Orginal or Mod?

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Jan 20, 2005 | 02:39 PM

zymosan

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Intermediate

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 26

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From: San Diego CA

Orginal or Mod?

I was wondering what everyones opinion was about restoring/fixing up vetts?

In my case i got the car from my grandfather, who was the orginal owner. Over the years as things needed to be replaced he would get the original part or have the broken one re-built. Im not sure where to take it, I want to put a new stereo system in it, (which i'll post pics, and links of) but in regard to adding suped-up parts, and replacing older parts with new ones, or even going crazy and chroming everything out, whats everybody elses opinion, and does moding a vett increase, or decreas the value?

Thanks!

Eric

Jan 20, 2005 | 02:51 PM

i885744

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Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 687

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From: Atascadero Ca

depends on the car. What year, motor, trans, coupe or convertable, mileage, etc.? Pictures would be great and welcome to the forum! The general concensus on this forum is "mod it" and "drive it" however maintaining origionality certainly has a home here too. Look at our supporting vendors and at ecklers, mid america, or corvette central. They make modern stereo's that look stock and fit in the stock locations. Most hide a cd changer somewhere in the back. They can drive your amps, speakers, whatever you prefer. I have modern jl audio speakers in the stock locations, and a sub hidden in the bin behind the seat. If you didn't know any better you'd swear i had the stock stereo until you turned the key.

Jan 20, 2005 | 04:01 PM

zymosan

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 26

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From: San Diego CA

Its a Canary Yellow Stingray, 1973, 350, 4spd, T-tops, and its in very good condition.

Thus far i've added a K&N air filter, and bought all the components for the stereo system:

2 - 4x6 Infinity Kappa speakers,
1 - 8" Kicker solo-baric sub
1 - 550.3 Kicker 550w, 3ch, amp
JVC - KD-SHX900 deck

and a metal bezel replacement for the stock with the proper size hole cut in it for the deck. Im going to hook it all up next weekend.

I was also going to put the sub into the compartment behind the passanger seat, any advice?

I'll take and post some pics of the car tonight.

Eric

Jan 20, 2005 | 04:47 PM

markdtn

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 7,720

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From: Chattanooga TN

See http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=995969

My opinion is to maintain the best value make mods that are reversible.

Jan 20, 2005 | 06:17 PM

71vetteLT-1

Instructor

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 203

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From: harrisonburg (JMU) va

the way i see our vette project is...im not, or my dad's not planning on selling the car ANYWHERE in the future, so why not build the car how we want it. yeah, it's decently rare (71 LT-1) but since it will be driven occasionally (not a trailer queen), we want it to look and feel the way we want it to. its our car, it should be how we want it, not some NCRS judge. There are some on here that beg to differ, but that is just how i feel about it.

the thing with the value is that it can increase the value if someone is willing to pay for the modifications you have done, this is just about the same with a lot of cars, at least thats how i feel. if you do end up supin it up it might just take a little longer to find a buyer that is willing to pay extra for the things you have done.

just my .02 cents

Jan 20, 2005 | 09:04 PM

i885744

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Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 687

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From: Atascadero Ca

73' 4 speed 350 isn't anything special. I have one, it was green origionally. I'd build it the way you want it. Just keep the origonal parts in the attic.

As for the 8" sub in the back...

I took a piece of good quality pressobard and cut it to fit. Put a couple screws in it and caulked the corners. I then covered the whole thing with kitty filler and blended it into the vette's fiberglass and carpeted over the whole thing. The result is an airtight box, perfect fit, I couldn't be happier. I reccomend dynamat for the whole interior, it will rattle like crazy.

Jan 20, 2005 | 10:44 PM

Jughead

Senior Member since 1492

Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 87,872

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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...

St. Jude Donor '09

I've been thinking with all these Mod vs stock posts recently and tried to imagine if I went the NCRS/stock route. I think I'd get pretty board. I wouldn't be able to change anything on the car, not the wheels, tires, springs, shifter, paint, engine, carb, intake etc. I think I'd be pretty miserable.

If not completely banannas.

I wouldn't be able to try a different intake, maybe try some headers or even a factory side exhaust system.

Forget about a chambered exhaust and that performance fuel pump.

X-out the aluminum radiator and electric fans that cool my 454 so well. Forget about switching carbs to see if it runs better with mech secondaries.

Cam change a no-no! (well maybe you could sneak in a new cam.

I'd be stuck with the way my Vette rolled off the factory floor.

Sorry, stock is just not for me. I think I'd break out in a rash or something.

LOTAHP I need a fix!!!

Jan 21, 2005 | 12:53 PM

stingr69

Le Mans Master

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 7,423

Likes: 1,458

From: Little Rock AR

Kind of funny realy. I have just the opposite position.

If you keep it stock, you can have an excuse to be "done" with it and enjoy it. The car will retain more value that way if you ever need to sell.

If you go to the "modified" side of things, you can never truly be done so you will always be chasing the "better, stronger, faster" bug. Actualy more expensive in the long run and you get less back if you ever need to sell.

That is why I like them stock but I can definately relate to those that truly love the challenge of modifying the heck out of their Vettes.

Its all good!

-Mark.