1976 Corvette stingray
I recently bought a Corvette to restore for my 10yr old Grandson. The 1 I bought has a radical...I mean radical, racing engine. I want to put a Chev. in line 6 cylinder in it, because the insanity must stop with horse power! Do you have any idea what 6 cylinder engine to use? Plus would I need to also change the Transmission out?
A 6 in a Vette? Blasphemy! Not only that but it probably won't fit as it would be too long. Just go with a mild 350. A 76 Vette with a stock 350 would probably be slower than a V6 Camry.
Yes, I know it's sacrilege. here's the reason why I ask. I once drove a friends NEW Corvette back in 1975. It had a 6 in line under the hood. I'm 65 yrs I just bought my 1st Corvette from an old Gearhead racer. The engine is still the original but he Modded the holy CRAP out of it for the 1/4 mile track. This thing is INSANE!!!! No joke I mean INSANE! Took my wife of 45 yrs.for a drive in it. I wasn't trying to scare her. She was terrified. She'll never get in that car again! Not what I had planned. Also I want to give this car to my Grandson when he turns 16, he's 10 now. The Insanity MUST STOP! So for my wife's sake and my grandson's safety a 6 in line will do! I promise to keep the original INSANE 350 engine wrapped in plastic in the garage for him when he's much older...comes with a warning! So I understand the outrage. I don't blame you,trust me it's not at all what I had planned to do! This engine has GOT TO GO I mean MUST GO! Please give your best advise...K?
I understand but you would have to prove to me that any Corvette other than an original 1954 came with a 6. Even if you could somehow fit a 6 in your car I do not see how it would be safer. You do know your Vette is one of the slowest ever made? If you want safety buy a late model car with airbags. Sell the Vette and buy a 280Z if you want a 6 cylinder car or perhaps a MGB.
Your Vette only has 180 hp with the stock engine (210hp for the L82) which puts it well into wimp territory. My advice is to rebuild the engine to stock. You could detune it further with a throttle limiter screw for a $1.00 or so.
you know I'm 65 yrs old, been married 45 yrs to the same wonderful woman. We had 6 kids raised them all sent 3 to college they have great lives.I've NEVER had the car of my dreams. At my age, For just one time in my life I deserve a Corvette. I've drove used cars to work and running around and NEVER did I have the car I wanted to drive. A car that made me feel good! I deserve a Corvette! Even if I have to put a 6 cylinder in it to get the wife to go for a ride with me! If you feel some outrage over this...I understand...I really do! It's not what I had in mind when I bought it. But like alway's I'll take what I can get. it'll still be a Corvette and no one will know about the engine but me!
By the way, the gearhead that had this car Modded this poor thing out of all SANITY! I mean it's really Powerful...INSANELY SO! that's why the wife won't get in it.
I am sure you deserve the Vette, I dream of a C2. Check out the performance numbers for a stock 76 Vette. You will see it it slower than most econoboxes sold today. I would think there is a good chance that your wife's daily driver is faster than a stock C3. Good luck with your dream but I think you are missing the point that a Chevy six is probably TOO long!
Thinking about it, you are right. maybe I'll try to find something 350 to put back in this Monster, to see if it can be tamed. I'll let you know how things go. Guess mabe my reaction to all that power was a bit as close to insanity as that engine definitely has become. I just want my wife beside me and my grandson safe behind the wheel of this car. He's going to be the luckiest 16 year old there ever was! Ladies look out!
Here is one alternative.
