver's door which has a couple thick layers of repair for some reason.
This car was pretty much unmolested when I purchased it 10+ years ago. The interior is passable for me. I did replace the door panels which made a huge difference in looks. It had some Janky chrome valve covers I finally replaced last year. The outer door handles were replaced several years ago but I just recently got them working somewhat better.
Last edited by 7t5; Apr 30, 2021 at 01:20 AM. Reason: add some explanation
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 213
From: The Buckle of the Bible Belt. Joplin Mo
DeWitts aluminum radiator for reliability. Keep it cool. A good set of gears, maybe 3.73s and a posi unit for speed. That would just about kill your two grand. Might have enough left for a pizza. Nothing is cheap on these cars.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,209
Likes: 9,348
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
I already have EFI and a 5 speed so some Brodix Racerite heads are next on the list
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,705
Likes: 983
From: Orlando FL
