Topic: New member wants advice.
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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Former Member
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Colorado Springs, CO - USA
Joined: 12/19/2008
Posts: 15
Vette(s): 1982 Corvette (not collector). Light Blue on dark blue. in intial stages of being fully modified along with all original parts fully restored and stored. 100% stock now
I'm a new member that would like any advice ( sites for research, etc...). I have a 1982 corvette that i'm building for some rally and track driving along with fun on the street. This is the first corvette build i've done and the first build i will be doing almost 100% solo.
I know many of you can give me a ot of good information so i'm asking for your help. I'm looking at a 383 motor around 400hp/Tq with a modified 700r4 trans, heavy duty drive shaft and half shafts, suspension and a c5 break upgrade kit right now. The original owner replaced the stock differential with 4.11 and most places i've talked with recommend 3.73 for what i want. I'm also looking at what wheels to get.
I know this is a lot of information and i have been researching on my own for 6 months now with 2 to 3 options per catagory. I really want this project to be great as this is my dream car and i want it to be near perfect. I will be doing research for about 6 more months before i start any of the project as i want to be very well informed along with this setting me back about 18-20k which will take about 18-24 months.
SO i have time on my side along with patience as i would rather it take longer to get this done right.
Thanks for any research help its greatly appriciated!
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Lifetime MemberLemon Grove, CA - USA
Joined: 10/17/2007
Posts: 2041
Vette(s): 1982 C3 Collectors Edition 44000 miles, sat in the sun most of its life, My wife purchased it for me for Father's Day in 2007 from her girlfriend that had it for 19 years. It is on the road again. I'm retired but it is now my daily driver.
That sounds like a great plan. How about saving the journey through some pictures that you can share with the rest of us. Unfortunately I'm new at this also so I'm unable to provide any advice.
Here's a site for heavy duty halfshafts and driveshafts. These folks are about 20 minutes from my house. Very reputable amongst the local racers. If you don't see what your looking for call them. They may be able to help you.
GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.
3.54 Dana 44
'69 "N11" Sidepipes
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975
Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.
Lifetime Member #26
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975
Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.
Lifetime Member #26
Former Member
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Colorado Springs, CO - USA
Joined: 12/19/2008
Posts: 15
Vette(s): 1982 Corvette (not collector). Light Blue on dark blue. in intial stages of being fully modified along with all original parts fully restored and stored. 100% stock now
awsome site. ill have to definetly use them! good prices with heavy duty parts. Thanks
and i'll be taking a lot of pics starting soon of stock through the modification process.
Former Member
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Bladenboro, NC - USA
Joined: 1/22/2006
Posts: 1058
Vette(s): 1972 conv., sunfire yellow, blk interior, blk vinyl and convertible top. Off frame restoration with American Speed 383 stroker engine producing 500hp plus a 200hp NOS system. MSD ignition. Hooker super competition headers with chambered exhaust.
It sounds like you have a good start with the 383. I have a 383 producing 500hp and 512 ft. lbs torque with 373 gears. If you're going to do much cruising, I would also suggest the 373 gears vs the 411. If you build the 383 with 9.5 compression, your grandmother will feel comfortable driving the car either to church or the dragstrip. I can't recommend wheels because I kept the stock look. Good Luck with your build!!
If there are 4.11 gears in there, then it's not not a stock rear end housing. 3.73 is all that will fit in the stock housing. Remember that the 700R4 trans has a 3.08:1 first gear and with 3.73 gears you will be thru first gear in a heartbeat. I have 3.55's in my '82 and off the line is real quick, and cruising at 70mph it runs at 2100 rpm's. Don't forget, you'll need to redo the exhaust also.
Sounds like you will have a winner on your hands, good luck with it.
Dave
Lifetime Member #116
Dave's '82 
Lifetime MemberHOWELL, NJ - USA
Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812
Vette(s): 1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.
Has the body been off the frame so you can inspect the chassis 100%? Get some recommendations on what to do with your trailing arms. A lot of road racers with C3s convert to the offset arms in order to get larger width tires in the rear. Another popular road racing conversion is going from coil springs to a monoleaf suspension up front. Rack and pinion steering from Steeroids probably makes a lot of sense for road racing also..
All of this is a bucket of $$$$$
Take your time and do what makes sense based on how you will drive the car most of the time. Smart choice on getting rid of the 4.11s...
Good luck
PaulLukesVette 2008-12-29 04:54:30
All of this is a bucket of $$$$$
Take your time and do what makes sense based on how you will drive the car most of the time. Smart choice on getting rid of the 4.11s...
Good luck
Paul
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I purchased all of my suspension and steering parts from VanSteel. They have kits or you can tell them what you want and they will put one together for you.
Lifetime MemberRock Hill, SC - USA
Joined: 12/22/2007
Posts: 22
Vette(s): '75 coupe, '78 yellow
+1 on Steeroids made by Speed Direct. They also have some other interesting things to buy and it looks like they are having a sale! http://www.speeddirect.com
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Lifetime MemberApache Junction, AZ - USA
Joined: 10/15/2006
Posts: 285
Vette(s): 1982,150K,Renegade CFI,Hooker Side Pipes,85 fuel pump,Bilsteins,HD suspension, Aluminum radiator, SharkBar/w 5-Point Restraints. 3:73 gears coming soon.
I've also bought a lot from VanSteel - quality products and very helpful people!
Check out the Crossfire Vault Forum:http://crossfire.homeip.net There are a lot of people on there running high HP 383's even with the CFI intakes. Also check out DCS: http://crossfireinjection.net for some go info.
Like they said, 4:11 gears are extreme...might as well have a 3 speed or even a two speed.
Keep us posted on you ideas and thoughts and welcome to the unusual world of C3 Corvette ownership! Your living your dream!!
Check out the Crossfire Vault Forum:http://crossfire.homeip.net There are a lot of people on there running high HP 383's even with the CFI intakes. Also check out DCS: http://crossfireinjection.net for some go info.
Like they said, 4:11 gears are extreme...might as well have a 3 speed or even a two speed.
Keep us posted on you ideas and thoughts and welcome to the unusual world of C3 Corvette ownership! Your living your dream!!
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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