engine mods
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 984
Likes: 1
From: SAN FRANCISCO CA
engine mods
if i'm looking to give my car some more giddyap on the cheap... is there anything i can do for less than $1,000? (including labor - i do NOT know my way around in there)
NCM Grand Opening Veteran
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,979
Likes: 384
From: South of giving a damn
St. Jude Donor '11, '17
Generally I agree with the other 2 posters. Forget the heads, that is another story. A good intake, follow Lars recommendations for rebuilding your q-jet, & a decent set of headers. Don't buy Hooker Super comps for this engine. A waste of money at your performance level. Dynomax or something similar. Your profile isn't filled in so I don't know what year car you have, but if it's a single pipe exhaust, then you'd also want to switch to true duals..
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,175
Likes: 86
From: State of Confusion
with 'just' $1000 to spend (including labor ) on a bone-stock motor, you'd be putting a band-aid on a compound fracture:
if daily-mileage is of no-concern, consider a deep gear-swap, which'll work with any-and-all future mods, yet greatly-improve seat-of-the-pants performance immediately.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 984
Likes: 1
From: SAN FRANCISCO CA
btw - my profile isn't filled in.... cuz i'm still looking! but i know i'm getting a 69-72 (prob 71 or 72) and i wanted to know this info so i could assess potential purchases. i'm looking to spend 20 grand or less and so many of them are pretty.... pathetic in the power dept (not that 270hp is really pathetic but you catch my drift)
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 4
From: New Baden Illinois
btw - my profile isn't filled in.... cuz i'm still looking! but i know i'm getting a 69-72 (prob 71 or 72) and i wanted to know this info so i could assess potential purchases. i'm looking to spend 20 grand or less and so many of them are pretty.... pathetic in the power dept (not that 270hp is really pathetic but you catch my drift)
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 984
Likes: 1
From: SAN FRANCISCO CA
that's what everyone keeps saying. but bear in mind that:
1) the chrome bumpered years are up there price wise to begin with
2) i need a car that is in good enough shape to not only be my daily driver, but also sharp and clean enough looking that my WIFE will actually sit in it. she's used to bmws.
1) the chrome bumpered years are up there price wise to begin with
2) i need a car that is in good enough shape to not only be my daily driver, but also sharp and clean enough looking that my WIFE will actually sit in it. she's used to bmws.
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 4
From: New Baden Illinois
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,175
Likes: 86
From: State of Confusion
You might be better-off getting a low-mileage, later-C3 with rubber-bumpers (deeper seats, better radio/stereo, more storage-room, possibly better MPG, etc. ) in the $15,000-range, and keeping the extra scheckels for eventual repairs or modifications in-time.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
Specifically, I recommend an '80 because:
1) '80s are more than 300 lbs lighter than the years just prior.
2) They have high-backed seats with 4" bolsters
3) The fastback style rear glass makes the storage are more accessible
4) Changes to the front bumper and spoiler increased the airflow through the radiator (I've read 50% more) - they run cooler.
and the main reason
5) They are the last year of Corvette WITHOUT an engine computer (except for the 305 CID version for California - not recommended)
It's easy to get more than the stock 190 HP from the engine by improving the flow for $2000-$3000 depending on how much work you do yourself: intake, full-length ceramic coated headers, true dual 2 1/2" exhaust and low restriction mufflers.
There were a lot of them made that year (>40,000) and rhere are a lot of them out there yet. True, they don't have much collector value, but they don't have collector prices either.
I highly recommend finding a southwest car like mine was because they are less likely to have frame rust problems. My '80 spent 20 years in Arizona. It had major deposits of desert sand and even a couple dead scorpions in it, but barely even any surface rust.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Got to agree with these guys, get an 80 in as good shape as you can get and go from there. ****** the tops off and take the wife for a cruise, that almost always works
edit, one more point
You mentioned the prices going up on the bumper cars, this is true. It is starting to happen on the late C3s too.
BUT, these cars are not a real estate investment in a hot market, you got to put in a Lot of $$ and time to get one of them in the big $$ at BJ and it doesn't sound like thats what you want to do. Its very hard to get your money out of one of them
edit, one more point
You mentioned the prices going up on the bumper cars, this is true. It is starting to happen on the late C3s too.
BUT, these cars are not a real estate investment in a hot market, you got to put in a Lot of $$ and time to get one of them in the big $$ at BJ and it doesn't sound like thats what you want to do. Its very hard to get your money out of one of them
Last edited by SIXFOOTER; Apr 20, 2007 at 07:49 AM.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 548
Likes: 0
the cat issue is a federal one (clean air act), not a state one. the only thing the state has to say is whether or not you pass their emissions requirements. even if you do without the cat, it's still a hefty fine (twenty large) waiting to happen.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Ocala FL
that's what everyone keeps saying. but bear in mind that:
1) the chrome bumpered years are up there price wise to begin with
2) i need a car that is in good enough shape to not only be my daily driver, but also sharp and clean enough looking that my WIFE will actually sit in it. she's used to bmws.
1) the chrome bumpered years are up there price wise to begin with
2) i need a car that is in good enough shape to not only be my daily driver, but also sharp and clean enough looking that my WIFE will actually sit in it. she's used to bmws.
For a good blend of performance, dependability and comfort, several guys gave you REALLY sound advice on picking up an 80.
You can get a nice car that WILL be a good daily driver and have at least a few thousand left in the bank.
I love chrome bumper cars, but wouldn't buy one for a DAILY driver. They make wonderful toys, but putting a lot of miles on a classic car that gets 12 mpg doesn't make sense.
I also wouldn't buy one just for an investment. If you can't play with your toys, there's no point in having them.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
Taking the cat off is against federal policy for a dealer to do so, as in many federals rules, they don't really care. Dependng on the state you live in, NH only checks cars for emmissions built after 1999. If a person lives in the "People's State Of California" then I would leave the cat on.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
I also agree with Tommy Samuels, a C-3 is a toy to be used but not as a daily driver, especially is you have a long commute. After all, your talking about cars over 25 years old, gas mileage and reliability issues usually prevent them as daily drivers.