thorne Posted July 1, 2009 Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 I'm curious what to look for on purchasing one of these cars. I'm going to look at a 1981 stingray this weekend. Where do they rust? What should they cost assuming non SHOW quality. its a project What motor should be in it What other things are known to fail. Does anyone on here happen to know allot about stingrays and would go with me to take a look at it? What motor will fit in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossle Posted July 1, 2009 Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 Wow holy random, just please do not rhino line this one..... Can't help you much on what to look for, haven't worked on/ driven one in years. Just thought I would post my .02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tbutera2112 Posted July 1, 2009 Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 use money for vette to have someone fix the subaru so it doesnt look rattle canned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty2Hotty Posted July 1, 2009 Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 Spider webbing on the paint is always the usual. The L81 motor is junk and makes no power. Transmissions were usually a TH-350 (Turbo 350 3-speed in auto form) Personally I wouldn't try to stuff a big block in it, but a stroked small block would do wonders in it. According to GM the car weighs 3,345, so you would lighten it up with a few aluminum pieces and what not. What are you looking to get out of it? Auto-X, drag car, cruising car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty2Hotty Posted July 1, 2009 Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 Here's a cool pic: http://www.autocrosscanada.com/sitebuilder/images/81corvette-600x203.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted July 1, 2009 Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 your not going to like it. better go sit in it and see that you touch the driver and passenger window at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tbutera2112 Posted July 1, 2009 Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 lol does look pretty cramped... http://www.motorera.com/corvette/1980/1981/81int.jpeg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorne Posted July 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 It's not for me. Its for my wife. She really really likes them and she misses having a fun car. She misses the monte and I looked for a GTP. She came home a few weeks ago with the location of a stingray and how much she liked it. No I won't be truck bedding it. My car is truck bedded for a reason and I will be fixing up the paint soon. I'll also be posting a video clip that will really show why I did it here soon. What I was thinking motor wise. Eather Carbed 350 or LS1 It would be a cruise car and what ever she wants to do honestly. I'm trying to figure out if its a descent car first and then I want to suprise her with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verse Posted July 1, 2009 Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 Check for rust near drivers kick panels. They are junk IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorne Posted July 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 I just talked to my buddy who rebuilt my transmission. He was saying that 350 could be built to make 400whp NA for not to much. He's going with me to look at it saturday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hal Posted July 1, 2009 Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 I wouldn't get one for a car that is driven all the time. I still need to finish the one in my garage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kohones Posted July 1, 2009 Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 Their brake design wasn't very good either so take a peek at that too - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorne Posted July 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 this will not be a daily driver in any sense of the term. My wife has a 08 equinox. This would just be a project /toy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorne Posted July 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 or a trans am? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oh8sti Posted July 1, 2009 Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 yeah get a TA with the big bird fucking thing on the hood... classy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flippy1974 Posted July 1, 2009 Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 if that is what she wants go for it . but they are alittle ruff driving and kinda cheap made , as far as the motor goes build the 350 and u should be ok . usally the calipers are stuck but after new lines and calipers it should be ok . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Littleguy Posted July 1, 2009 Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 I would take a Smokey and the Bandit T/A over a Stingray. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Removed Posted July 1, 2009 Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 sbc..yes you can make 400hpon the cheap..if you know what your doing. these are fiber glass..so rust is going to be a issue on everything else.. price calipers and rotors for it...they are bad about the calipers seizing up when they sit to much. hel the calipers will seize anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty2Hotty Posted July 1, 2009 Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 Here's a nice motor combo, which is something you could build yourself: http://www.jegs.com/p/Blueprint-Engines/Blueprint-Engines-SB-Chevy-355ci-385HP-405TQ/761054/10002/-1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorne Posted July 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 THE Ta is a 95 Lt1. The reason I'm looking at these is I can trade my bike for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nurkvinny Posted July 1, 2009 Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 Look at the frame rails where they start arching up over the rear. No way to tell you what a "project" car should cost. ALL parts are available through about a dozen on-line Vette sites. Expect front and rear bumper covers to be warped / cracked. You can make just about any SBC or BBC fit without many issues. I don't personally like driving that year. You have 100' of hood, a tiny cockpit, and the biggest door entry ledge ever conceived by man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorne Posted July 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 I'll be possibly going tommorow to check it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimTaylor751647545500 Posted July 1, 2009 Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 The birdcage is the main section that rusts on those cars. If you see some, more than likely, it's throughout the entire area. Check along the window frames and go from there. http://www.kearneycorvette.com/images/technical/birdcagevette3.JPG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMeanGreen Posted July 1, 2009 Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 I love that body style I think it's hideous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FourString Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 lol does look pretty cramped... They are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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