battsup

With all the people modernizing their c3's i was wondering if it would be better to just mount a c3 body on a c5 chassis. What i am pondering is a 69 convertible body on a c5. I looked up the frame specs and the only major difference is the wheelbase which will need shortening of 6.5". the c5 is wider and thus the wheels would popout but this can be solved with fender flares :jester . What do you guys think?

C3 >wheelbase=98", width=69", length=182.5, track=58.7" Fr / 59.4" Re
C5 >Wheelbase 104.5", width=73.6", length=179.7", track=62.1" Fr/ 62.2" Re

so the frame will need to be cut 6.5" and 2" flares will need to be installed. o and of course you could chop a little here and chop a little there of course
:jester

Budman68

You could cut the frame down and have a shorter torque tube made. Seem like a project. Also you would have to pull out the storage boxes for the tranny.

comp

Hmmmmmmmmm! :banghead:

johnnybrewmeister

Go for it! keep us posted on the progress and post alot of pics!

You've got more guts than me. But if I know that it can be done...

75 Stingray!

It will be very difficult because of the fuel tanks mounted between the driver and rear wheels (in the frame?) and the transmission in the rear also.

WESCH

Hi

OK, i'l wait with my resto till your done with this project.

What are you gona do with the C5 body ? Mount it on the C3 frame ?

Just kidding. Gunther :seeya

theandies

Anything can be done with enough money :yesnod:

GDaina

You are better off modifying the C3 frame to accept the C5 suspension

Bob Turner

Just wait- somebody will try it!!! :jester

Matt Gruber

:confused: what would be the purpose?

SuprJames

:iagree:

John 65

I would get the "Vette Brake Products" catalog out and update the hell out of the c3 suspension instead. Good luck .

OHSIXX

There are some things that should not be done. I think you found one of them. :)

Glenn454

Iv'e heard of parts of a C4 suspension being used on a C3 frame. Changing The front end suspension of a C3 to a C4 suspension would free up around 100lbs.
Not sure about the rear.

verskel

What is that "growing" in your interior ?!? :jester
....no, really that is the :cool: -est retro interior I've seen in a while.

Oh yeah.....

Your C5 / C3 project.......hmmm.......Maybe you can keep the C3 frame & body and adapt the C5 suspension components. Of course major mods will take place on the frame to accomplish this.

My friend is currently finishing a '60 vette with '95 vette suspension front & rear. ;)

gliot1

I think you would be better off buying one of the tube frames set up for this. I think they're around $4000 and are ready to accpet a C4 or C5 drivetrain/suspension. Check the Corvette mags and Corvette Trader to get the names of the companies doing this.

Flareside

You can't put a C3 body on a C5 "frame", because a C5 doesn't have a frame. There's no way you're going to hold the C3 body together without a real front to back frame. I spent lots of time looking into the various C3 upgrade options, and found out a few things:

1. You can put C4 or C5 front suspension on a C3, but the C4 is easier (fits better) and is more readily available (read: affordable). Both use front steer racks and aluminum components.

2. You can put a C4 rear suspension under a C3, but you'll have to modify the rear compartments and extensively modify the frame (or order a C4 conversion tube frame like I did). You'll also have to modify the track width both front and rear to fit the C3 fenders correctly.

3. You can't easily put a C5 rear under a C3 because of the torque tube length (shifter, axle, etc.) and rear suspension cradle. How would you narrow the cradle to fit the small C3 body? The C4 option is just way easier.

The Jamison frame I'm getting has narrowed front suspension mounts to correct the front track width, and I'm building a custom C4 Dana 44 rear with narrowed halfshafts, strut rods, and camber rods to fit the C3. They build the frame with these mods in mind, so everything fits along with adjustable coil over shocks.

You are looking at $6k+ for a delivered, powdercoated frame WITHOUT any suspension.

DVG73

Anything can be done wtih the right $$$$$$$$$$. There was an article in the most recent issue of Chevy High performance where they put a '57 chevy on a C-5 frame. They asked the guy how much it cost and he would not say. :eek:

mrvette

I should think having some C3 parts around....fenders, door skins, rear quarters, you would easily be able to fit them into onto the stock C5 body panels, and carefully glass up something pretty nice....kill that ugly butt anyway....should not be too hard really....for someone who knows glass....

GENE

battsup

Flareside i believe you are mistaken, the C5 does have a frame. Just look at these photos.
However after closer examination it seems like it is impossible to shorten the wheelbase 6 inches. I like MRVETTE's idea of glassing the bodypanels on but i guess that is basically what i had in mind. Keep the c5 interior,drivetrain and all the good stuff but throw on a bad butt corvette body.