Hi All,

Just in the process of buying a black on black '81 4 speed with the intention of bringing it into this century. I will be garaging the car in AZ and using it as a road trip car back and forth to SoCal and maybe an occasional jaunt to LV or thereabouts. Anyway, before embarking on a series of extensive modifications, I thought to bounce my ideas off you folks and I'll appreciate whatever wisdom-based feedback you can provide.

Here's what I plan. First and foremost, I intend to keep the outside of this car as close to OEM original as possible. It is beautiful just as it is. And I don't want to muck up what I consider to be near-perfection. This means no 18" wheels, no hood scoops, etc. Specifically, I want to keep the OEM 15" x 8" rims on the car.

However, underneath and inside? That's another story. Front to back and top to bottom, here is what I have in mind:

• Remove old bad tired motor
• Replace with new(ish) LS3?
• Make sure to incorporate contemporary electronic infrastructure
• Remove 4 speed trans
• Replace with Tremec T56 six speed
• Remove vacuum headlight system
• Replace with electric headlight system
• Upgrade suspension so the car handles a bit better
• Find the best cruise control option (gonna be a road trip car!)
• OEM-look stereo (want bluetooth and MP3 capability)

Plus whatever else I need to do to make the car reasonably fast, unquestionably reliable, and all-of-a-piece. I DO NOT want to end up with a Frankenstein monster mess. I want the car to look like 1981 but perform like 2013. I've been researching all of the various pieces and the total project appears to be feasible -- and even reasonably cost effective -- if I find competent parts and service providers that won't try to knock my head off, financially speaking.

I'm posting this in the C3 forum so I suspect I am, to a greater or lesser extent "preaching to the choir". Again, feel free to chime in with suggestions or even critical feedback. If you think some of my ideas are horse schiddtt then feel free to tell me. I'm half lizard and thus have got pretty thick skin. Anyway, that's the gist of what I have in mind. Thanks in advance for any thoughts you nice folks care to offer.

 

oh boy oh boy! Sounds awesome! I love C3's, and if it can be had with 2013 tech, it would be amazing!!! Make sure exhausts come out the sides!

 

Dont forget AC upgrade. I did exactly what you described to my 68.
400hp LSx 6.0, Richmond 6 speed, Vintage Air, all new wiring harness.
Kept the brakes, suspension stock, but lowered the car.
Very reliable, enjoyable and mid 20s mpg.
Oh, good news on cruise control, if you go DBW, a company now sells a package that eliminates the need for the BCM.

 

yeah, that sounds like a great plan. I like your idea of keeping the outside, including the tires original. Like you said, you can't improve on that! Should be a cool project.

 

Sell the 81 and purchase a used C5 or C6. Gives you everything you want and in this century. You'd be able to drive the car now and spend way less than attempting to re-engineer the C3 in an attempt to get close to the same thing. Take the money saved to Vegas.

 

Upgrading your tire and wheel size to 17 or 18" is the primary way to improve handling on a C3. It is almost impossible to buy performance tires in 15" anymore. There are many period correct wheels available in larger sizes that look correct.

I am not trashing your concept, but your visual goals may fight your handling plans.

Rob

 

The idea is commendable. And, it would be an interesting car when done.

The reality of this idea, however, is questionable, IMO. By the time you get done, you will have invested MORE than you would pay for a C6 in good condition...and you will have an item that is a "curiosity". If you tried to sell it, you'd MAYBE get 50% of your investment back.

As I said, it is a great idea. And, if you have the "deep pockets" to do it, and you don't mind that it is a money-loser, go for it!

 

have fun

 

I would agree with MrForce, upgrading the suspension on stock tires is probably not worth the cost.

 

Some really great feedback, thanks very much. Especially glad to hear that a more elegant DBW cruise system may be available. Gary, perhaps you might be kind enough to either post or email (lorthog@yahoo.com) the company's name? I also fully understand that I will invest more money than I'll ever be able to get out of it. But that's not too tragic as I plan to keep the car forever. Or at least till I die. Maybe only a little while after so I can drive it down the boulevard with tin cans clanging and a "Just Buried" sign in the rear window.

 

Link here
http://spankysrodshop.net/index.php?...ories&Itemid=7

 

Perfect, thank you!

 

Don't forget to rebuild the rear end while you're at it.

 

Maybe a crashed C-5 and the body off your 81 would be a better angle of attack? Might be easier / more cost efficient to change the clothes on one rather than the guts and body of another.....great idea though, I like the late C3 style and look much more than the C5 / C6 as well, but would love the creature comforts and tech if the newer rides with the look of the last C3's.

 

Good idea and certainly one way to approach the project. I have spoken with a number of service providers and I think I will be able to accomplish most of what I'm after by using the bones of a C3 and simply plugging in the drivetrain, wiring harness, and peripherals. Fortunately, it appears that a number of folks have undertaken the various aspects of what I'm after, but not too many have combined them all into a holistic pro-touring machine, such as I have in mind. Once I get things in motion I'll certainly share my experience with the forum.

 

As it sounds like Your main goal is to have a cruiser and the late C3's are great cruisers all ready you really don't need to do a whole lot. Although larger wheel diameter and wider tires are going to help cornering they won't do anything for long freeway drives. So your Wheel Tire combo you have now will work just fine. Probably the biggest improvement will be the OD Trans. I would rebuild the suspension and probably go with the soft Spring bigger sway bar approuch. A rack and pinion steering. Sounds like You want more power so an engine swap to a more modern FI engine being either a late SBC or a LS engine will do. I think your 81 Cruise control has resume, so thats kinda hard to improve on. Convert the Vacume lights to electric, why bother.

 

my cruise control works great .my head lights work fine .a FI Ls motor with your trany of choice with rack and pinion and your there.

 

did this ever happen? pics?

 

if you left click the OP's name, ageno, and select more posts by ageno, you will find that this never went anywhere and ageno disappeared after August 2014.