Hey I have finally decided what im going to do to my car and I am now in the planning phase.
It will take me a few months to get the money.
I talked to a local hot rod company that told me to pick the kinds of things I want done and his workers will do it. ($55/hour)
What I'm wanting is to make the car into what it should have always been.


First off opinions on what engine I should get installed?
Looking at
383
405
LS6 (they have done SEVERAL LS swaps)

Secondly are some transmissions to look into? The owner said he would look into a transmission set up with paddle shifters if its possible, and if he can that's what I'll want, but if not, should I go with another auto, or a modern manual conversion

3 third and last for right now is suspension, what would ride smooth, but still have great performance.

Thank you to everyone. I just want to get these ideas started and think while I'm still getting all the money ill need. After I give them the base ideas they will figure what all else has to be modified and replaced, and give it all to me in the bill.

Please give me all your ideas. Thank you in advance!

 

Hey I see no one is replying...

Do people think im stupid for not knowing exactly what I want to do? Or disappointment because I'm paying a custom car shop to work on my car instead if me doing it? Or people think it sounds stupid in general?

I'm not asking for opinions... If you think this all sounds stupid I understand. And no I don't know exactly what I want that's why I'm asking for help... But this is my car and I will make it to please myself not anyone else, I know things like the paddle shifter idea sounds stupid to most people. And the owner of the hot rod shop doesn't know if it will be possible (he's gonna research for me..) that's what I want. My car is for my enjoyment. I'm sorry if people don't agree with my ideas or think they are stupid, but that's the point of everyone owning their own car

Yes you can tell I have not the slightest clue what I'm doing, but that's why I'm asking for your help and letting the hot rod shop fill in the gaps ! so please give me some ideas to solve any of these three categories of things that need attention. (And yes I know tha alot more will have to be replaced than just those parts.... This is just my starting point) thanks to everyone who helps

 

If you have the money and they got the time. Ill say this, go LS, and a TKO trans ,drivability increases greatly Including highway speeds.Remember that going the LS route will require a few fuel delivery upgrades. There is a ton of people that have done it so there is plenty of instructions.

 

Paddle away till your hearts content, put everything you want in or you'll regret it. Hopefully you got lots of cash. Hourly rate of $55 is very reasonable. Good luck

 

No one thinks you are stupid.
Its your car and your money.
My suggestion would be to learn how to use the "search" function on this forum.
You will find thousands of ideas by guys (and gals) who have done all kinds of conversions, restorations, restorations and modifications.
For me personally I like old school motors in old cars so I am in the midst of a 383 stroker backed up by a Camaro T-56 linked to a 4.11 posi rear end into my 75 that started out as an automatic.
You will find a lot of LS engines being put into these older cars if that is your choice just be ready to go the computer route.
So....don't get discouraged if you only get a few suggestions.
Many of us are busy in the shop now that its the new year and time to get our projects done.
There is a ton of FREE info on this forum, so do your homework before you go paying someone $55/hr while you figure out what you want to do.
First step would be to decide what you will use the car for...daily driver, smokin' street rod, track racer, show car, or some combo of these?
Then come up with a budget.....it will cost twice as much and take twice as long .....as a rule.
Find as many parts as you can by searching ebay, Craig's list, the For Sale section of this forum, local swap meets, etc, etc
Then go for it.

And don't be afraid to ask questions.....there are no stupid ones, just unasked ones.

Good luck

Bman

 

I want combo, show car, smokin street rod, daily driver (I have another car so rs not a full daily driver but I like to drive it alot.)

What did you mean by go the computer rout?

 

What to do? It would depend on how you would like to use it. Autocross, drag, cross country touring, open road high speed runs, or just drive across town to a restaurant once a month? If you want to narrow into a specialized category, you may limit other uses. And I haven’t even mentioned budget.

For me, a good all around use car would be adequate in all above, but not extreme enough to excel at a high level in any of the above. You also sound like you don’t want to do the work yourself, so systems should be reliable, and need a minimal amount of tuning.
That would lead me to recommend fuel injection, and in turn an overdrive transmission. Your paddle shift idea – they make kits. I would recommend you get one that would do up and down shifts.

So to me - a LS swap with matching transmission would be a good start. Suspension changes could be limited to minor upgrades to stock – shocks, springs, tires/rims. If you need better handling, you could add from there. If you wanted to stay with a SBC, you could add injection, and overdrive, but to me the LS package is a completely engineered system, and has more flexibility and reliability.

