Getting ready for LS3 swap
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,797
Likes: 608
From: Dallas Georgia
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared)
C3 of Year Winner (track prepared) 2019
It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!
Most of the parts are here, the Chevelle is in the shop to have the transmission pulled so this project should kick off very soon!
Most of the parts are here, the Chevelle is in the shop to have the transmission pulled so this project should kick off very soon!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 6
From: springfield ohio
It looks like you are on your way to a very nice setup. Did you decide on the kooks headers or do you still need pictures from me? You can't go wrong with the kooks 1 7/8" stainless F body headers, they fit very well for something that wasn't designed for the C3.
Your setup is very similar to what I have, minis the AC. I love my LSX setup and have just finished my VB&P front and rear dual mount spring system along with a set of SPC upper control arms for more caster then the stock a arms can give you for track use. I am getting it aligned this Wednesday, and will get to really enjoy it for the rest of the summer, not to rub it in, but it's been a long journey for me and the Vette as it will be for you, after wards, it will be all worth your time and money, you will really enjoy your new ride.
I'm glad I found your build thread, now I get to follow your progress and and see some new ideals you come up with along the way. Looking forward to seeing your progress.
Riggs
Your setup is very similar to what I have, minis the AC. I love my LSX setup and have just finished my VB&P front and rear dual mount spring system along with a set of SPC upper control arms for more caster then the stock a arms can give you for track use. I am getting it aligned this Wednesday, and will get to really enjoy it for the rest of the summer, not to rub it in, but it's been a long journey for me and the Vette as it will be for you, after wards, it will be all worth your time and money, you will really enjoy your new ride.
I'm glad I found your build thread, now I get to follow your progress and and see some new ideals you come up with along the way. Looking forward to seeing your progress.
Riggs
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,797
Likes: 608
From: Dallas Georgia
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared)
C3 of Year Winner (track prepared) 2019
Thanks! I would still like some photos of the headers (as many as you care to take and post - the more the better.) I have still not purchased headers because as I mentioned, I am not sure what really fits, and fits well, at this point. There is a supplier near me in Atlanta who carries the Melrose headers and said when I go out to pick up my gauges we could bolt a set up on an LSx C3 he has in his shop which I thought was a pretty awesome offer of him. However, seeing some of the complaints on here about the Melrose fitment has me hesitant. I know Kooks makes a great header but I want to know that they fit, well perfect, before I spend my $$.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 19
Did I forward this article to you?
Very little to be gained from the vette manifolds at around 400hp levels. Tough to say above that.
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles...e_header_test/
Very little to be gained from the vette manifolds at around 400hp levels. Tough to say above that.
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles...e_header_test/
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,797
Likes: 608
From: Dallas Georgia
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared)
C3 of Year Winner (track prepared) 2019
Thanks, I did read that article, also part of the reason why I am not jumping at the bit to spend $1000 on headers. At this point, and with this motor, I think headers will be more about form than function as ceramic coated long-tubes will look much better than the manifolds with heat shields.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,797
Likes: 608
From: Dallas Georgia
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared)
C3 of Year Winner (track prepared) 2019
Unfortunately my start date keeps getting pushed back due to scheduling issues but things should be getting close....
In the mean time, I wanted to share a couple photos of the gauges Jody at Vetteaid did for me. I love the way they turned out and think they will look great once in the car. I have the matching Tach & Speedo as well but didn't feel like unpacking those for photos.
I highly recommend Jody's services!!
In the mean time, I wanted to share a couple photos of the gauges Jody at Vetteaid did for me. I love the way they turned out and think they will look great once in the car. I have the matching Tach & Speedo as well but didn't feel like unpacking those for photos.
I highly recommend Jody's services!!
Last edited by fleming23; Aug 1, 2013 at 09:07 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,797
Likes: 608
From: Dallas Georgia
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared)
C3 of Year Winner (track prepared) 2019
Been a bit of a delay to get things started on this project but last night things finally started moving in the right direction. Took the car to a friend's house where the motor and trans will be pulled this week and all the prep work will take place.
This is his garage and where the majority of the work will be done.
It is on now!
This is his garage and where the majority of the work will be done.
It is on now!
Last edited by fleming23; Sep 17, 2013 at 08:14 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,797
Likes: 608
From: Dallas Georgia
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared)
C3 of Year Winner (track prepared) 2019
Only other pictures I took while at his garage are below,
The mid-year is going to be insane once he finally finishes it! The motor is just in the mock up stage and it just sitting between the frame right now.
Last edited by fleming23; Feb 21, 2014 at 03:47 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,797
Likes: 608
From: Dallas Georgia
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared)
C3 of Year Winner (track prepared) 2019
Well, things are moving forward now!!
A few camera phone pictures of the progress!
A few camera phone pictures of the progress!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,797
Likes: 608
From: Dallas Georgia
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared)
C3 of Year Winner (track prepared) 2019
More progress photos - still a lot of dis-assembly but making progress.
Front window is going to come out this week to check for frame condition, reseal & replace window.
Front window is going to come out this week to check for frame condition, reseal & replace window.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
My garage is coming along so hopefully in a month or so I will have my Vette back. It's been about 1.5 years since I have worked on it. I had to buy half of it back, divorce sucks! 
oh well. I'm in a better place now so time to move forward. Can't cry over lost money. So now I'm even more into this than I thought
oh well. I'm in a better place now so time to move forward. Can't cry over lost money. So now I'm even more into this than I thought
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,797
Likes: 608
From: Dallas Georgia
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared)
C3 of Year Winner (track prepared) 2019
Nothing big to report but lots of little details that add up to lots of prep hours! Lots of bonding areas to fix and smooth so that when everything is painted it looks nice! Many in areas that most will never see like in the wheel housing and inner fenders but it is the little things that add up to a nice car! Fortunately for me, or not depending on how you look at having someone else work on your car, I am not the one doing any of the fiberglass work on the car but he is doing a great job and so far I am happy with how everything is progressing!
Ugly areas like this that need cleaned up
Going to look super nice when painted! Frame is now just as clean and smooth!
Also picked up some Fiero seats and ordered some MrMike's black leather covers. Headrest speakers are going away.
Ugly areas like this that need cleaned up
Going to look super nice when painted! Frame is now just as clean and smooth!
Also picked up some Fiero seats and ordered some MrMike's black leather covers. Headrest speakers are going away.
Last edited by fleming23; Oct 19, 2013 at 05:25 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,797
Likes: 608
From: Dallas Georgia
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared)
C3 of Year Winner (track prepared) 2019
Few more update photos.
Before
After
Before
After
Should be painted black this week and then new parts will start going on!
Before
After
Before
After
Should be painted black this week and then new parts will start going on!
