In the States, these cars are a dime a dozen, at least up until around 20 years ago. But I can see why you folks Down Under would gravitate toward them. Much like many of us would love to have a clean Holden Ute. Good luck with the build.
I agree with the others.. interesting build series will definitely watch. Why swap engines though??? Keep it original Pull the drive train out for sure but freshen it up & put it back in!! A nice clean 30 thou bore & hone, pistons, rings, shave the head, throw in a mild cam, & maybe injection over the carb! And you’ll have a sweet ass head turning cruiser!!
@@Deugzo1 Fair comment. The 350 definitely needs a freshen up. Previous owner mentioned head gasket. I haven't checked yet. If I retained it I would definitely run fuel injection. I'm very much over carbies.
I've been reading lots of LS swap threads on Corvette forums. Have purchased most of the LS swap gear already, but yes A LOT of work. I've done several numbers matching original restorations in the past and can't bare to do another. Restomod all the way with this one :)
@@GrouseGarage The Borgeson steering and Vintage Air upgrades are worth looking into. Both worked great in my '77. Idk what the availability or cost is on your continent, though. A friend near me did a massive restomod on a '78 although I think he has forgotten everything by now but feel free to ping me if needed along the way. My interior came out looking almost as good as new.
Hey there, grats on getting your C3! I have a 1979 C3 with an L82 and one thing that I wanted to point out about your carburetor is to see if it's a Rochester Quadrajet. If it is indeed the Quadrajet, that is the original carburetor. There are people and online threads saying to avoid this carburetor but I promise you once you learn how to rebuild and tune these things, they are phenomenal. They are rated at 750-800 cfm. Mechanical secondaries. They are highly regarded for their performance once they are set up correctly and they sound incredible when they are paired with an L82. They have a roar to them that sounds amazing when it fully opens up. Anyway, congrats again on the C3! It's awesome to see how this one started in Saint Louis, MO (where they were originally built before moving to Bowling Green, Kentucky) and ended up in Australia. I truly appreciate Australia's love for V8's and keeping them alive. 🤘
Yeah it's a Quadrajet. The serial number dates it as 1980. I have a Quadrajet on my Torana (the orange car). I think they are a great carby. Super reliable.
I saw these in someone's video about 6 months ago and found them on eBay but could never find a local supplier. They have finally been listed by a local Aussie seller with free shipping. Cost $134. I think I will use it a lot!
I have to say I’m not a vette guy and this project really interests me but, Are you keeping the original motor as you said it’s matching numbers and I lean to originality, but like I said this will be good to watch and also now you have taken the heart from ex popo what are the plans for that?
Good questions. Before all the die hard Vett enthusiasts persecute me for bastardising a matching number car, I am very much into originality, and my Torana is testament to that. I will be tucking the original motor away in the corner of the garage to keep with the car. I can easily take it back to factory later on, if I want to. For now, I am going to have fun and build a car the way I want. Should be fun!
@@GrouseGarage As you found out, these cars are not really worth much, numbers matching or not. You can hardly give them away in the US. Do what you want with it, have some fun.
@@bigrockauto Speedo reads 67,000 miles. Seller said that was genuine and hadn't gone around once. Original owner I chatted with on Facebook confirms that. Definitely has not been garaged it's whole life though. It's tired.
I’ll watch the build either way because it’s interesting but putting the vx ls in it doesn’t make much sense. It’s got a matching numbers 350 already in it. Then you’re left with a vx with no motor or trans. I don’t get it haha.
In the States, these cars are a dime a dozen, at least up until around 20 years ago. But I can see why you folks Down Under would gravitate toward them. Much like many of us would love to have a clean Holden Ute. Good luck with the build.
Looks great to me. I worked at chevy dealership had a brother to your car except it was a 4 speed. This car takes me back to that time. Great buy!
Great work looking forward to the rest of the build
I think that is a great buy for the money, classic corvette .
Enjoy the project
I agree with the others.. interesting build series will definitely watch.
