C3 history
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2001
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C3 history
Ok I am going to buy a C3 in the near future but for now I need to research exactly what year I want to buy. My first question is what year chevy start putting ECM(computers) in the corvettes. Another question is what years came with what engines. Thank You
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,435
Likes: 92
From: Press "2" for English
Re: C3 history (Fiero To Vette)
i'll take a stab at this in reverse order. the computer first appeared in the '80 corvette but for *california only*. interestingly, these corvettes also came with the 305cid, not all together up to corvette caliber :U (some would argue there wasn't an engine option up to corvette caliber for much of the late '70s through the early '80s). in '81 all corvettes came with the L-81 carburated computerized 350 and in '82 the corvette went to a throttle body injection system which was, of course, also computerized.
as for engine options, the list of available engines over the 14 year production run of the c-3 corvette are way too long to list here. your best bet would be to purchase a 'corvette black book' or a 'corvette buyers guide'. if you narrow down your search to a smaller time frame it would be easier to do!
:)
as for engine options, the list of available engines over the 14 year production run of the c-3 corvette are way too long to list here. your best bet would be to purchase a 'corvette black book' or a 'corvette buyers guide'. if you narrow down your search to a smaller time frame it would be easier to do!
:)
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 131
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Re: C3 history (Fiero To Vette)
Fiero To Vette,
I was in your position back in the Fall of 2000. I wanted a vette, but didn't know which one. I compared prices, mechanicals, body styles, etc. I almost bought a blue '72 stick but it was already sold. I picked up a 78 Pace Car (in need of lots of mechnicals) instead.
I LOVE the Pace Car, but if I had to do it again. I would get a '69 to '73 vette, stick with power nothing! No emission systems to get in the way, no PITA power locks or power windows to fix, no a/c to break. All that stuff just gets in the way. Although a/c is nice to have here in Texas.
Good luck on your decision. Do lots of research and join the local Corvette Club before you buy. I can't stress that enough. Don't go corvette shopping alone, bring an expert. With C3's, low mileage doesn't necessarily equate to fewer problems -- especially if it was stored.
Good luck and keep reading the forum.
-Rexx
I was in your position back in the Fall of 2000. I wanted a vette, but didn't know which one. I compared prices, mechanicals, body styles, etc. I almost bought a blue '72 stick but it was already sold. I picked up a 78 Pace Car (in need of lots of mechnicals) instead.
I LOVE the Pace Car, but if I had to do it again. I would get a '69 to '73 vette, stick with power nothing! No emission systems to get in the way, no PITA power locks or power windows to fix, no a/c to break. All that stuff just gets in the way. Although a/c is nice to have here in Texas.
Good luck on your decision. Do lots of research and join the local Corvette Club before you buy. I can't stress that enough. Don't go corvette shopping alone, bring an expert. With C3's, low mileage doesn't necessarily equate to fewer problems -- especially if it was stored.
Good luck and keep reading the forum.
-Rexx
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Re: C3 history (Fiero To Vette)
You need to narrow down some. 2 basic bodys 68-77 & 78-82.
T-Top Cpe. all or conv.-75. Any engine might be in any year.
I pick the chassis/body & build an engine for it !
:cool:
T-Top Cpe. all or conv.-75. Any engine might be in any year.
I pick the chassis/body & build an engine for it !
:cool:
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 10,073
Likes: 1
From: Toronto
Re: C3 history (8TL82)
There is only one place to go to find this all....
http://www.corvettearchive.com ;)
http://www.corvettearchive.com ;)
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 148
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From: Just around the corner, on the left.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,080
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From: Exiled Tampa Bay Misfit
Re: C3 history (Ganey)
You need to narrow down some. 2 basic bodys 68-77 & 78-82.
Gotta keep the crome bumpers (IMO) seperate... :lol:
[Modified by Monkeywrench, 3:30 PM 2/4/2002]
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 43,136
Likes: 155
From: Thomson Georgia
Re: C3 history (Monkeywrench)
[QUOTE]You need to narrow down some. 2 basic bodys 68-77 & 78-82.
I'd take that one more notch... 68-72/(73) & 74-77 & 78-82
Gotta keep the crome bumpers (IMO) seperate... :lol:
Yeah but it is the same car... :cheers: It was correct the first time
[Modified by Alwyn678, 4:31 PM 2/4/2002]
I'd take that one more notch... 68-72/(73) & 74-77 & 78-82
Gotta keep the crome bumpers (IMO) seperate... :lol:
Yeah but it is the same car... :cheers: It was correct the first time
[Modified by Alwyn678, 4:31 PM 2/4/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,080
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From: Exiled Tampa Bay Misfit
Re: C3 history (Alwyn678)
Yeah but it is the same car... :cheers: It was correct the first time
[Modified by Monkeywrench, 4:57 PM 2/4/2002]
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Re: C3 history (Fiero To Vette)
Well I was looking through all the information in the sites you all provided and thank you for all the information. I am now in a bind because I like the power of the early c3s that have in the 300-270 hp range but yet I like the later years T-Tops. Damn decisions. How hard is it to improve the preformance of the later years say like a 79. I also wanted to clarify that they started putting computers in the cars in 1980. Thanks for all the info.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Re: C3 history (Fiero To Vette)
The 1980 LG4 California 305cid engine had the "computer comand control" option. It went USA-wide in 1981. So a "federal" 1980 or earlier may be what you are looking for.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 708
Likes: 21
From: Montrose CA
Re: C3 history (Fiero To Vette)
Ok I am going to buy a C3 in the near future but for now I need to research exactly what year I want to buy. My first question is what year chevy start putting ECM(computers) in the corvettes. Another question is what years came with what engines. Thank You
