Originally an L46 4-speed car, it is now running a 500hp LS3 Cruise and Connect package with a 4L70E auto trans and Vintage Air front runner system. It has a full VB&P suspension package including offset trailing arms, GM rack and pinion steering and a late model Dana 44 rear with 3:31 gears. The exhaust is stock LS manifolds with Magna Flow cats feeding 3” pipe into factory 69 mufflers. Interior is filled with Dakota Digital VHX gauges, Dakota Digital cruise control, Vintage Air AC, Kenwood stereo, C5 seats, late C3 tilt-tele column and wheel, a CIPA auto dimming rear view mirror with compass, power windows, power steering and remote door openers. The exterior has late C3 smoked glass tops, late model emblems, aluminum filler cap and LED lights from Dapper Lighting. I’ve converted the headlamps to electric as well as the cowl wiper door. The wheels are custom cut Intro Haulers in 17×8 with 245/45 Goodyear Eagle F1s and the rears are 18×9 with 265/40 F1s. Wiring is the Hwy22 kit from American Auto.
Parts Sources:
American Autowire – https://www.americanautowire.com
Bowtie Overdrives – http://www.bowtieoverdrives.com
BRP/Muscle Rods LS Conversions – http://www.brphotrods.com/products/68-82%20Corvette/index.html
Classic Tube Industries -https://classictube.com
Corvette America – https://www.topflightautomotive.com/products/chevy/corvette/
Dana Swap Corvette Forum -https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c3-tech-performance/4060082-80-82-c3-dana-44-in-a-69-a.html
Dakota Digital – https://www.dakotadigital.com
Dapper Lighting – https://www.dapperlighting.com/products/575
Derale Performance – https://derale.com/product-footer
Eckler’s Corvettes – http://www.ecklerscorvette.com
GDS 4×4 – http://www.gds4x4inc.com/home.html
Holley Performance – https://www.holley.com/garage/view/4284-1969-chevrolet-corvette
Interiors by Sebastian – https://autodesignsbysebastian.com
Intro Wheels – https://introwheels.com
JEGS – https://www.jegs.com
Killer Lights – http://mcspeed.homestead.com
Mid America Motorworks – https://www.mamotorworks.com
R1 Brakes – https://www.r1concepts.com
Shiftworks – https://shiftworks.com
SimpleTire – https://simpletire.com
Summit Racing – https://www.summitracing.com
Tanks Inc – https://www.tanksinc.com
Vintage Air – https://www.vintageair.com
30 Comments
looking great – working my interior right now – glad to sub
Hi John! I'm new to your channel. I too have a YT channel, but my '70 Corvette vert rarely makes an appearance. I'll probably be binge-watching your vids tonight. I've recently pulled my car out to start rebuilding it. Brakes and steering need replacement/upgrade just to get it rolling. I'm expecting a T/T column (today via UPS) from a '72 so hopefully it won't need trimming….But it WAS pricey. Anyway, I love your vids: concise, good editing, and content that's "over the top!" Happy to sub here! Dr. Lee
Hi John,
Thank you so much for posting these videos. I have the exact same car, and am in the process of the same LS3 swap. Completely new guts all around as well. The car was totally stripped. I do have some questions and would appreciate any help. My first question is about how you replaced the rear window storage tray. I would like to do the same thing you did. I can get my hands on a '70-'72 tray, but I'm wondering what needs to be modified to get it to fit. Can you please explain how you did that? I have very little experience with any of this, just a love for the '69 Vette!
Thanks in advance and keep up the good work!
Dave
Amazing work John!
I'm your 200th subscriber!!
Thanks for the Great Video! RE: Seats: It would knaw on you until you got it done, and they do look really cool. And it's YOURS! Hey, I spotted the dynamat! Makes it a totally different car, eh? I used 100% coverage with kilmat, then a 3/8" layer of dynaPAD on top of that, where it could fit (pro install). The car doesn't feel like it's trying to shake itself apart anymore! Anyway, you got yourself a real beauty! Thanks for the videos!
Good detailed video, keep up the good work 🙂
Are the rear speakers mounted in boxes or just to the carpeted corner panels?
Nice site. The only C3 I have ever owned was an 81 that somewhere in its life was converted to a drop top. I bored the engine out and used some aftermarket parts to hop it up. I loved that car but wanted another C4. Keep up the nice work!
Any tips for opening the hood? My left sides release is broken
beautiful interior
Man! You like yourself some bright blue!!!
I have a 77 what type of seats are in you car and would they fit in mine
C3 is the biggest POS on the road.Buy a Mopar.
Wow, when I compare the early c3 Vettes and the unique features that they have that the later c3s stop doing, I think that you have no respect for the originality of these cars. What I am saying is, your and idiot for removing the fiber optics, weather you like them or not. Out of all the people I have encountered with later c3 Vettes, They have all said, damn, I wish mine had that, thats cool.
Love it! I just got a 75 project vette to work on.
I am not looking forward to getting my interior and redoing it.
Going from red to black, spraying the inside with some kind of spray to make it clean and tidy, going to heat/sound proof, replace my wiring harness, steering column,
So many things to do and I don’t really know how to do them. Even worse is it’s best if it’s done all at the same time. But I can’t replace my own wiring harness and someone’s shop won’t let me in it and do stuff
This guy is the truth.
Can I drop my 75 off at your garage and hand you a bag of money….this is Awesome 😂
what seats do you have in that c3
Awesome job on the C3. I have owned several C3 and C4 Vettes, my favorite is the C3, I'm currently working on a 71. It's a red coupe with a black interior. I like how you did the center console. I want to eliminate the fiber optics too. I am missing most of the cables and lenses for them anyway. I'm a machinist so my plan was to machine aluminum filler plates and powder coat them. I'm going to install Vintage Air and I like the control you installed for it. I thought my only choice was to use the original control. Keep up the good work.
Amazing build I’m building a c3 1980 thanks for the info
I’m starting a sorta restoration on 1979.
Just found your channel, love it! I have a 69 as well. Was wondering what year of vette was the steering column from.
you should market that seat bracket, there are alot of tall guys looking for an option.. any chance you have the measurements on your bracket design. ??
I appreciate the walk through. I have a 73 with the Bright Blue interior (borrowed some parts from a 70) and it's nice to see one complete. I've been working on the interior for a year now getting everything dialed and the little tid-bit about the Vintage Air was nice to see as I reassemble the car. I also like the 6.5's in the kick panels. I'm sure it sounds a lot cleaner than just the 4×6's.
Did not know I had the storage where the trunk lid would be ! 😁
Great Job on Your Corvette Interior !!
Hello John , looking at your Dakota gauges and do you remember the stock number ,the pricing for them ,and most of all the difficulty to install them ,plug & play ,Hopefully ???
Idea for clasp on arm rest – magnets?