Hello I e got this Vette project that is beautiful to me however some of you purist or even borderline original guys might wanna slap your momma after you see this. Right as covid had just hit I got a lead on some Hotwheels that were created for a canceled Los Angeles show. I bought 4 sets and flipped them and bought a Cheap Vette off OfferUp with the profits. It needs everything!
So I gutted the interior, slapped in a $400 4.8, converted to ls1, installed Isky bump stick with a 2000 SS profile. I then mated a m20 Muncie using a hydraulic T/O bearing and BBC clutch kit and flywheel to clamp it together. And a super shifter my wife bought me for Christmas 2021 after I begged invisible Santa for one repeatedly! Lol.
I also de pinned/converted a DBW harness to a DBC that I got from my buddy for a couple square body fenders that he gave me about 8 years ago for free. He also gave me a matching ecu however it’s the kind you can’t flash so I went to the junkyard and found a red/blue one! Score!
I took the old gas tank and removed the bladder and bolted in a new sending unit, got a eBay hose kit and walbro pump.
Just yesterday I took a Cadillac steering column and chopped the mount and made that sucker fit to the Vettes mount. I got some more left to do and will update here, so in the future someone can hopefully use this thread as a reference. I found very little info on this type of stuff. So I hope Zora is not rolling in his grave! I hope you guys with the sano sweet rides don’t trip too hard if you ever see me at meets. This is all OfferUp/EBay parts build. See ya later.

 

Beaters are better! You're going to have a blast with that car and you won't have to worry about scratches or dings or anything. You have to get rid of that Caddy steering wheel though.

 

I'm thinking that interior has a couple more pressing issues than the wheel.
But the car looks to have good bones! Have a blast!

 

Really, that's all that matters. All restorations have a starting point and you are well into it. Stay with it and have fun.

 

I enjoy seeing these types of builds! Keep us posted with your progress!

 

Cars that need everything are the best. And totally worth it for the third pedal!

Good luck with your build!

 

You're my kinda guy and that's my kinda project. Keep up the good work. It 's a shame it's a '76 and you gotta deal with the smog police.

 

Thanks for the encouragement, lol I was gonna keep the wheel just to wig dudes out! But man I can’t do that to her so a new wood wheel is on my list. I have a engine turned 6x48 panel to make a dash, then get the dash top recovered with a French seam. Aluminum door panels. And sparce interior. I have some autometers for it too I got a deal on off eBay. Eventually it will be candy yellow/ gold. Or butternut yellow . I have another thread that was my intro that moderators moved so I may just ask them to lock that one. But yeah the wheels gonna go!! Lol

 

i want to know more about the steering column swap. pics. how length matches up, attachment or mod of mounting points. what model and year, how rag joint attaches... thanks.

 

that LS engine and efi will sail past the smog police's 76 numbers like the engine is shut off. gonna need 2 cats and 4 oxy sensors. and functioning evap system.

 

so I used a column from a 73-76 Cadillac. It measures 42 inches from end of shaft to steering wheel. I welded a plate across the mount of the column then cut the “cup” off and welded on top of the plate. I then chopped the plate close to the holes of the cupped part. Then used button head 5/16 bolts to attach the brackets to the column.







I then used a universal 2 inch mount to the floor. The tag joint sloped right on as the change came later in 77/78 I think.

 

Here is the universal floor mount inside, the hole placement was the best option so I could actually grab firewall metal. Last guy just bondod a mountain to hold it in place! Lol

Here is the engine compartment side.

 

That's not a '76 judging by the nose emblem.

 

Fact!

 

yeah it’s been through a rough previous life where the nose or emblem has Ben swappped. Lol. It’s a 76 though. Lol. It had a bladder in tank, had all the 76 gauges, and the vin states so. But yeah the emblem is an 78 or so, it’s on the loooong list of things I will rectify. In the end this car is gonna be a clone IMSA style racecar with a rocket bunny style wide body kit.. way way way down the line.That’s my vision anyway.

 

After work I picked up some poster board and made a 6x48 piece to create a template. Had trim the edges but it’s pretty much a nice fit.I have to figure out the gauge layout and get a tach and fuel gauge. Just one more task I had to start.

 

I admire your courage. Ballsy! I was wondering what year it was. I can appreciate your style

 

Thanks man, this Vette was dead, I was looking for a pre smog Vette roller but all I found were nice complete cars but those are always a premium especially in Los Angeles! The way I see it is I’m keeping it from going to the junkyard. I’ll find a way to smog it, it’s a 76. Im planning to paint the inside candy gold.

 

Hey guys I am looking to replace the battery cables but I want the 0 gauge cables however they are listed up to 74. Is there something I am missing why won’t they work for 76? Thanks wanted to ask before I buy.

 

Any updates on your progress?