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Rebuild c3 engine

Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling

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Rebuild c3 engine

Posted: 7/13/21 9:18amMessage 1 of 16
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Spokane, WA - USA
Joined: 9/3/2020
Posts: 6
Vette(s): 1976 red and black with brown interior

I am planing to rebuild my 350 this winter.  I was wondering what would be the max hp possible with the automatic 3 speed transmission that came with the 1976 c3.

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Re: Rebuild c3 engine

Posted: 7/13/21 12:31pmMessage 2 of 16
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Grapevine, TX - USA
Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1537
Vette(s): 1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air. 2017 Black Rose Grand Sport M7 convertible.

It's not the horsepower, it's more about how much torque it can handle.

   

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Re: Rebuild c3 engine

Posted: 7/13/21 5:20pmMessage 3 of 16
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Overland Park, KS - USA
Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 916
Vette(s): 1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day. 2023 Accelerate Yellow HTC Stingray

Since the Turbo-Hydramatic transmission withstood the torque of the big block Corvettes in the early '70s, I suspect it will take anything that your 350 will put out if it's naturally aspirated.  Of course this assumes that GM didn't do anything to weaken the transmission in the later 70s.

1973 L-82 4 spd

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Re: Rebuild c3 engine

Posted: 7/14/21 6:10amMessage 4 of 16
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Equinunk, PA - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2570
Vette(s): 1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.

It is going to depend on your driving style. If you lean on Any drivetrain, eventually it will break. Misuse it, Lose it!  They were built to drive and enjoy. Common Sense and Good Judgement goes a long way. 

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Re: Rebuild c3 engine

Posted: 7/14/21 6:48pmMessage 5 of 16
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 22714
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

The stock 400 trans, assuming it is in good condition to begin with, will handle pretty much anything you throw at it, short of nitrous or a blower...

Joel Adams
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Re: Rebuild c3 engine

Posted: 7/16/21 8:11amMessage 6 of 16
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Spokane, WA - USA
Joined: 9/3/2020
Posts: 6
Vette(s): 1976 red and black with brown interior

so after some thinking and listening to others, I will be buying a crate engine and new transmission to be put into the corvette.  I will also be keeping the engine that is being pulled out.  I believe it is the original engine.  I have only owned the corvette for one year.  So I do not know what has or has not been done to the engine.  This way I will know all about the engine and will be able to have a warranty with it.  Thank you all for your advice.

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Re: Rebuild c3 engine

Posted: 7/16/21 8:18amMessage 7 of 16
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Overland Park, KS - USA
Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 916
Vette(s): 1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day. 2023 Accelerate Yellow HTC Stingray

Good plan.  👍

1973 L-82 4 spd

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Re: Rebuild c3 engine

Posted: 7/16/21 8:50amMessage 8 of 16
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Johnstown, OH - USA
Joined: 11/16/2020
Posts: 8
Vette(s): 1979 Vette

Good luck, I ordered a 355, 300 hp crate from Jegs back in April. Was told end of October. Hope you have better luck. AKT I believe do the crates for a lot of the sellers and they say they just don’t have any blocks and parts to build for awhile. 

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Re: Rebuild c3 engine

Posted: 7/16/21 11:44amMessage 9 of 16
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Overland Park, KS - USA
Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 916
Vette(s): 1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day. 2023 Accelerate Yellow HTC Stingray

You might try getting a crate engine from Chevrolet as they have several performance ratings and a 3-year warranty.

1973 L-82 4 spd

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Re: Rebuild c3 engine

Posted: 7/16/21 11:57amMessage 10 of 16
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Grapevine, TX - USA
Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1537
Vette(s): 1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air. 2017 Black Rose Grand Sport M7 convertible.

I've also heard good things about Blueprint Engines.

   

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