and don't have much time or money to throw into it.
81 Upgrades?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
81 Upgrades?
Recently added cam, intake, carb, headers.
(I set money aside to finish off the exhaust, planning to go true dual. Anyone content with Mangaflow?)
Besides that I have $1500 I would also like to throw into the car.
What would be the best parts to replace for suspension and steering? Springs, shocks, and alignment have been mentioned, bushings?
Also is there any general parts I should just replace? I was thinking of replacing all the calipers and new brake pads, feel safer knowing there new.
Its a daily car. A general list of what to look/get would be awesome.
(I set money aside to finish off the exhaust, planning to go true dual. Anyone content with Mangaflow?)
Besides that I have $1500 I would also like to throw into the car.
What would be the best parts to replace for suspension and steering? Springs, shocks, and alignment have been mentioned, bushings?
Also is there any general parts I should just replace? I was thinking of replacing all the calipers and new brake pads, feel safer knowing there new.
Its a daily car. A general list of what to look/get would be awesome.
Last edited by MattCC81; Sep 16, 2011 at 12:44 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
I would spend a little time doing a full inspection of the suspension. Many C3s are pretty tired...and just putting on upgrades when the suspension is basically shot doesn't really help. Build on a good foundation.
If the suspension is in basically good shape, then an alignment - front and rear - is job one. You'll need to find a shop that knows about C3s. Then it's shocks and springs.
Just a note - if you dig into the rear suspension, bring money
I have yet tear into one of these where we didn't end up at the bare frame rails by the time we had everything out that needed work...
If the suspension is in basically good shape, then an alignment - front and rear - is job one. You'll need to find a shop that knows about C3s. Then it's shocks and springs.
Just a note - if you dig into the rear suspension, bring money
I have yet tear into one of these where we didn't end up at the bare frame rails by the time we had everything out that needed work...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,411
Likes: 1,551
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
It's great to be young!
The exhaust it a personal choice, how quiet or loud depends on what you like and that can take up a few of that $1500.
An alignment shop can tell you if the bushings or ball joints are in need of replacement and you can spend some money on replacing a worn steering box.
How many miles on your Vette and what is new and what has been replaced?
Front wheel bearings are a DIY project but how are the rear bearings and bushings?
Drive your Vette for a while and see what may need attention now and see what may need replacing in the near or distant future before you blow the whole $1500.
An alignment shop can tell you if the bushings or ball joints are in need of replacement and you can spend some money on replacing a worn steering box.
How many miles on your Vette and what is new and what has been replaced?
Front wheel bearings are a DIY project but how are the rear bearings and bushings?
Drive your Vette for a while and see what may need attention now and see what may need replacing in the near or distant future before you blow the whole $1500.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
The exhaust it a personal choice, how quiet or loud depends on what you like and that can take up a few of that $1500.
An alignment shop can tell you if the bushings or ball joints are in need of replacement and you can spend some money on replacing a worn steering box.
How many miles on your Vette and what is new and what has been replaced?
Front wheel bearings are a DIY project but how are the rear bearings and bushings?
Drive your Vette for a while and see what may need attention now and see what may need replacing in the near or distant future before you blow the whole $1500.
An alignment shop can tell you if the bushings or ball joints are in need of replacement and you can spend some money on replacing a worn steering box.
How many miles on your Vette and what is new and what has been replaced?
Front wheel bearings are a DIY project but how are the rear bearings and bushings?
Drive your Vette for a while and see what may need attention now and see what may need replacing in the near or distant future before you blow the whole $1500.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,411
Likes: 1,551
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Your symptoms could be caused from anything from a bad rag joint to totally worn out suspension parts, take your time and try to diagnose everything one part at a time.
How old are your shocks?
How old are your shocks?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 8
From: Enid Oklahoma
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,663
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From: columbia city in
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 8
From: Enid Oklahoma
They had fiberglass in 81 as well, it was the first year for them. The FE7 Gymkhana suspension was an option. I do not think that the fiberglass spring is better on a street car especially the way I like to turn corners. Heck my other ride is a 4X4 offroad truck or motorcycle so comfort is relative. :O) But the option also came with a rear sway bar and beefier front bar and 550 lb front springs. So He may already have the glass rear spring if he does not have the Gymkhana suspension package.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,635
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From: Enid Oklahoma
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 27
From: Eastern North Carolina
He said it had a TH350 auto trans. so more then likely it has a fiberglass rear spring. As far as mufflers I have shorty headers with true duals on my 81 and stock mufflers and love the sound. At first I had a set of Flowpro mufflers but they were too loud and sounded like a truck going down the street IMO. Some like em loud and some don't. I must be getting OLD 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
This is the exhaust I have had on my 1980 'vette for the last 3 years, I'm pretty happy with it, and it's only 629 bucks.
http://www.corvettecentralexhaust.co...mance_dual.php
Scott
http://www.corvettecentralexhaust.co...mance_dual.php
Scott
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
He said it had a TH350 auto trans. so more then likely it has a fiberglass rear spring. As far as mufflers I have shorty headers with true duals on my 81 and stock mufflers and love the sound. At first I had a set of Flowpro mufflers but they were too loud and sounded like a truck going down the street IMO. Some like em loud and some don't. I must be getting OLD
I just finished a homemade mandrel-bent 2.5" exhaust with Magnaflow mufflers for about $800 including a little help hanging the mufflers from my local exhaust shop. PERFECT. I just posted a thread with pictures a couple of days ago on the General section. We are heading to our son's house in a few minutes to get a video so you can hear it.