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Login to post Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » i have had too much time to think....

Oct. 10, 2011 7:35 p.m. Dusterbd13 Reader

im really considering building a beater c3 or c4 vette. i work on vettes every day (its my side job), but have never owned one of my own. my wife and i really like all the folks from our local corvette club, but we are unable to join due to not owning one.

my thoughts are going along these lines: late c3 or early c4. baked paint shot over with DP90 primer. tinted windows, DARK. ported and polished L98 aluminum heads, MAF, TB, and intake (have em already). flowmaster exhaust (already own, but for a c4). big sway bars, poly bushings, c5 brake upgrade (have most of the parts), 4 point cage, C5 Z06 wheels and tires, and ebay sport seats.

the only problem is finding a suitably priced vette. with the state budget cuts (both of us are civil servants, teacher and social worker) were hedging all our bets financially. anyone know where i could fond one almost free?

and tell me why this is a bad idea. i know it has to be for reasons other than the money, i just cant for the life of me figure out why.

michael
Oct. 10, 2011 7:54 p.m. Maroon92 SuperDork

You can't figure it out because it isn't a bad idea.
Oct. 10, 2011 8:02 p.m. corytate HalfDork

I can't really say it's a bad idea, sorry=/
I vote c3 though, based on looks alone. lol
Oct. 10, 2011 8:36 p.m. Gearheadotaku Dork

How about this?

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/ctd/2625561748.html

http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/pts/2631152232.html

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/cto/2618027058.html

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/cto/2611250731.html

C3 for Style, C4 for handling. I've owned and autocrossed both.
Oct. 10, 2011 11:04 p.m. clutchsmoke Reader

My vote goes for C4.
Oct. 10, 2011 11:08 p.m. gamby SuperDork

C4 and it's a great idea if you can afford to get into one.
Oct. 10, 2011 11:37 p.m. mad_machine SuperDork

I vote C3.. especially the early chrome bumpered ones with the flat rear window
Oct. 11, 2011 8:11 a.m. gjz30075 Reader

Dusterbd13 wrote:

my wife and i really like all the folks from our local corvette club, but we are unable to join due to not owning one.

What the he$$ kind of club is this?? I've been a member of many clubs and all only require enthusiasm (and due$ of course)
Oct. 11, 2011 8:54 a.m. PS122 Reader

I love a C3 with sidepipes - plus they have an edge due to the lack of electronics. That being said, I'd probably opt for a C4 due to the better price/performance ratio.

I've spent most of my adult life hating Vettes until a friend invited me to attend a Corvette Troy autocross a few years back. I attended and have had the Corvette bug ever since. I, too, like the club support - something sorely lacking with the Hondas I normally mess with.
Oct. 11, 2011 10:33 a.m. Varkwso Reader

gjz30075 wrote:

Dusterbd13 wrote:

my wife and i really like all the folks from our local corvette club, but we are unable to join due to not owning one.

What the he$$ kind of club is this?? I've been a member of many clubs and all only require enthusiasm (and due$ of course)

You have not joined the PCA then...
Oct. 11, 2011 10:36 a.m. Varkwso Reader

late C3s are pretty cheap as are early C4s. Early C3s are pretty spendy. Electrical gremlins in a C4 will bring you closer to your maker (and/or your Makers Mark!). Avoid the crossfire cars is my humble opinion.
Oct. 11, 2011 10:52 a.m. ReverendDexter SuperDork

Generally, where are you located? That will help with being able to help you find a screamin' deal.
Oct. 11, 2011 11:14 a.m. Karl La Follette Dork

Corvette in Florida 34448 make offer will hold
Oct. 11, 2011 12:30 p.m. PS122 Reader

If I had a C4 it would likely devolve into something like this:

C4 for sale
Oct. 11, 2011 7:18 p.m. Dusterbd13 Reader

In reply to Karl La Follette:

where did you find that? id like to find a little more about it.

and im in NC. the realistic budget is challenge car money. for the buy in. i can spend more time and money later, but its hard to scrounge much more than that for initial purchase.

and i built a c4 for my dad that devolved even further. like an aluminum interior, caged and gutted, carbd and dry sumped lime green monster. used to run all over the southeast at track days. had "butt ugly" across the back. last i heard, its now in texas somewhere.
Oct. 11, 2011 9:46 p.m. Gearheadotaku Dork

Uhhh that black 'Vette was a canoe subject over on the classic board. Proceed with caution.
Oct. 11, 2011 10:12 p.m. alex SuperDork

Can a C3 be built to turn like a C4?
Oct. 12, 2011 3:51 a.m. novaderrik Dork

get an early C4 with electrical gremlins.. gut all the electricals and only wire in what you need to get the car to run and be street legal. throw some cheap analog gauges in the dash. ditch the craptastic stock heads and find a set of Vortecs with the GM HOT cam if it's an 87 or newer with a factory roller cam.

that would be my recipe for cheap C4 Vette fun.
Oct. 12, 2011 5:33 a.m. Wally SuperDork

I'd go with a C3, you give up some handling but they look so much better as road racers
Oct. 12, 2011 10:19 a.m. PS122 Reader

I'd go for the Owens-Corning livery...
Oct. 12, 2011 1:04 p.m. Gearheadotaku Dork

Yes, a C3 can handle like a c4, but it will take work. I like the Owens paint scheme, the other strikes me a too gaudy.
Oct. 12, 2011 9:17 p.m. PS122 Reader

novaderrik wrote:

get an early C4 with electrical gremlins.. gut all the electricals and only wire in what you need to get the car to run and be street legal. throw some cheap analog gauges in the dash. ditch the craptastic stock heads and find a set of Vortecs with the GM HOT cam if it's an 87 or newer with a factory roller cam.

that would be my recipe for cheap C4 Vette fun.

I love it when a plan comes together.

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