1978 corvette wide body build
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 828
From: Kalamazoo Michigan
Finally got the temps here in Michigan to do the wide body rear clip. This was a bigger project then I thought it would be. 3 guys about 10 hours from layout of fiberglass to last stroke of the brush with resin.
Time to do the body work on the new clip and fasten to car.
The fenders are 3 inches wider a side. Time to start figuring out what wheel size is going to work?
As soon as the body work is done I already have the new interior and seats to install. Hopefully have the tranny back from rebuild next week then I can get the tranny and engine in.
Trying to have the car ready for Motorstate Challange at Gingerman in July!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 828
From: Kalamazoo Michigan
Finally got the brake lines to stop leaking. Thanks to all who responded. All it took was a little more tightening a few times. I now remember why I once told myself not to use stainless lines. There a pain in the *** to seal.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 828
From: Kalamazoo Michigan
Finally got the rear clips body work done and primed.
Need to make a few body mount straps and then expoxy the body to the car. I have a crack in the windshield. So new windshield to be installed this week. Then I can glue and epoxy the body on. A full 6" wider!!
Head light covers and front bumper mounted and straight. New head lights will come through the grills on both sides.
Trans is finally back from rebuild, Motor is ready. Once the body has been mounted Next will be engine and trans install.
Engine ready for install.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 828
From: Kalamazoo Michigan
Finally got the trans back from rebuild. Ready to drop in car.
Was going to wait for help but decided to try it by myself?
This was a pretty easy install took about 30 minutes by myself. Next trans connections, yoke speedo, linkage, trans mount.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 828
From: Kalamazoo Michigan
Motor compartment just about complete.
Waiting for a few parts to complete.
Hopefully by the end of the weekend I will have the new windshield installed, body glued on, interior installed. Then finish the motor compartment when the rest of the parts come in, finish the exhaust system and get the car running. Once the car starts and runs I'll adjust the new steroids rack and align the car. Work out any bugs and then paint. Wonder what color I'm going with? Maybe by the end of the month she'll be complete?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 828
From: Kalamazoo Michigan
New windshield installed.
Air intake and carburetor complete.
Radiator hoses and power steering pully installed.
Just need to finish electric fan wiring and add fluids. She will be ready to start.
Expoxying on rear clip tomorrow.
A little more sanding after rear clip is mounted and then ready for paint. Going to try and make a rear lexon window?
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 828
From: Kalamazoo Michigan
Interior is coming along!
Having a hard time finding a set of 18/19" wheels with an offset that will work? So I borrowed a set of 15" wheels from a buddy.
Have some trim to finish around the windows. And then paint! Will Order tomorrow.
She fires right up and sounds Naaasty!! Made a quick side exhaust open headers she prettey Loud.
Got the composite spring installed with 11" wide wheels and 2" spacer.
Waiting for hood pins, should be here this week. Then I can install the hood.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 828
From: Kalamazoo Michigan
Took her out for her maiden voyage went 50 miles. Was pretty impressed. The timing gears make a cool wine and with open headers out the side she's pretty loud.
I need to finish up the interior and do a final sanding and she will be ready for paint. Hopefully have her painted this weekend.
Stance doesn't look bad.
Carbon fiber hood looks great!
Gasoline Addict
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,052
Likes: 47
From: Twin Cities, MN
Took her out for her maiden voyage went 50 miles. Was pretty impressed. The timing gears make a cool wine and with open headers out the side she's pretty loud.
I need to finish up the interior and do a final sanding and she will be ready for paint. Hopefully have her painted this weekend.
Stance doesn't look bad.
Carbon fiber hood looks great!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 828
From: Kalamazoo Michigan
Yes I was also a little disappointed with the wheel well gaps. I removed so much weight from both the front and rear bumper areas and installed the composite rear spring that this is what it ended up with. As soon as I figure out the wheels 18" front 19" rear I will probably go with the Van steel front and rear suspension then I will be able to adjust the ride height. I'm going to try some longer bolts in the rear spring maybe that will help lower the rear a little for now.
Gasoline Addict
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,052
Likes: 47
From: Twin Cities, MN
Yes I was also a little disappointed with the wheel well gaps. I removed so much weight from both the front and rear bumper areas and installed the composite rear spring that this is what it ended up with. As soon as I figure out the wheels 18" front 19" rear I will probably go with the Van steel front and rear suspension then I will be able to adjust the ride height. I'm going to try some longer bolts in the rear spring maybe that will help lower the rear a little for now.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 828
From: Kalamazoo Michigan
Masking car for base coat PDS.
First coat.
3 coats of grey base.
4 coats of quartz blue plasti dip for full coverage.
2 coats of Dip armor.
Just need to install the tail lights and put the trim pieces back on.
This project has taken nine months and almost complete, well are they ever complete?
Engine compartment turned out super nice!!
It was late when I got to this point. Hopefully I will get most of the trim on tomorrow and have some picture of the car outside.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 828
From: Kalamazoo Michigan
This car will be going up for sale so I can start a new project. I'm looking for a c6 z06. As soon as I finish the window trim I will be listing on c3 corvette forum "For Sale" with full description, pictures and this thread. Thank you for everyone who commented on the project. I had a lot of fun building this car, although the car is not a show car I learned a lot about fiberglass and carbon fiber that I can apply to my next projects. I love the Plasti dip paint very easy to apply.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 828
From: Kalamazoo Michigan
Carbon fiber turned out nice!
I made my own seat brackets to mount the new seat sliders to the car. Seats slide forward and back. Time to look into harnesses.
Engine bay looks clean. Car sounds Naausty!!! Open headers out the side.
Put longer bolts in the rear spring and brought the rear end down an inch.