Starting an 81 Vette Pro Tour Project

[BulldawgMusclecars]

My girlfriend and I picked up a nice, solid 81 Corvette a couple of weeks ago, with the intention of building it Pro Touring style . Essentially, we're building a Z06-style Vette in a C3 skin. We got a great deal on it, especially for a driveable car with a good body...the previous owner was asking $4000, but I talked him down to $3500.
The first order of business is a complete teardown. Once I take it off the frame, strip the fiberglass and spray poly the whole car and block it, its getting a few coats of Spies-Hecker Vario followed by Porsche Guards Red with a black center stripe over the slightly raised L88-style hood. The body will otherwise be mostly stock, with the exception of filled lock cylinders, antenna, and an aluminum fuel filler.
The chassis is going to get a power rack and pinion conversion (Vette Brakes or Steeroids), a Van Steel coilover conversion front and rear,offset trailing arms and many other upgrades. The IRS is going to be rebuilt with 4.11 gears, and I'm planning to run C5 Z06 brakes. The wheels will be 17s or 18s (8s front, 10s rear).
For power, I am going with an LS motor (yet undecided) with a T56, shooting for around 500-550hp. At this point it could be anywhere from a H/C LS1 to a built LS2 or LS3 (leaning more towards the LS2 at this point).
I'm planning to modernize the interior, using C5 seats with custom leather covers in black with red stitching, and add a modern HVAC system (it already has power windows and locks). All the stock gauges will be gone, replaced with custom gauges.

I don't have any pics yet, but I just got a new digital camera so they will be coming soon! Any comments/suggestions welcome!

[WS6]

I have always been a fan of the late C3s. The long and low front end really does it for me as does the duck tail rear spoiler. The engine is a turd, no two ways about it. Sounds like you have a fun project on your hands.

Check your PMs

[matthimself456]

I love those rubber-bumper vettes. They look real sharp and the chassis has so much potential. Ther are super cheap still too. Someday I want one just like youre building. Cant wait to see it!

[Nate K]

Sounds like it is going to be a nice ride. A friend of mine has the same car. If your car has an aluminium diff in it I would recommend a rebuild they are known to make noise even after being rebuilt. You will want the older cast iron diff it will basically bolt in with a few simple changes. I need to do this to my friends car. Talk to the guys at Van Steel they have been a big help to us and saved him some money. Van Steel is who told me about the diff problem.

[BulldawgMusclecars]

I have always been a fan of the late C3s. The long and low front end really does it for me as does the duck tail rear spoiler. The engine is a turd, no two ways about it. Sounds like you have a fun project on your hands.

Check your PMs

I have always liked them, too, but its the first Corvette (at age 38) that I have ever owned. I have been into F-bodies for years, so this is a little change of pace.

You're right about the engine; 190hp stock! This one does have small tube headers (think they may be off a C-4, they look factory), and Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, and a Carter AFB, but its still pig slow. The 2.77 gears certainly don't help!

[BulldawgMusclecars]

Sounds like it is going to be a nice ride. A friend of mine has the same car. If your car has an aluminium diff in it I would recommend a rebuild they are known to make noise even after being rebuilt. You will want the older cast iron diff it will basically bolt in with a few simple changes. I need to do this to my friends car. Talk to the guys at Van Steel they have been a big help to us and saved him some money. Van Steel is who told me about the diff problem.

I haven't checked yet, but it likely does have the aluminum diff. I'm condering an upgrade of some sort (build an earlier C-3 unit, or maybe adapt a C-4 "Super" Dana 44...still weighing the options. Van Steel is great, just got their catalog this week! The Corvette Forum guys swear by their stuff.

[WS6]

Those are factory headers for the 81 and 82. I think they showed up in 80.

[WS6]

check this thread out, Joe.

https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=36352

[Twin_Turbo]

I haven't checked yet, but it likely does have the aluminum diff. I'm condering an upgrade of some sort (build an earlier C-3 unit, or maybe adapt a C-4 "Super" Dana 44...still weighing the options. Van Steel is great, just got their catalog this week! The Corvette Forum guys swear by their stuff.

