Mild C3 Build *Updated 3/29 pics
 

I got my 1980 vette in pretty original condition with 44k miles on it. Based off the paper work I have on it, it did about 19k miles the last 37 years.

Needless to say, the rubber was shot from sitting. It ran great, but had oil leaks all over the place.

The goal was always to just replace all the seals and gaskets, give it a good once over, and make sure it’s just a solid driver/cruiser.

Of course, if you’re tearing it apart, might as well give it a little power too. Mostly seeing it’s pretty “anemic” stock.


List of mods
- Comp Cam K12 kit. (.451 lift)
- Edelbrock 600cfm carb
- Edelbrock Prerformer Intake
- Edelbrock Nitrous & Purge Kit (50 shot)
- ARP head bolts
- OBX Headers
- MSD Street Fire distributor/wires
- Energy suspension Engine/Transmission mounts
- Spectre Engine dress up kit
- Chevy Orange in place of Corporate Blue

Wanted to get a few quick mock up pics, more pics to come in the next couple weeks of finished install.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...3ec272df1.jpeg
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Looks great so far! I love the headers, where did you find them?

Got the headers/ side pipes off eBay. Think they were $600 with the mounting brackets.

Looking good !!! Definitely the right thing to do,
getting more ponies under the hood. The mid to late year C3’s deserve the HP that federal regulations took away.

This should be good for around 300 or so.

Looks good. I always liked the nest-of-snakes side mount headers. Curious why you dumped the Q-jet in favor of the Edelbrock.

Are you going to be able to put a drop-down air cleaner on it in order to clear the hood or are you going to get a high-rise hood?

Q-jet is an ok carb, it gets a bad rap, but have had great success with the Edelbrock carbs for mild build applications. A standard 4 Barrel is just easier to tune.

It should fit just fine under the stock hood. Stuffed bigger taller engines into tighter spaces many of times. Plan is to modify the stock air cleaner box for a more stock look.

Update 3/29 pics
 

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...322bc2c281.png
Cleaned up the engine bay, and painted a few things flat black while the motor was out.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...da38cc0162.png
A little trimming was needed to get a good fit on the headers with out rubbing.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...5eded39163.png
It’s coming along nice.

Looking good.

Looks good cleaned up. Can’t wait to see the finished vette. I’ll be getting back to work on my 79 soon. Final shakedown of engine and transmission swap and then get going on the interior transformation.
Keep us posted on your progress