c4 chassis in a c3
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Houghton Lake Michigan
c4 chassis in a c3
I was wondering if there was anyone here that has put a frame and suspension from a c4 under their c3. Mostly I was curious about how much work was required to switch it over.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
You can buy a SRIII frame for $5-6,000.00 that uses C4 chassis components but you can't put a stock C4 chassis under a C3. I probably shouldn't say can't because there is no doubt someone who has tried it but in almost 10 years on the forum I have never seen anyone post any information on such a swap.
Rick B.
Rick B.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,925
Likes: 3,334
From: NYC NY
google "street shop" and click on the 1st link that comes up and you can answer your question. There is also someone on another Corvette forum with a blue '69 Corvette that built a C4 suspension and while he did a great job it appears to be a lot of work.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
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From: Chattanooga TN
http://www.streetshopinc.com/c4shark.html
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
The old perimeter-type ladder frame was replaced by a steel backbone design not unlike that pioneered by England's Lotus. In the Corvette, the "spine" took the form of a C-section beam rigidly connected to the differential and carrying the driveshaft. This arrangement reduced weight and opened up more cockpit room by eliminating the transmission and differential crossmembers, and by permitting the exhaust system to be run beneath the driveshaft instead of alongside it.
Welded to the backbone was what Chevy called an "integral perimeter-birdcage unitized structure" or "uniframe," making the new model the first Corvette to employ modern unit construction instead of the old body-on-frame configuration.
Rick B.
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Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 296
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From: London Ontario
I put the front end out of an 88 in my 75. Its not completely done yet but getting close. It was a lot of work. since I havent drove it yet I can't say if its worth it but I would think you could get more bang for your buck (in hind sight). there are a few people with C4 rears in their cars. i looked into doing it but decided it was too much work/money at one time.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
on being able to do an entire chassis swap as asked by the original poster. I'd love to be proven wrong but I think your friend's buddy may have been just dealing with the suspension not the entire chassis.Rick B.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
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From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
C4 was not a body/frame car like the C3.
