1981 corvette

[ttamrettus]

Have you done a compression or leak down test? The video sounds like it's missing on a cyl or two.

I believe it's an exhaust leak. I'll see what I can do though.

[ttamrettus]

Alex, enjoy this project with your Dad. It has great potential. Keep the updates coming. I'm looking forward to helping you find parts at Carlisle in September.

Absolutely

[ttamrettus]

So I fell into a donor car. 1981 corvette, blue, $1k. I got it home and got it running on the trailer. Next to put tires on it and see if it moves under it's own power. It looks to have a new master cylinder, pads and a passenger front caliper. Then I'm going to pull the quadrajet off it and out it on ALex's car. Hopefully that will allow his to run.

https://youtu.be/PROrGQ5wVpE


https://youtu.be/BuXH2kdoYRU

[Basement Paul]

The dual snorkel air cleaner would lead me to believe that's an L82 car. Someone correct me if I'm incorrect.

Motor sounds good. $1000 is a good deal. Lots of good parts there.

-BP

[ttamrettus]

I thought the same thing on the snorkels but 81 only came with L81. I'll check the block stamping when I get it apart.

[Basement Paul]

I've looked at pictures of several stock 1981s and they all look to have dual snorkels. No HP, but at least a lot of air can get in there. I liked that is made 280 lb ft at only 1600rpms! Total diesel torque.

-BP

[ttamrettus]

Bruce moves under his own power. I drove it off the trailer. Tomorrow, next to the garage, up in blocks and off cones the QJet. Then to see if Alex’s car runs.

[ttamrettus]

So the front end came off Bruce. I removed the quadrajet from Bruce and installed it onto Alex's vette. You push the gas pedal 2 - 3 times and it fires right up. It has a bad exhaust leak. But it runs. Next to get the brakes working and to see if it moves under it's own power.

For Bruce, the next step is to remove the body entirely and then push the drivetrain and chassis outside for a little but while we focus on Alex's car.

https://youtu.be/N2CmgAPuWjw

[Fred32v]

Pretty cool! Enjoyed the video, there's something special about a first start-up.

[MostMint]

Any progress on this? It’s not like you don’t have Corvettes around - just not a C4 - yet

[ttamrettus]

Kilmat installed.
new body bushings.
New carpet in.
Recovered seats done.
Going to finish some dis-assembly for paint.
pictures to follow

[ttamrettus]

car has virtually all the exterior items removed for paint.
once the 1970 bmw is painted, this is likely inline.
car starts.
plan to fix coolant leak next.
remove exhaust manifolds add shorty headers.

questions are A. Holley Sniper EFI ? B. new fiberglass nose ?

https://youtu.be/wSuVY-Aqa_s

[Basement Paul]

My opinion is to just get a new carb or even rebuild the quadrajet. Holley and Edelbrock make goo vac sec carbs and both would be good on that stockish motor. FI seems like a pricey proposition.

I would ask the bodyman if he thinks the front clip should be replaced.

Any quick question, why replace the factory ram horn manifolds? They generally flow pretty well as far as factory manifolds go.

-BP

[ttamrettus]

This car has the computerized QJet.
I’m going to try replacing the computerized hei with the non-computerized one.
It looks like 81 is an oddball emissions OBD year.
I’d like the improved reliability of the sniper.


The body guy recommended a new nose. He’s afraid the rubber/plastic repaint may crack sooner.


I have shorty headers sitting on the shelf. Plus I plan to remove the emissions.

[Basement Paul]

I would think if you plan to keep this car, then all those upgrades would be a great idea, including the better quality front nose piece. If it's only a high school beater for Alex, I would go the cheap route and just let him drive it like a Civic and beat it up.

-BP