ok guys this is my 1st post here
i have a 1978 L82 corvette sliver anneversery. it was my grandpas car (he bought it new back in 78) and he asked me if i wanted it and well iv loved the car scince i was a kid so of course i said yes. so the other day he signed the papers over to me. im only 18 but dont worry i baby the car, iv been the only on to drive it in the past year bc he doesnt like to drive it anymore. the car is mint with the exception of a few scratches the worst one is right over the right front tire and its the only one noticable from more then 1ft away. it was repainted like 13yrs ago and garaged ever scince hasnt seen rain or snow in probly 15 years. the interior was redon the same time the paint was, but the guy effed it up. its not bad but it could have been better. the L82 engine has 63,624 original miles on it, it was repaired recently due to a broken valve spring.

i was wondering were i could go with the car performance wise, i want to keep the stock look of the car but be able to run with the newer corvettes would it be worth building the stock engine or should i go with a swap like an LT1. i dont kno much about cars of this era so any input is appreciated

 

Just my... one mans opinion... keep it as stock as possible. Only do engine mods that you can reverse if you do decide to sell. According to the Black Book, they only made 6502 Silver Anniversary editions. That is out of 46776 units total. By those numbers alone that is a rare collectable car. Not all 6500 are still on the road. By the law of averages at least 1/3 are wrecked... at least. If you google your model, the average selling price is in the low 30k range. Also... even with increased hp numbers this car isn't really designed to compete with the newer models. I've got a c3... man... it rides like a truck! For what it's worth.... again one mans opinion, restore it and drive some Vette history.
Later,
Wedge
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IMO, keep it and built it! A 350 can put out 600 HP and yes, keep up with the new guys. A suspension upgrade, and you'll challenge 'em all.

 

wedge are these cars really going for 30k bc i have never seen one for mre then 20k unless it had like no miles on it. altho mine is another rareity i would assume at least bc it came threw with the pace car rims they have the litte red pinstripe around the lip. i would like tokeep the colectors value of the car do you think building the engine would decrease the value. and were should i start if i were to rebuild it

 

Welcome to the forum and "Congratulations" and best of luck with your new Vette. You were very lucky to have a car from the original owner, that means a lot. Like mainly that you won't have to un-do 5 past owners bad repairs.
As far as one scratch on your fender,that's nothing to worry about, if you use your car as a daily driver, as I do, you'll find a paint chip now and then.
The Interior is no problem, there are plenty of replacement parts, heres a few companys that will send you a free catalog:
www.corvettecentral.com
www.ecklers.com
www.mamotorworks.com
www.riksvet.com
and for 4 bucks www.DocRebuild.comTheres lots more but this will get you started.
You say that you don't no much about cars, and thats okay, go to the auto parts store and get a copy of the Haynes Repair Manual, it has most of the info that you'll need to get you started, later on you can get a Service Manual and the Shop Manual and the Assembly Manual. Ask your uncle if he has any of the above. Also talk to your uncle and ask what he had changed over the years. I'm sure he will help you a lot.
While your at the parts store get some oil and a new filter and while your under the car look for leaks, check the power steering, the trany seals, front and rear engine seals, the brake calipers. I changed all the calipers in 2000 and I've had to change three of them again over the years, I bought my replacements from auto-zone- free replacements under there warrenty. They even gave me new pads each time- no charge.
Take a look at the rubber bushings on the front and rear, after years they have to be changed just from old age.
You might want to put in new plugs and wires and a set ofpoints,ask your uncle when he did them last.
How about the anti-freeze and hoses and the heater hoses. And the thermostat.
Performance: Horsepower=Money period. There are endless opyions and engines that you can put on your car. For me "Stock" is fine. I can live with 190 HP. The stock manifold, carb and cast exhaust is all I need, its the looks of the car that drive everyone crazy, I think the C-3 is the best looking car that Chevy ever made, the car has great looks, the bulging fenders, the coke bottle style and big tires in the rear, these cars look fast even when they are parked!
So enough of my 2 cents worths, enjoy your new ride and come back with more questions. PG

 

[align=left]Yeah maybe 30k is high for a car w/62k miles.. I guess my only point was it is worth something, and there aren't that many left, its a 30 year old car. Enjoy it for what it is. Its a classic in my eyes. If it was a 76 or a 77 I would build the crap out of it.... but a 78 is an anniversary car, if its got the documentation, keep it original.
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Just Friday I talked with a young man about his 77 he and his dad just finished. Keep it and BABY the 78, Keep your first one stock( my opinion). Buy a 2nd one when you can and then experiment.At 18, do not sell this 78. Family and everything involved. You are on the journey of a lifetime. Believe me I know.The journey can be fun and frustrating.Parts,Parts,Parts. This is the time in your life to get going on the ride we like to call Corvette Fever. Join a vette club, go to shows and above all HAVE FUN and remember SAVE THE WAVE[sm=hiya.gif]

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my grandpa kept the car in tip top shape oil changes, spark plugs, brakes everything, it has a rebuilt carb and all the work was done by a shope that specializes in older corvettes. the roters and calipers were all recently replaced, new belts 6 months ago. the car realy is in great shape. here are a few pics

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u...Picture190.jpg

 

my grandpa kept the car in tip top shape oil changes, spark plugs, brakes everything, it has a rebuilt carb and all the work was done by a shope that specializes in older corvettes. the roters and calipers were all recently replaced, new belts 6 months ago. the car realy is in great shape. here are a few pics

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u308/Supercharged06/Picture184.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>


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I kinda gave you some wrong info.... overexuberance and all. I mistakenly quoted figures for the 78 pace car edition. Sorry... but I still feel that the silver is a collectable car, the older it gets, the more valuable it will become. And you own its history, not three or four owners before you. That is a good thing.
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