I'm basically looking for advice of things to do to my C3. I'm new to owning a corvette, just bought my 1977 earlier in the year, and have been busy restoring it, but I want to turn it into a high performance show-car. Some people were suggesting I turn it into a track monster, running over 1000 horsepower, but I just don't think that'd be right. I want my corvette to be a beautiful showcar, and at the same time I'm very interested in making her one of the best cars in her class on the track, and just competing in a lower HP class. I'm not sure though, exactly what kind of things I should do to achieve this high performance show-car I so greatly desire. Money is no question, but...there are some rules when handling corvettes. As of right now, my two biggest issues are...

Since 1976 was the last year that the Stingray emblem was put on corvettes, are vettes after 76 considered Stingrays still? One man that saw my car told me it was a corvette stingray, rally edition, but the stingray thing comes into question because I am considering ordering some Stingray emblems and putting them on the sides, instead of the corvette flag emblems that are already there. Just want to make sure it IS a stingray before I do so.

And the idea jumped into my head...to someday convert the car to 4 wheel drive. It'd be incredibly expensive, but like I said, money's not particularly a question, and it would increase my performance on the track DRAMATICALLY. On the other hand, it seems like it may be a crime against corvettes. I'd really like some opinions from other, more experienced corvette owners/racers before I did such a thing.

So, if anyone has responses to those two issues, or if anyone has any other ideas for things to do to my C3 to make her the great high performance show car that I'm looking for, I'd greatly appreciate the input.

Also, I kind of have a basic process planned out for working on this corvette...I can provide it should anyone be curious as to what parts I'm thinking about putting on, etc.

Well Congratulations on owning your first C-3! Its your Baby and you can do what ever you like to it. I got a few questions, what kind racing you plan on doing? Are you going to drive this vette on public roads? If so how often? If handling is your first concern, I have never heard of any one making a vette all wheel drive or 4x4 except what jesse did on monster garage. There are some very competative scca c-3 vettes going rwd. If I may make a recommendation on a company that is very experienced on improving on the already excellent handling vette, it is "Vette Brakes and Products" google it and you find there web site. Get on the phone with them and they can tell you exactly what you need. Engine wise your dealing with the wonderful small block chevy that has an enormous aftermarket. I am not the best guy here to answer your questions but ken (kstyer)or ben (cthulhu) can give some golden advice. My name is Tom by the way.

|UPDATED|10/1/2004 9:33:26 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

well, I would be driving her on public roads on a pretty much regular basis during the late spring/summer/early fall time. Drag racing would be preferrable, but circuit racing may not be too bad, albeit probably more dangerous. I'd like her to have enough power and performance to be able to compete, and still look beautiful enough for corvette shows.

My plans for her thus far, since she's restored and in good running condition now, are as follows:

1. having the original engine rebuilt with performance parts, to probably run around 500-600 horsepower.
2. putting in a capable racing transmission, automatic (probably do both the engine and the transmission at the same time)
3. new gears in the back, thinking about richmond 4.11s
4. any body reinforcements that need done to keep the chassis from twisting.
5. supercharging the engine
6. new suspension, and new driveshaft, and any other high performance parts I may need (not sure where to go for either of these)
7. carbon fiber hood with a stingray hoodscoop
8. Holley competition sidepipes
9. torque thrust 2 wheels
10. new tires (current ones have at least 50% tread left, if not more, so this may be moved further down the list)
11. repainting

Mixed in there somewhere I would like to remove the spare tire casing and the air conditioner to drop some weight. I would also like to TRY to find lighter seats (none of the lighter seats I've found thus far would even look remotely good in a C3), and I've been really trying to find a carbon fiber body shell, and carbon fiber doors. (I found the body shell and doors for C2s on usbody.com, and asked them about a C3, but they had nothing and didn't know who to refer me to.)

As of right now, I can't think of anything else I'd need...but like I said, I'm new to all this. I'd really appreciate some tips, pointers, and definitely opinions on what I already have planned...as well as suggestions on anything else that I would need.

