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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)?
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
NCM Member '09
Originally Posted by ChiliPepperGarage
This is one of my all time favorite cars:
I love all years, but yeah, the generation I fell in love with as a kid is the 2nd, and this one is one of my "hero cars".....
As to what to do for your C5 and hot rodding? I'd find someone else's project, and finish it to your tastes if you want to stay C5. Just my opinion, but I wouldn't tear yours up...
I'm definitely in the camp for selling the C3 to fund modding your current C5 Z06. I would say go with an A&A supercharger. Upgrade your clutch. Get a good set of longtube headers and an x-pipe. This will give you more power, and give you the sound you want without being too over the top loud. Upgrade your suspension with either C6 Z06 shocks and sway bars, or get a set of coilovers. If you like fender flares, go for it. That will allow you to put on wider tires to better handle all the extra power. Definitely do the A&A kit and the headers at the same time. That way you can knock the whole thing out with a single dyno session. When done right, this setup would net you 600+ HP to the wheels while remaining safe and reliable. You could even get decent gas mileage depending on how you drove it.
As someone who has spent more on mods than I paid for the car, I do have an experienced point of view with this. If you're going to do this, you need to go into it accepting that you are NEVER going to sell this car. This is not something that you do as a financial investment. It is something that you do to get the perfect car for YOU! Make the car exactly what you want it to be, and then keep it for the rest of your life. I would like to get a C8 someday. However, I won't sell my C5 to get it. You'll have a lot more fun with the car once you completely stop worrying about resale value.
As a rule of thumb, it cost about $1 Million to pave one mile of road. This is actually how much it costs, not hyperbole. Paving the road would cost several times more than modding the car.
As a rule of thumb, it cost about $1 Million to pave one mile of road. This is actually how much it costs, not hyperbole. Paving the road would cost several times more than modding the car.
I'm definitely in the camp for selling the C3 to fund modding your current C5 Z06. I would say go with an A&A supercharger. Upgrade your clutch. Get a good set of longtube headers and an x-pipe. This will give you more power, and give you the sound you want without being too over the top loud. Upgrade your suspension with either C6 Z06 shocks and sway bars, or get a set of coilovers. If you like fender flares, go for it. That will allow you to put on wider tires to better handle all the extra power. Definitely do the A&A kit and the headers at the same time. That way you can knock the whole thing out with a single dyno session. When done right, this setup would net you 600+ HP to the wheels while remaining safe and reliable. You could even get decent gas mileage depending on how you drove it.
As someone who has spent more on mods than I paid for the car, I do have an experienced point of view with this. If you're going to do this, you need to go into it accepting that you are NEVER going to sell this car. This is not something that you do as a financial investment. It is something that you do to get the perfect car for YOU! Make the car exactly what you want it to be, and then keep it for the rest of your life. I would like to get a C8 someday. However, I won't sell my C5 to get it. You'll have a lot more fun with the car once you completely stop worrying about resale value.
600 WHP sounds like a lot of fun!
Your last paragraph is what I think I need to do. I should think it it like this: A wealthy friend or relative is offering to give me this car for free and the only stipulation is that I can never sell it.
You do cars for the love of the car. But the C5 ZO6 in good condition may actually be one car you will not lose your shirt on. The prices and interest are increasing. Document the mods and you will be fine.
As for the roads. If you don't drive it someone else will. You may as well get the good out of it.
The C2 is the best design for a American sports car IMHO, of all the Corvette designs including the C8. If I could afford one, I would have one now rather then C5 vert. My first Vette was a '64 auto vert with hard top. I yell at myself constantly for selling it in 1972.
I dreamed of a C2. I got to thinking ,I am letting
the years slip by, dreaming.You want ,it make it happen.
Here is my 600hp dream.
Damn nice car! Can you give us the specs on the 600HP motor?
I sometimes think about this too. I could sell the Z06, the C3, and my '34 Ford hot rod and get enough to buy a decent C2 and build it to what I want without dipping into my savings. Consolidate 3 cars down to one as well. Now I have to go looking in the C2 section here!
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.
.....Could have given it the Wide Flares, Slammed And a SuperCharger
...With A Roll Bar for Serious Hot Rod Effect...
Anyway, Difficulty of acquisition or Price being set aside ....
.... find a wrecked C2
...throw all your Hopes, Dreams (and Cash) at it
Assuming it’s reasonably High Quality Build
....it becomes $180-$250,000 car
.....I build and have built these...
and have a couple of friends with some pretty radical C2’s
The cash is not a guess
...friend of mine turned down 220,000 for his
Pretty much don’t care how much you spend on a C5
as much as we love them
it’s not gonna get there
A friend of mine has a C2 Vert
Superbly Flared
Lowered
LS7
SRIII Frame
For the most part that represents the running gear of a C6
*** Kicking Car
.... ditch them both and get building
just make sure you do the flares Right
and carry through a level of sophisticated and superb detail ....
Ha!! ...You can always Steal another Red Z06 !
Ha ha, yes I keep thinking the same thing now, should have kept the vert and modified it as it was the high miles, kind of rough car that would be a good base to build off of. Oh well.
All this advice has me more confused! Now I think I'm going to sell this Formula Fastech with a 502 Mag and Whipple supercharger to free up a little more cash.
I agree with C2 prices going up. I have a buddy that knows a guy with a '64 coupe, 4 speed with NOM 350. I talked to the guy over a year ago and he wanted $35K for it. I should have snatched it up then. I talked to my buddy about it a few months ago and now he wants to buy it but he already has a '66, matching 427, 4 speed coupe. I'm going to call him this weekend and see what's going on with the car, if he's going to buy it (I don't think he has the cash on hand) and if the guy is still at $35K or if he wants more now (probably ). It would be the perfect car for what I want to do. It is in gray primer, somewhat rough interior and not a show car.
If I can't get that car I'm not sure where I would look of a wrecked one or one that needs a total rebuild. They don't come up for sale very often. C3's do but I know if I built a C3 I'd always still want a C2. I don't know, something like this is pretty cool too though.
Last edited by ChiliPepperGarage; Jun 1, 2023 at 08:18 PM.
C5's are cheap ,right now, compared to a C2.
Here's my 20year old C5 Coupe with 650 hp
SC engine,Finishline tranny,rollbar, CCW,Willwood.
built suspension,etc,etc A great car to drive on the track
or the street.
that might be cheaper than modding the car!
Am I Crazy?
, 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.
). It would be the perfect car for what I want to do. It is in gray primer, somewhat rough interior and not a show car.