 

Budget needs to be your first concern. Power goals and intended use 2nd and third. Once you post that you will get better advice. You can spend minimum $8000 to 30,000 and up. You won't do engine, trans, rear end and suspension upgrades for under 12-15,000 any way you go.

 

An LS engine and trans will need an ECM (computer) which our old cars did not.

 

Computer route refers to the fact that the ls motors are managed by an ECU/PCM. It reads all sorts of data and controls the EFI system. It's one of the many reasons modern V8's can get such great mpg and still pull tons of power. People often swap to a carburetor and ditch the computer system entirely but then you're going backwards it seems. That sort of thing is usually for people building drag cars and what not. Personally I love a big ol' massive displacement motor but if you have the cash and want an all-around car I would go ls. LS6 is stupid over priced. You can go LS1 and do a heads/cam package and get better bang for the buck (because essentially they are the same motors). For the suspension, keep the stock set up and get some adjustable shocks and new bushings everywhere. For the trans, that's on you. Modern autos are great and a 4L60 will mate right up to an ls motor no problem. Personally I think auto cars are lame as hell (aside from race cars of course) but if you prefer auto then build what YOU like.

 

I have no idea if anyone thinks you are stupid if they do then they need to deal with that it's a "them" problem not a "you" problem.
The kind of build you would like to do is what I called in high school a "dream" build,
I did do one dream build once and after it was done it took all the fun out of the car for me, in my case I dig old school with a touch of jalopy, the best build I can do with what I have.

My point is your build idea is likely only going to appeal to you and your tastes 100% so it will be slow to get replies, in some cases guys are busy doing their own dream builds in other cases their "dream" is 100% factory stock so your thread will have little or no interest and then you will get the bitter jealous curmudgeon who will just be all negative about anything anyone wants to build. ( none here yet )
And even using "hot rod" and "corvette" together, some get a big knot in their panties over that....

You want opinions and suggestions but the simple fact is only you can build what you want, but perhaps you know "what" you want but you do not know how to get there.

Look at me, my build, old school, a mild 454 that the neighbors stock Lexus can spank,
I am keeping the old th400 auto for now because I am tired hunting for gears just to look cool, but will always admit stick is "cooler" than auto. if I really get crazy and toss $$$ at something I might get a gearvenders overdrive and have a 6 speed auto.

So forget what I want lets talk about what you want, from your posts I gather you want something of a bit more modern build, but before we get carried away with....


You will have to have a budget of some sort to work with, some would say save up all or the bulk before staring others would say pay while you play, like the very wise 63Mako has pointed out with numbers this build will get very pricey, you might not take a rectum ripping hit when you sell it but you will never get the $$$ back.
So perhaps in your case unless you hit a lotto you might consider the build in stages.

You want to hire out the build, nothing wrong with that we all come to points in our lives that for whatever reason we have to hire this or that done for us, I am in that boat with my chassis swap out. look how many fellows on here could not run a q-jet if not for Lars.

Shops get tall dollars an hour, "by the hour" great for the shop bad for the customer, we pay for their lunch breaks, smoke breaks, texting their wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, okay you get my point, all the jobs I hire out I only pay "by the job" it does cut down who will work for me because they know my reasons are valid but any good shop will have a "general" idea what a well outlined build will cost and can bid accordingly, all depends if they want/need the work.

Next be sure the shop is up to it, when I went looking for a shop to do my frame swap out I was hit back with all kinds of offers ranging from the overnight custom shops that we have around here like mushrooms that never touched a vette before to guys wanting to do it in their driveway for double what the vette shop in town would do it for.
And before anyone asks I didn't go with the vette shop because I have learned they want to do it "their" way and everything costs double what they told you it would cost.

I do not believe any shop is flawless, it's a trade off, But if I was in that $$$ position I would send a car to Wilcox and sleep easy.

In my case the fellow doing my frame swap said a week, back in sept, I said no rush ( meaning, take weeks, a month ) my car is still sitting there.

in your case I would believe you would enjoy the LS because it's a modern great hp engine, lots of cats on here have that swap and love it, you said your shop has done LS swaps, are they really savvy on it?
There are computers to contend and different LS's.

