Anyone here have any experience with the aftermarket or custom frames?

I was planning on building a FFR GTM, but due to several reasons, I have decided not to go with that project. I have always wanted to build a C3 and now I think I'm leaning twards that.

I have a full C5 suspension and Driveline and electronics now that I pulled from a totaled C5 that I picked up, and had planned on using on the GTM. I have about 3,000 in the project after the parts I've sold. And I still have leftover parts I cant use.

I was thinking something along the lines of what 78Vette-SA did with his 81 FrankenSport. Probably, however with a lot less bling. His ride is beautiful, but I'm more of a form following function kinda guy.

I have looked into both the Street Shop Inc.



And SRIII Motorsports



I borrowed 78Vette-SA's picture there for SRIII Motorsports.

I know the C3 body will need substantial modifications to fit the C5 drive line, and I'm willing to do that for the added weight distribution benefits.

My intent is to decide on a frame and order it as soon as I get back stateside, and begin assembly while I'm looking for a project C3. Its going to be a chrome bumper and hopefully a Vert. I can do a Coupe as well too.

I did literally hundreds of hours of research when I was considering a C3 before I decided on the GTM, I actually put a deposit on 2 different cars, but neither deal worked out. So I am Familiar with a lot on these cars.

Basically I want to find out the Pro's and cons to each frame and try to make a choice based on three major catagories: Weight, cost and rigidity. With some thought on how much I am going to modify the interior.

So who has info? and experience with these vendors? Thanks!

 

Flattery will get you everywhere of course but my opinion will be a little one-sided. Although I will tell you that based on everything that I have read you cannot go wrong with either the StreetShop or the SRIII. All of those who have gone with StreetShop have had nothing but good to say about the frame as well as the customer service received.

I dealt personally with Mike Stockdale at SRIII as do most customers. In this business I have never met someone who is as busy yet will spend whatever time it takes to make you feel like you are his only customer. He delivered ahead of schedule, made some additional parts custom for me (front and rear sway bars and mounts) and didn't even charge me for the front one, advised how to save money with other aftermarket parts or workarounds, and pointed me to 3rd party vendors that had parts that fit.

The frame is heavier then stock, but solid as a rock. The car when completed, without driver, but a full tank of gas came in at 3120 which is still lighter then stock but that is with all the bling. The car has no rattles, squeeks, flex, cowl shake, or vibration whatsoever. It corners like a slot car on rails. It can smoke em in the first 3 gears and keep up with probably most stock and/or modified C5/C6 except maybe on the track (autocross). I am actually taking it to the 1/4mile this Friday with about 25 guys from the C1/C2 forum for an old School Corvette grudge match at Island Raceway in NJ. Should be a fun day.

The only real negative is you have to modify the rear of the body for the rear differential. Not a bad job but you lose the storage area and battery box but you can fit one in there. I chose to use a battery box in the rear area for a different look. You also need to handle running all your own brake and fuel lines as opposed to using stock lines and having mounts for them but to me that was also not a big problem and being I was going with the EFI and blower preferred to do that anyway.

So whichever way you go It sounds like you will have one hell of a ride. I will tell you that if another forum member bought a StreetShop chassis, you will get nothing but a good report. Same for the SRIII. I do recommend whichever way you go have it set up with Coilovers so that both the ride height and rebound are fully adjustable along with the spring rate so you can adjust the ride to your liking. I had to tune the suspension to where I wanted it when done by swapping out the coils and playing with it a bit. Now I can't drive it enough.

Anything else I can help with. Just let me know. And good luck.

Joe..

 

This is suprising! They said on their website that their frame was lighter than stock! I cant imagine that the Upgraded suspension and coils is heavier than the old setup and leaf springs...

I guess I'll start with comping weights... How much does each weigh?

Stock = ??
SRIII = ??
S Shop = ??

 

To clarify, the SRIII Frame itself, due to its triangulated solid construction, seemed heavier. Or at least it seems to me to be but I did not weigh the bare frame so am guessing. I can ussually pick up a Corvette frame with one other person. I needed a little extra help with this.

The Aluminum suspension, motor, transmission, rear, wheels, no spare, etc. all lend themselves to the total weight of the car coming in more than 200lb lighter then stock fully loaded with Supercharger, and other assorted bling and a full tank of gas.

Perhaps Mike/SRIII can give an exact SRIII/STOCK weight comparison for you. My is more subjective except for the total overal weight. I went to the local Refuse Transfer station and had it weighed on the Truck Scales when completed which are calibrated.