What I'd really like out of my '81 is for it to retain it's looks, but gain modern drivability performance and reliability. Basically a C4 in a C3's body. I don't want to swap engines (matching numbers, no place to store the original engine), but I'm all for reversible mods.

Last time I drove it, almost 3 years ago, I had just finished dumping over $5k into it (pretty much got shafted by a "performance" shop that held my car hostage until I paid them). So other than some minor things like a small leak in the power steering, it should still be in good shape mechanically.

I'll be on a limited budget and would prefer to do all my own work (don't trust mecahnics around here), but I'm looking for ideas, hints, tips, thoughts, links, etc. No junkyard scrounging either, I'd rather do without until I could afford to do it right. Here is what I have so far:

A/C -> r134a. Pretty much a must. My A/C doesn't work, it leaks, it may even need completely replaced as it is.

Carb -> EFI. No idea on cost, who makes a kit? Which FI is best bang for the buck? Considering this is what convinced me to research "moderninzing" all the mechanics of the car.

hydroboost - Need to fix a very minor PS leak. It's a fairly straightforward bolt in kit right?

steeroids - Do I need it? What exactly does it do? Big improvements?

Suspension - I've never really had any complaints and I've tried to keep it in good shape, but it's 20+ year old tech so I'd expect aftermarket "modern" improvements.

4-spd -> 5-spd? 6-spd? New rear-end gears at the same time?

15" wheels -> 17" wheels and Z-rated tires. Any relatively stock wheels in this size, or at least wheels that "fit" the car? For example, wheels that look great on a C5, could look like crap on a C3, and although I really like the stock wheels on my '81, they would look like crap on a C5.

 

This is becoming a pretty popular option for old iron (fiberglass)...I've done several of them and am finishing a 1980 model for a customer right now. He had already done a considerable amount of suspension work: Herb Adams, Vette Brakes and Products, and other very nice suspension pieces. He also had the very nice Steeroids rack and pinion installed..

I'm buttoning up the 420" small block replete with AFR aluminum heads, a TPIS MiniRam, and FAST Wide-Band EFI system... The coup d' grace?? A Viper spec T56 six speed. The car is already riding on the very sharp modern Torq-Thrusts in 17" size. I can assure you that this car has every modern convenience while retaining its "classic" lines. It is a more than worthwhile undertaking in my opinion; particularly if you like to DRIVE the car!
-Jeb Burnett

 

I had the same thoughts exactly. Page62 told me about his 200r4 tranny, I saw a bunch of members buy the steeroids kits, I perused Van Steels website and saw the mono leaf spring front suspension kits. Several members have done engine work that yields more hp than the new Z06. These cars seem to be easily updatable and many people here have done it. Even if you spend a bunch of money, you'd be hard pressed to find something new that performed as well and looked as good for that same dollar amount. Maybe some of the late Camaros and Firebirds, but I don't think they are holding their market value as well as Vettes.

Reliability? My car is mostly stock and I've done only a few things to it. I bought it in worse shape and immediately drove it from Boston to FL. The only thing bad that happened was the power antenna got stuck on. My car is very reliable!


[Modified by isosceles, 5:26 PM 4/3/2003] :hurray:


[Modified by isosceles, 5:26 PM 4/3/2003]

 

If only I had this kind og money...
http://www.carcreationsinc.com/html_2/63home.html

JimBRO

 

There are more shops that do that, cheaper. There's even one shop that has a complete tubular chassis for 3000$ that accepts the C4 .

This is one of the links I remember, I think the one w/ the C4 susp. stuff is a diff. company
http://www.alstonracing.com:8080/cat...kernelGroup=13