Just got the C3 holy $%!#
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 0
From: syracuse NY
Just got the C3 holy $%!#
Ok so I finally get it (the '76 with the built 454). The paintjob is sick and the hood pins add a nice touch. My friend was over for the first drive, boy was he in for the ride of his life. We pulled out of the driveway and head down the road, the first thing I noticed was the lack of powersteering and the insanely loud exhaust. We pulled onto the main road and got on it. OH MY LORD, she jumped sidewas at 40MPH when I stepped on it. Scaring the poopie out of both of us. My knees were shaking so much we had to go back and put it in the garage. BTW the brakes feel alittle soft, anybody have any suggestions?
Thanks and BTW I finally suceeded in scaring myfriend hehehe.
Thanks and BTW I finally suceeded in scaring myfriend hehehe.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,612
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Arizona
Re: Just got the C3 holy $%!# (HGlide82)
Congrats on your BB '76!!! I can't wait to get my 454 done for my '74. I plan on scaring my wife like that!! (she is used to the '87's mouse motor)
Bob :cheers:
[Modified by Bob Turner, 7:49 PM 3/7/2002]
Bob :cheers:
[Modified by Bob Turner, 7:49 PM 3/7/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,625
Likes: 0
From: Cut n Shoot TX
Re: Just got the C3 holy $%!# (HGlide82)
Yes, Open up your wallet!! Seriously though, if you have a specialized Vette mechanic in your area, bring it to him, and pay him to do a thorough inspection, and give you a detailed list of everything it needs, plus an estimate for each problem. With the list, you can pick and choose what you want done first, and in what order of imporatance. :flag
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 0
From: syracuse NY
Re: Just got the C3 holy $%!# (VettePower)
Yes, Open up your wallet!! Seriously though, if you have a specialized Vette mechanic in your area, bring it to him, and pay him to do a thorough inspection, and give you a detailed list of everything it needs, plus an estimate for each problem. With the list, you can pick and choose what you want done first, and in what order of imporatance. :flag
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,909
Likes: 26
From: Clymer PA
Re: Just got the C3 holy $%!# (HGlide82)
HGlide82:
Ahhh yes....HGlide82 meet torque :lol:. You now own two totally different beasts. Your '01 'Vette makes it's power through technological advances and has a sense of finess. Your '76 'Vette with the 454 makes it's power through simplicity and cubic inches and has a sense of brute force/raw power. Enjoy :)
P.S. There's nothing like the feel of a big block :cheers:
OH MY LORD, she jumped sidewas at 40MPH when I stepped on it.
P.S. There's nothing like the feel of a big block :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 866
Likes: 1
From: Peabody,MA,USA
Re: Just got the C3 holy $%!# (daniel77350)
My Vettes brakes are as hard as a rock and the car stops on a dime. If your brakes are soft then there is something wrong with them. It is probably air in the system.
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,455
Likes: 462
From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Re: Just got the C3 holy $%!# (VettePower)
"Yes, Open up your wallet!! Seriously though, if you have a specialized Vette mechanic in your area, bring it to him, and pay him to do a thorough inspection, and give you a detailed list of everything it needs, plus an estimate for each problem. With the list, you can pick and choose what you want done first, and in what order of imporatance."
For the above step mentioned, have your VISA or Mastercard limit extended $15,000!!! :yesnod:
For the above step mentioned, have your VISA or Mastercard limit extended $15,000!!! :yesnod:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 1
From: Elkhorn WI
Re: Just got the C3 holy $%!# (Paul Borowski)
my stainless upgraded brakes stop so fast that I have almost lost the "drink" in my lap :eek: .....(yes I allow food and drink in the car if its for the owner) :lol:
my vette brakes are better than my lil' lady's '00 ecliipse GT brakes.... :eek:
now my Z71 brakes 1000ft from when apllied... :lol: on the other hand..
[Modified by ylose, 10:07 AM 3/8/2002]
my vette brakes are better than my lil' lady's '00 ecliipse GT brakes.... :eek:
now my Z71 brakes 1000ft from when apllied... :lol: on the other hand..
