A dose of reality...

[Last Ride]

Well, it looks like the wife is finally putting her foot down on the whole Corvette thing. It looks like I might have to "get real" when it comes to the car, i.e. the twin turbos, 4L80E 13-bolt and 1480 axle kit from Tom's, etc. I guess I can sort of see her point. I can still build the LT1 to 500+ horsepower, and that is already a lot of power for a street car. She is more into the cosmetic things and things that will make it act like a newer car. That is why I am contemplating selling the Performance Plus system as well as the Steeroids conversion and going with something sort of like a Paul Newman conversion. Well, thanks for listening to my jolt of reality! I now return you to your lives already in progress.

 

[groovyjay]

If you can get 500hp and PNCC C4 suspension conversion, then forget Steeroids and VBP+ kit!!! Paul Newmans C4 kit comes with the C4 Rack n Pinion, so it is all you need!

PS: You can always add the two turbos later, when she's not watching

 

[Last Ride]

If you can get 500hp and PNCC C4 suspension conversion, then forget Steeroids and VBP+ kit!!! Paul Newmans C4 kit comes with the C4 Rack n Pinion, so it is all you need!

PS: You can always add the two turbos later, when she's not watching

Jay--
Now, those Paul Newman conversions are expensive! I have seen places that will do it cheaper, and even a place that will graft a C5 suspension under a shark. It's hard to argue with the success of Newman, though! I just figrued that by the time I get done with the Steeroids, Performance Plus, 12-bolt, Axle kit, etc. I would have almost as much invested as a total conversion! I guess we will just have to see where it goes from here. And I was just about ready to get started on the suspension as well, lol!

Bryan

 

[groovyjay]

I know couple of other sources similar to Paul Newman, but I have never heard of anyone doing C5 conversions for C3s. Does that include the Transaxle setup or does it use something more traditional, like traditional T56? I would be very interested of learning more about this...

 

[69MyWay]

Bryan,

It is all about starting with a vision, then working from the vision backwards. If you make changes as you go (major changes), your project may never get finished, and you won't be happy.

The wife is a HUGE part of the vision. She has to buy into it.

If you want turbos, etc, then go do all the research, get part numbers, prices, and time frames. Share this with her and explain to her where you are going with the project. You may surprise yourself when you see the pricetag and time it will take to go to that extreme. There is value to driving the car sooner rather than later.

Maybe if she sees that you are passionate about your vision, and you have thought it through and are willing to sacrafice for it, she will buy into it and you can move forward.

Then again, she might be the balance you need to bring to this project and stop before you go off the deep end.

I always make Nikki a part of my plans (at least before I write the check). I find it better to discuss it up front, and get her input, than to ask for forgiveness later.

 

[Last Ride]

I know couple of other sources similar to Paul Newman, but I have never heard of anyone doing C5 conversions for C3s. Does that include the Transaxle setup or does it use something more traditional, like traditional T56? I would be very interested of learning more about this...

Jay--

I never really got into specifics with the guy, so I am not sure about the C5 setup yet. Check out his website at www.streetshopinc.com to find out more. I have been talking with Tray. The frame to accept the C5 suspension comes to $6995 complete, but he said that you would need to trim out portions of the rear floor and glass over it to get the suspension to fit properly.

Originally posted by 69MyWay
Bryan,

It is all about starting with a vision, then working from the vision backwards. If you make changes as you go (major changes), your project may never get finished, and you won't be happy.

The wife is a HUGE part of the vision. She has to buy into it.

If you want turbos, etc, then go do all the research, get part numbers, prices, and time frames. Share this with her and explain to her where you are going with the project. You may surprise yourself when you see the pricetag and time it will take to go to that extreme. There is value to driving the car sooner rather than later.

Maybe if she sees that you are passionate about your vision, and you have thought it through and are willing to sacrafice for it, she will buy into it and you can move forward.

Then again, she might be the balance you need to bring to this project and stop before you go off the deep end.

I always make Nikki a part of my plans (at least before I write the check). I find it better to discuss it up front, and get her input, than to ask for forgiveness later.

Chris--
Yeah, I am trying to get her involved with the car as much as possible. She has come around from, "Sell it because it's too old and we don't need it," to at least riding in it! She is all about the creature comforts and could care less about the power. I think going more "Pro-touring" with this car will be the best way to get her involved. The twin turbo idea was something I want(ed) simply because of my perhaps unhealthy obsession with speed. Anyway, I think a nice build on the motor to put out 500 horsepower (maybe even a bit less) would be plenty for the street. I have a bead on a complete rolling chassis and drivetrain from a C5 right now, so I might even be able to pick up the LS1 and replace the LT1 in the car now. I would also be able to sell the parts I wouldn't need including many of the parts off of the C5 Chassis (including the entire frame) and my entire rolling chassis. I think that almost makes more sense than going with the Car Creations conversion, and that is my current strategy to appeal to my wife (she loves a sale, lol). By changing plans from what I originally had planned to this newer line of thinking, I was able to trim about $7,000 off of what I originally had estimated for the car. She liked that.