Editing this because I forgot to mention. The reason I'm considering the conversion to 4 wheel drive is to lose most of the wheel spin on starts...would be for drag racing. I would want the better traction, but not at the cost of ruining the "showiness" of my C3...that's why I'd like some opinions on that too.

|UPDATED|10/1/2004 4:46:50 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

The 4 wheel or all wheel drive is debatable for what you want to accomplish. Although the all wheel drive has greater traction off of the line, it also requires more horsepower to operate. So you could get off the line with greater traction, but still be slower at the 1/4. Most cars with all wheel drive have it to improve handling.

To convert it would be a very creative process indeed. There are not really components available for adapting to a corvette type drive train without going to the truck versions. The auto versions are a drastic departure from anything Chevrolet. The match up would by pure custom. Will that be dependable with the torque you are suggesting? To do so would make it large and heavy. I'm not saying this cannot be done, but other than the novelity, I'm not sure you would really have much advantage as far as a performer. And every problem would be a major pain.

Instead, why not make the suspension changes and go for the rear drive configuration you have now? Keep in mind there are many rear wheel drive vehicles that get into the 10 second arena and can still drive on the street. If you were not worried about street, you could get it down to 8,or less. The more you spend, the faster you go. Food for thought.

And if you don't have a 4 bolt main, you may want to pull the engine, keep it in good shape for later, and start with a clean slate. There are many good engines mfgs out there where you can get a good stout block and build on that. In reality, if you are going for the best bang, there would be almost nothing of the original engine left anyway. Just the block. And it would be modified. Not what you would call an original engine.

Next, is this going to be mostly a drag car, or a street car. It makes a difference, even if you want the meanest street car there is, it's not the same as building a drag car. Perhaps road track? Give it some thought. How far into show do you want to go? Concourse? Custom? People choice? These choices make a difference as well. And many of us will try to help.

And I could be off, but I think the last Stingray was 1976, after that, they are only know as Corvettes.

|UPDATED|10/1/2004 7:06:17 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Ohh drag racing! For supension mods, I would look up a web site called Dragvette.com. They have exactly what you need for your application. Ken is right about using you existing block for a 500-600 hp engine. Start fresh! Since money isn't a problem use the dart block. If not use the GM 4 bolt brand new block. Summit sells a excellent super charger kit that should fit under the hood without exposing a blower and broadcasting to everyone you got serious power, its the "Vortech part# VOR-4GP218-018S", Though you might want the advertisment of a roots blower sticking out. You decide. Remember that it is hard to improve on your existing fiberglass body parts for weight savings. If it were me I'd not fret over dropping tons of dough in making things slightly lighter. I would rather in invest that in power for the engine were you can get better bang for the buck. also remember if you are getting this far in hp you Will need a cage for the car. I am currently looking into turbo charging. It has lot of advantages in power output and drivability. well I'm not sure if you've done your homework yet but something like this needs tons of planning.

|UPDATED|10/1/2004 9:43:43 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

yeah, I'm trying to plan this as best I can, but I've got two real problems....1) I don't know what exactly I'm doing, or what parts/kits etc would be best, and 2) I don't know where to find high performance corvette parts. The biggest thing is that I'm trying to balance a show corvette and a drag corvette, and it seems like that's a fine line to be walking on. On one hand, I don't want to ruin the classic look of the car, and I want it to do well in shows...and on the other hand, I want a car that is capable of holding its own on a track against most other cars. In particular, there's an 11-second subaru around here that I feel the constant drive to beat...I have no taste for Asian imports. Basically, I'm looking for a BARELY streetable car (slightly illegal is fine too) that will still perform above average to good on the track, and looks beautiful enough to show. That's why I really appreciate any help I can get.

I actually did compile a price/item list kinda thing before I got yer last post...the engine I only figured a rebuild of the original because I haven't a clue what I'd do with the original engine or where I'd keep it once I took it out...I very much doubt I'll ever sell this car. I was looking at the GM crate ZZ383 on jegs.com, though. The already completed 500 or 600 HP engines you mentioned...wouldn't that create a large problem of how to make them fit under the hood? I haven't been able to find many short blocks that put out that kind of power. Anyhow, here's my happy little list.

