Hey gang, I recently got my '78 back on the road, and I am seriously considering not selling it and finishing the project I had in mind when I bought it. Anyway, I want to update the suspension and wheels as well as add a power rack and pinion. I was thinking about a Performance Plus system from Vette Brakes for the suspension. For the rack and pinion, I hear good things priliminarily about the Steeroids unit. For the wheels, I would like to do the Z06 wheels in the stock Z06 setup. Would it be possible to adapt C4 or C5 hubs (and thus rotors, calipers, etc) for use on a C3? I have seen the Paul Newman conversions for the older cars, so I know the entire thing can be adapted. I am looking for a setup that will help the car stick to the road like the later C4 and C5. Any suggestions or comments are welcome as always!

 

That sounds sweet.Sorry I can't help with the tech.info.What motor are planning on using?
What is the Paul Newman conversion?

 

Updates are good :yesnod: . For myself, modernizing a C3 is a great thing to do.

The suspension will have your car handling & riding better than new. The steering will be nice and tight, and the wheels will have you riding on rails. There's a rumor that VB&P is working on a C5 brake upgrade for C3's, you could give them a call to confirm it. They also make adaptors for the C5 wheels. Be sure to take pix along the way for everyone ;) .

 

sweet pic :)

 

I like the C4 & C5 power plants, so I upgraded to an '95LT1/4L60E engine/tranny. I got carried away with the '95 vette door ajar warning bell.
Dan

 

I guess it depends on how much fabrication you can carry out, and your time frame to accomplish your goals.....
SO the easiest thing is to stick with an L98 based injection setup that fits any earlier chebby block, and build up on that like an '89 truck block, 4 bolt mains, all roller factory machined easy 350-400 hp , 700r4 tranny fits fairly easily...I hear a 200r4 is smaller and lighter...may work well also...depending....
factory rear gear ratios are common as green grass all over the map range....
I personally see no reason to redo the factory front suspension controll arms...but Vette Brakes does make a kit to do just that....a bolt in....with transverse spring also....
I see no need to give an inch on the braking, just mod up the stock system, saving tons of cash...and giving up nearly nothing in performance and reliability....
the rear spring needs desperately to be replaced with fiberglass spring....and shocks to match...
wheel adaptors are another Vette Brakes forte'.....put any wheel/tire on the car you can fit under the glass....or NOT if you like that ricer look....

aftermarket FI setups can take a ton of money....serpentine drive is easy if done with factory setup...cheap too...couple of hundred bux should cover it....
'87 vette factory cooling fan takes care of that...bolts cleaninly into the stock shroud....late 80's camaro radiator works well for better cooling....17SI series alternator is rated at 108 amps from GM...powerful enough...bolt on...

there are tons of parts in vette junkyards....all it takes is creativity....
if your car is early shark, you don't have catastrophic converters....

rack and pinion steering is really not all that difficult....even fabbing up your own brackets....MY conversion cost me 200 bux cash....and some time and effort...about 40 hrs worth to get it right....

GENE :D :D :cool: :cool:

 

It's time and $$$$$$. Me, I'd buy a C4 or C5 for what it'd cost to do a good modernization job on a C3. I don't like reinventing wheels.

But if you go through with it, post lots of photos. I love reading about this stuff.

 

Since your concern is handling, all one really needs is FE-7 if one can drive very well. See my website 77 Facts. VB rear spring & Al. wheels rec. for less wt., the main advantage later models have in handling is the larger dia. wheels.

:cool:

 

Last Ride,

All I can say is, "Vette Brakes Rocks!" :yesnod: Smokedtires will agree with me on this one I'm sure. As for the Steeroids Rack & Pinion, anyone open for a group purchase? I'm in...

Frank

 

Modernizing will bring the best of both worlds and make your car one of the rare ones. There is alot of reasons to stay with the older body and making the upgrades. Alot of it has to do with preference and the expression of your personality. I know exactly what you mean. And I have also done alot of the upgrades that you speak of. There is nothing that cannot be adapted or made to fit. It might require some careful thinking and fabrication. I hope that you pursue that dream and hopefully end up with the final product that you so desire. My pride and joy is a 69 vert with 435hp 427 4spd that has 80 body panels,interior,stereo, upgraded brakes, and a few other modernizing upgrades in the works. I plan on doing the rack and pinion thing too. Many have said that I have ruined a good numbers matching 69. But to me it is worth more the way it is now. And that is all that counts.
:cool:

 

I agree with sharky Guam, do it YOUR way and be happy. :D :D :D

 

I am already using an LT1 out of a wrecked '95. I also have the 4L60E from the same car. I am planning on changing to a T56, but that is a ways down the road. My next upgrades are interior and weatherstripping. After that, suspension, steering, and exhaust. Eventually, I will tear into the motor, stroke it, and maybe even use a bit of the giggle gas for the strip. I am not sure how I am going about the wheel situation, but I suppose we will cross that bridge when we get to it. Anyway, I might be up for the GP on the Steeroids kit if the wallet will allow it. Kepp those ideas coming!

BTW, Paul Newman is a guy in California that owns a company called Car Creations. They put late-model suspensions under C1 and C2 Corvettes. I have talked with him at length as well as seen his work. It is pretty impressive, but the late-model C3 has yet to be done.

 

Gene--
As far as the brakes go, I wouldn't mind staying with a more "stock" style setup, I just wondered if there might be some clearance problems with the larger wheels. I suppose that the wheel spacers might help out here. Who knows? I am still in the planning stages for this portion of the project!