2 gen vs C3

[rayy]

I don't want to open a can of worms here but I have a 73 Z that I love!!! The car has a few suspension mods and handles great. But I am looking at getting a early C3 Vette. Just wanted ask someone who knows how these cars compare to a 2 gen car? As far as front end geometry and steering. I have been looking and the aftermarket is pretty strong on upgrades. Thanks for any input.

[badazz81z28]

I think if you want a killer corner carver, the vette has more potential, but the second gen can handle great and I suspect for less money too.

[David Pozzi]

The vette has better weight balance. They lack adequate wheel well room so you will have to widen them.

[rayy]

What is the max tire you can run on these cars without flares? I have not driven one of these cars but plan on it this weekend.

[Aficionado]

I'm running a 275 rear tire on a 9x17 wheel under factory fenders on my '72. You'll need to modify the trailing arm so the parking brake bracket doesn't cut the sidewall, as well as possible interference issues with the rear spring bolts and the sway bar.

I've seen 295's under factory fenders with a 15" wheel, but I'm not sure how they got it done.

[rayy]

Wow!! I want to auto x the car from time to time. People that I have talked to just cruise in there cars and have not pushed them very hard. So I get a blank stair from them when I say I want to auto x the car!

[Aficionado]

Bless their poor benighted hearts, a lot of Vette guys really are happy to cruise without pushing them. Never been my interest. I've got 275's front and rear, Wilwoods, heavy sway bars and a rear coilover conversion, all on the stock chassis. Car handles much, much better than stock.

If you want to get really deep into it, there's a strong performance aftermarket for C3's, including custom frames, which is where I'm headed after we finish the LS/T56 conversion. With the new chassis, i'll be shooting for 335's in the rear, which *should* be doable without flaring the fenders.

Take a look at www.streetshopinc.com--the sky really is the limit.

[rayy]

Thanks!! I have a 6.2 LS waiting for one! I don't care about numbers matching! I know that's taboo in the vette world.

[tazzz25906112]

rayy the Vette will like be the cheapest bang for the buck..... that said a well built 2nd gen (I own a 70 Formula) can be awesome too... My car is a 51/49 weight split front to back at 3200 and change lbs. It features c-6 geometry handles like crazy and is an absolute blast to drive...

Yes it can be done either way and yes it's more expense to make a 2nd gen handle as well as an equal pro-touring vette should... The early third Gen Vette's are about to come into their own however and SR111 is doing some incredible stuff with them from what I'm to hear... In the end, you're really getting into which car suits your needs/desires better in my opinion...

[tazzz25906112]

Down side to the Corvette is the Vette guys will curse your soul for years to come if you start with a clean car... If you don't the cost will have you cursing them for ever LOL....

[vette427-sbc]

The rear suspension can be a bit troublesome in the geometry department when its lowered significantly, but otherwise they do pretty well with the stock stuff (when its set up correctly). The brakes are also pretty good in stock form as long as you stay on street tires. The frame is a bit of a noodle, and the interior is pretty small, but every car has its pros and cons.
Corvette forum has a lot of knowledgeable people, but also a bunch of "catalog car" builders that just throw parts on with no intention of pushing them to the limit. Vettemod is a bit more like pro-touring IMO.