The other thing is, she brought up having kids again last night. I told her I would like to finish the car before we have kids. I also told her that if we wanted to have kids before we were 30, that realistically, the car would have to wait. I think she knows how much the car means to me (not just because it's a Corvette, either). I guess the point is, if I am going to an extreme, I want it to be an extreme that will allow her more enjoyment out of the car. Horsepower doesn't appeal to her. Neither does going fast. a smooth ride, stereo, functional air conditioning, nice seats, things like that appeal to her. Well, I have buyers for the Steeroids and the Performance Plus system if I want, so who knows where to do from here?

Bryan

 

[matchframe]

Bryan,

The most important things in life is our famlies. I have owned my Vette since 1985. I had pretty big plans for it, until I got married. I drove it for awhile until our son was born, then we could not even afford the license and insurance for it. I parked it in the garage until I noticed how much trouble my wife had using the garage...we had a two car garage with a Vette, a GMC Safari van and a GMC truck parking in it. Needlesss to say it looked like a hanger on an aircraft carrier the way we had to fit everything in. At that time I moved the Vette to the backyard where it sat for about 8 years. About a year and a half ago, my wife saw how much I missed tinkering with the Vette, and encouraged me to expand the garage so I could work on it. After building the garage, moving the Vette in it, I discovered how much damage the elements had on it. It was beyond just replacing minor parts and a tuneup. It really needed a complete frame-off resto.

I am trying to get to the point...We now have a son and daughter who want to do their own things. My daughter is training for competition in English Style horse riding...you know, riding horses with a black hat and heeled boots jumping fences and other obsticles. Maybe one day you might see her competeing on a national level. My son has taken a comon interest that I have which is SCUBA diving. We want to encourage their interest as much as possible. So, after paying for those things, and other bills, we have a little over to pursue other things such as vacations, and Vette parts. Through all of that, my family sees how I consider their interest above what I really want to do...build a radical Vette. They now encourage me to work on the Vette.

What I am trying to say is, you might have to slow things down for the family's sake, or even put them on hold for a while, but don't give up on what you really want to do. You will have everything, a family that loves and respects you, and that radical Vette.


Bill

 

[Last Ride]

Bryan,

What I am trying to say is, you might have to slow things down for the family's sake, or even put them on hold for a while, but don't give up on what you really want to do. You will have everything, a family that loves and respects you, and that radical Vette.


Bill

Bill--
I know what you mean here. I know there are a lot of things I could have done if I was single instead of married at 22. When I gained a wife, I gained everything about her, including things like college tuition bills, car payments, etc. But don't get me wrong, I wouldn't trade it for all the money or "radical Corvettes" in the world! We are still well enough off financially that I can still put SOME money into the car. Perhaps with more modest power goals, I should just keep the suspension setup I have ready to go on the car and drive it like that. Afterall, the L88 was putting 500+ hp through a rear axle very similar to mine! I have given consideration to doing this and then saving "ultra radical" for some time down the road when I have more resources, and a family, to enjoy it!

Bryan

 

[69MyWay]

Bryan,

Not long after I got married I sold a project Fiero. It was an 86 GT. I stripped it and painted it Corvette Torch Red. I pulled a 3.1 V6 from a lumina, bored it over, and had a stroker crank, crane cam, ported heads, roller rockers, and a JET chip burned for it. I had a stall converter, BBS style rims, and a high end stereo.

It was a blast (later I built a V8 Fiero that was 10 times more fun).

Anyway, I sold it for a measly $2,500. We had JUST gotten married. The buyer handed me cash, then drove off. I came in the house with the $2,500 smackers and laid it out on the table with grand plans of what I was going to do. Nikki sat down and we started talking about maybe paying off one or two of her store credit cards etc.......

Here came my dose of reality check!

Turned out she had 44 different credit cards including a personal loan to pay off a card, as well as a car loan.....and there were balances on most of the 44 cards! She pulled a shoe box out and one by one pulled these billing statements out. I almost choked to death gagging on my tongue as she laid the proof of debt out in front of me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Needless to say, all of the Fiero money paid a tiny portion of her bills, then for the next year I sold things, etc, and put money towards her debt. I had no idea the entire time we dated she was so burried!

