c3 frame
05-19-2011, 08:49 PM
#1
1st Gear
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c3 frame
looking for some help. i have a 77 corvette and the frame is gone. it is automatic. i want to know if a 79 frame with a standard tran will fit. someone told my that the crossmembers are welded in on standard and bolted on automatic. just want to know if that makes a difference before i by the frame. hate to get it and the tran wont bolt up or something.
05-19-2011, 09:18 PM
#2
Race Director
The trans will bolt up but if you ever have to remove the trans for any reason it will not come out. You would have to remove the engine to get it out. If it is welded in you could always cut it out and make it removeable yourself. I did this on mine because I am using a 6 speed. Not really a big job to do.
05-19-2011, 09:36 PM
#3
Le Mans Master
What year did the vettes with manual transmissions start being manufactured with automatic/removeable crossmembers in? I thought it was by 1979.
If that's the case, the 79 frame you are looking at will be good to go.
If that's the case, the 79 frame you are looking at will be good to go.
05-20-2011, 03:13 PM
#5
Team Owner
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Possibly the 1980 model year. All the clutch bracketry for the 80-81 models bolts on. Might be the same for the X-member.
05-20-2011, 05:22 PM
#6
Burning Brakes
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Yeah, my understanding is all '63-'79 with automatic transmissions only and all '80-'82's had removable crossmembers. So in your case it sounds like a '79 frame will have a welded in crossmember. TKO sells a kit to convert a welded on crossmember to a bolt-in if you are so inclined.
I'm into the 1st year of my '80 frame-off restoration. My frame was toast as well. I kept my diff and fuel tank crossmembers plus the front frame extension, but replaced the frame with another from an '80. The previous owner wanted to hire a restore shop to rebuild the car. When he was quoted over $30,000.00 he sold the car to the local Corvette shop for parts. I guess his loss was my gain. Interestingly, I had a bit of a struggle getting the original diff crossmember to match-up with the existing holes in the replacement frame. Stupid me, I just assumed that it would line-up nicely. But it all came together in the end.
I'm into the 1st year of my '80 frame-off restoration. My frame was toast as well. I kept my diff and fuel tank crossmembers plus the front frame extension, but replaced the frame with another from an '80. The previous owner wanted to hire a restore shop to rebuild the car. When he was quoted over $30,000.00 he sold the car to the local Corvette shop for parts. I guess his loss was my gain. Interestingly, I had a bit of a struggle getting the original diff crossmember to match-up with the existing holes in the replacement frame. Stupid me, I just assumed that it would line-up nicely. But it all came together in the end.
