Can a C3 Corvette be Driven/Modded Cheaply?

"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu) 01/30/2018 at 13:23 • Filed to: Corvette, Corvette C3, Autocross

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I’d like to get one for as “budget” of a price as possible and drive it in the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Basically street-legal muscle cars with whatever engine/suspension mods you want. Any Oppos have experience with C3s?

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > way2blu does a rev update 01/30/2018 at 13:26

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On the plus side, rust isn’t nearly an issue. The suspension components are easy enough to get. Engines are basically the same as any other GM small blocks. As is the transmission. If you need bodywork, might be better off going to a place that does boats. But there really isn’t anything about them that would make them maintenance nightmares over anything else of the vintage.

bob and john > way2blu does a rev update 01/30/2018 at 13:28

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Paging CLAYTON

random001 > way2blu does a rev update 01/30/2018 at 13:29

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I want one so bad.

Party-vi > bob and john 01/30/2018 at 13:29

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ETA: Nothing to see here I’m an idiot

Nibby > bob and john 01/30/2018 at 13:30

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you rang?

My bird IS the word > way2blu does a rev update 01/30/2018 at 13:34

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Experience, no. But chevy 350 parts are as cheap as it gets. Blueprint sells a complete new engine (with fuel injection no less) for $3800

blueprint

mainstream GM stuff, while poorly put together, is an absolute goldmine for performance parts. Sometimes baby boomers come in handy.

Autophile412 - what's the world got in store? > way2blu does a rev update 01/30/2018 at 13:34

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The mechanicals are right out of the chevrolet parts bin so parts are relatively easy to find and rather inexpensive compared to other sports cars of the era.

Handles like a boat (fitting because you need a boatmaker for body repairs) but with some minor suspension mods you can make it a lot better. I had a 75 for a long time and I would regularly beat the crap out of it and it took the beatings in stride.

Have fun.

Sweet Trav > way2blu does a rev update 01/30/2018 at 13:36

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So from a suspension standpoint, the C3 is cluster fuck. CAM-T is a bunch of hypercompetitive douchebros who flex on their 100k pro-touring mustangs and Camaros. I’m not saying you cant build a C3 to be competitive, but you’re going to have to put a new frame under it. Engines anything from a smallblock V8 to an LS will work.

I’m about 15K into the build of my CAM-T car (86 Monte SS) and it’s far from “competitive”.

3500 in the LS swap, 7K on suspension, 1100 in the rear end, 2k in wheels and tires, the rest is misc shit.

Sweet Trav > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 01/30/2018 at 13:38

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Rust isn’t and issue on a Corvette? how many have you worked on? body panels aren’t made out of glass sure, but the frame and windshield support and frame are, there’s a lot of steel on the these cars that people forget about, and the fiberglass panels trap a lot of grime up against the steel...

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > Sweet Trav 01/30/2018 at 13:43

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Fair enough. I was thinking floorboards and fenders that collect rust and need massive repairs and suspension parts are easily swapped out completely.

way2blu does a rev update > Sweet Trav 01/30/2018 at 13:46

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I can imagine the C3 would cost even more, suspension-wise, due to the frame swap and whatnot. Thank you for the advice. I’ll definitely look further into the suspension design to see if it’s really right for me.

Sweet Trav > way2blu does a rev update 01/30/2018 at 13:47

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C4's are CAM Legal, and there are plenty of other cool cars that are Pre-93 that can be made fast. I wouldn’t pick a C3 to be a cam car though

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > way2blu does a rev update 01/30/2018 at 13:47

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Anything engine related will be super cheap since Chevy used the same basic block in everything for so long. You could completely build one of those motors using parts from just one catalogue, and there are tons of catalogues like that.

way2blu does a rev update > Autophile412 - what's the world got in store? 01/30/2018 at 13:48

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Cheap, simple mechanicals are exactly what I’m looking for.

way2blu does a rev update > My bird IS the word 01/30/2018 at 13:51

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That blueprint engine looks really cool, though I’ve got my own ideas about what’s gonna get swapped in...

C3 is seeming more and more like a good idea. Just finding a cheap one is the main issue :/

way2blu does a rev update > Sweet Trav 01/30/2018 at 13:52

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True, I guess I just have always liked the look of C3s. C4 would be much more competitive without nearly as much invested.

