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05-21-2020 #1
1971 Corvette: Big Block, EFI, PT Build
Well, I never intended to have two build threads at the same time, but alas...here we are.
I ran up on a project car that I couldn’t resist. I’m a big Corvette guy and have always been a huge fan of the chrome bumper C3s. I’ve also never owned a big block car, and this project gave me the opportunity to scratch both itches at the same time. So away we go.
The car is a 1971 Corvette coupe, T-Top car. It came well optioned from the factory with PS, PB, AC, and power windows. It was also optioned with the LS5 454 and a TH400 transmission. I’ve verified all the numbers on the car and it is indeed numbers matching. That doesn’t mean just a hell of a lot to me, but it’s pretty cool and it does dictate how I will proceed with the build and keeping some of the original parts I would have otherwise sold or discarded.
The 454 was rebuilt years ago, put on a stand, and never started. It’s .030 over and has a set of 10:1 pistons in it with a small cam and some decent hardware holding it together. The heads are 1970 castings in good shape. Intake mani is stock iron and heavy as a mofo. Exhaust manifolds are original. The carb is a non-original but correct Quadrajet.
I plan to go back through the motor and give it a once over, adding a better cam, new springs, aluminum intake, etc. I’ll also be adding a Holley Sniper EFI setup I had on the shelf from another build. I’ve been really impressed with the Holley Mid Mount accessories I used on my other car, so this car will get a set as well.
The automatic trans is coming out and a Muncie 4-speed is going in. I have a trans ready to go and I just can’t bear to drive a car with an auto trans. Personal preference.
I’ll be doing coilovers on the front and a composite monospring with double adjustable shocks on the rear. The car has disc brakes all around, but I’ll be replacing and upgrading all the lines and rotors, pads, etc. The entire chassis will be blown apart and rebuilt.
The interior will be somewhat stock appearing with upgraded, newer Corvette seats and Dakota Digital gauges. I’ll also probably replace the factory AC with Vintage Air if I can swing the cash.
Here’s the starting point. It’s basically a basket case, but it’s mostly there and the body and frame are in good shape.
(This is not my garage and not my oven)
This is us leaving to bring it home...holy parts.
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05-21-2020 #2
I had to open up the motor as soon as I got home. I was super worried about it because it’s been sitting for over a decade with no spark plugs installed, and I expected the worst. It was in great shape after all. I’ll still break it down and check it all out. Bigger cam going on, new springs, pushrods, etc. But overall, I was pleasantly surprised.
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05-21-2020 #3
First course of action was to get the body off the frame and to get to work on the chassis rebuild. I’m going to break it all down, sand the frame and paint it with POR-15. Then I’ll go through all the individual components and sand or blast them and repaint them as well, using new bushings to put it all back together.
Here we are pulling the body off:
Going on a dolly (there’s a brace welded in to support the nose of the car. It’s hard to see. We’ll be adding braces at the rearmost body mount points as well.
And here’s the chassis:
Got the chassis home and it’s tear down time.
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05-21-2020 #4Registered User
- Join Date
- Jan 2014
- Location
- Austin, TX
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