Worth restoring 1977 Corvette 4 speed?

[halik]

Yeah, but at the bottom end. Should be fun even at only 180hp base. The base engine had 270lb-ft of torque.

0-60 in 6.8 is great for 1977.

If you are expecting to compare it to today's cars, you just can't.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1977-corvette1.htm

Nonsense,
68 corvette numbers were from 300hp & 360lbft to 430hp &460lb ft.

It doesn't have much to do with modern vs old; the numbers were crap because of all the emissions stuff in the 70s

 

[JulesMaximus]

If you do decide to take it, a good forum for Vette owners is http://forums.corvetteforum.com/index.php. I've been a member since the beginning of the year and they have been very helpful with answering questions on my C6.

Just poking around the FS section there I saw a 1977 runner for sale for $6500. Looked to be in decent shape.

 

[Iron Woode]

You don't need all the smog junk in it if your restoring it.

um, yes he will if he is restoring it. Restoration means to put the vehicle the way it was when sold new.

If he has emission inspections, he will need that "junk" for sure.

If he wants to modify it for fun and is not concerned with restoration value, he should make sure what he does is legal.

Personally, I would mod it while keeping it looking stock. Which is what I did to my Mopar.

 

[LTC8K6]

Nonsense,
68 corvette numbers were from 300hp & 360lbft to 430hp &460lb ft.

It doesn't have much to do with modern vs old; the numbers were crap because of all the emissions stuff in the 70s

What was a lot quicker in 1977 for the price?

I said it was great for 1977, not compared to 1968...

 

[IcePickFreak]

um, yes he will if he is restoring it. Restoration means to put the vehicle the way it was when sold new.

If he has emission inspections, he will need that "junk" for sure.

If he wants to modify it for fun and is not concerned with restoration value, he should make sure what he does is legal.

Personally, I would mod it while keeping it looking stock. Which is what I did to my Mopar.

You can build a SBC that puts out way more power and burns cleaner than the crap they used in the mid-late 70's. It would be a waste of money to go through all the trouble to put it back to 1977 standards - there's really no demand there. And in the car world, restoration doesn't mean it's to factory specs. I'll even go out on a limb and say the majority of nice old cars on the road today are not to factory spec. If it wasn't a cool car then (including being way under powered) it's going to be even more so now. You'll get more for a 77 vette with a non-OEM SBC with some power than you will with a factory correct 77 dog. Nobody is going to care your 77 Vette is numbers matching when they realize that means it's around 200hp - Corvette in body, but not in soul.

And specifics depend on the state (I'm assuming the OP is in the states) but I'm pretty sure they all have provisions for 'collector' car plates. This usually either reduces the emissions requirements or exempts the car from it all together.

 

[JulesMaximus]

You can build a SBC that puts out way more power and burns cleaner than the crap they used in the mid-late 70's. It would be a waste of money to go through all the trouble to put it back to 1977 standards - there's really no demand there. And in the car world, restoration doesn't mean it's to factory specs. I'll even go out on a limb and say the majority of nice old cars on the road today are not to factory spec. If it wasn't a cool car then (including being way under powered) it's going to be even more so now. You'll get more for a 77 vette with a non-OEM SBC with some power than you will with a factory correct 77 dog. Nobody is going to care your 77 Vette is numbers matching when they realize that means it's around 200hp - Corvette in body, but not in soul.

And specifics depend on the state (I'm assuming the OP is in the states) but I'm pretty sure they all have provisions for 'collector' car plates. This usually either reduces the emissions requirements or exempts the car from it all together.

Agreed, the late 70s Corvettes just don't have the desirability among collectors and the general public that the early 70s and prior model year Vettes do. I doubt that a pristine original '77 Vette would fetch much more, if any, than a completely custom, yet tastefully, modified one would. Maybe an original Indy 500 Pace model or Anniversary model would but certainly not your run of the mill Corvette.

 

[iSoldier]

@thedarkwolf

I have plenty of time to work on things, but not a vast amount of knowledge. I am hoping to fill in the gaps with the aid of the internet/friends/family. How reasonable this is I suppose is dependent on what I see when I go check out the vehicle and the work required.

@skoorb

Money is only an issue in that ideally I would want to go buy a fancy new vehicle but do not want to spend $30,000. I'm more interested at the moment in something that looks and sounds sporty at the moment than something fast.

@iron woode
I'm more interested in modding it and keeping it looking the same. The car doesn't have to return to its exact original form. I want to return the car to a working form, then clean it up, and eventually make it faster if all goes well up to that point. I understand the reasoning of putting in something better if the part needs replaced anyways, and the steps are sometimes overlapping.