If you didn't want the somewhat complexity of the LS second choice might be the 383 but tell the builder you want a bit more bottom end a little less top end, you don't really want to have to rev the **** out of a street engine to get any power.

The paddle shifter, that is simply out of my box, it's really cool, really neat-o.
I might take a look at that for my Pseudo GT-40 build but not my 69 vette, too much smoke and mirrors.
So I guess I would go back to the LS and like someone else said that tko tranny if hunting gears was a must or a modern auto if cruising was higher on the list.

Nothing against you or your dream build but I just bet if a fellow from this forum took you on Mr toads wild ride in his not modern c3 in the 300-350 street friendly hp range, you would fall in love.

My point is perhaps you need to get your hands on some stuff and get the "feel" hit some local cruises and shows meet some cats with cool builds it's great to build from a desk top but better to be out where you can really get the spirit ( and smells ) of it all.
If you are going to own a "hot rod" Corvette you will have to start spinning wrenches at some point, grab some car craft and hot rod type mags and start reading....

Was I long winded enough?
Okay, gotta run get some parts in the mail some cats on here bought from me...

 

I don't completely know what my full budget will be.

My guess will be somewhere 15-20

Right now sitting on 6, but by the time I told the shop ill prob be ready my guessis ill be somewhere 15-20

 

A couple years ago I decided it was time to do something with the old '77 sitting in the garage. My goal was to solve for the most efficient (pricewise) way to end up with a fairly good looking car, but not mint since I'm beating it on the street. 500lb/ft from 3000 to 5000 rpm, five speed upgrade, and enough wheel and suspension upgrades to keep up with the times. Vague enough?

Well, I ended up going with an ATK (HP55C cammed down a little for the street) gen 1 383 crate motor, easy for me to work on. Keisler SS700 5spd, (now LG&T) which turned out to be a rock solid road race geared unit that works well with my 3.70 rear and tire size. $12,000 in parts so far. Now, for Spring 2015, the complete suspension rebuild begins with a long list of items drawn up into three phases. I still have to work for a living so it takes time. Hope this helps, sharing the way I think about it. And by far the best thing I ever did was stumble onto corvetteforum.com which is the best free education I ever had. All of my suspension ideas came from hours of reading right here. Thanks to all who've contributed!

 

15-20k can buy a very nice c3 in this market. Maybe no paddle shifter, but options,originality,condition, etc. something to think about if you ever decide to move on. Either way good luck just my .02

 

Put this on your calendar. Have lots of coffee and a couple days vacation scheduled
http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/48-...ild-1684290190

 

It can but the problem is in most cases a person who wants a higly modded car ( I am one ) will never find a modded car "just" what they desire, so paying a penny for anything we will change is a waste of money.
I can fully respect what he wants to do I just feel he needs to relax and plan it out...what he "really" wants.

 

Don't get me wrong I love modded vettes, my thought was not to discourage that, I agree do everything you want to your car to make it exactly like you want. If you don't you will always regret it. Just always felt it wise to buy the most car you can get for your money. I think it will save money on the back end. Anything you change can always be changed back giving you a more marketable car even if you just save everything for the next guy.

 

Good luck with your build. The easiest route would be rebuilding your motor to a 383/406 and maybe adding efi. A 200r4/700r4 would be the easiest/cheapest overdrive transmission swap. Suspension, take a look at VB&P, they seem to be the most popular. If you want to spend more $$$, take a look at the new ride tech suspension or the Shark Bite.

With the $$$ you have now, the 383/200r4 can probably be done and maybe efi. There will be advocates for an LS swap. I think the 383 is better because accessories like headers, using your current alternator, ac compressor, etc., will be cheaper.

Ive had a C2 in a shop for near 3yrs, lol. The fun part of your build is researching the various options and components for your car. One thing to consider is the hp. A 500 hp car will need a 500hp drive line and a 500hp wheel and tire combo, which then requires flares for the wheels and tires, lol. This stuff can get expensive pretty quick.

 

I love Gen 1 SBC ' s, but with this being said an LS 3 with a cam and head work is reliable and will make gobs of horsepower which will cost quite a bit.

DO MA NEU!

 

if I had to flex my opinion this is what the op should do, the build will not be so over top $$$ wise yet I really bet he would be happy with the results...on that 500hp thing, how many cars do have that kind of hp but the builder left the rest stock...