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I do have two tops. One with the scoop, one
flat ,stock top. Scoop ,for air, to driver, when wearing a
fire suit ( in the summer esp). Tracks discourage AC.
Well, sometimes decisions are made by themselves. I accepted an offer on the car today. I know I'm going to miss it immensely but I'm going after a '64 coupe that I will build into the hot rod Corvette that I want.
Well, sometimes decisions are made by themselves. I accepted an offer on the car today. I know I'm going to miss it immensely but I'm going after a '64 coupe that I will build into the hot rod Corvette that I want.
You won't be sorry. Good move.
You have a dream and You are making it happen.
Well, sometimes decisions are made by themselves. I accepted an offer on the car today. I know I'm going to miss it immensely but I'm going after a '64 coupe that I will build into the hot rod Corvette that I want.
Excellent
...Get the Shop Ready
PM your cell ...if you would like some practical advice
...and Technical observations on current C2 Super Modified
Stuff. There are several paths. Some better than others
Mid year (C2) cars have always been my favorite Corvette since I was a kid. I think they are one of the most beautiful cars ever made. I would love to build something like the above for terrorizing the local mountain roads around here. Unfortunately, these cars have gotten so expensive that I really can't afford one. Not just the purchase price but the cost to modify it to where I want it.
So, I thought about doing up a C3 in the same style. I have a '79 that is a decent car but would have to spend a fair amount of money on it which I don't mind doing to get the results I want (including a manual trans conversion).
BUT , I also have this beautiful 33K miles Z06 that I just listed for sale. Mainly because it is too nice for where I live (on a dirt road) and I hate to see it get filthy all the time. I have it listed at $29K and would take a little less. That would certainly fund the C3 project and have some extra cash left over.
The thing is though, the C3 will never be as good as the C5 is, even in stock form. It won't handle as well, won't be as comfortable, won't get close to the same gas mileage, etc. although it may look cooler.
I re-watched this video last night and it got me thinking, maybe it would be better to keep the Z06 and modify that car (and sell the C3 to fund the mods) to make a modern version of "Big Red".
I had wanted to keep it all stock as I think it is more valuable in stock form but at the same time, it is such a great platform to start with and I wouldn't have to do a lot to it. Engine performance is pretty good but may want to go cam/heads/intake but maybe just leave it as is and do the supercharger. That decision can be made down the road.
The stock exhaust isn't bad but I would like it a little more throatier. It should have the tires replaced soon (they are a few years old) and I know the stock size tires are hard to find now so I thought maybe get new wheels in black (I love the black on red look). Like this:
I really love wide fender flares too and have seen really nice C5's with them like this one:
I think going with flares is a pretty drastic change from stock though and that's my dilemma. Do I want to alter my super clean, all original low miles car? Or sell this car and find a higher miles, more used car to modify that I wouldn't worry about so much. At the same time, I'm a hot rod guy and in that world we say, if you want to build a really nice hot rod, start with the nicest stock car you can find. That pretty much describes my car now.
I also think that if I did modify my car I'd use it more and maybe not worry so much about it getting dirty or losing value as it would be more of a hot rod. I just have to make that mental adjustment. I know what many say, "Why are you saving it for the next guy? Drive it and enjoy it" and I've always subscribed to this thinking myself. And, it is just a C5Z after all and not some rare, low production, special car.
So what would you guys do? I'm asking here because I don't have a wife to real me in when I have crazy ideas and no real car guy friends around here. If you have a modified Z06 are you happy with it (and posting a photo of video would help)?
Thanks.
The mere fact you and I are members here pretty much answers your original question!!!!
ChiliPepperGarage
My first dream was a C5 Coupe which I still have.
Next dream 1966 Corvette Coupe.
454 block with 427 crank= 427 Big Block
Comp cam/piston,Eagle rods,10.3 compression,MSD EFI
Willwood brakes,700r tranny,Ididit steering /power
power brakes, rebuilt suspension,M/T drag radials and the list goes on.
I have pretty much rebuilt ,the whole car ,inside and out.
When you start looking, for a C2 ,watch out for, rust in the birdcage,
first. Because, a paint job has gotton, so ,expensive, find a C2 that has
good paint, but, lacking in other ways ,like mechanical or interior.
Good luck finding your dream.
??? on the 454 block!! The 427 and 454 BB BOTH had a 4.25 bore. What advantage is there to go with a 454 block over a 427 block? Same thing. 454 had a 4" stroke, 427 had a 3.75" stroke.....
