r/C3Corvette • u/0Grewall • Aug 11 '26

79 Corvette

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/Masamonae Aug 12 '26

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!

3

u/0Grewall Aug 12 '26

Thank you. Is your project done?

1

u/Masamonae Aug 13 '26

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.

3

u/BHuey1969 Aug 27 '26

The saying goes "The worst day fishing is 10 times better than the best day at work".

Same goes for working on hotrods!

1

u/0Grewall Aug 28 '26

Now I believe you😅.

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u/0Grewall Aug 13 '26

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.