Another C3 Newb with Q's
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 13
Another C3 Newb with Q's
Hi, I just picked up a green 73 Vette with the 454 and 4-speed. It's in great shape, but has manual steering and brakes. Is there any aftermarket solution for dropping in a power brake master cylinder? I have other musclecars that this is offered for, but dunno about C3 Vettes.
I think I am OK with the manual steering, but just in case, could that be converted over to power steering without too much drama? I doubt I will go down that road, since I like the precision of a good manual steering system over a power steering system, but just keeping my options open.
Also, how much horsepower does this engine realistically make?
Thanks in advance for any assistance.
I think I am OK with the manual steering, but just in case, could that be converted over to power steering without too much drama? I doubt I will go down that road, since I like the precision of a good manual steering system over a power steering system, but just keeping my options open.
Also, how much horsepower does this engine realistically make?
Thanks in advance for any assistance.
But I'll stick with the stock steering for now until I am sure I want to do that. 
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,212
From: KC, MO area
RE: Another C3 Newb with Q's
Here's one: http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=853
Here's stock: http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=989
Here's stock: http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=989
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,328
From: Dickson, TN.
RE: Another C3 Newb with Q's
Welcome to the site. Any pictures? We love pictures. Don't forget the wave.
My '73 Factory Big Block came with power steering and brakes. The only clearance problems I know of might be the oil pan on the power steering and the drivers side valve cover. The valve cover needs to be concaved on the back outboard side to clear the power booster. I believe the booster is just a stock GM part. But you may need parts at the wheels. Cheers
My '73 Factory Big Block came with power steering and brakes. The only clearance problems I know of might be the oil pan on the power steering and the drivers side valve cover. The valve cover needs to be concaved on the back outboard side to clear the power booster. I believe the booster is just a stock GM part. But you may need parts at the wheels. Cheers
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 246
From: Whitefish Montana
RE: Another C3 Newb with Q's
Wow... a LS4 with manual steering and manual brakes. Did it come with a radio? Sounds to me like a car that was destined for the track. Do me a favor if you get the chance. If this is the original block for the car, a 3999289 block casting LS4, look above the oil filter on the drivers side of the motor. There you will find 3 capped off holes. I have been looking for other 4 bolt main 73 vettes with original LS4 motors. If it is a 4 bolt, there will be 2 large (1/2") plugs and 1 small (3/8) plug. If it is a 2 bolt all 3 will be the same size (3/8). Or... if you pull the pan... let me know what you see. I have an original 4 bolt in mine and allegedly only a few exist. Post your vin if you can... that would be great.
Thanks in advance for your time, and welcome to the forum. These guys are great and really know alot.
Later,
Wedge
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Thanks in advance for your time, and welcome to the forum. These guys are great and really know alot.
Later,
Wedge
[align=left] [/align]
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 246
From: Whitefish Montana
RE: Another C3 Newb with Q's
Oh, and in response to the HP question, Chevy posted 275hp for the LS4 powered vettes. In 72 they changed the way they rated hp, from gross at the crank to rear wheel to get by the insurance industry and the EPA. It's compression was dropped slightly to 8.25 to run on unleaded fuel, and it lost a few ponies, but was still in the neighborhood of 360hp at the crank with 395 ft lbs of torque. Mine was crank dyno'd at 425, but with the taller hood to clear the intake, I don't see my right fender at all. A trade off I can live with! The sky is the limit... it is a great motor!
Wedge
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Wedge
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Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 13
RE: Another C3 Newb with Q's
ORIGINAL: blueshark
Welcome to the site. Any pictures? We love pictures. Don't forget the wave.
My '73 Factory Big Block came with power steering and brakes. The only clearance problems I know of might be the oil pan on the power steering and the drivers side valve cover. The valve cover needs to be concaved on the back outboard side to clear the power booster. I believe the booster is just a stock GM part. But you may need parts at the wheels. Cheers
Welcome to the site. Any pictures? We love pictures. Don't forget the wave.
My '73 Factory Big Block came with power steering and brakes. The only clearance problems I know of might be the oil pan on the power steering and the drivers side valve cover. The valve cover needs to be concaved on the back outboard side to clear the power booster. I believe the booster is just a stock GM part. But you may need parts at the wheels. Cheers
Next one is going to be the kind that runs off of double-A batteries. I see. I have made sheet metal aluminum valve covers before, so I might just do the same for this so I will have the proper clearance. I was considering just doing the PS conversion, and just running an aftermarket hydroboost, which would definitely spare a lot of room for the valve covers. I had such a system on my Satellite, so I guess I will see if the same is offered for the C3.
Thanks.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 13
RE: Another C3 Newb with Q's
ORIGINAL: Wedge
Wow... a LS4 with manual steering and manual brakes. Did it come with a radio? Sounds to me like a car that was destined for the track. Do me a favor if you get the chance. If this is the original block for the car, a 3999289 block casting LS4, look above the oil filter on the drivers side of the motor. There you will find 3 capped off holes. I have been looking for other 4 bolt main 73 vettes with original LS4 motors. If it is a 4 bolt, there will be 2 large (1/2") plugs and 1 small (3/8) plug. If it is a 2 bolt all 3 will be the same size (3/8). Or... if you pull the pan... let me know what you see. I have an original 4 bolt in mine and allegedly only a few exist. Post your vin if you can... that would be great.
Thanks in advance for your time, and welcome to the forum. These guys are great and really know alot.
Later,
Wedge
[align=left][/align]
Wow... a LS4 with manual steering and manual brakes. Did it come with a radio? Sounds to me like a car that was destined for the track. Do me a favor if you get the chance. If this is the original block for the car, a 3999289 block casting LS4, look above the oil filter on the drivers side of the motor. There you will find 3 capped off holes. I have been looking for other 4 bolt main 73 vettes with original LS4 motors. If it is a 4 bolt, there will be 2 large (1/2") plugs and 1 small (3/8) plug. If it is a 2 bolt all 3 will be the same size (3/8). Or... if you pull the pan... let me know what you see. I have an original 4 bolt in mine and allegedly only a few exist. Post your vin if you can... that would be great.
Thanks in advance for your time, and welcome to the forum. These guys are great and really know alot.
Later,
Wedge
[align=left][/align]
I just checked, and mine has the 2 large plugs and the smaller one. What are those plugs for anyway? Some kind of provision for a dry sump system? I guess I will yank the pan sometime to be sure, but the 2 larger plugs are definitely half inchers. I know from having installed electric thermostats in my GTX. After doing that, I know how to tell the sizes.
I thought my motor felt pretty powerful for a 70s big block, but I guess it just is powerful.
Thanks