Well, it finally happened. I purchased a 25k mile 1978 Pace Car a while back to have as a project (actually its in very good & original shape) and I have been spending time making sure its dependable. The problem that i am having is that little old L48 needs some help and "mod fever" is starting to set in.

I am thinking about adding a set of headers to it for sound quality along with a little more performace, but am wondering if I will screw the value of the car up. What do you guys think- should I do the headers and exhaust for that little extra bump or leave well enough alone? I have recurved the distributor, but it needs a little more. I do have a 2008 Z51 coupe that is plenty fast, but hopping the 78 up sounds like a little bit of fun as long as I keep all the stock parts.

I have a bad habit of this. Years ago I purchased a 91 ZR1 and it was plenty fast for a few months...then came the headers, tune, gears and ported top end.


Am I making a mistake?

Thanks,
Dan

 

A Big YES as far as a mistake!!!!

 

man, 25k, good, original condition.. I think I would just tweek the tuning best as possible and keep it original... but.. if you take all the exhaust and stick it up in your rafters in your garage and go with headers and all that, it can allways be put back..

 

I say do it but here's food for thought:

You have an HEI- you can get a high performance HEI with a black cap to look stock, add an MSD box and hide it. Extrude hone the stock exhaust manifolds with a slightly larger exhaust so it still looks stock. Super tune the Q-Jet and replace the fuel pump with a high perf pump. All this and it will look the same.

 

I have to admit I tend to get stuck up in the mods too but I still like original stuff so I try to hide the mods and keep it looking original. For a 78 l48, if it's all original, you probably don't have an amazing value to begin with but I bet in a few years as more and more c3's disappear, it'll become more valuable as it gets more rare. My advice would be if it's still original, just keep it original. If it's already been modded some, do what you want with it. If you know you're never gonna sell it, just do what you want because then value doesn't matter.

 

Make the changes YOU want, but only those that can be undone.
Last spring I 'undid' the mods to my 8K mile black 79 L82/4speed.
When I bought it in 84 I went with headers and dual exhaust, a big Moroso chrome oil pan and loads of chrome under the hood.
About 10 years ago as I started to acquire other low mile originals the mods to the 79 started to become a thorn in my side. And as I'd search for original Vettes, the slightest mod would spoil it for me.
Finally went back 'original'. I do miss the sounds of the headers but much happier with it stock.
Cost wise, I broke even. Cost of any original items I needed to acquire was offset by the sale of the headers and chrome. Most of my original stuff was carefully packed away, but I screwed up by chrome plating many original items. After a years search, I finally found a correct no/dated alternator

 

I know how that can be. I was planning on leaving my '74 Vette all original, but decided to add some performance parts. I've already ordered a couple of parts, and some tubular control arms. I'm just going to make sure I store all of my parts so that I can return it to original conditions later on down the road. If you're going to modify it, you should store the original parts in a safe place. This way you can return it to stock later on down the road. Good luck.

 

 

I'd leave it alone but it's your car. You didn't buy an L48 to go fast, right?

 

I think as some of the others state above, make only the changes that can be put back to stock. If that car is what you say it is, no doubt it is going to be of some high $$$$$ value at some time.

 

Dan,

Do what makes you happy. My philosphy is that when I'm on my deathbed, chances are I'll be happier reliving all the happy memories of driving a fast, good handling Corvette, rather than laying there thinking about if the (possibly) higher resale value of an unmodified car for my heirs makes up for all the years of driving a car that I just didn't enjoy.
Just my opinion. It's your car, and most of the guys here will support whatever your decision is.

 

Bought my PC - my first 'Vette - 3 years ago with 9,025 actual miles, L48 motor, automatic, completely bone stock, always garaged, excellent condition everywhere. Intended to drive it pretty hard on our mountain roads. And I do.

Almost 22,000 miles on it now. Mods have increased safety, reliability, comfort, and FUN!

- Fiero seats with Mr. Mikes leather covers & headrest speakers
- Remote door lock control
- Halogen sealed beams with high-low beam relays
- Soleniod valves replaced headlight vacuum relays and associated hose plumbing
- LED 3rd brake light on package shelf
- Initial timing is now 14 degrees
- Spreader bar
- True duals with Magnaflows
- L82 valve covers
- ETR stereo radio from 83 Cadillac
- EGR, EFE, intake air heater, & cat removed
- Converted from TH350 to World Class Mustang T-5

All mods can be easily reversed except for the tunnel cutting required for the T-5 shifter.

The 5 speed made it a totally different and much better car. Lots more control and better response on our winding roads. Went from 19mpg to almost 24mpg at 75-80mph on freeways. Still uses 85 octane here at high altitude with no pinging. Uses 87 octane at lower altitudes.

I may do the Vortec heads/cam/intake upgrade in a year or 2 to bump up the power a bit. Has original paint that looks OK at 10 feet, but repaint may happen some day. Don't care much about resale as I'm 66 now and the car will likely go to my kin someday.

Most fun are the "thumbs-up" and questions we get about the car. Moral: Do What Makes YOU happy!

 

Maybe. The value of a Pace Car is in it's stock condition.

It's your PC.