$2000 C3 Challenge build

This could be the start of something really bad. But, JCDV didn't make it to the soccer mom challenge, my wife is tired of me moping about missing yet another Challenge, and I want to be first to bring a C3 since I missed out on the C4.

It ain't pretty, but it's all there. In pieces. The key to this was the cleaned and restored chassis. No rust and perfect floors. I'll need to catalog all the parts that came with the deal as I need to sell a bunch to make room in the budget for necessary changes.

It comes with an unknown 350 small block, TH350, and an extra set of prepared heads. The interior is in real good shape (for sale), the doors open and close smooth with little effort, and the t-tops seal without leaking! Some cool slotted mags (may or may not keep).

More pics and info after the inlaws leave following the holiday weekend.

Timeline is to make the 2025 Challenge, then use it as an autocrosser, and maybe do some track days.

I'm counting on y'all to lead me not astray! I intend to come spectate at the 2024 Challenge, absorb as much as I can, and learn a few things.

berkeley yeah!

Oh, I forgot. So far budget is at $2000. Need to find some major recoup.

Love it!

excellent!
 

Went out and cataloged the parts. Scored two new outer door handles in the box! Plus 4 decent rally center caps that should add to recoup. I'm going to put pics here of everything so I can remember what I have.

these are the extra heads that came with the car

this is the casting number on the block.

Nice.  I just sent you an email with recoup possibilities.

In reply to vwcorvette (Forum Supporter) :

882 heads are good for some recoup.  corvetteforum is still very active too.  I got a lot of good advice there when I owned a C3.

Fwiw those slot wheels are worth something to the right buyer, might be work getting a set of steelies and adding those to your recoup plan

I also admin a FB group for C3s with over 75,000 members, if you have stuff to list it might do well there.

In reply to Stampie :

Responded 

In reply to AnthonyGS (Forum Supporter) :

I'm a member of the C3 forum for close to twenty years. I will be hitting hard over the next few months.

In reply to JThw8 :

Which FB group? I'm a member of a few.

Good to know about the slots.

It would be a shame to get rid of good parts in case you want it to be a street car again. Do the rules say anything about selling parts to a relative and buying them back after the competition? Asking for a friend...

Suggestions: make it lighter everywhere, make the chassis stiffer, find an aluminum LS block, moar rubber. Race-weight body panels would help. Turbo? Nitrous? If you get enough weight off, you might be able to run the factory engine and brakes. Maybe look at some SCCA championship C3 Vettes?

I'm interested in how this works out. I hope that it turns out great!

In reply to 78CobraII :

I already have a street Vette in the garage. This will strictly be forr competitive purposes. 

Yes, light weight is the goal. Anything unneeded to make the car go, stop, and steer better will get the boot.

I need to find a gas tank however, as this car does not have one. I'm thinking a ten gallon fuel cell.

vwcorvette (Forum Supporter) said:

In reply to JThw8 :

Which FB group? I'm a member of a few.

Good to know about the slots.

C3 Corvettes - Buy / Sell / Trade / Discuss

If I had gone a different way with my own C3 I'd be on you about the slots myself :)  Always liked that look

JThw8 said:

vwcorvette (Forum Supporter) said:

In reply to JThw8 :

Which FB group? I'm a member of a few.

Good to know about the slots.

C3 Corvettes - Buy / Sell / Trade / Discuss

If I had gone a different way with my own C3 I'd be on you about the slots myself :)  Always liked that look

Just signed up to join.

Today is the day. Going to pick the car up this afternoon. Wish me luck!

I think I did this right. Start a build thread before getting the car, correct?

vwcorvette (Forum Supporter) said:

I think I did this right. Start a build thread before getting the car, correct?

Yep.  As soon as you get it home, we want more pics.

Insert pic of Morgan Freeman pointing up, saying "he's right, you know."

In reply to vwcorvette (Forum Supporter) :

Don't forget the gas station on a trailer pic

I'd like to know on which planet 882 heads are worth more than scrap

maschinenbau said:

In reply to vwcorvette (Forum Supporter) :

Don't forget the gas station on a trailer pic

I never actually stopped at a gas station. Sorry, I was under a time crunch to return the tow vehicle since JCDV decided to be recalcitrant and not want to help. I'll post a trailer pic tomorrow.

Obligatory trailer pic. Found a number of items inside including what may be the original intake and Qjet, manifolds, taillights, and a few other parts. Interior is not perfect, but would look nice with a good cleaning. Nice blue color. Pics of that later.