New C3 Owner here - advice?

[jforte]

Hello all i just purchased a 1981 Corvette 4-speed with 16K original miles. THe car is extremely nice and clean as a 16K mile car should be. I am a very anal car buff and like everything to be PERFECT so i want to know what i should be doing to the car to be "up to date". THe car runs great, it does take a few minutes to warm up. It was not driven very much obviously due to the miles. Also what "upgrades" are very cost effective to improve the way the car runs/ and or performs (HP/TQ). Any input for a new owner would be GREAT!!! Thanks James

 

[C3RVETTE]

Hello all i just purchased a 1981 Corvette 4-speed with 16K original miles. THe car is extremely nice and clean as a 16K mile car should be. I am a very anal car buff and like everything to be PERFECT so i want to know what i should be doing to the car to be "up to date". THe car runs great, it does take a few minutes to warm up. It was not driven very much obviously due to the miles. Also what "upgrades" are very cost effective to improve the way the car runs/ and or performs (HP/TQ). Any input for a new owner would be GREAT!!! Thanks James

Wow! Sounds like you found a "diamond in the rough"! I would make sure everything is 'tuned' properly,for one.And have all the fluids,hoses,belts,etc. been checked & changed recently? But for real knowledgable advice,we'll wait for the more informed members to chime in here. Congrats!

 

[Rodney Gold]

80/81 has the looks , but nothing in the broeks (pants). I suppose what you do depends on what you want out the car.......if you want a showcar with no guts , leave it as is and have it serviced and checked over by a Corvette specialist.
If you want more "real" performance , you gonna have to spend money. For "cheap" seat of the pants performance , shortening the diff ratio to a 3.55 or so will wake the car up as much as you can without touching the engine. dunno if your box is auto , but if it is , a higher stall torque convertor will help too.
Engine wise , remember an engine is an air pump , so if you can get more air to flow , you can burn more fuel and make more power.
Key to this is a decent set of headers and heads and cam , in all probability your carb/tpi and intake will be "adequate" if in good condition.
My take on the whole story is that an 80/81 is hardly likely to become a collectors item , so I went the whole hog to get performance outa my 80. Being beaten by 2 chicks in a Golf GTI and them giving me the finger was the trigger. I didnt worry about keeping things original , but my car , unlike yours was tatty to begin with.
Perhaps your best option is to take out the original motor and stash it , and drop in a nice potent crate motor so you can keep everything original and still get some performance...I dunno......

 

[spikebot 81]

James, I agree with Rodney. 81s have great style but are slugs in the power department. Yours being a four speed is some what rare, most where autos.Headers and true duels help. Rear gear swap would be the best butt dyno change to make

 

[6880 Mike]

...i just purchased a 1981 Corvette 4-speed with 16K original miles....extremely nice and clean...I am a very anal car buff and like everything to be PERFECT so i want to know what i should be doing to the car to be "up to date"....

Do nothing. You have an unmolested, original, low mileage, 27 year old Corvette which many of us would consider "perfect" as she is.

Cruise and enjoy this one. Buy a project and update it.

 

[jforte]

Hey guys, thanks for the replies and compliments. I have been asking myself if it is worth messing with, due to 4-speed/miles combo, and I have to say it is probably not. So with that said I will just go through the hoses/belts/fluids. The interior is very nice except the shifter console piece and ashtray lid have scratches which bother me a lot. Who makes nicest quality part to replace it? I saw some stuff on EBAY which was cheap but i am sure the quality for the price will not be up to par with what the car is. I just want to make it perfect and keep it detailed. THANKS!

 

[C3RVETTE]

Thers quite a few Vette vendors out there. For starters www.madvet.com -- www.corvettecentral.com --www.corvetteamerica.com --- www.ecklers.com -Also,check out the left border of the page to find Corvette Action Center corvette-related sponsors!

 

[LVMYVT76]

ZIP PRODUCTS has a great selection, and fast shipping, order by 3pm est and they ship that day,if in stock.

 

[fine69]

... Who makes nicest quality part to replace it? I saw some stuff on EBAY which was cheap but i am sure the quality for the price will not be up to par with what the car is. I just want to make it perfect and keep it detailed. THANKS!

Zip Products is a good company (http://www.zip-products.com) - I ordered something from them yesterday and it's being delivered today.

With respect to eBay -- I've done loads of stuff through eBay and have rarely been dissatisfied. The safest bet is with the eBay vendors -- a couple vendors come to mind that have been particularly exceptional... Wilcox, ThePartsLadi, VaVette.

 

[jforte]

Fine69 - That is great to hear because i actually just ordered some floor mats and the ashtray lid from Wilcox earlier today! I am looking forward to getting them in the mail!

 

[GS Diva]

Welcome, James! I agree with everyone...you've got a gem, and I would also leave it alone.

I see you're in Danbury..I'm presuming that's Danbury, CT? If so, take a ride to Mystic, CT for a great gathering of Corvettes in Olde Mistick Village. You'll love it!

http://corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=108103

Elaine

 

[LVMYVT76]

You may want to order your parts from the vendors that advertise on out site, they help by donations to keep the forum going.

 

[jforte]

I have ordered all of their catalogs over a week ago and still nothing in the mail. I intend to buy from them if they decide to send me catalogs! LOL. Thanks

 

[LVMYVT76]

You can on line also.

 

[jforte]

Yea i hear you, but they don't have like an "online" catalog version like a pdf or something. I like to browse the pages, not just type in the part i am looking for.

 

[naptownfireman]

If you cant spank a stock vw golf then what is the point????!!!!! Grow a set and upgrade.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSwFif6yxUw



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R69c6JFwhY0

 

[chevyaddict]

I love my 81 just the way it is and am keeping it largely stock. Of course, I have many other toys so I can get my "need to go fast" kick elsewhere. I think you are making the right decision and welcome to the CAC!

 

[naptownfireman]

I had a 1995 drop top camaro and the chick never looked at me the way they do in my vette!!! tooooo bad im married now :-(

 

[redneck]

james...'81 vette

Welcome James......I have a 81 also . When I first got it I was really dissapointed....it burned a ton of fuel and felt like she was miss-fireing or had a plug/wire problem . All I have done to improve fuel/performance BIG TIME is to advance the timeing to around 12-14 degrees ( you'll have to find the sweetspot in around there ) and I also added a k and n air filter . Like you , with a low mileage car , mine is a beige/bronze tu-tone ( rare ) and I did not want to molest it either . The car is certainly not a race car , but , I am now just a cruiser anyways . She is running sweet and fuel has WAY improved . Enough power for this dude when i put my foot in it . You have a real nice low mileage vette my man....I agree with the guys who say don't alter it ... just get her timed right , get a filter to let her breath and i promise ya , you'll see a difference . Welcome to CAC bud.............redneck

 

[redneck]

too bad yer married now ??...lol.....just remember to wipe the passenger chrome door handle before you get home....lol....my buddy didn't ....FINGERPRINTS !!.....lol.........just kiddin'....