??? on the 454 block!! The 427 and 454 BB BOTH had a 4.25 bore. What advantage is there to go with a 454 block over a 427 block? Same thing. 454 had a 4" stroke, 427 had a 3.75" stroke.....
454 block is the same as a 427 block in terms of bore, etc. The 454 block is probably much easier to find. Throw a 396 crank in there with 427 pistons, and you have a 427.
454 block is the same as a 427 block in terms of bore, etc. The 454 block is probably much easier to find. Throw a 396 crank in there with 427 pistons, and you have a 427.
This is also one of MY all time favorite cars. IIRC, it has been in the same family and on the track for at least forty years and has gone through multiple evolutions. That background makes the car all the cooler to me.
Some folks say, "Oh, you mean that Fast and Furious car?" NO. I have seen the first two, so maybe I saw that. I don't remember. But hearing it said that way cheapens it to me. NO... I mean the track monster red 65 from the midwest.
I will share here that as my own Z06 build has progressed it was keeping this car in mind that had me begin to wander into suspension and braking upgrades. Track driving is something I have zero experience with yet, but I will get there.
So maybe I'm in a good position to offer some guidance.
I agree. The C5 trumps any C3 build short of a full complete gutting with custom suspension. A neighbor started down that path and quickly bailed on his black 79 and sold it.
Primary question: will yours be a street car you take to the track, or will it be a track car you drive on the street?
I have done my best to err towards the former. I don't want a full race car on the street, and I enjoy putting miles on cars. I am immune to most NVH others would complain about. But I don't want spherical joints in my control arms for example, or a stripped interior and race pads which squeeeeeeeeel around town. I want my wife to still support the hobby so I've added weight in terms of insulation and sound deadening.
Once you have a direction, the rest is easy. Your only other choice is.... keep the clean one and mod it.... or sell the clean one, grab one with miles to gut and make new as a project while taking half the sale of the first one to invest in said mods. It goes quickly. I can steer you if street car on the track is your thing. Others can build a better parts list if you are thinking track car on the street.
This is also one of MY all time favorite cars. IIRC, it has been in the same family and on the track for at least forty years and has gone through multiple evolutions. That background makes the car all the cooler to me.
Some folks say, "Oh, you mean that Fast and Furious car?" NO. I have seen the first two, so maybe I saw that. I don't remember. But hearing it said that way cheapens it to me. NO... I mean the track monster red 65 from the midwest.
I will share here that as my own Z06 build has progressed it was keeping this car in mind that had me begin to wander into suspension and braking upgrades. Track driving is something I have zero experience with yet, but I will get there.
So maybe I'm in a good position to offer some guidance.
I agree. The C5 trumps any C3 build short of a full complete gutting with custom suspension. A neighbor started down that path and quickly bailed on his black 79 and sold it.
Primary question: will yours be a street car you take to the track, or will it be a track car you drive on the street?
I have done my best to err towards the former. I don't want a full race car on the street, and I enjoy putting miles on cars. I am immune to most NVH others would complain about. But I don't want spherical joints in my control arms for example, or a stripped interior and race pads which squeeeeeeeeel around town. I want my wife to still support the hobby so I've added weight in terms of insulation and sound deadening.
Once you have a direction, the rest is easy. Your only other choice is.... keep the clean one and mod it.... or sell the clean one, grab one with miles to gut and make new as a project while taking half the sale of the first one to invest in said mods. It goes quickly. I can steer you if street car on the track is your thing. Others can build a better parts list if you are thinking track car on the street.
Thanks for the info.
A little update: the potential buyer of my Z06 is uncertain whether he can go through with purchase or not. I won't go into details but at this point I'm not sure if car is sold or not. Sooooo, now I'm thinking of keeping it and modding it once again. If I do, I'll go the street car route with it. I think the Z06 is a pretty darn good car in stock form but I'd like a little more exhaust note and some cosmetic improvements (mostly some sort of stripes and different wheels) at first.
I really don't think I'll ever track the car and the main use will be spirited drives in the fantastic roads of the Sierra mountains. I'd like to keep the car relatively comfortable and fun. Do you have a build thread on your car? I'd be interested in seeing what you have done.
, I also have this beautiful 33K miles Z06 that I just listed for sale. Mainly because it is too nice for where I live (on a dirt road) and I hate to see it get filthy all the time. I have it listed at $29K and would take a little less. That would certainly fund the C3 project and have some extra cash left over.
