What Would You Do?

[Cedar Creek]

If it will be a daily/frequent driver I would go with a fuel-injected crate engine.

Cedar Creek

 

[Brandi]

My point is its possible to upgrade the current matching numbers engine for better performance but it will likely cost more than a crate engine. The car isn't a flip, it's being built to her wants and will be her car for quite awhile I imagine, in other words, she has no plans to get rid of it. She's spent a fair amount of money, doing much of the interior work herself, and when it's done it will definitely not be sold. Certainly at this time keeping the numbers matching on a 76 Stingray isn't that big of a deal but you have to think off what the situation will be 30 years from now when this car is owned by her son or daughter....that's what I'm asking, for a serious answer.

 

[Brandi]

put whatever motor in it you want, keep the original in case someone wants to go original later.

That's what I'm thinking.

 

[sting75ray]

Go with the crate engine and hop it up a little or a lot. My 75 is far from original, if it had been original I would not have bought it.

 

[criticalbass]

My point is its possible to upgrade the current matching numbers engine for better performance but it will likely cost more than a crate engine. The car isn't a flip, it's being built to her wants and will be her car for quite awhile I imagine, in other words, she has no plans to get rid of it. She's spent a fair amount of money, doing much of the interior work herself, and when it's done it will definitely not be sold. Certainly at this time keeping the numbers matching on a 76 Stingray isn't that big of a deal but you have to think off what the situation will be 30 years from now when this car is owned by her son or daughter....that's what I'm asking, for a serious answer.

Crate motor. Not realistic to expect a daily driver to be around 30 years from now. Too much likelihood of major broken glass. If there's something special about the car, store it as is for investment purposes. Otherwise, enjoy.

Take the money saved by doing a crate motor, and invest it in something that should grow.

Oh--why does it smoke? Smoke doesn't always equal rebuild time.

 

[mugsy]

Brandi - I forwarded your question to my father-in-law who used to own and manage GM/Chevy car dealerships in San Antonio and a racetrack down near Corpus Christi - he is also a big time 'Vette enthusiast and has owned many...having said that I hope his input is useful to you because it is dolphin-talk to me (you know - I can tell a highly intelligent mammal is making the sounds but I haven't the faintest idea what they mean):

The 1975 to 1977 Corvette were NOT performance vetts.....they were adjusting and searching for answers for govt. emission problems and went overboard .

They were what is referred to as “The Turtle Vetts” had the looks but were NOT fast Therefore I do not believe having the correct factory matching numbers is of any concern for these year models , they are very important with the true performance Vetts over the years.

What to do about the engine ...that depends on what the owner wants to do with the car ... Just look at it and cruise around,, ( hide from any real performer cars) ....have a nice street performer .......run a few street races at times.........a fair street car would be running in the 14’s second ¼ mile range ....good street car in the 13.s’...

Fairly serious in the 12’5..... serious in the 11s’...... and a Street money runner in the 10’s

So it just depends on what the owner wants............to get in the 12’s or better you have to change rear end gear ratios....4 to 6 speed standard trans.... if automatic....built up and ratio...........and GOOD PRO BRAKES............if you can tell me what the owners purpose is , I could recommend what basic mechanical set up........its all in the correct mechanical combinations ....and you want efficiency ....horse power ..torque are what you use to get this.

A Vette is an excellent street car with the suspension they have they will give you a “Hole Shot “ on other vehicles.

Hope I did not confuse you.......it is just difficult to summarize..........but many people just throw a lot of money on a lot of so called speed equipment ....as advertised in the books .( the books are a source to sell by)........if you want performance you want a bullet proof mechanical set up.......quality parts and not developing multiple “ weak chain links”

Let me know if I can assist you

 

[piston10]

put whatever motor in it you want, keep the original in case someone wants to go original later.

This...

 

[KenL]

I'm also in the camp that says crate it with something that makes some power and pickle the numbers motor. My bet is that 30 years from now that numbers motor will still be pickled with somebody wondering what to do with it.

 

[flatwins]

I'm curious if there is any sentimental attachment to the car?

 

[Brandi]

She doesn't want a race car but she wants better than average performance. She's a Top Gear nut so if your a fan of the show you know what I mean. As mentioned these 70's vette's were not performance cars which is why she wants an engine with the performance that the vette's would have had if the government hadn't regulated them down. Not super charger or nitrous performance but enough that when she puts thespurs to it she gets that big smile only a hotter than production car can give you. She's leaning towards side pipes but that's still a maybe.

The car probably won't be a daily driver but it won't be a garage queen either. It's not going to be anywhere near show quality, just a nice restored car. She's had the floors all replaced (a major issue with this generation vette) and an expensive one too. She's completely re-carpeted and insulated the car, re-covered the dash pad, refinished and replaced door panels, dash and seats. Plus she's replaced the seat belts with new (better) ones. The only thing lacking is the gauge pack (haven't figured out how to get it out to refinish it), the paint and the engine (maybe a transmission upgrade to a 4 speed auto).