I will check the condition of the frame and t-top specifically based on advice. I will try to have someone more knowledgeable than me help make a list of things that will need done. I think the original owner knows the car inside and out but has just not driven it due to health reasons.

Thanks for the advice all.

 

[Iron Woode]

You can build a SBC that puts out way more power and burns cleaner than the crap they used in the mid-late 70's. It would be a waste of money to go through all the trouble to put it back to 1977 standards - there's really no demand there. And in the car world, restoration doesn't mean it's to factory specs. I'll even go out on a limb and say the majority of nice old cars on the road today are not to factory spec. If it wasn't a cool car then (including being way under powered) it's going to be even more so now. You'll get more for a 77 vette with a non-OEM SBC with some power than you will with a factory correct 77 dog. Nobody is going to care your 77 Vette is numbers matching when they realize that means it's around 200hp - Corvette in body, but not in soul.

And specifics depend on the state (I'm assuming the OP is in the states) but I'm pretty sure they all have provisions for 'collector' car plates. This usually either reduces the emissions requirements or exempts the car from it all together.

I understand what you are saying, but you missed my point.

First off, restoration means factory specs. You are talking about restification or a restomod. And yes, most old cars are not restored, just well preserved. Most restored vehicles aren't driven much out of fear of accidents or vandalism.

Secondly, I hope he can get away without the emission equipment. But he never gave us this info.

My engine isn't stock and neither is my exhaust system. But I am exempt from inspection due to the vehicle cutoff year here, which is 1980.

I think he would benefit from staying with a SBC and build a nice 383 stroker. That would give him lots of power without breaking the bank.

 

[squirrel dog]

I wonder if an LT1 350 would fit/work in a 77 vette . I had one in a 95 SS Impala , it was a very good motor . Iron block,aluminum heads .

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

I wonder if an LT1 350 would fit/work in a 77 vette . I had one in a 95 SS Impala , it was a very good motor . Iron block,aluminum heads .

Of course it would. But why?
I say drop a 383 stroker with some porting and cam work and smoke some fools.
http://www.superchevy.com/technical...rs/sucp_0703_stealth_tpi_induction/index.html
458 hp and 534 lbs-ft tq on N/A motor.

 

[lurk3r]

I wonder if an LT1 350 would fit/work in a 77 vette . I had one in a 95 SS Impala , it was a very good motor . Iron block,aluminum heads .

Yep, just about any 350 will drop right in, one good thing about the vettes, I can even get an ls? out of a wrecked 90's camaro, pull the wiring and computer and drop it into my '63 with very little effort. If I go up to the ZF 6 speed there's some fit issues that require cutting into the fibreglass, but even the newer 5 speeds require very little to install.

 

[arcenite]

Of course it would. But why?
I say drop a 383 stroker with some porting and cam work and smoke some fools.
http://www.superchevy.com/technical...rs/sucp_0703_stealth_tpi_induction/index.html
458 hp and 534 lbs-ft tq on N/A motor.

Why not a 402 stroker :twisted:

So I may be a little biased. But a stock bottom end LS2 will put down 440/410 to the rear wheels cam only. It's lighter, and stroking + head work will only make it more fun!

 

[TwinsenTacquito]

It's a good car if you want heritage. It's a better car than all earlier vettes, but doesn't have the prestige or whatever.

I'd go with an old Corolla if you have a new Corolla. That'd be pretty funny. A real car and a new car. Although, you'd never drive your present Corolla ever again.

 

[JulesMaximus]

It's a good car if you want heritage. It's a better car than all earlier vettes, but doesn't have the prestige or whatever.

I'd go with an old Corolla if you have a new Corolla. That'd be pretty funny. A real car and a new car. Although, you'd never drive your present Corolla ever again.

No, it isn't...not in any way shape or form. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that the late 70s-early 80s are the worst Corvettes of all time.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

No, it isn't...not in any way shape or form. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that the late 70s-early 80s are the worst Corvettes of all time.

i'd say the 3rd and 4th gen vettes are some of the worst cars of all time.

 

[hanoverphist]

A rebuilt quadrajet carb can be had fairly cheaply too if you don't want to rebuild it. I just googled quick and found this place with one for $276. Not too bad.

http://www.carburetion.com/Rebuilt/datainfo.asp?Part_Nbr=4-308&Application=Chevrolet&Year=78 79

i dont hate the quadrajunks, but i know that other companies make relatively cheap replacement carbs that may give a better performance edge than those old junks. hell, i have two of the quads sitting on a shelf in my laundry/ tool room at home. one came off a 76 impala, other from a 79 4x4 step side pick up. both got the carter comp 650 replacements on them.