$5,000.00 - engine rebuild (not sure really how much it'd cost, I haven't had a chance to ask a mechanic yet...been so busy with work)
$3,877.99 - Weiand Supercharger 250 Pro-Street SB-Chevy, Polished (510-77-250CSBPK, www.jegs.com)
$989.99 B&M Street/strip Transmissions, TH-400 Chevy (130-112002, www.jegs.com)



$926.99 - Hooker 1963-82 Corvette Sidemount Headers (520-2234, www.jegs.com)
$255.99 - Hooker Chrome Sidepipes (520-65284, www.jegs.com, fits: corvette headers 520-2234)

$50.00 stingray hoodscoop (don't remember where I found it, and as I'm at work right now, I can't check)
$400.00 carbon fiber corvette hood (www.usbody.com)

$1,000.00 - Torque Thrust 2 wheels (rough estimate)
$399.95 - Super Front End Rebuild Kit (poly) 1963-82 (ID number 41753, www.vbandp.com)
$459.95 - 77-82 Corvette Brake Kit (ID number 22749, www.vbandp.com)
$229.95 - Power Steering Complete Kit 1963-79 S/B (ID number 22851, www.vbandp.com)
$2,299.95 - Performance Plus Suspension System 1963-79 (ID number 42000, www.vbandp.com)


always seem to forget something. as of yet, I have not decided how to decorate my hood. the stingray hoodscoop looks nice, very similar to that torino hoodscoop, but I would probably actually prefer to advertise the blower depending on how it would look (I already brag about my corvette, why not show off even more?) if someone had some pictures or examples or something, I'd love it. The idea of a corvette-red-colored vette with chrome sidepipes and a beautiful chrome blower sticking out of the hood...yum.

and could someone please clear up once and for all whether or not 77s can be classified as stingrays? it makes me sad, I think I kinda prefer the 76 look/style...and if it's the last stingray...well, let's just say I bought this car before I knew even half as much as I do now, and since I'm still learning, you can gather how much I knew back then...I'd prolly trade this car for a 76 in the same condition in a heartbeat.

|UPDATED|10/1/2004 11:14:54 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

What condition? I've got a 75 that might make it to ND if you trailered it.

I have no advice on performance modifications as keeping mine on the road is almost more trouble than I ever imagined but I know I want to see photos before and after and keep us updated!

Scot

I'll post some pictures later today/tomorrow, whatever the hell you wanna call it. Since nighttime for me is 6 am. I'm at work right now and don't have any pictures on this computer to post. When I wake up later today I'll post some. I'm thinking about entering her in the online corvette show in December...she's not the most attractive thing around yet (though I'm hoping she will be when she's done), but she's my first corvette and I love and am proud of her. I prolly won't even come close to winning, but hey I'll give it a shot.

Well really the only differance between a 76 "stingray" and a 77 vette is the badge on the side of the fender. If you like it so much then just get the emblems for your 77. Most people I run into who are not knowlegable about vettes see all C-3's and they automatically say its a stingray. Mines been called a stingray many times and its a 79. Thats different than your 77 because of the rear window. That has crossed flags on the side.

I got a good idea of a power combo that might work for you. I use summit over jegs for no other reason than a pretty catalog. The GM crate motor Ht383 (NAL-12499101) yeilds a normally aspriated power of 340hp and 435 ft-lbs. Its got a compression ratio of 9.0:1 and a cam at .431/451 at 196/206 dur hydrallic roller. this sounds not too great for your expectations but add it with your weiand blower and you got a monster. The 383 cid gets great torque and the cam and compression sounds ideal for 8lbs of boost. You got to run premium gas though. Ben (cthulhu) has a desktop dyno he can plug this info into and tell you exactly what kind of power this combo will make. The crate motor is a small block chevy and its the same motor you got in your vette it just has a bigger crank and different heads so it will bolt right into place. This suggestion is just a from the hip shot.. I havent researched the details on how GM feels about turning the motor into a blown one. If not that engine, then have someone build you one that will be better. Golen or Speedomotive (google them to find there sites) comes to mind. Also 250 sounds a little big for this combo you might want the 174 cid blower.

|UPDATED|10/2/2004 4:11:25 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|