Topic: What is considered stock?
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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Lifetime MemberElma, WA - USA
Joined: 6/25/2007
Posts: 692
Vette(s): Red 1973 Convertible.
L-48 Auto
#'s matching
Red 1970 LT-1
Convertible
#'s matching
At some point I am going to do some work to the motor.
How far off the stock path can one get and still be considered stock?
Headers? A cam? Exhaust?
My 73 is basicly stock at this point and I really would like to keep within reasonable limits.
Any imput?
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Spotsylvania, VA - USA
Joined: 1/20/2007
Posts: 293
Vette(s): 1977 Silver Coupe
My version would be what it came off the assembly line with.
that`s true, but how would anyone know what has been modified internally? Stock appearance. If your concerned about keeping the car stock, then KEEP IT STOCK! Don`t modify anything. Then again if you have no intentions of having the car judged, do what you want. it`s YOUR car, enjoy it.
Lifetime MemberManteca, CA - USA
Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623
Vette(s): 1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold
1975 L48 4 speed
After 35 yrs. you'd be lucky to find that your '73 has been kept factory original. It has a better chance of appreciating in value than the 74-82s ( chromie factor) but there were so many rubber bumper C3s made that they aren't scarce enough to be worth alot like the C1s and C2s. Myself, I would much prefer to drive and enjoy my vettes than to possess a museum piece, but isn't it great to have these choices to make. aceinthehole 2007-08-09 08:45:02
Jimmy B.
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Lifetime MemberElma, WA - USA
Joined: 6/25/2007
Posts: 692
Vette(s): Red 1973 Convertible.
L-48 Auto
#'s matching
Red 1970 LT-1
Convertible
#'s matching
Thanks for the feedback.
I am not so much worried about what its worth and doubt there are any car comps I will be in.
I guess I look at it this way.Sometime, way down the line I would still like to have the car basicly as it came from the factory. You are right, it is my car and maybe we will do a liitle mods to the engine when we rebuild.
But I do look at the car as a piece of American history.
At the same time I would hate to take something like this and screw it up!
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20229
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
You can modify/upgrade the engine internally without really effecting the value, as long as it's not overly wild. A '73 with 11.5 compression and a rumpity-rumpity cam, someone will notice as not being stock! 
Going to a little better cam, maybe bumping the comp. ratio up a bit, roller rockers, etc, are all mods that can't be seen, so, visually, the car will still be "stock".
Another option is to build a different engine, and save the original engine for when the time comes for restoration.
It is your car...you're the one that should be happy with it.
Going to a little better cam, maybe bumping the comp. ratio up a bit, roller rockers, etc, are all mods that can't be seen, so, visually, the car will still be "stock".
Another option is to build a different engine, and save the original engine for when the time comes for restoration.
It is your car...you're the one that should be happy with it.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
MOST OF US NEVER TOUCH THE BODY. IT PERFECT THE WAY IT WAS BUILT. FOR THE MOST PART WE WANT PERFORMANCE MODIFICATIONS. IF THAT IS WHAT YOUR LOOKING FOR WHY DON`T YOU PUT A CRATE MOTOR IN IT AND SAVE THE ORIGINAL. THAT WAY LATER YOU CAN REPLACE THE MATCHING ENGINE AND KEEP THE ORIGINAL INTEGRITY OF THE CAR.
Lifetime MemberElma, WA - USA
Joined: 6/25/2007
Posts: 692
Vette(s): Red 1973 Convertible.
L-48 Auto
#'s matching
Red 1970 LT-1
Convertible
#'s matching
Well at least you are all kind enough not to say, "Ummm, stock is what they would call stock you idiot!"
I should have ask what are some of the more common mods folks make to the car? Lets say does a 2 1/2" exhaust make a huge difference? That kind of deal.
When it was appraised that was one of the things they said was common was pulling the engine, sticking it in the corner and putting in a runner.
So lets say a bit more ponies are made, how does that 3 speed auto hold up?
3 SPEED TRANNY HOLDS UP JUST FINE. I`M PUSHING 500HP THROUGH MINE. I DID HAVE IT RE-BUILT WITH A B&M SHIFT KIT THOUGH. ALTHOUGH JOEL MAY NOT AGREE THAT THE KIT IS WORTH IT.
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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