MN80Vette

** SOLD **
And driven almost 600 miles to its new home.

$14,500
86,200 miles (It had 69,800 miles when I bought it in 2001, so I drove it <1,000 miles/year.)

It’s not perfect and it needs a little work, but all the major modifications have been done: Engine, transmission, differential, suspension, brakes, exhaust, radiator, paint, etc. I put more than $24,000 into this car since I bought it in early 2001!

I had a detached garage with a 4-post lift and lots of room for parts and tools, but we moved “to the city” this year and downsized. I no longer have the space to work on it. I am deep into major remodeling projects, so I don’t have the time to autocross or otherwise enjoy it like we did. I used only ½ tank of gas this year and about that much last year. (It gets about 20 mpg.)

Here are the highlights of 17 years of upgrades:
· GM Performance 350 HO crate engine with iron 64cc Vortec heads, powdered metal steel connecting rods, cast-aluminum pistons, hydraulic flat tappet camshaft
(See more details at http://www.gmperformancemotor.com/parts/19210008.html. )
· Edelbrock RPM Air Gap dual plane intake with heat reflecting ceramic coated inside, heat radiating black ceramic coated outside
· Fuel Air Spark Technology (FAST) EZ fuel injection with a Walbro CA758-2 electric in-tank fuel pump (255 lph @ 50 psi)
· Aeromotive 13129 Fuel Pressure Regulator (30-70 psi) and Summit 230103 40 micron billet fuel filter
· GM Performance HEI distributor (Proform 141-682) with MSD control module, ACCEL Extreme 9000 ceramic spark plug wires
· AGM Industries AC Delete kit
· Long tube ceramic coated headers into a mandrel bent true dual exhaust with an X-pipe, Magna Flow mufflers with polished stainless steel downturned exhaust tips
· Keisler RS500 5-speed manual transmission (based on the T45 transmission used on GT and Cobra Mustangs through 2001)
· Centerforce DF735552 Dual Friction street/strip clutch with hydraulic actuator
· Hydratech aluminum master cylinder on a Hydratech Hydroboost hydraulic brake booster
· Champion aluminum radiator
· Shrouded dual 11 in. fans with a Ron Francis Wiring dual fan controller (independently adjustable for each fan)
· C5 Corvette-based cold air intake draws air from ahead of the radiator
· SpeedDIRECT Steeroids power rack & pinion steering conversion
· Composite monosprings back (360 lbs, lowered with C4 spring bolts) and front (adjustable rate and height)
· Custom traction bar (It stopped wheel hop at the starting line!)
· Tubular lower A-arms
· Bilstein Sport shocks
· VB&P front spreader bar and HD rear camber strut rods (threaded for easy adjustment)
· 1 1/8” front sway bar, 5/8” rear sway bar
· Wilwood Forged Dynalite Big Brake Front Brake Kit with oversized solid surface rotors, black 4-piston aluminum calipers
· Wilwood Forged Dynalite rear Brake Calipers, black 4-piston aluminum calipers on stock rotors
· BOSS 338 wheels, 18”, 3/8” custom billet hub centric spacers in front
· 255/45-18 Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar, Z-rated, 220AAA tires
(Note: Tires meet the SCCA Classic American Muscle (CAM) class “UTQG Treadwear Grade 200 or higher” rule.)
· Original Code 28 Dark Blue Metallic but not original paint. Previous owner’s red paint was media blasted and repainted to original color in 2005; original soft plastic bumper covers were replaced by fiberglass covers at that time (bonded and blended into body for a seamless look),
· Oyster leather and vinyl interior
· Mirrored glass T-tops
· Blaupunkt Monte Carlo MP34 CD, receiver, full-DIN, X-BASS, detachable faceplate, max 45W x 4 channels (15W x 4 continuous), custom carpeted rear speaker box with Polk Audio 6x9 3-way speakers, power radio antenna
· Upgrades and modifications reduced the weight a couple hundred pounds.
· The Assembly Instruction Manual (AIM), dealer shop manual, Hayes, and Chilton manuals, instructions for all major upgrades, and numerous parts are included.
· It also comes with hundreds of pictures of projects, etc.
· Clean title



















Things that need some attention:
· Door locks
· Adjust power windows
· Reconnect Killer Lights electric headlight actuators (with Firebird Trans Am motors, C4 Corvette control module)
· Heat and blower controls need to be connected
· Body mounts are cracked but not really a problem. I have new ones, but this project never made it to the top of the list.
· Corners of the adjustable aluminum front valance/splitter need to be trimmed if you need to comply with SCCA Classic American Muscle (CAM) class rule, “Front splitter, air dam, and/or spoiler may be added below the bumper, but must not extend past the perimeter of the original body…”
· Transmission is leaking a little fluid, most likely from the press-fit cap on the yoke. It’s an easy fix (apply silicone sealer). I may have it fixed at a local shop.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...k-keisler.html

bmackrell

Videos? Love to hear it.

Assuming you are located in Minnesota?

jimco84x

If this car had chrome bumpers, I'd be begging you to take my money!! Nice looking and I like the mod list

Jim

MN80Vette

Yes, we live in Plymouth, MN, a west suburb of Minneapolis.
The shortest video file I have is bigger (almost 2x) than the limit for this forum.
I'll look around to see if there's another way to share it.

bmackrell

put it up on youtube and a link here ???

Scarlett-73

Great looking C-3 GLWS! Wish I could buy it!!

MN80Vette

Try this link. It's not a very good video, but you get the idea:

MN80Vette

This video is a little better. I just looked at the date the video was recorded. This video was taken when it had a Holley carb on the engine. Acceleration is better with the FAST EZ TBI:

baja216

Good luck with the sale. I've followed your build throughout the years. I'm not using my '80 that much either.

bebezote

pm sent

zrc3john

If it had chrome bumpers it would be double the price......Some are just overpriced if you ask me....I think this car is a great buy....Seems like a knowledgeable owner...

MN80Vette

A few C3 Forum members asked to see pictures of various parts of the build, so here are a few of the highlights:
It was originally red when I bought, several shades of red. I had it media blasted at a local shop and spent MANY hours filling and sanding.

MN80Vette

Original headlight vacuum actuator headlights vs. Killer Lights with Firebird Trans Am motors and C4 Corvette control module.

MN80Vette

New diff, 360# composite rear spring, half shafts, VB&P HD rear camber strut rods, 5/8" rear sway bar, Centerforce DF735552 Dual Friction street/strip clutch with hydraulic actuator. (Bilstein shocks were added later.)

MN80Vette

Engine with Holley carb (pre-FAST EZ EFI), drop base, K&N filter and lid.
Ported, ceramic coated Edelbrock RPM Air Gap, copper-nickel hard fuel lines, C5-like cold air intake

PCMusicGuy

Free bump. Beautiful car. If it had a good working A/C I'd be all over it.

MN80Vette

Thanks!
AC would be a nice upgrade for much of the country, but you'd have to move the hard fuel lines to make room for the compressor. I don't know if Vintage Air or Classic Auto Air make a kit that would fit a 1980.

zrc3john

For me T-Tops are AC......Considering its going to be used as a second or third car, AC is not a big deal....This car seems to be really set up well......Best 80 I have seen..

jsbwac

Gordonm