Corvette Video: Your Input Please

[vetski179]

My production company is going to do a video of a resto-mod of a 1980 Corvette. The idea behind the video is to have an appealing car that can also be constructed by an amateur enthusiast for a reasonable cost. I have posted some questions to the group regarding the initial planning of the project and have been very pleased with the great responses. So, what a great place to seek input. There are some things that are already set in stone, so to speak, some not. As such, we have one big question is: What would someone buying such a video want to see as far as the drive train is concerned? When we bought the car (a California 305 smogger) gas was cheap. A big inch (540) torquey big block was the plan. Then, gas skyrocketed. An LS1 based engine was then considered. With maybe a centrifugal blower or turbo. Now that fuel has become reasonable again, the big block idea is back on the table, as well as a 1st Gen 383 small block. The trans will be a manual. We already have a Richmond ROD 6 speed. But, if an LS1 type engine is chosen, we might use the stock manual trans/engine package from the donor car if the computer requirements would make that easier.
What would YOU like to see?
(If you'd care to comment after voting, please do. Thanks.)

 

[spikebot 81]

I think you would sell more videos with a gen 1 small block. Most guys with C3 and older do their own work on their cars. I'm a pretty good mechanic and purchased a c3 because I can fix just about everything on the car. With a LS1 engine you have the computer control and FI ect. Not sure how many old school garage mechanics can deal with the modern technology, I know I can't. Just my humble opinion.

 

[White75]

I think you would sell more videos with a gen 1 small block. Most guys with C3 and older do their own work on their cars. I'm a pretty good mechanic and purchased a c3 because I can fix just about everything on the car. With a LS1 engine you have the computer control and FI ect. Not sure how many old school garage mechanics can deal with the modern technology, I know I can't. Just my humble opinion.

I agree that a carbed SBC is a popular option because it's so easy due to the lack of electronics but it has been done a lot and there are already a lot of how-tos on it.
Swapping to a modern engine or a BBC is seen a lot less and more of a challenge that a well-documented video would definitely make more interesting. (I voted for LS1 swap BTW)

 

[Evolution1980]

The idea behind the video is to have an appealing car that can also be constructed by an amateur enthusiast for a reasonable cost.

Building a 383 is going to the cheapest and likely easiest way. You can get huge numbers out of a 383 for not too much money. With the Gen IV and later blocks, you have the base engine and electronics that you'll have to get. Then you have to build on all the other power adders to bring the power up. And if you want to get a bit more crazy with the power, you can still add a blower to the carb'd engine.

A 383 upgrade is a drag-n-drop operation. Drag it into garage and drop it in the car!

Now, playing the other side of the coin...White75 makes a valid point about doing a video doc of a swap to a Gen IV block. That is more rare and possibly more interesting, but how many people will actually want to do that when what I recommended above is cheaper and gives potentially better results? And the Gen IV swap will more or less blow the 'reasonable cost' or Power/$ ratio out of the water for most people.

There's 2¢ for your project costs. :L

PS - when comparing startup costs to the project, a new crate 383 will potentially cost more than a donor LS1 setup. However, the LS1 setup will likely not be as much power "as is" and it's just that: "as is"...meaning "not new". If I'm going to use a old engine, I might as well rebuild my current block. BUT...when that's all said and done, to do it properly is just shy the cost of a new 383, so I opt to spend a few bucks more and get an all new engine and have my original as a fallback. Or sell it to offset the cost of the new engine.

 

[73shark]

How about pulling the OM and rebuilding it to a 383? I agree w/ the others on staying old school w/ a carbed engine.

 

[vetski179]

Thanks to all who've voted so far. I'm very pleased the Gen 1 SBC is in the lead so far, as I'm anxious to get started and ultimatley, finished! I think this is the fastest route.

 

[6880 Mike]

FWIW: Why a resto-mod? Why not do a stock restoration how-to on the '80 and market that?

Almost everybody would like to see a how-to.

 

[vetski179]

No resto for me

"Why a resto-mod? Why not do a stock restoration how-to on the '80 and market that? "

As it's going to be my car to drive too, I can't stomach a 180HP 305. Plus, I've done motorcycle restorations where every nut and bolt had to be correct, and I don't have the patience for that on a car. I'm pretty sure that a correctly restored 305 1980 Vette will never be worth a ton of dough. I just loved a 1974 454 Vette I had some time ago, and loved the power (a mild hop up + a simple plate Nitrous system got it into the low 12's, yet it was completely docile on the street and fooled many a street racer). I want a similar power package in the 1980 body style, which is my fav.

 

[Eddie 70]

I voted for the LS swap. In the poll you have stock LS swap or supercharged. My LS swap was a head, cam, headers, ported throttle body swap. I am still not 100% done but it came out pretty well in my opinion.

 

[78Vette-SA]

YouTube - FrankenSport - 1981 CorvetteI'm with Ed!

A little video spin:

 

[Koop]

The cost and time involved in an LS1 conversion quickly put me off that idea.

 

[minifridge1138]

I voted small block because that is probably what most do-it-yourself-ers would go with.

An LS swap is cool, but requires fabricating.

Big block is nice and is also a drag-and-drop (remember the car was designed in the 1960s when 427 and 454 were optional), but requires updated suspension.

What about a forced-induction small block?
I'd like to know how easy/difficult it is to fit some form of blower in that engine compartment (cutting a hole in the hood is cheating in my opinion).

Good Luck and let us know how it turns out!!

P.S. What is this company that wants the video?

 

[Evolution1980]

What about a forced-induction small block?
I'd like to know how easy/difficult it is to fit some form of blower in that engine compartment (cutting a hole in the hood is cheating in my opinion).

With the exception of a turbo setup, which is likely ruled out because it requires a fair amount of custom fabrication per application, a supercharger would first require a conversion to a serpentine belt setup. Other than that, Procharger has a bolt-on carb'd setup that they sell.
It's definitely pricey though.

 

[killain]

To me, I would think that a LSX engine would be a natural for this project. Sure there's going to be some extra work with regards to a wiring harness and a PCM, but the power output verses construction effort would nominate the LSX route, IMHO

 

[Evolution1980]

...but the power output verses construction effort would nominate the LSX route

How you figure? Dollar per HP favors a carb'd engine versus an LS setup.