Fiero To Vette

Ok I am going to buy a C3 in the near future but for now I need to research exactly what year I want to buy. My first question is what year chevy start putting ECM(computers) in the corvettes. Another question is what years came with what engines. Thank You

VegasJen

i'll take a stab at this in reverse order. the computer first appeared in the '80 corvette but for *california only*. interestingly, these corvettes also came with the 305cid, not all together up to corvette caliber :U (some would argue there wasn't an engine option up to corvette caliber for much of the late '70s through the early '80s). in '81 all corvettes came with the L-81 carburated computerized 350 and in '82 the corvette went to a throttle body injection system which was, of course, also computerized.
as for engine options, the list of available engines over the 14 year production run of the c-3 corvette are way too long to list here. your best bet would be to purchase a 'corvette black book' or a 'corvette buyers guide'. if you narrow down your search to a smaller time frame it would be easier to do!
:)

Rexx

Fiero To Vette,

I was in your position back in the Fall of 2000. I wanted a vette, but didn't know which one. I compared prices, mechanicals, body styles, etc. I almost bought a blue '72 stick but it was already sold. I picked up a 78 Pace Car (in need of lots of mechnicals) instead.

I LOVE the Pace Car, but if I had to do it again. I would get a '69 to '73 vette, stick with power nothing! No emission systems to get in the way, no PITA power locks or power windows to fix, no a/c to break. All that stuff just gets in the way. Although a/c is nice to have here in Texas.

Good luck on your decision. Do lots of research and join the local Corvette Club before you buy. I can't stress that enough. Don't go corvette shopping alone, bring an expert. With C3's, low mileage doesn't necessarily equate to fewer problems -- especially if it was stored.

Good luck and keep reading the forum.

-Rexx

Paul L

I recommend this book. It is filled with photos and statistics/specifications.



For example.






[Modified by paul79, 9:00 AM 2/4/2002]

Ganey

You need to narrow down some. 2 basic bodys 68-77 & 78-82.
T-Top Cpe. all or conv.-75. Any engine might be in any year.

I pick the chassis/body & build an engine for it !

:cool:

8TL82

I agree with Ganey. Choose the body style first. Chances that you find any C3
with the original engine is going to be very slim anyway.

SuperFast80

There is only one place to go to find this all....
http://www.corvettearchive.com ;)

Pogo72

Another good site.......... http://www.idavette.net/

Al

Alwyn678

Wasn't there another guy on the forum with a fiero..that was looking at getting a stingray>>

flood

you could always put a fuel injected 350 into your Fiero !! ALtough I dont know if you have a death wish :confused:

Monkeywrench

I'd take that one more notch... 68-72/(73) & 74-77 & 78-82

Gotta keep the crome bumpers (IMO) seperate... :lol:


[Modified by Monkeywrench, 3:30 PM 2/4/2002]

Alwyn678

[QUOTE]You need to narrow down some. 2 basic bodys 68-77 & 78-82.

I'd take that one more notch... 68-72/(73) & 74-77 & 78-82

Gotta keep the crome bumpers (IMO) seperate... :lol:


Yeah but it is the same car... :cheers: It was correct the first time


[Modified by Alwyn678, 4:31 PM 2/4/2002]

Monkeywrench

I'm not sure what this means? I have a '71 so I want a special category for the chrome bumpers... :yesnod: Same body style but the chrome makes a big difference to the styling in my opinion...


[Modified by Monkeywrench, 4:57 PM 2/4/2002]

Fiero To Vette

Well I was looking through all the information in the sites you all provided and thank you for all the information. I am now in a bind because I like the power of the early c3s that have in the 300-270 hp range but yet I like the later years T-Tops. Damn decisions. How hard is it to improve the preformance of the later years say like a 79. I also wanted to clarify that they started putting computers in the cars in 1980. Thanks for all the info.

Ganey

There was a change in the hp rating system. 78-79 are similar & no problem for over 300 HP.

:cool:

theanswriz42

A '79 shouldn't be too difficult to mod up at all. Good luck.

A proud C3 owner
:cheers:

Paul L

The 1980 LG4 California 305cid engine had the "computer comand control" option. It went USA-wide in 1981. So a "federal" 1980 or earlier may be what you are looking for.

Carl in LA

I can't tell you what your next vette will be but I can tell what my next vette will be... '73... No smog check in Cali...