How hard is it all really?
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
How hard is it all really?
What's up guys. I'm sure it's been asked before I'd just like answers for myself.
So I'm looking to buy a new project car. I've always loved c3s and so I've decided to go for one. However, I do intend to do some modifications. I'll likely end up with a 350. Or a roller. I'd like to swap in a 454 and a five speed. I'll likely use crate parts for the ease. So what I'd like to know is this. How hard is it really to do a swap like that? I'd like to think I'm fairly bright, but the most I've really ever done is change oil and belts. Brakes, spark plugs, normal things like that. And a lot of work on the 13b in my old rx8. So for a guy who has next to no experience how difficult would something like this be?
Thank you very much for your time
So I'm looking to buy a new project car. I've always loved c3s and so I've decided to go for one. However, I do intend to do some modifications. I'll likely end up with a 350. Or a roller. I'd like to swap in a 454 and a five speed. I'll likely use crate parts for the ease. So what I'd like to know is this. How hard is it really to do a swap like that? I'd like to think I'm fairly bright, but the most I've really ever done is change oil and belts. Brakes, spark plugs, normal things like that. And a lot of work on the 13b in my old rx8. So for a guy who has next to no experience how difficult would something like this be?
Thank you very much for your time
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 9,433
Likes: 239
From: Powassan ON
It's a function of time and money.
No time, but lots of money, buy a car already done.
Little money, but lots of time, do it yourself.
Lots of info on her re sb vs BB swaps. Lots of trans swaps as well.
No time, but lots of money, buy a car already done.
Little money, but lots of time, do it yourself.
Lots of info on her re sb vs BB swaps. Lots of trans swaps as well.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 23
From: Kansas
Yes Sir; I've had 9 Corvettes over the years, four of them C 3's. I still have two as well as other cars to keep me busy. The first thing is a place to park them, for mos on end where you can get at them, Then a lot of money ea. Mo. to buy parts for them. The Corvette Forum is a great place to buy parts, @ reasonable prices, but remember, Not all Sellers have Scruples. Remember a lot of the C-3's have Rust problems. 1982 was the first year that the Ins. reports were kept on wrecks, Buyer Beware. I have been lucky enough to fine some fine Rust free examples, So they are out here. I love the feelings of pleasure I get driving my Corvettes. My wife always knows where I am at. Have a great time. Gene
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
No matter how epic some like to make it what you want to do isn't too hard at all, do your research and homework before you start, read all the good all the bad and never listen to just one person and do not limit your research to one forum,
In my build thread I swapped out a 383 for 454 in a day and a half taking my time, and drove 150 miles home.
The aim and shop manuals are handy but anything in them is free online,
The harder part is finding the c3 that you feel is just right for you, in your budget AND is not rusted out, yes, I am jaded about rust, most c3's if they have been driven and used as cars will have some rust, frame. birdcage, both, there is no such things as "rust free" unless it's just been restored or some no miles shelf queen.
In my build thread I swapped out a 383 for 454 in a day and a half taking my time, and drove 150 miles home.
The aim and shop manuals are handy but anything in them is free online,
The harder part is finding the c3 that you feel is just right for you, in your budget AND is not rusted out, yes, I am jaded about rust, most c3's if they have been driven and used as cars will have some rust, frame. birdcage, both, there is no such things as "rust free" unless it's just been restored or some no miles shelf queen.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,399
Likes: 793
What's up guys. I'm sure it's been asked before I'd just like answers for myself.
So I'm looking to buy a new project car. I've always loved c3s and so I've decided to go for one. However, I do intend to do some modifications. I'll likely end up with a 350. Or a roller. I'd like to swap in a 454 and a five speed. I'll likely use crate parts for the ease. So what I'd like to know is this. How hard is it really to do a swap like that? I'd like to think I'm fairly bright, but the most I've really ever done is change oil and belts. Brakes, spark plugs, normal things like that. And a lot of work on the 13b in my old rx8. So for a guy who has next to no experience how difficult would something like this be?
Thank you very much for your time
So I'm looking to buy a new project car. I've always loved c3s and so I've decided to go for one. However, I do intend to do some modifications. I'll likely end up with a 350. Or a roller. I'd like to swap in a 454 and a five speed. I'll likely use crate parts for the ease. So what I'd like to know is this. How hard is it really to do a swap like that? I'd like to think I'm fairly bright, but the most I've really ever done is change oil and belts. Brakes, spark plugs, normal things like that. And a lot of work on the 13b in my old rx8. So for a guy who has next to no experience how difficult would something like this be?
Thank you very much for your time
Good Luck
r
The ORIGINAL and bestest
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 10,009
Likes: 240
From: Toronto Ontario
Toronto Events Coordinator
Lgarretto, welcome to the forum! 
These old cars are fairly simple, so if you have some mechanical inclination, you will be fine. The conversion you are considering doing would be pretty much a "bolt-in" job, requiring little if any fabrication or even special tools. Remember, the earlier cars came with both small and big blocks factory installed.
