Hey everyone. Long time lurker here, finally became a member and posting.

Me and my wife are looking at a ‘78 1LT. We have been browsing recreational cars for a while now, and her stipulation is it has to be automatic, and mine is it has to be track-able (HPDE’s).

I know they originally came with a Turbo Hydra-Matic, was it a 3 speed or a 4 speed?

What would need to be done to the transmission to allow it to tolerate 25-30 minutes on a road course at a time?

Here’s what we are looking at. I have gotten a lot of information from you guys already, looking forward to officially joining the club.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...9768127732754/

 

The dealer has listed this car incorrectly i.e. there is no such thing as a 1Lt for any C3 vette. I think its more likely the base model L-48. If your looking to track the car and your wife likes a manual, I recommend you look around for an L-82 4-speed. An earlier model LT-1 will set you back quite a bit of money but a later L-82 will save you thousands. Also, the L-82 engine internals are high performance parts so you will be a lot farther ahead vice buying a base L-48. Spend the extra bucks for the L-82.

 

Oh dang, my bad.... I corrected it but it was supposed to say automatic. She specifically wants an auto-trans.

Thanks for the heads up.

 

Trans for the '78 was a THM-350, 3 speed automatic without overdrive. If the engine is not going to be significantly 'beefed-up', the 350 trans is adequate for short-term road course action. You might want to add a separate trans oil cooler if you keep the 350 auto.

Swapping a 700R4 overdrive transmission and adding a shift kit for firmer shifts would be better for track use, especially if you are going for better engine build, also. The overdrive will be MUCH better for highway drive comfort and economy. Install an electric shut-off switch in the transmission lockup power wire so that you can defeat lockup when on the course.

 

The L before the 8 tells you it started life as a L48. 185hp, 8.2:1 compr ratio, 3 speed auto, and probably a 3.08 rear end. There are not engine pics here or on their website and nothing about engine upgrades, so can't tell from seeing what might have been changed so you need a lot more info.

If you like the 1978 year then this is a good site for info.

https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/doc...t-Corvette.pdf

 

Will definetly look into this, thanks! I'm sure my wife will like the comfort of the overdrive.

 

Thank you, sir.

 

What about this one?

Is the difference between the '81 and '78 worth the 5K difference. Just from what you can see here?

https://nashvillespeedshop.com/vdp/1...ville-TN-37027

 

For mild track duty.....a Valve Body reprogramming (shift kit), an aluminum deep sump trans pan and a large crossflow trans cooler is the order of the day.....

Jebby

 

Personally I prefer the look of the 80-82 Corvettes, over that of the 78-79. Performance wise, they'd all be pretty similar. The 81 has a Turbo 350 also, but for 81 the Turbo 350's were sourced from GM's Buick-Olds-Pontiac division, not Chevrolet. 78's came with lower (taller numerically) rear axle ratio than the 81, so acceleration from a stand still might be slightly better. In an effort to improve gas mileage, GM put the 81's on a diet, and as a result the 81's were a couple hundred pounds lighter than the 78's, which would be a help on track days. Generally, the 81's usually ride better than earlier Corvettes, while handling just as well, and have much better seats than the 78 and earlier cars.

From the pictures, it looks like the 78 might have 15x7" rally wheels on it, instead of the 8" wide ones it should have. Is so, that would have an effect on the car's handling, especially on a track during an HPDE day. To be honest, I'm not overly impressed with either of the cars in your links, especially for the asking prices. The 78 looks good in the pictures, but besides what appears to be narrower than stock wheels, it also has an 80-82 rear bumper cover on it. The 81 is missing the front spoiler and lower front balance, which will effect both the car's cooling system and handling. It's also missing a headlight bezel, and I have the feeling this car may have just gotten a quick repaint, to help it sell.

Before settling on either of them, I'd look them over very carefully. Better yet, since you aren't real familiar with Corvettes, try to find someone local who is knowledgeable about them to go with you. Good luck with your search and welcome to the Forum!

 

Thanks so much for the input!

The 78 was a basket case. I was so disappointed because the pictures looked good, but it was a hot mess of garbage. I honestly don't know that I would even give them half of what they listed it for. Even 5K would have been a stretch for me, simply because of the headache involved. That's just me though.

The 81 was clean, super clean. You're spot on, the paint was fresh. AC work, it ran great. I didn't test drive it but my dad has worked on them for years. He's 3 main concerns were U-joints, wiring, and subframe. I wouldn't have paid the 20 for it, but was willing to attempt negotiating if my wife had liked it.

Either way, the wife doesn't like the red (she doesn't like any car in red). So the search continues!

Thanks everyone!