Hello to all . New to this site and my first post . I have been working on my car that I have owned for last 20 years  . 2012 had new motor built added around 200 extra hp over stock . New paint with fiberglass bumpers finished in spring of 2013 . Next was trans shop , total rebuild of turbo 400 adding 2800 3000 stall convertor . Also in 2013 had new leather seat covers and foam for seats , also had door panels and new motors and regulaters installed for power windows . This year will be working on brakes , suspension , front end  and wheel bearings . I have purchased most parts from Ecklers and now looking for extra advice on problems I may encounter and if others have used same parts with good or bad results. Suspension is 550 lb front springs with 330 lb fiberglass for rear . Bilstein sport shocks front and back . 1 1/8 anti sway bar for front and 3/4 for back . Poly bushings for A arms and rear trailing arms . Also have inner and outer tie rod ends and idler arm , rear adjustable strut rods. Brakes I have bought are Wilwood aluminum calipers with Wilwood drilled and slotted rotors . Have also purchased wheel bearings for front and back . Any advice or suggestions would be of great help . Thanks             

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Sounds like you are building a monster.  Wow! 

Welcome to C3VR! 
Front springs might be a bit too stout, rear one is a little stiffer than stock, but might be ok. Everything else looks like good choices. If you have never done rear spindle bearings on a '63-'82 Corvette, you might consider paying someone to do them for you. They are pretty tricky to set up properly, and require some specialized tools. They can be done by a fair mechanic, with patience, and the right tools, but if they are not set up correctly, the possibility for early failure is great. Just my .0002


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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

I hope it does not turn into a monster  . Just looking for more of a feel and power that would have come stock with a 1970 LT 1 with the F 41 suspension and upgrade brakes option .  

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I hope the front springs will not be to stiff. Was all bought from Ecklers as a package they call the premium street and handling kit . I will be hiring a good mechanic to do a lot of the work . Found someone who has owned and worked on c3 vettes  in past. Takes pride in restoring old cars and I feel he will treat me fairly and do a good job . Thanks for your 00002 all help will be needed.   

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I say put it together and drive it! Get at least 500 miles on the springs before deciding they are too stiff. The coils will break in some. I have no idea if fiberglass leafs "break in" or not. With the extra HP you will probably need an aluminum rad. Maybe even a pusher electric fan up front (keeping the mechanical in the rear).
Got pics?


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My Christmas present to ME! Bought Sat 11-30-2013. 72, 350 4 spd, Silver with blue interior...Can't you just hear Pablo Cruz playing in the background?

Thanks for reply Dave . I will try and see what happens with springs hope all will be good. I did put new rad in when motor was rebuilt also added tranny cooler with high stall convertor . I put around 4200 miles on last year no over heating problems . I do have photos in my profile as well in the registry still trying to figure out how to add more .  

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I did the poly bushings on both my vettes when I rebuilt the front ends. I have no complaints. Although I have talked to many that used them and they said they got noisey as they get older. I would recommend putting grease on inside and out side of bushings before installing them. I have not had any noise with mine. Cant speak to the rear spring as I did an original back there. Many here have changed and seem to like them. As for the rear bearings and spindles, yes they can be a handful. I ordered new trailing arms from baers so I knew they would be trouble free and I didnt have the headaches.
Welcome aboard the group and ask questions and enjoy yourself.
Rodney  

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Do you shop around or do you only buy from Ecklers?  There are lots of Corvette aftermarket suppliers/websites out there.

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Hello Garry . Yes I have shopped around . When I bought parts for interior and body work I purchased from Corvette specialties . When I purchased the suspension and brakes I did look at quit a few different sites , prices were very similar on most sites . I did find Ecklers had all parts and I thought I would save on freight buy ordering from one spot instead of two or three for different products. Long way to ship to Northern BC .  

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Click here to see a recent picture.



(large image modified to a clickable link - Norsky)


|UPDATED|6/24/2014 7:31:27 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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Long and frustrating process now over . When I first dropped of car was told it would be ready in ten days . Seven weeks later I finally have car back . It does drive and feel a whole lot better with all new parts and new 17 inch wheels .

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i have the 550 front springs with 3/4 coil cut and the 360 lb rear spring and it rides well. i have no complaint.

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did the 17' tires fit right in or did you have to do some modifications to make them fit ?

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There's nothing better in life then a Vette

The 17 inch tires did fit with no modifications needed .I did not get carried away and go extra wide . Used 225 / 55 /17 font 17 mm shorter than stock and 235/55/17 rear 9mm shorter in rear .

Click here to see a picture.


(large image modified to a clickable link - Norsky)

|UPDATED|6/24/2014 7:28:17 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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That looks great! With 15's harder to find and pricier when you do find them, it's nice to see a good looking option.

