engine options for a 81 vette
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
engine options for a 81 vette
Hi,
I am looking into purchasing a project car. I don't know too much about vettes, but i've loved them for as long as i can remember. There is an indiv. selling the body to an 81 vette. It has a transmission, but no engine. The body is in decent condition. they are asking $2800 for it. So my question is what are my engine options for a 81 vette, will it have to be a stock engine? are there aftermarket engines with more horsepower that i might be able to purchase? i ask because i do not want to spend 3k on car that i might end up costing me more to put in a stock engine into...any helpwould be apprecitiated.
thanks
I am looking into purchasing a project car. I don't know too much about vettes, but i've loved them for as long as i can remember. There is an indiv. selling the body to an 81 vette. It has a transmission, but no engine. The body is in decent condition. they are asking $2800 for it. So my question is what are my engine options for a 81 vette, will it have to be a stock engine? are there aftermarket engines with more horsepower that i might be able to purchase? i ask because i do not want to spend 3k on car that i might end up costing me more to put in a stock engine into...any helpwould be apprecitiated.
thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 0
From: St. Charles MO.
as long as it's the trans bolts up there's about a million options in regards to crate engines 350's 383's you name it.....they all fit just takes some $$$$ Granted I'm no gear head and have little technical knowledge...I'm just throwin out general knowledge.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento (Citrus Heights) California
You should be able to shoehorn any SBC motor into a C3, but be careful of the emissions gremlins (if you're required to smog).
The accessory drive could also be kind of tricky if you aren't using a belt drive system that was made for C3s, or if you're sticking an LS series motor in there.
The accessory drive could also be kind of tricky if you aren't using a belt drive system that was made for C3s, or if you're sticking an LS series motor in there.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,911
Likes: 2
From: gold coast queensland
the 81 had a computer . the computer controlled the distributor, transmission , carb , ..... since this car has no motor your half way there !! haha . the original turbo 350 c transmission which is controlled by the computer is a bit of a pain in the ****. you cant just go purchase a 2500 stall for example and slot it in. most good brands like b&m and whatever wont fit in it. the 350 c had the loc up converter so if your looking for a strong performance stall i dont think you will get it with that box. so be weary of that. if its a 200r4 or a straight 350 or 400 then your in the clear.
so in my opinion if your looking to do up a vet for a performance toy i wouldnt normally recommend an 81 but since this 81 is half empty it sounds like a cheap buy if you dont try and restore it back to standard.
so in my opinion if your looking to do up a vet for a performance toy i wouldnt normally recommend an 81 but since this 81 is half empty it sounds like a cheap buy if you dont try and restore it back to standard.
