Need information - new in Corvette world
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: prague
Need information - new in Corvette world
Hi, first excuse my bad english, I try to do my best to describe what I need to know..
I want to buy a Corvette C3 with manual transmition and I want to put there stronger engine. My question is - how much horse power and torque can I put in this Corvette. I mean with what power will handle the stock mechanical parts, like transmition, axles, etc.
Second and for now last question is what is the 'weak places' at this Corvettes. Like when I buy it, what is the most critical part on this car to check it before deal is done.
Thanks a lot, it will helps me
founa
I want to buy a Corvette C3 with manual transmition and I want to put there stronger engine. My question is - how much horse power and torque can I put in this Corvette. I mean with what power will handle the stock mechanical parts, like transmition, axles, etc.
Second and for now last question is what is the 'weak places' at this Corvettes. Like when I buy it, what is the most critical part on this car to check it before deal is done.
Thanks a lot, it will helps me
founa
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: Bloomington IN
Re: Need information - new in Corvette world (founa)
Welcome to the forum! Great place for answers...
As for what you should check out when buying a vette I recommend making sure the frame is solid and depending what you plan on paying for the car check the mechanical condition of the engine and transmission. Take a long test drive make sure you don't have any overheating or fluids gushing out from someplace. And, your questions about HP. Well I've seen plenty of vette owners with 300 or more with stock transmissions. Vettes are money pits, but we love um'. How much horsepower do you want? How much money you got? :seeya
As for what you should check out when buying a vette I recommend making sure the frame is solid and depending what you plan on paying for the car check the mechanical condition of the engine and transmission. Take a long test drive make sure you don't have any overheating or fluids gushing out from someplace. And, your questions about HP. Well I've seen plenty of vette owners with 300 or more with stock transmissions. Vettes are money pits, but we love um'. How much horsepower do you want? How much money you got? :seeya
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,731
Likes: 22
From: Marietta Ga.
Re: Need information - new in Corvette world (founa)
Welcome to the forum. There is a good checklist in the faq(frequently asked questions) section see the Threads below.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/dpg/part1.htm
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/dpg/part2.htm
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/dpg/part3.htm
Hope it helps. :seeya
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/dpg/part1.htm
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/dpg/part2.htm
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/dpg/part3.htm
Hope it helps. :seeya
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: prague
Re: Need information - new in Corvette world (midwest-vette)
Thank you,
well, it's more about distance, then money. I'm from europe and here is no Corvettes and parts for them. That's why I want to buy it in good mechanical shape - I can play with fiberglass, paint, interior, etc, but it will be hard to buy some broken mechanical parts. In other words, I don't care how it will look - I can repair it, but I'm affraid about mechanical problems. So, I want to be sure, when I put in Vett 500hp engine, the trasmition, differential, etc will be ok. Anyway, maybe you will say I'm Vett Barbarian:), but the four speed manual sounds littlebit like a handycap for me. I know, that cool 8valve engine have a brutal torgue, but still five or six speed transmittion will be better. Do you have some experinces with some another transmittions in C3 Vetts? Maybe there will fit from C4..?
If you are interesting, or just for fun - this car is from 1969 from Europe (same year like C3 Vett). It have 1.1 l, 4 valve engine with 62hp at 4650rpm and 86Nm at 3.500rpm. Funny? :). ***, it's four speed manual. But weight of this car was just 880kg (1900pounds I guess). It was pretty fast and in race conversion (stronger engine, different susspenisons, etc) this car won many races:). http://www.cbox.cz/bogy/Coupe_6.jpg
well, it's more about distance, then money. I'm from europe and here is no Corvettes and parts for them. That's why I want to buy it in good mechanical shape - I can play with fiberglass, paint, interior, etc, but it will be hard to buy some broken mechanical parts. In other words, I don't care how it will look - I can repair it, but I'm affraid about mechanical problems. So, I want to be sure, when I put in Vett 500hp engine, the trasmition, differential, etc will be ok. Anyway, maybe you will say I'm Vett Barbarian:), but the four speed manual sounds littlebit like a handycap for me. I know, that cool 8valve engine have a brutal torgue, but still five or six speed transmittion will be better. Do you have some experinces with some another transmittions in C3 Vetts? Maybe there will fit from C4..?