[Modified by ylose, 10:07 AM 3/8/2002]
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 1
Re: Just got the C3 holy $%!# (HGlide82)
Awesome post. :) I wanna big block now. :)
For brakes, I have stainless calipers, stock rotors, braided lines, and hawk hps pads and the brakes are AWESOME. For street, I can't think of wanting anything better. The difference between my Vette braking and my Eclipse (with upgraded GSX calipers) is night and day. The Vette will literally put me thru the windshield if I want it to. I scared my friend (who drives an S2000) when I showed him the braking capabilities of the Vette recently. He was very impressed. The pads really helped and I'm sure the sticky Z-rated rubber helps as well.
-terry
For brakes, I have stainless calipers, stock rotors, braided lines, and hawk hps pads and the brakes are AWESOME. For street, I can't think of wanting anything better. The difference between my Vette braking and my Eclipse (with upgraded GSX calipers) is night and day. The Vette will literally put me thru the windshield if I want it to. I scared my friend (who drives an S2000) when I showed him the braking capabilities of the Vette recently. He was very impressed. The pads really helped and I'm sure the sticky Z-rated rubber helps as well.
-terry
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 9
From: B'Ville NY
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: Just got the C3 holy $%!# (terryrudy)
I've heard that silicon brake fluid can make the brake pedal feel soft, so that may be something to look into. I would first take the wheels off and take a good look at everything. Look to see if you notice anything that appears to be wet on the calipers and brake hoses/ lines. If the brake hoses don't look like they've been replaced in a while, theres an inexpensive upgrade. Next I would try another set of brake pads and see if that makes a difference.
If you do want to change the pads, shoot me an e-mail, I have the clips that make swapping the pads very easy if you'd like to borrow them. :)
If you do want to change the pads, shoot me an e-mail, I have the clips that make swapping the pads very easy if you'd like to borrow them. :)
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 34,453
Likes: 665
From: Republic of Texas
Re: Just got the C3 holy $%!# (SmokedTires)
Congrats! :cheers:
There's nothing like RAW POWER and TORQUE at its finest!! No other experience like driving a Big Block.
Enjoy and becareful!!
There's nothing like RAW POWER and TORQUE at its finest!! No other experience like driving a Big Block.
Enjoy and becareful!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 9,078
Likes: 7
From: DFW TX
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Re: Just got the C3 holy $%!# (Thad)
The first time I got on it with my wife in the car was so :lol: She looked at me as serious as she could and said, Take me home. :jester
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 8
From: San Jose California
Re: Just got the C3 holy $%!# (HGlide82)
Hglide82,
Sounds like you have found out for yourself what many others still don't believe, that old BB's really can nail you harder in the seat than the new potent packages you can buy today, like my Z06.
Soft brakes might be either silicon fluid and/or low vacuum from a hot cam. Test on an open, flat, deserted road with a smooth and consistent surface. Use progressively harder braking on each run is the best way to find out if they are working correctly. Check often under the car at the lines and calipers for leaks. Does one wheel lock up consistently before the others? They really shouldn't lock up at all until you really mash the brake. But you don't want to find out in the rain or on a busy road that the car will pull hard to one side or another when you really need them. They could even cause you to spin like a top.
Chuck
Sounds like you have found out for yourself what many others still don't believe, that old BB's really can nail you harder in the seat than the new potent packages you can buy today, like my Z06.
Soft brakes might be either silicon fluid and/or low vacuum from a hot cam. Test on an open, flat, deserted road with a smooth and consistent surface. Use progressively harder braking on each run is the best way to find out if they are working correctly. Check often under the car at the lines and calipers for leaks. Does one wheel lock up consistently before the others? They really shouldn't lock up at all until you really mash the brake. But you don't want to find out in the rain or on a busy road that the car will pull hard to one side or another when you really need them. They could even cause you to spin like a top.
Chuck
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,416
Likes: 1
From: NC,USA
Re: Just got the C3 holy $%!# (Chuck Harmon)
Need better tires???
Why in the world do i stick around here? I'm already rebuilding an engine... do i need to setup a crate bigblock too now? :crazy:
Why in the world do i stick around here? I'm already rebuilding an engine... do i need to setup a crate bigblock too now? :crazy:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 2
From: Carmichael CA
Re: Just got the C3 holy $%!# (HGlide82)
Yeah, a BB has TONS of torque. It's actually quite hard to keep from breaking the tires loose...I wish I had a BB! As for the brakes...many vettes will have soft brakes cause many mechanics don't know that the rear calipers have TWO bleeder valves and BOTH need to be bled one at a time before the brakes will be solid.
Have fun, but be careful
Have fun, but be careful