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Dave C..........My mantra: I can not be bought!!      Long and short term leases available.

Thanks Dave . After spending all the money on all upgrades I was a little worried about the age of tires . Checked the dates and found to be ten years old  . After reading different posts about tires blowing out did not to risk that . Dropped car off at body shop this morning have more parts to put in power windows , paint underside of hood , and some minor touch ups on paint chips front .  

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They look great !!

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There's nothing better in life then a Vette

GREAT LOOKIN' RIDE...!!!  

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Jim Olson 

"The Toys"...!!!  Save the Wave!

Where I've been in a Corvette...!!!

Thanks for the compliments from all . Most people say I am crazy to spend so much money fixing up a 75 vette . Those of us who own these cars do see the value in them and love them for what they are an American Classic .   

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Was happy to see your post. I also have a 75 that I am going to tie into this fall.  I've been waiting all year to get started.  I am going to completely replace the suspension and was going to come to this site for suggestions as to what would be my best bet, I was hoping to update to the newest bestest possible without worrying about converting or modifying anything so suggestions would be awesome on this.  I too get a hard time about my cars (from my mother) but I remind them that they told me I needed to get  a hobby.

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Nice ride man. Yeah I agree, many will think your nuts for sinking big money into a "rubber bumper" car. But it's your car and it makes you happy. That's all that counts. 

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GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.

Thanks again for all the encouragement and compliments  I have received on my car.Hard to believe an other year of driving the vette is almost done . Will get one more week next week when I am home from work and put to rest for the winter . All in all was a good year did get upgrades done that were planed for year and got to go to drag strip to see all the improvements pay off. Stock 75 vette with 165 hp 1/4 mile 16.5 to 17 seconds so to get down to 14.17 I thought was pretty good . Next maybe change out 3.36 gears for 3.73 and see times drop even more . Any advice on that would be welcome ?  

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Change the converter to one that isn't so high a stall...your 60ft times will drop dramatically. ET should come down some, too. That's a LOT of stall for a street car. A lower stall would complement a 3.73 gear better, too.
My old '72 ran 12.20s all day, and drove around town too. 3.73 gears, 2200 stall converter, and an engine that was barely street-able....we stole it out of our circle track car..... 
355 small block, 13.1 pistons, roller cam, Strip Dominator intake, and plenty of blood sweat and tears made that '72 the quickest street car around at the time(late '70s).






|UPDATED|10/1/2014 10:45:45 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Thanks for the advice Joel . The converter was put in on the advice of the shop that built my motor . They said more rpm to rear wheels should help to launch off the line better . I do not have any spin on starts as all seems to hook up nice . Going back to transmission shop next week for service will chat with him about this as well . Thanks again 

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Well...is this a drag car that sees occasional street duty, or a street car that hits the strip every now and then?
Gotta set it up for the best performance/durability for it's primary purpose. Stall speed on a "race" car needs to be set for when the engine is up on the cam, meaning, where the cam is working to make torque.
What cam/compression ratio does the engine have? A big cam sounds neato, but without the mechanical compression ratio, it's only good for that....sounding kewl.
If the cam is all in by 3000 rpm, a 3000 stall converter is pretty useless.
If the cam don't start really making torque until ya hit 4500rpm, a 3000 stall converter would be appropriate....but that combination would be a pita to drive on a regular basis on the street.
Torque is for drivin....horsepower is for braggin....


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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Hello again Joel . I do not have all the specs with me as I am not at home right now I am working out of town. I do know it is a comp cam high energy 262 peak torque is around 415 ft lbs at 4000 to 4500 rpm .Peak hp is supposed to be around 5300 rpm and 350 hp . The compression is around 10.25 to 1. The car is a street car that I have only taken to the track on one occasion just to see what type of times it would produce .   

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This is the key...10.25.1 would be IDEAL for that cam. Nice choice on that, for sure.  You could go a little more radical on the cam, but vacuum would be seriously effected.
If the specs are close to what you posted, then that would change my mind on what ya need some, but I still think the converter, IF it is indeed that high of a stall, could be lowered some and improve your 60ft times....especially if you go with the 3.73 gears.
Has the engine been dynoed, or are we "guessing" at the HP/Torque?
Sounds like you have a really nice combo there, anyway. Shouldn't take much to get it into the lo/mid 13s, but remember...the faster it goes, the harder it will be to drive(comfortably) on the street....our '72 mentioned above would barely even start on pump gas....we had to use aviation fuel in it....which gets expensive real quick!




Yup....those ARE wheelie bars on it!

|UPDATED|10/2/2014 10:17:28 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Thanks again for your help Joel this is all new stuff to me as I have never rebuilt a car before .

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