just a question...is it crazy to take a 75 automatic, convert with a keisler kit to a 5-speed, and also do an engine upgrade?currently has a 350 165 hp under the hood. any suggestions?

 

Nope, not crazy at all, in fact LOTS of guys here have upgraded their drive train with all kinds of fun stuff. What kind of an engine upgrade are you thinking of? Start with that.

Welcome to the forum.

 

would like more ponies, would consider 400, 427 whatever. just want to know what is possible. I think I also would have to rebuild the suspension, but I am totally new to this game, so whatever you can tell me i would appreciate.

 

Almost anything you can want is possible if your budget allows for it and you have the time and the will.

It really all comes down to time and money...mostly money.

What it your budget?

Next you need to consider what you want out of the car. Do you cruise and drive on the weekends and want something fun? Or maybe you like to go to the tracks and race on weekends. Say you want to go full on race and need to build your car for the track.

What kind of diving do you do and how will you use the engine? Do you prefer low RPM torque or do you like high RPM horse power? Maybe both?

There are just so many options.

Small block, big block, LS series, fuel injection, forced induction...i just goes on and on.

I am personally building a 405 small block for my '77. It's a torque engine for cruising and having fun.

 

This would be a cruising car, but I would still like to feel pressed into the seat when I felt like it. I suppose I would like low RPM torque and high RPM horsepower. not sure about block size, LS series and the rest of it. As for budget, also another unknown, let's say for the heck of it $20000. That 405 small block sounds interesting.

 

your best bet for a reliable, torquey, powerful cruiser would be an LS1 and an overdrive trans. Easily doable for under 20K. I have $6k in my engine and trans. And guys have done it for even cheaper. You get the reliability of fuel injection, great gas mileage (around 27), plenty fast and it looks good, too.

 

ok, I will check it out. thanks for the info.

 

check out my site below for LS info

 

Check out the LS1 conversion sticky at the top of the page also. It will give you some idea of what a LS swap involves. It's a lot more work than just dropping a bigger conventional V8 into your Vette but worth the effort IMO. At least that's what I keep telling myself.



Rick B.

 

Got Heads, Intake, Cam, Etc. done on my '75. It's great!!!. Have the stock items packed neatly away. Won't go back to the underpowered stocker but won't get rid of the stock stuff. Was cheaper than dropping a different engine in. Was also done just prior to me buying the Vette so I had no choice in the matter. The LS option is one being done by lots of Vette and street rod owners. Way your options.

Still have the turbo 400. Can tell you I've got more engine than gearing. Would love to go with a 5 speed too.

 

what did you end up with when you got done with your upgrade? sounds good.

 

just had another thought. what about a 427?

 

ok i know this is crazy but what about 500 hp how would one go about that?

 

Just out of curiosity, have you ever driven a 3000lb car with 500 Hp?

 

This is just a guess after having read the entire thread, but this is either not NCRS survivor category, or you don't care. Also, you have a boatload of money. When you start making serious horsepower upgrades, you will need to upgrade other drive train, steering, and suspension components as well. You will also want to note that a convertible is not as stiff as a coupe torsionally. And since you are new to the forum (Welcome), the question is, how new are you to your Vette and how well do you know it? Are you sure your frame can handle 500hp, or even 165? You have not filled in your profile. Where do you live, and more importantly where did your car come from? These cars can look great while sitting on a frame that is one good pot hole from splitting in two. Then there is the bird cage.

But if your frame, bird cage, driveline, suspension and brakes are all good, and you have that boatload of money. there are lots of ways to go. You can get 500hp out of a bored and stroked gen1 small block with the right goodies. you can go to some absolutely huge HP numbers with differesnt big block configurations, and if you have the deep pockets, or the fabrication skills, you can go to the modern lsx with some serious HP.

So, how is your car right now? what are your goals, and what is your budget?

good luck, and once again welcome.

 

I actually did drive a 500+ hp vette, for 1 day. It was fun, and also scared the hell out of me.

 

I haven't figured out exactly what I am going to do with the car yet. I originally bought it for my son about 4 years ago, and it has just sat in the garage until about a month ago. I got it going and have been driving it, and was thinking of selling it, as he went away to college, but the more I drive it the more I like it, and so I became intrigued with maybe fixing it up and having some fun with it. So, I guess I haven't driven it that much, and honestly also I can't say that I know the car that well yet. I am new to this game, but am interested in doing something with it. I guess before I budget anything I need to check the condition of the frame and drivetrain, steering, etc., as you suggested, so that I have a clear idea as to what needs to be done. I really appreciate the input.

 

I should also mention that it is a coupe, that is it is a t-top.

 

welcome. you will find a lot of good advice here and you will get to know the phrase," well, while ive got this out i might as well....".
it never ends. my only advice to you is do it right the first time. ive got a killer 383 in my 78 and ive gotten used to it so now its slow!

 

I am going to convert another forum members car from an automatic to the Keisler 5 speed. Probably start this weekend. It was a 73 base motor auto. He and I have done many upgrades. He is now running about 420 HP and he can't wait to have the 5 speed in it. The car is definitly more fun to drive with more power.