If you are interesting, or just for fun - this car is from 1969 from Europe (same year like C3 Vett). It have 1.1 l, 4 valve engine with 62hp at 4650rpm and 86Nm at 3.500rpm. Funny? :). ***, it's four speed manual. But weight of this car was just 880kg (1900pounds I guess). It was pretty fast and in race conversion (stronger engine, different susspenisons, etc) this car won many races:). http://www.cbox.cz/bogy/Coupe_6.jpg
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 2
From: New Zealand
Re: Need information - new in Corvette world (founa)
Nice looking car and in great condition for a '69, but 62HP??? :crazy:
If you're used to driving that around, then I'd guess a 500HP Vette will be a noticeable difference :lol:
Are you planning on racing the Vette? 500HP is a lot for the street and could easily snap a lot of 20+ year old drivetrain parts...that sort of power could even break new parts. A respectable 350 with good low end torque will fry the tires and keep you from searching and waiting for replacement parts.
Also, there are a few European members, BBWOWBAGGER, UKPAUL, MARKUS who could help with parts availabilty and your questions.
Good luck...
If you're used to driving that around, then I'd guess a 500HP Vette will be a noticeable difference :lol:
Are you planning on racing the Vette? 500HP is a lot for the street and could easily snap a lot of 20+ year old drivetrain parts...that sort of power could even break new parts. A respectable 350 with good low end torque will fry the tires and keep you from searching and waiting for replacement parts.
Also, there are a few European members, BBWOWBAGGER, UKPAUL, MARKUS who could help with parts availabilty and your questions.
Good luck...
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: prague
Re: Need information - new in Corvette world (standup)
That car is not mine, I just want to show you differences between europe and US at that time. This car could won races, with different engine (1.3l, with 105kW in !8500rpm!) indeed, but its still far away from 8valve Corvette engine:). http://www.cbox.cz/bogy/130rs.jpg.
Well, I will not racing - if you mean some regular racing circuit, but I'm pretty sure I can't stand to hold my leg in upper position all the time:). If you are asking if I be a nice driver and go 50mph, then - no, I will race:). What about Vetts with the 427 engine - did thay have the some parts like 350, just different engine, or it's completely different car?
Do you know about some technical manual about Vetts engines? Here we have 95 and 98 octane fuel, it's regular fuel, less octane is hard to find, I guess in US, you have arround ?86? I must adjust the engine for this octane somehow. Anyway, I will need some technical manual about all Vetts parts and stuff. Do you know, where I can buy it? Thanks
Thanks, I can try to contact them when I buy my new baby..
Well, I will not racing - if you mean some regular racing circuit, but I'm pretty sure I can't stand to hold my leg in upper position all the time:). If you are asking if I be a nice driver and go 50mph, then - no, I will race:). What about Vetts with the 427 engine - did thay have the some parts like 350, just different engine, or it's completely different car?
Do you know about some technical manual about Vetts engines? Here we have 95 and 98 octane fuel, it's regular fuel, less octane is hard to find, I guess in US, you have arround ?86? I must adjust the engine for this octane somehow. Anyway, I will need some technical manual about all Vetts parts and stuff. Do you know, where I can buy it? Thanks
Thanks, I can try to contact them when I buy my new baby..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,187
Likes: 0
From: Rotterdam
Re: Need information - new in Corvette world (founa)
Founa,nice to see another European C3 lover... :cheers:
I'm not sure how it is in Prague,but here in Holland there are enough C3's and parts for sale....but for you it might be easier to find one in Germany?
If you want to look for a C3 overhere,let us know....
You can always ask in the Dutch Corvetteforums...
http://www.heartbeatcorvette.nl/forum/default.asp
http://www.corvetteforum.nl/index.php
:thumbs:
I'm not sure how it is in Prague,but here in Holland there are enough C3's and parts for sale....but for you it might be easier to find one in Germany?
If you want to look for a C3 overhere,let us know....
You can always ask in the Dutch Corvetteforums...
http://www.heartbeatcorvette.nl/forum/default.asp
http://www.corvetteforum.nl/index.php
:thumbs:
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
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
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,807
Likes: 0
From: Hoosier
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: Need information - new in Corvette world (Pete Z)
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: prague
Re: Need information - new in Corvette world (Pete Z)
Well, thank you for that links, but I can read just in my language and english, everything else is just letters for me..:). Here in Czech is no C3 - it's because by the law you can't register car older then 8 years when they are imported. So nobody here can officaly have it. But I have Czech and British citizenship and in UK is no this stupid law, so I can register C3 in UK and take it to Czech where I live now. Anyway, nice to meet C3 fiend on the same side of the ocean:).