MikeKey

I'm starting a building thread, I'm borrowing the concept from another forum where I have a detailed build thread of our overlanding vehicle. I'm well aware of the garage feature on the site. But I'd rather link back to this thread in my signature and use it as a detailed posting of my build and restoration/modification.

UPDATED: May 16, 2013

Where it is today.



1980 Corvette L82 - Resto Mod

Engine & Exhaust Modifications - BEFORE:

• Edelbrock Torker Intake
• Holley 750 carb
• K&N open element on 3inch drop down base plate
• Hooker Long Tube Headers
• Dual Exhaust with H-pipe to Flowmasters, no cats

Drivetrain Specs - BEFORE:

• TH350 - stock at the moment
• possibly different gears - researching

Suspension Modifications:

• VBandP #360lb Rear Composite Monospring
• VBandP Adjustable Strut Mounts
• VBandP 3/4th Rear Sway Bar
• Blistein Rear Sport Shocks

Exterior Modifications:
STOCK!

Interior Modifications:

• New Carpet
• New Seats
• Dynamat

CURRENT PLANS:

I'm hoping to build this car into a fun little semi-pro-touring corvette for longer cruises. This includes a 383 rebuild, possibly going EFI, and rebuilding the rear and front suspension.

MikeKey

I've wanted to buy a C3 Corvette for some time. I'd always been in love with the look of these cars. So around Dec 2011, I started searching for a Corvette. I didn't want a total project car, but something that ran that I could tinker with. In May of 2012 I found mine and made the purchase. Looking back at it, I think I might of over paid at $10K, but oh well, she's mine now.

Here are some photos I took shortly after we brought her home:











And a quick little video of her running:

MikeKey

Well, my gas tank decided to develop a leak. Which means, I needed a new gas tank. Thank goodness for Wilcox Corvette. So I placed an order for a new tank, and while I was at it, decided that I wanted to freshen up this mess of a rear end.




I decided while I was at it to order a new rear spring. I purchased the VBandP #360lb Rear Composite Monospring along with their adjustable strut mounts
and 3/4th Rear Sway Bar and completed it with a set of Blistein rear Sport shocks.

Parts collection:

MikeKey

I spent A LOT OF TIME cleaning and degreasing all the grim from the rear of the vehicle. Luckily the car is rust free. I decided to coat everything with POR-15 for added measure.





Also, time for new rotors and pads:

80stroker383

Good luck and have fun with the build, I look forward to your future post.

Jedi926

Wicked pissa man! Keep the updates coming. You have already given me some ideas. Good luck!

AGVI

Hey Mike,

Did you remove the differential to detail and paint or was the unit left intact?

Les

MikeKey

Sadly the car is noisy in the cabin and the heat inside the vehicle is absurd.

So some dyna-mat and reflectix and problem solved.

Jedi926

In my mind, that's the vision I have for the rear of my ride hopefully next year.

Great job man, can I bounce some ?'s off you in the future?

Jedi

MikeKey

Feel free too.

Jedi926

Thanks man, well talk

MikeKey

So a few months ago I got this brillant idea, I thought "Hey, I'm going to rebuild my engine.. because!"



So for no reason, I just started taking apart my car. Mind you, it ran just fine and didn't really have any problems....

Luckily, I had my trusty shop dog watching me.




Look at that guy, he thinks he knows what he is doing.


Right when I reached this point is when it hit me... "Hey geniuses; A. You don't have a plan, B. You don't know what the hell you are doing C. did you label anything?"



And so my Corvette sat like that for about four months. When last month my wife gave me the news, that we are having our first child!

So I sat down, got a game plan together and decided this is my chance to get this thing sorted out right before the baby arrives.

At this very moment, I am in the prep and research phase. The more and more I read here, the more I am leaning towards a 383 rebuild. I'd go with a crate motor for the sheer ease of it all, but I do want to have some say in a number of things. I may end up buying a short block however.

Current game plan, 383, possible EFI, convert front steering to steeroids, convert front suspension to VBandP monospring, upgrade brakes, cooling, and a/c. Upgrade transmission and rear gears and slap it all back together before Nov 2013....

So today I setup shop to get ready. Hope to get the block out by tomorrow evening.






I'll keep this thread updated. I'm a total amateur.

qwank

great looking car and great work!!

speedreed8

well you have about 9 months to get it going, then you'll have no time or money after that. it does look good though, and congratulations on the baby

baja216

Priya

I hear a lot of people saying that heat is a problem in their C3. The A/C is not working in my C3 but I don't find it warmer in the summer than any other non-airconditioned car I've had so I'm surprised to hear so many complaints about heat.

TROPIC_THUNDER

dynamat really helps

BKbroiler

I see a jackstand in one of the later pics but those early shots of the car on cinder or concrete blocks were scary. Those blocks are not made to support a load like that and could easily fail. Jackstands are cheap.

MikeKey

Yeah that was last year, before I got the house with the garage and shortly after moving to FL. I have 6 - 12 ton jacks now. Ahh... the foolish things we do. I've been slowly building up my garage and tools over the last year since moving.

AGVI

???