1981 Vette questions
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Instructor
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 107
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From: Columbus In.
1981 Vette questions
Hey guys I heard about a 1981 vette for sale that I might buy.
Its 2 tone blue/silver. 30k original miles auto. I know it has 190 hp.
first year for computer and clear coat paint. My cousin says that its a dog
and sucks gas and is poor quality. Whats your opinion of the 1981??
What would be a good price to pay for this Vette??????
Its 2 tone blue/silver. 30k original miles auto. I know it has 190 hp.
first year for computer and clear coat paint. My cousin says that its a dog
and sucks gas and is poor quality. Whats your opinion of the 1981??
What would be a good price to pay for this Vette??????
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
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St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Re: 1981 Vette questions (mistercorvette89)
1981 is the first year of computers in all models of Corvettes (1980 had them in the 305 CI California cars).
The computer reads the O2 sensor and uses an electric solenoid in the carburetor to adjust fuel ratio. It also controls the distributor to set advance.
The third item is a lockup torque converter that the computer controls to give a lower RPM above 45 - 50 MPH.
Yes, they are a dog -- but so was the 1980 with 180 HP, it has nothing to do with the computer. It may just need a good tune up - new plugs, wires, O2 sensor and timing.
If you wanted the computer controls are easily replaced by changing the carb, the distributor and adding a vacuum switch to control the transmission lockup.
You could also have a much stronger engine put under that carb and distributor and it should run well.
As far as price - excellent condition 1980-82's have been going for 12-14K.
Good condition knocks about 1-2K off the price.
[Modified by BSeery, 11:07 AM 5/15/2003]
The computer reads the O2 sensor and uses an electric solenoid in the carburetor to adjust fuel ratio. It also controls the distributor to set advance.
The third item is a lockup torque converter that the computer controls to give a lower RPM above 45 - 50 MPH.
Yes, they are a dog -- but so was the 1980 with 180 HP, it has nothing to do with the computer. It may just need a good tune up - new plugs, wires, O2 sensor and timing.
If you wanted the computer controls are easily replaced by changing the carb, the distributor and adding a vacuum switch to control the transmission lockup.
You could also have a much stronger engine put under that carb and distributor and it should run well.
As far as price - excellent condition 1980-82's have been going for 12-14K.
Good condition knocks about 1-2K off the price.
[Modified by BSeery, 11:07 AM 5/15/2003]
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 245
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From: Raleigh NC
Re: 1981 Vette questions (mistercorvette89)
I've got an 1981 auto. While certainly not being the fastest 'vette, it does still have more HP than previous years. My car gets about 23mpg on the highway, but I do a LOT of downtown city driving so I average around 13. The quality seems fine to me, other than the normal C3 issues (e-brake, etc.)
I couldn't help with a price, though.
I couldn't help with a price, though.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 357
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From: Sayville New York
Re: 1981 Vette questions (mistercorvette89)
I have had my 81 for 6 years now. I love it. It is not fast at all stock. I think 80-82 were the wildest body style. So it is all about taste. There is this new magazine called Corvette Magazine (catchy name right?) They have a market watch where they give you prices of diff. years. this months issue happened to cover the C3. I am at work and don't have the article with me so if you want exact figures email me. But I think it said something like a crummy one is worth about 5500, a decent one is worth about 8500 a nice one is worth about 11000 and I think they said an excelent one is about 13500. I think they are the right #'s. I hope this helps.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,758
Likes: 3
From: Surrey
Re: 1981 Vette questions (Enkil)
... and a lot of weight reduction was carried out for the '81. Reliability of mine is excellent, fuel consumtion figures aren't bad (low 20's on a long run) & the power is supposed to be up a bit on previous years, but getting more power out of it is part of the fun :)
:cheers:
:cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,029
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From: meraux LA
Re: 1981 Vette questions (BSeery)
I had a 81 for a while, and the computer gave me alot of trouble. I could never get the carb adjusted correctly to work with the computer. Check engine light always would come on. It never left me but it ran like a dog. I will this about the 81 I had, it was the smoothest riding vette I've driven
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 560
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From: The Valley of The Sun AZ
Re: 1981 Vette questions (crf311)
I've had my 81 for a few years now and I love it. While it lacks HP stock, it can be made just as peppy as any other year with $$$. The gofast vettes of yesteryear are priced accordingly and the new ones are as well. With what it costs for a new Z06, I could have quite a doorslammer of a 81.
