a c3 doubt
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1
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From: Porto
a c3 doubt
Hi all!
I´m a portuguese corvette fan, especially c3.
But, i have got a little doubt about c3:
- Since 1972 and especially to 1975 the corvette´s horse power were to low. Why? But more important, the performance of the car in this years was lower comparing to the first and the last generation of c3? Especially the 350 engine?
The first generation of the c3 had had very powerful engines! But for me, the 1973-1978 c3 corvette is the most beautiful! And I´m searching for a c3 here in Europe because it´s my classic favourite car!
I hope you help me!
Thakns
I´m a portuguese corvette fan, especially c3.
But, i have got a little doubt about c3:
- Since 1972 and especially to 1975 the corvette´s horse power were to low. Why? But more important, the performance of the car in this years was lower comparing to the first and the last generation of c3? Especially the 350 engine?
The first generation of the c3 had had very powerful engines! But for me, the 1973-1978 c3 corvette is the most beautiful! And I´m searching for a c3 here in Europe because it´s my classic favourite car!
I hope you help me!
Thakns
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,160
Likes: 3,965
From: Connecticut, USA
power ratings were down due different rating location, emissions, exhaust restrictions. The body and drivetrain are pretty much the same and many of then have been built up powerwise, so if you want a 73-78 go buy the nicest one you can find and then build it the way you want.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
There were a few factors that started limiting the performance of the C3s you speak of. Some like tightening hands of the EPA and environmentalists.
The good news is that you can purchase the C3 you love so much, and build performance back into the car for nothing more than money.
The good news is that you can purchase the C3 you love so much, and build performance back into the car for nothing more than money.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 716
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
If you're looking to keep an original car then unfortunately the hp is what it is and you must accept the low HP. The reason why this drop occured is a combination of the OPEC gas crisis that occured in early 70s and also car insurance premiums going up w/cars with decent HP ratings during this time as well as the requirement of environmetal compliance with exhaust emission standards. The automakers responded as they felt appropriate during this time with lower compression, lower hp, more smog devices that constricted flow and so on. However, if you desire Horsepower it only takes $2 - $3K to double the HP of the original 350. Or buy a brand new crate engine for $4 - $6k and then you'll be much happier and w/o doubt. That's what many of us do here in the U.S. with these older cars. We also are not satisfied with what the factory put in these cars during this timeframe and there are so many after-market companies that support the Chevy 350 so it's very easy and inexpensive to modify. Hope that helps.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
It looks a lot worse then what it is. Te horsepower ratings before 1971 were SAE and after that the ratings were measured net. SAE was like already stated, a bare engine, headers, no accessories, timing set for best performance, ect. The other reason they used to seem a lot more wpoerful was the auto companies were very 'liberal' with their numbers.
If you like the C-3 as most of us do, buy one and enjoy it, if you want to race it, gaining more horsepower is not that difficult. Just remember, no matter how much power you have, someone else will have more...the more money, the more power.
If you like the C-3 as most of us do, buy one and enjoy it, if you want to race it, gaining more horsepower is not that difficult. Just remember, no matter how much power you have, someone else will have more...the more money, the more power.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
It looks a lot worse then what it is. Te horsepower ratings before 1971 were SAE and after that the ratings were measured net. SAE was like already stated, a bare engine, headers, no accessories, timing set for best performance, ect. The other reason they used to seem a lot more wpoerful was the auto companies were very 'liberal' with their numbers.
If you like the C-3 as most of us do, buy one and enjoy it, if you want to race it, gaining more horsepower is not that difficult. Just remember, no matter how much power you have, someone else will have more...the more money, the more power.
If you like the C-3 as most of us do, buy one and enjoy it, if you want to race it, gaining more horsepower is not that difficult. Just remember, no matter how much power you have, someone else will have more...the more money, the more power.
If you buy a numbers-matching car you can always take out the engine and trans and store them. Put in whatever engine you want and go have some fun. I'm a poster boy for modifying an original car, but I'm saving all of the original parts so a future owner can bring the car back to original if he/she chooses.
Rick B.
Last edited by 72LS1Vette; Dec 12, 2008 at 12:08 AM. Reason: typo