The good news is, we got past that, only to do it again, then pay them off, then do it again, then pay them off.....it is a terrible cycle!

She informed me a couple of weeks ago I am going to be a daddy. In fact, we are going to the doctor today to see if all is going well. I have to really make some adjustments....like doing the 71 in exchange for the six speed....instead of buying a six speed outright.

It changes everything, but I would not trade Nikki and all the debt for single life and a pile of cash!

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Congrats on the baby Chris. A big change but one that pays off in extreme dividends. There is nothing else like it.

 

[Last Ride]

Bryan,

Not long after I got married I sold a project Fiero. It was an 86 GT. I stripped it and painted it Corvette Torch Red. I pulled a 3.1 V6 from a lumina, bored it over, and had a stroker crank, crane cam, ported heads, roller rockers, and a JET chip burned for it. I had a stall converter, BBS style rims, and a high end stereo.

It was a blast (later I built a V8 Fiero that was 10 times more fun).

Anyway, I sold it for a measly $2,500. We had JUST gotten married. The buyer handed me cash, then drove off. I came in the house with the $2,500 smackers and laid it out on the table with grand plans of what I was going to do. Nikki sat down and we started talking about maybe paying off one or two of her store credit cards etc.......

Here came my dose of reality check!

Turned out she had 44 different credit cards including a personal loan to pay off a card, as well as a car loan.....and there were balances on most of the 44 cards! She pulled a shoe box out and one by one pulled these billing statements out. I almost choked to death gagging on my tongue as she laid the proof of debt out in front of me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Needless to say, all of the Fiero money paid a tiny portion of her bills, then for the next year I sold things, etc, and put money towards her debt. I had no idea the entire time we dated she was so burried!

The good news is, we got past that, only to do it again, then pay them off, then do it again, then pay them off.....it is a terrible cycle!

She informed me a couple of weeks ago I am going to be a daddy. In fact, we are going to the doctor today to see if all is going well. I have to really make some adjustments....like doing the 71 in exchange for the six speed....instead of buying a six speed outright.

It changes everything, but I would not trade Nikki and all the debt for single life and a pile of cash!

Chris--
Congrats on the new addition! Truth be told (and I can say this because my wife doesn't read these forums), I would love to start trying to have a baby. You know what they say, if you wait until you think you can afford it, you never will try! Actually, my wife is the more responsible of us two when it comes to money. Most of her debt (unlike mine) is justifiable. she handles the money, and I am not even allowed to touch the check book! I think that's for the best since I can tend to be a free swinger when it comes to buying stuff we don't need. Anyway, thanks for all the advice, and I am exploring the options as we speak.

Bryan

 

[Blade]

I feel your pain too!

....Yes Dear.... Whatever you say Dear.... You are correct Dear...

 

[JHL]

I understand your problem, my wife hates the sight of my Vette and has only been in it once or twice in 6 years !! she didn,t really like any of the cars I have had. I found the best plan over the years and numerous cars was to say nothing and have all the parts delivered to my office at work.

A bit deceptive but it was that or nothing and I would still be driving around in a Ford Fiesta. Till the day I die I will never understand the thought process of women :L :L and my daughter has turned out to be just like her mother so I get in both ears at the same time.

J.

 

[invinceablevett]

lastride......congrats on the addittion to the family.Don't worry about having gone through that whole wife- debt thing.The legend says that woman have to be in-debt to conceive(just kidding).....It's the reason I am still single......I can't find a woman who isn't buried in debt!!!!!Don't worry the main thing is you have a vette,whether you get your vette to look and feel like you want it to, is just a matter of time and money.

 

[bossvette]

Chris
congratulations on your newest.
I have 3 kids of my own the oldest from my first wife is married and starting a family of his own, while the two younger ones are at home. It is always a trade off between family and Vette, if I spend a doller on the Vette I have to spend three on the Wife and kids.
My wife wanted a mini-van and I needed a new vehicle I thought to myself I was tired of buying what other people wanted so I bought a non runnning 76 4 years ago got it running quickly and drove it the rest of the summer(30+ years between Vettes is to long).
that winter I used a old 383 I had in the barn and put a TPI and Tremec in it. Every time my wife would come out to the barn all she would say "your interior looks like s**t, why are you working on the engine?"
Needless to say I replaced the interior. I still have things I want to do to the Vette, but they will have to wait till better days(I am running out of things to sell)
Now I just maintain it and do small mods when I get some OT and drive it most every day.