Yes alu dana 44 in your 81, if it's an automatic it even has the stub axles with the smaller bolts (and you can't drill them out for the larger type, GM was so nice to change the spacing at the same time)

The C4 dana 44 is not a bolt in deal, the batwing is 1cm narrower than your stocker and it doesn't have a pinion mount.

It's easier to get an iron diff (eaton) and bolt it up, you must use the earlier longer halfshafts and the earlier camber control setup (rods and bracket) or aftermarket for 63-79. You can even go 12bolt irs if you want.

The small tube headers are stock equipment for 81 and up corvettes, they are 409 stainless (and known for cracking) and don't flow worth anything.

[Beige]

They're cool cars.
I'd be tempted to cut the entire car in half and widen it a bit, though.

[nitrovette]

Youll love the ls motor in a c3 vette changes the whole car completely,cant wait to see pics of the build up.Also if you can go with sidepipes really changes the way a ls1 sounds.I love mine.

[nastynavy]

This is a great idea. I don't know why more people don't go for it with the cheaper pricing on the later C3 vette's. I look forward to following this project.

[nitrovette]

This is a great idea. I don't know why more people don't go for it with the cheaper pricing on the later C3 vette's. I look forward to following this project.

theres over a dozen c3's already on the corvetteforum that are ls'1 or ls6's,n/a or supercharged.

[rellim51]

[O'Neall]

Ditto!

[BulldawgMusclecars]

Sorry guys, I haven't had time to get any pics (crazy stuff going on at work!), but I should be able to get some tomorrow.

[nitrovette]

The chassis is going to get a power rack and pinion conversion (Vette Brakes or Steeroids), a Van Steel coilover conversion front and rear,offset trailing arms and many other upgrades. The IRS is going to be rebuilt with 4.11 gears, and I'm planning to run C5 Z06 brakes. The wheels will be 17s or 18s (8s front, 10s rear).


with offset trailing arms youll be able to fit bigger thn 10's.i thought i read you were doing flares too,never mind

[BulldawgMusclecars]

The chassis is going to get a power rack and pinion conversion (Vette Brakes or Steeroids), a Van Steel coilover conversion front and rear,offset trailing arms and many other upgrades. The IRS is going to be rebuilt with 4.11 gears, and I'm planning to run C5 Z06 brakes. The wheels will be 17s or 18s (8s front, 10s rear).


with offset trailing arms youll be able to fit bigger thn 10's.i thought i read you were doing flares too,never mind

I'd be willing to go larger, basically whatever will fit. I didn't mention flares, but they aren't out of the question.

Anyone know what a good rebuildable pre-80 Vette rear goes for? After looking at prices on Toms' site for the 12 bolt style with all the upgrades, I'm actually considering doing a 9" solid axle swap.

[nitrovette]

I'd be willing to go larger, basically whatever will fit. I didn't mention flares, but they aren't out of the question.

Anyone know what a good rebuildable pre-80 Vette rear goes for? After looking at prices on Toms' site for the 12 bolt style with all the upgrades, I'm actually considering doing a 9" solid axle swap.

if you flare it 12's arent out of the question.Im running mild flares no offsets and 17x9.5 but can fit 11's with sway bar removed,but i like the sway bar.
Take some pics when you make progress,especially if you flare it.

[Twin_Turbo]

The 12 bolt stuff won't even fit in your Dana44, for that you will have to buy an iron eaton/auburn diff and convert that. It will bolt to the stock batwing but you have to notch it for the drive flanges on the stub axles (if you use the 12 bolt components), you will also have to use the earlier camber bracket and the straight rods because the iron diffs have the bracket bolted under the main case.


12s will fit easily when you use L88 flares, I have 12s and they have only 3" backspacing and I widened the rear suspension by 1,5"
The tires now stick out a little