My bird IS the word > way2blu does a rev update 01/30/2018 at 14:01

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well that is just a demo. would probably make way more sense to stick with the block you have, you could build it to make 400-450 hp easy, they routinely do it on engine masters.

crowmolly > way2blu does a rev update 01/30/2018 at 14:07

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Yeah, a pretty decent amount.

Define “budget”.

You can certainly have fun. But being competitive will require dollars.

crowmolly > way2blu does a rev update 01/30/2018 at 14:08

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Not sure if you need a frame swap, but to upgrade to DSE’s new front and rear suspension you need $20,000. They basically re-did all of it.

crowmolly > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 01/30/2018 at 14:09

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The frames get fucky. Back near the rear trailing arm pocket for example.

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > crowmolly 01/30/2018 at 14:20

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On the plus side, you can get aftermarket frames. Which can’t be said of Corvairs...

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > way2blu does a rev update 01/30/2018 at 14:31

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Hi there, broke kid with C3 here. I bought my 1970 for $6,500 a few years ago as a non-runner. I have about $12k into it now but it’s a reliable driver. Expect your purchase price to DOUBLE if you’re buying a 1968-70 model with the factory high-compression motors. Yes, late 70's cars are cheap and plentiful but they’re mostly automatics, they weigh an easy 600 pounds more than a chrome bumper car and they have low power.

For handling, right out of the box a ‘Vette will out corner with the best sports cars of the era. (Unless it’s a big block) Mine is stock but running the special-order Ghymkhana suspension that is rock hard and has giant anti-roll bars. The weak point is front suspension geometry. Tubular A-arms can cure a lot of ills there. Otherwise, these have meaty 4-piston vented disc brakes on every corner and they can run fat 245 tires if you want to be competitive. Stock they have 51/49 weight distribution and are very balanced. I love mine!

AestheticsInMotion > way2blu does a rev update 01/30/2018 at 14:51

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This sounds like an awesome idea. But playing devils advocate, think about what you could do to the MR2 with that money...

dannyzabolotny > way2blu does a rev update 01/30/2018 at 15:35

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I’d do it. That Chevy 350 is one of the easiest engines to build, and with the massive aftermarket you really can’t go wrong in terms of power. The handling on the C3 is light years ahead of the usual American muscle, but still pretty crappy by modern standards. Plan to spend a bit of money if you want it to handle really well. The 3-speed auto is pretty slushy but they are ubiquitous and robust, as well as being less desirable and thus cheaper.

If you want a cheap C3, your best bet is to go for the later years— 1975+. Those tend to be cheaper since enthusiasts look down upon them. They’re dogs in stock form, making around 200hp or less, but all it takes is an intake, headers, exhaust, and removing the emissions equipment to make them pretty decent performers. My personal favorites are the 1978+ models since they have that awesome fastback rear glass, it’s like the perfect mish-mash of 70's and 80's styling.

Also, watch out for frame rust. The fiberglass bodies don’t rust, but the frames sure do. You can see some of the frame underneath the car, make sure it’s not rotten. The windshield supports and T-bar form what’s called the “birdcage” in the C3 community, that also tends to rust. Do your due diligence to avoid buying a nightmare.

The best C3's out there still need some work, while the worst need full frame-off restorations. My advice is to buy one that’s been mostly refreshed, or is somebody’s nearly-done project. I recently saw a clean 1979 that had fresh paint, a rebuilt engine with performance parts, and reupholstered seats for like $5900. It was running and driving but needed the interior to be completed so it would have been a great starting point with so much already fixed.

way2blu does a rev update > AestheticsInMotion 01/30/2018 at 16:32

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Ah. Yup. Good point...

Kanaric > Sweet Trav 01/30/2018 at 19:17

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“I’m about 15K into the build of my CAM-T car (86 Monte SS) and it’s far from “competitive”.”

You don’t live in Las Vegas do you? There is a guy here with that exact car building for CAM-T.  

Kanaric > way2blu does a rev update 01/30/2018 at 19:19

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For CAM-T and if you want a Corvette just do a C4 and call it a day. It would be much easier and a better starting point. I would only do this if you want a serious project.

Sweet Trav > Kanaric 01/31/2018 at 08:19

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Nope, Michigan.