81 shaved weight off the window glass, redesigned the exhaust manifolds and as you know added the CCC. It was the second last model of the body style.
My goal is to own a 61, 71, 81, 91 and a 2001 one day. I'm 1/5 of the way there!
-B
81 shaved weight off the window glass, redesigned the exhaust manifolds and as you know added the CCC. It was the second last model of the body style.
My goal is to own a 61, 71, 81, 91 and a 2001 one day. I'm 1/5 of the way there!
-B
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,921
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From: York PA
Re: 1981 Vette questions (mistercorvette89)
If you have to go through emissions testing and want to modify the engine your choices are limited a little. You can have a new chip made for around $200, but I have not yet found the code so that you can make your own. Also since the carb is considered emmision equipment you can't just remove it. But when the system is working right it's a good system, and it will handle some tweeking. Also keep in mind that although it only had 190HP, it still had close to 300 ft/lbs of torque, so it's not a total dog. :cheers:
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 248
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From: Houma LA
Re: 1981 Vette questions (mistercorvette89)
I've been fixing up my '81 for about 8 months. It isn't the fastest vette, but in my opinion, its the best-looking. I've done a few mods and drove it the other day, its not a dog anymore(although I never drove it in stock form). Bottom line is that anything can be fast if you throw cash at it, so get a car that you like how it rides and looks. Look at the vette's potential, not it's faults.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,700
Likes: 3
From: Lebanon KY
Re: 1981 Vette questions (mistercorvette89)
i've had my 81 almost 2 years. I've always loved the clean sleek look that the 80-82 C3's provide. As far as power, it's easy to get some on these cars, although you will forfeit the good gas mileage. I took the computer out, all smog equipment, put a new q-jet carb, swapped the factory cam with a crane cam, and put true 2" dual exhaust with no cats or mufflers. all that made a huge difference. i couldn't even begin to think about how much more horse it has now. It doesn't get the best gas mileage in the world tho. the most I've ever seen is 12 mpg, but i do a combination of both highway and city driving, 7 days a week. i didn't buy it for good gas mileage anyways, just for an awesome lookin daily driver :yesnod:
I believe $12K+ sounds reasonable for the car, if it's in real good shape, especially since it has low miles. if the car is close to stock, and the computer is still hooked up, it should still get ~20 mpg on the highway.
I believe $12K+ sounds reasonable for the car, if it's in real good shape, especially since it has low miles. if the car is close to stock, and the computer is still hooked up, it should still get ~20 mpg on the highway.
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,457
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From: Press "2" for English
Re: 1981 Vette questions (mistercorvette89)
the '81 is one of the most misunderstood years produced. it's kind of a red-headed stepchild because of the computer controls and emissions era power (or lack thereof). in many ways though it was the finest corvette to that point and certainly one of the best performers of it's time. the computer, everyone seems to lament the computer. truely they are finicky to say the least but they are also relatively cheap to replace. the carb is still a carb, it just has a couple of solenoids in it so no big deal there and the distributor is similar to what is still used in current conventional SBC (if there is such a thing any longer).
all in all, i say they are one of the best deals going. i certainly wouldn't pay over 10k for any '81 unless it looks like it's still on the showroom floor. that includes myown, very worn, very rugged '81. if it's in good overall shape with little to no repairs needed to be a reliable daily driver, i would say 7-9k. start deducting for repairs needed. the magazine price guides tend to be a little optimistic.
all in all, i say they are one of the best deals going. i certainly wouldn't pay over 10k for any '81 unless it looks like it's still on the showroom floor. that includes myown, very worn, very rugged '81. if it's in good overall shape with little to no repairs needed to be a reliable daily driver, i would say 7-9k. start deducting for repairs needed. the magazine price guides tend to be a little optimistic.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 582
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From: Near Raleigh NC
Re: 1981 Vette questions (mistercorvette89)
my 81 is no dog, and another 81'er in our club is no barker either. Sure may be more HP and faster ones OT but I have the one for me. BTW, 2-tones are Bowling Green cars, if the paint is factory. Not everyone can tell you the straight-up, this is a good forum to answer your ??
good luck :D
good luck :D