Why swap engines though??? Keep it original
Pull the drive train out for sure but freshen it up & put it back in!! A nice clean 30 thou bore & hone, pistons, rings, shave the head, throw in a mild cam, & maybe injection over the carb!
And you’ll have a sweet ass head turning cruiser!!
@@Deugzo1 Fair comment. The 350 definitely needs a freshen up. Previous owner mentioned head gasket. I haven't checked yet. If I retained it I would definitely run fuel injection. I'm very much over carbies.
Exactly what I was thinking.
Sick car mate
I see a red one riding around town, Oklahoma. They’re at a show yesterday riding through town, beautiful red same body car 🚘
Congrats on the acquisition, you have some work to do, lol. I did a restomod on a '77 a few years back ,it was a fun project.
I've been reading lots of LS swap threads on Corvette forums. Have purchased most of the LS swap gear already, but yes A LOT of work. I've done several numbers matching original restorations in the past and can't bare to do another. Restomod all the way with this one :)
@@GrouseGarage The Borgeson steering and Vintage Air upgrades are worth looking into. Both worked great in my '77. Idk what the availability or cost is on your continent, though. A friend near me did a massive restomod on a '78 although I think he has forgotten everything by now but feel free to ping me if needed along the way. My interior came out looking almost as good as new.
@@jwh475ezc already purchased the Borgeson box and bracket. $2500AUD down here. Pricey, but it gets rid of all that leaky crap 😀
Hey there, grats on getting your C3! I have a 1979 C3 with an L82 and one thing that I wanted to point out about your carburetor is to see if it's a Rochester Quadrajet. If it is indeed the Quadrajet, that is the original carburetor. There are people and online threads saying to avoid this carburetor but I promise you once you learn how to rebuild and tune these things, they are phenomenal.
They are rated at 750-800 cfm. Mechanical secondaries. They are highly regarded for their performance once they are set up correctly and they sound incredible when they are paired with an L82. They have a roar to them that sounds amazing when it fully opens up.
Anyway, congrats again on the C3! It's awesome to see how this one started in Saint Louis, MO (where they were originally built before moving to Bowling Green, Kentucky) and ended up in Australia. I truly appreciate Australia's love for V8's and keeping them alive. 🤘
Right you are, but looks like he won't be going that route. Cliff Ruggles' book, Rebuilding and Modifying Rochester Carburetors is invaluable.
Yeah it's a Quadrajet. The serial number dates it as 1980. I have a Quadrajet on my Torana (the orange car). I think they are a great carby. Super reliable.
Awesome buy, Perfic engine transplant
Where did you get that jack attachment, PS nice story cheers.
I saw these in someone's video about 6 months ago and found them on eBay but could never find a local supplier. They have finally been listed by a local Aussie seller with free shipping. Cost $134. I think I will use it a lot!
I have to say I’m not a vette guy and this project really interests me but,
Are you keeping the original motor as you said it’s matching numbers and I lean to originality, but like I said this will be good to watch and also now you have taken the heart from ex popo what are the plans for that?
Good questions. Before all the die hard Vett enthusiasts persecute me for bastardising a matching number car, I am very much into originality, and my Torana is testament to that. I will be tucking the original motor away in the corner of the garage to keep with the car. I can easily take it back to factory later on, if I want to. For now, I am going to have fun and build a car the way I want. Should be fun!
@@GrouseGarage As you found out, these cars are not really worth much, numbers matching or not. You can hardly give them away in the US. Do what you want with it, have some fun.
Great base for an LS swap. How many miles/ kilometers on the car??
@@bigrockauto Speedo reads 67,000 miles. Seller said that was genuine and hadn't gone around once. Original owner I chatted with on Facebook confirms that. Definitely has not been garaged it's whole life though. It's tired.
wallah this is hectic!
I’ll watch the build either way because it’s interesting but putting the vx ls in it doesn’t make much sense. It’s got a matching numbers 350 already in it. Then you’re left with a vx with no motor or trans. I don’t get it haha.
Poor ex popo! 😢