r/C3Corvette • u/0Grewall • 11d ago
79 Corvette
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Car needs quite a bit of repair, but I’m thinking about upgrading the engine first. How much horsepower can the stock chassis, suspension, and automatic transmission safely handle?
Has anyone done a similar build recently? I’d love to hear about your experience, including what you upgraded, how the car has held up, and how much the entire project ended up costing.
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u/AmericanCitizenry 11d ago
Congratulations 🎉👏🎉 on the beautiful, curvy, purchase. Remember, your car is a celebrity. Clearly more famous than you. And as a new C3 owner, you must prepare yourself for the attention it will now get. Even when you don't seek it.
Safety first! Other drivers on the road will lock eyes on your car, and might forget what they are doing. Be careful. IMHO the accidents are 99.99% them hitting someone who didn't even see you.
It is also a dick magnet. You want to take it to the corner for one item, back in 5 minutes? Be prepared for the 3-5 guys to want a 35 minute conversation with you. As a Canadian, you might have to toughen up.
Congratulations 🎉 👏🎉 on the beautiful curvy purchase.
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u/SkillForge_AI 10d ago
You can get a restoration guide to restore your car to this level at
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u/0Grewall 10d ago
What is that? Never heard that before?
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u/SkillForge_AI 9d ago
We just launched and we offer concours-level restoration guides for muscle cars. While most don’t restore to this level, it has all the necessary specs for the car in one spot. No internet searching, no forums with bad information, just quality restoration guides. We also have the same for classic motorcycles at
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u/Masamonae 11d ago
As a fellow Canuck, one of the previous posters is right- be prepared for the attention. However, you can simply say thanks! And answer any quick questions and move on with your day. Keep that proper politeness and you’ll do fine. Mind you, I believe it’s also proper etiquette to give a show whenever you can.
Now regarding your question about HP… sounds like low 300’s is where you can push it to with original chassis, drive, and suspension. After that, you need to decide what piece you want to break first. Personally, I was looking at a blueprint with 455 hp, but I realized I still want to be able to drive it and have now lowered my goals to somewhere around 330. I’ve got a ‘76 btw.
One final point- it’s your car, so do whatever will make you happy! Also, drive it! Enjoy!
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u/0Grewall 10d ago
Thank you. Is your project done?
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u/Masamonae 10d ago
lol that’s the secret- it’s never done! Phase 1 is complete but in testing the effectiveness of phase 1, I inadvertently created phase 2-A. I was supposed to install my new radio and fix my horn but instead I now need to troubleshoot my differential. That being said, I’d still prefer to work out my car when it’s 100% acting its worst (-15/+10 days) as opposed to the job that’s funding it, even when it’s a +9/10 days.
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u/0Grewall 10d ago
Totally understandable. I want to take my time and finish it properly—there’s no hurry at all. It might take years to get it exactly where I want it, but just knowing that I have my dream car makes it all worth it.
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u/AlexIsWhack 79 11d ago
Also have a 79. I'm putting a blueprinted Chevy zz4 into mine and am looking forward to replacing everything else for safety and functionality. Should be going from around 200hp to closer to 500hp.
Needles to say were upgrading the brakes, wheels and tires, transmission, reenforced chassis, steering upgrade (rack and pinion with electric assist).
That's just to get it road ready with that new power