 

[lurk3r]

84-96 gets the (c4) gets my vote for worst vette, boring wedges with aenimic engines, midyears (63-67) are by far the prettiest, best sounding cars ever, I got my '63 because it has more metal trim than the later ones, I like the C3 looks, the earlier ones have much better engines, the 70's in general were horrible for cars,

I've posted before how much I actually respect GM for maintaining some dignity and sticking with a V8 sports car when everyone else was building some of the worst crap to ever hit the industry (Mustang II lol, Shelby 2.2, zomg).

Oh damn I guess I'm just going to have to get it out of the garage and get some pics up, including the new engine I built and dropped in last year.

 

[JulesMaximus]

84-96 gets the (c4) gets my vote for worst vette, boring wedges with aenimic engines, midyears (63-67) are by far the prettiest, best sounding cars ever, I got my '63 because it has more metal trim than the later ones, I like the C3 looks, the earlier ones have much better engines, the 70's in general were horrible for cars,

I've posted before how much I actually respect GM for maintaining some dignity and sticking with a V8 sports car when everyone else was building some of the worst crap to ever hit the industry (Mustang II lol, Shelby 2.2, zomg).

Oh damn I guess I'm just going to have to get it out of the garage and get some pics up, including the new engine I built and dropped in last year.

I think the 1980 model year reached the lowest low of Corvette production, the California model in particular had a 305ci engine producing 180hp and channeling it through a 3 speed automatic gearbox.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

I think the 1980 model year reached the lowest low of Corvette production, the California model in particular had a 305ci engine producing 180hp and channeling it through a 3 speed automatic gearbox.

don't forget, in a gen 3 vette the rear wheels toe out as the suspension compresses. complete ignorance of geometry and a terrible design flaw? hell no, rear wheel steering is a feature!

 

[alphatarget1]

The Vette gets them wet!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_Qh1U-D_RQ&feature=related

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

I like the looks of the Smogvette, but they are horrible performers.

 

[iSoldier]

Here are some pictures of the corvette sitting in the garage. Pretty dusty but I was expecting worse overall as far as interior condition and such.

http://img88.imageshack.us/i/20100411100354.jpg/
http://img11.imageshack.us/i/20100411100241.jpg/
http://img340.imageshack.us/i/20100411100032.jpg/
http://img690.imageshack.us/i/20100411095813.jpg/
http://img18.imageshack.us/i/20100411095804.jpg/

 

[JulesMaximus]

Here are some pictures of the corvette sitting in the garage. Pretty dusty but I was expecting worse overall as far as interior condition and such.

http://img88.imageshack.us/i/20100411100354.jpg/
http://img11.imageshack.us/i/20100411100241.jpg/
http://img340.imageshack.us/i/20100411100032.jpg/
http://img690.imageshack.us/i/20100411095813.jpg/
http://img18.imageshack.us/i/20100411095804.jpg/

Got any pics of the complete car? Looks like it just needs a modern drivetrain, a major cleanup/inspection/refurb, and a paintjob...that should cost you well more than the car is worth or will be worth when you're done with it.

I can't say that I'd turn down the opportunity myself...because I love cars, especially sports cars, but that car likely needs a lot of work.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

this is gonna get mighty expensive

 

[TwinsenTacquito]

No, it isn't...not in any way shape or form. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that the late 70s-early 80s are the worst Corvettes of all time.

Because they measured net horsepower instead of gross? Or is because of the improved suspension of the later C3s? My dream vette is a 1969, but just the body. Because everything else is old crap tech and wasn't even good back then. It's just a revised C2, which wasn't special. And I'd really prefer to have a newly made 1969 body, so it wasn't super thick, heavy, and weak. And I'd get up to 90mph and it'd be scary because of the terrible design of the body. Oh well, one day I'll be stupid enough to build a bad car just because I built it around a bad body.

i'd say the 3rd and 4th gen vettes are some of the worst cars of all time.

Well, the 3rd gens weren't the best sportscars in the world when they arrived. But the 4th gens were. They were the best cars in the world when they came out. Now when somebody makes a kit car, they use C4 corvette rear suspension, wish they had C4 corvette front suspension, a C4 corvette transmission, and probably an LS series v8. The LT is only the second best engine in the world now thanks to the LS. The list of cars that can outperform a C4 corvette is very small today.

84-96 gets the (c4) gets my vote for worst vette, boring wedges with aenimic engines

Well, they made more power and were faster than C3 vettes. But ok. I don't know what the anemic bit is about, they only gained 15 horse when they went to the LS1 with the 1997 C5. The C4 corvettes were the first time the Corvette was really world-beating and not just a joke. They couldn't even place in racing until the C4 came out.



You guys should go wash your cars.