Burnt71

Starting with a blank slate . Building a Car dedicated to only running at the strip with a local youth group. Do not foresee ever going over 400 hp. Want to stay with the independent rear suspension. We want to start with a bare frame and our first goal is to get it rolling lol. We have many stock parts available . 80-82 frames pre 80 frames multiple year bodies etc .... suggestions ?

C5 Pete

There are a lot of smart C3 guys on here. I'm sure they'll chime in with solid advice.


If I remember correctly, the 78-81 iron diff has a 3.55 gear in it. That would be a good place to start.

Offset trailing arms will be required if you want a bigger tire.

Good luck with your project and thanks for keeping kids involved.

427Hotrod

That's a pretty big range of parts.

I'd use an iron diff housing with a spool inside. Solid 1350 u-joints, Tom's outer stubs and have some halfshafts made locally out of thicker tubing. You could use a Smart Struts kit to reduce camber change...or just make a spacer and make some lower adjustable links using the universal ones from circle track places (Smiley's). Use Heim joints...no bushings.

There's several Mfg's and kits out there to do all of this if you don't want to make it a project for the students to build.

Stock arms can work...I've got stock ones on my car and it launches wheels in the air everytime. You can choose wheels to place some 8-10" slicks where you need them.

While body is off frame, I'd add some steel plating to reinforce the kick up area. I used 3/16" steel and heated and formed it and then welded in place. Once prettied up and painted/powdercoated and body is in place you'll never see it. Really stiffens things.

I installed 1" spacers under body mounts to lift body on frame. Had to do a little juggling with bumper brackets on rear but everything else was easy to adjust. Allows more hood clearance and everything is easier to work on around trans and diff. Just play with springs to re-set the ride height.

JIM

Burnt71

Great way to start the list off . Use the 1980 frame or a pre 1980 frame ? I have a Vette parts guy giving us old parts ? P.S. all the stuff he is giving will all need welding and work. Dont we want it as light as possible ?

427Hotrod

I would use one from an automatic car so it has a removable crossmember or make sure to modify it before putting it all together. Frame just needs to work with the body and with the rear IRS combo. So go with something that had an iron diff originally.

Depends on how serious you want to go with light. You can add C-4 front end pieces....and even rear stuff (aftermarket heavy duty) and use an iron diff if you don't mind some fabrication.

Make it easy to work on.

JIM

L79racer

Put an eton posi in stock case with richmond ring and pinion. Add steel cap to the left side of carrier. Install international axles and spindles. 763 428-5020 ask for Tom. Run a power glide transmission and just foot brake it and youll never break it. Thats whats in the blue Vette.

http://s807.photobucket.com/user/fas...7cc00.mp4.html

L79racer

10.50's all day long. Still one of my favorite videos.