Should I do full C5 Drivetrain or keep solid axle? What about resale value?

[sonu]

Hi guys,

Finally starting my first classic car build after fiddling with Audi's for the last 10 years. I've chosen a 71 Chevelle Malibu (not original enine/trans) for my build car and am choosing/finalizing which direction to go with the car and could use some advise/feedback. So far I've got the a full C5 full drivetrain minus engine, for the motor I've got a 370 LQ9/LS3 (built for boost 8.4:1CR).

I was planning on going with custom frame with the c5 stuff but I've been getting mixed reactions from friends. Mostly the concern is the resale value...I'm certainly not building this with the intention to sell it but it would be nice to be able to get back your money should I ever decide/need to sell it. How would the resale value with the IFS/IRS/C5 Transaxle be affected in comparison to using a 9" Solid axle and front mounted trans?

Thanks,
Sonu

[MrQuick]

I believe a well built to the hilt Pro-touring car will bring more money than if you were to fully restore that classic Malibu with non original engine trans car. However it will cost you more money to get there.

[lineberrcasey]

MRQuick is absolutely right, some changes can hurt value but not in this case look at old chevelles and camaros selling for 15-30G's then take a peek at the same cars built to pro-touring spec and the prices go well over a 100g's, in this case do the c5 suspension if its done right it will pay off in more ways than one good luck with your build

[sonu]

Thanks for the feedback! That is what I was thinking as well, but just wanted to get some more input before starting.

[lineberrcasey]

i wish i could go that wild with my car but your chevelle should be one hell of a ride

[TitoJones]

Just realize you will lose your trunk and backseat area to the transaxle. It will become a 2 seater, or 4 seat with unusable rear seats dut to the small area they will have between the transaxle hump and the side windows.

Tyler

[lineberrcasey]

would a a front sport style seat fit ?

[TitoJones]

Too may variables to answer that with a definitive answer. It will depend on the frame design, if there is a cage installed and where it goes in the interior, and the size of the sheetmetal enclosure covering the transaxle.

Tyler

[sonu]

It'd be nice to still retain a little bit of the back seat, kind of a 2+2...enough to fit 2 kids in booster seats so I should be fine because of how wide the Chevelle is :) Trunk is not important. I'll try to salvage as much of the back seat as possible and put sheetmetal as close to torque tube/bellhousing as possible.

Another option I've been tossing around is the possibility of either running an c5 diff adapter (or a viper dana 44 rear-end) and use a front mounted t56. this would retain the backseat and still be full IFS/IRS. However, I'm about 95% ready to use the c5 transaxle as of today (as I already have everything and at this point; and I'm trying to retain/use as many OEM parts in the build as possible). I'll give it another week to marinate in my head.

[sonu]

Too may variables to answer that with a definitive answer. It will depend on the frame design, if there is a cage installed and where it goes in the interior, and the size of the sheetmetal enclosure covering the transaxle.

Tyler
I'm not planning on putting in a cage as will split daily driver duties with my Audi, and I'm kind of against running a roll cage in my street car. I will make a concerted effort to design around keeping as much of the back seat as possible. Also the engine will be set back a little further than the average Chevelle.

BTW, any updated on your project? Your project was one of the projects responsible for putting this bug in my head.

[uxojerry]

I would use the full C5 suspension and irs but ditch the rear mounted transmission. If you run the rear transmission it will eat up a lot of space and require a custom built torque tube and other components. I think using the irs will help the value of your car, as most irs upgrades are $8k-$10 from various vendors. Good luck with your project!