Autocrossing a Big Block Vette
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 546
Likes: 0
From: Pinellas Park FL
Autocrossing a Big Block Vette
For those of you who have done it, how good are the C3 BB vettes for doing autocross events. What sort of mods have you done to the car to get acceptable times, etc.. I have a 71 454 vert that i was thinking of trying in a solo event.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,897
Likes: 143
From: Manalapan New Jersey
I never took my 71 on an autocross track but I have been told they are nose heavy ( like I didnt know that) . My 88 C4 is great on an autocross. You really have to do some serious suspension mods to get a C3 to zip thru an autocross. I saw one guy with a C2 coupe but the car was totally set up for autocross...Nobody could keep up with him...C6/C5 or 4's . This guy was the fastest for the day!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 546
Likes: 0
From: Pinellas Park FL
Im trying to decide weather to use my vette or another type of car for autocrossing. My 71 is set up with Traverse mono spring front and rear, steeroids R/P kit, hydraboost breaking system, Tremec TKO 5 speed with 3.36 rear gear. The car is completly rebuilt and handles great. Just not sure how it would do vrs. a newer lighter / tighter car.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 255
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From: Mason MI 82-93-04CE
One easy way to find out is to give it a try. Almost every local club has an autocross or two set up during the summer. We take our stock 82 out now and then, and tho we don't do as well as stock C4's or newer, we have a riot anyway. It's all about fun in the beginning. You'll push a bit with a BB, but can overcome it with the power available once you learn how to drive it under those conditions. Just do it, man. If it's not what you want, then modify or buy something extra just for the sport. You don't have to spend a fortune (right away
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 26
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From: Burnaby BC
How fast do you want to go? Do you want to compete in a serious, competitive series? A BBC vert. is not the optimal package for autoX, but they can surprise you (and the unsuspecting) with proper mods and seat time. If you want to stay within a specific run class, a C3 is not a great starting point, but if it is just for club fun (mods tolerant) they are great. Bigger high performance rims/tires (16rims 255/50 rubber or 17rims 275/40 rubber) are critical. A fresh (balljoints, tie-rods, alignment etc.) suspension is an essential baseline. From there the sky and money are the limit. At an all corvette meet with those changes and alum. heads, I was only beaten by .05 seconds by the club champion in fully prepared C4. Springs, shocks, bushings, steeroids, brake upgrades etc. Aluminium heads on BB vettes can improve power and handling significantly. I have a lot of fun scaring BMWs @ our club HPDE days (nothing like sidepipes to annouce your impending presence with authority!). Decide what your end goal is and have fun with it.
Last edited by msn71; Jul 24, 2006 at 10:52 PM.