These old cars are fairly simple, so if you have some mechanical inclination, you will be fine. The conversion you are considering doing would be pretty much a "bolt-in" job, requiring little if any fabrication or even special tools. Remember, the earlier cars came with both small and big blocks factory installed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Your past experience should give you a good idea of whether you can do this or not. Have you started hobbies or projects in the past and then lost interest in them and given up to go onto the next thing? If so, this is probably not for you. On the other hand, are you the sort of person that sticks with something when you start it? Are you a determined sort of person? If yes, this shouldn't present a problem for you.
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Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 730
Likes: 37
From: Catoosa Okla
With a few pictures I could give you a fair and balanced assessment, at least a starting point. It all depends on what you have to start with. Know that, and you can break out a calculator on the rest, provide YOU can do the labor. I LOVE my C3, but at about 50% through my build, I purposely quit looking at parts receipts. much less add them up. I still haven't, and doubt I will unless I choose to sell the car. When a single door panel exceeds $400 bucks and you need two, well, you see where this is going and i needed a LOT more than just that. Don't get me wrong. I have no regrets, but would NEVER have been able to achieve my goal if I would have had to foot labor on top of parts
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
With a few pictures I could give you a fair and balanced assessment, at least a starting point. It all depends on what you have to start with. Know that, and you can break out a calculator on the rest, provide YOU can do the labor. I LOVE my C3, but at about 50% through my build, I purposely quit looking at parts receipts. much less add them up. I still haven't, and doubt I will unless I choose to sell the car. When a single door panel exceeds $400 bucks and you need two, well, you see where this is going and i needed a LOT more than just that. Don't get me wrong. I have no regrets, but would NEVER have been able to achieve my goal if I would have had to foot labor on top of parts
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Time, money, skill level, & willingness to learn.
The C3 Corvette is, after all, a Chevrolet. As such, the documentation on how the car is put together and the availability of repair/replacement parts is second to none. Other than the engine compartment being fairly 'snug', there are no more difficulties to working on a C3 Corvette than any other 40+ year old car!
Knowing your way around the 'wrenches', having a decent set of tools, purchasing the right documentation (the AIM & the Chevrolet Chassis Service Manual for your model year car are ABSOLUTE MUSTS, if you will be working on it yourself), and getting just as much enjoyment out of working on the car as you do driving it...are the critical items to success. Oh, and you either need to be really creative with repairing what parts you already have, or you need to have the "coins" to buy new stuff that you don't want to repair.
If that sounds like YOU, buy it and have fun!!
The C3 Corvette is, after all, a Chevrolet. As such, the documentation on how the car is put together and the availability of repair/replacement parts is second to none. Other than the engine compartment being fairly 'snug', there are no more difficulties to working on a C3 Corvette than any other 40+ year old car!
Knowing your way around the 'wrenches', having a decent set of tools, purchasing the right documentation (the AIM & the Chevrolet Chassis Service Manual for your model year car are ABSOLUTE MUSTS, if you will be working on it yourself), and getting just as much enjoyment out of working on the car as you do driving it...are the critical items to success. Oh, and you either need to be really creative with repairing what parts you already have, or you need to have the "coins" to buy new stuff that you don't want to repair.
If that sounds like YOU, buy it and have fun!!
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 81
From: Hamilton Virginia
Exactly. If you find a BB car and its only a few thousand more than a SB car, spend the extra coin now. You will spend about that swapping in a BB. Plus the time and effort. The swap is not that hard. I did it myself, by myself.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
When I went hunting my c3 I knew I wanted bb but I also wanted 68-72 and convertible so in that finding a bb in my budget wasn't going to happen, even projects that had the bb's had all the numbers matching purist stuff that drives the price way up.
I didn't see what year c3 the op wanted but no bb's after 74, he might not be able to find a car with a bb at all, plus he wants to mod so paying a penny for any purist stuff would be a waste,
My car was a great price for a project and then the trash sb fetched 150.00 then my dad pressed and talked me into a 383 which I didn't like at all, his buddy built it very cheap that engine was swapped for a fresh built 454 that owner didn't like in his 73, the swap was free besides our work which was a fun weekend for all..
I cant stress that unless it is some purist dream that they are willing to settle for there is no reason to waste a penny extra on a car that doesn't fit your bill, ....too many c3's will fit your build and bill if you just look around took me almost 2 years to find mine...
I didn't see what year c3 the op wanted but no bb's after 74, he might not be able to find a car with a bb at all, plus he wants to mod so paying a penny for any purist stuff would be a waste,
My car was a great price for a project and then the trash sb fetched 150.00 then my dad pressed and talked me into a 383 which I didn't like at all, his buddy built it very cheap that engine was swapped for a fresh built 454 that owner didn't like in his 73, the swap was free besides our work which was a fun weekend for all..
I cant stress that unless it is some purist dream that they are willing to settle for there is no reason to waste a penny extra on a car that doesn't fit your bill, ....too many c3's will fit your build and bill if you just look around took me almost 2 years to find mine...