How would you modify an original car that will be driven?

[Dan D.]

Re: How would you modify an original car that will be driven?

Many good points were brought out in this thread. But, in the end it comes down to "opinion" and "taste and preference". Now...You know what they say about opinions..so here's my "stinky" opinion...First of all... I would do whatever was necessary to make the car road worthy. I wouldn't want a car that I couldn't drive. The fact that truly original cars are becoming harder to find...would make me think carefully before "destroying" the originality of a car. Components that are changed out ...no problem. AnythingI took off, I would keep...just in case. Radical changes, that may not easily be reversed...different story. My Irish Mother-in-law had a saying, "Act in haste...Repent in leisure". As to what kind of changes you make; that's a question of "taste and/or preference." There's no "right"or "wrong;" it's all about what you want. Owning a Corvette should be"fun." That being said, defining "fun" is a personal choice. A Corvette owner should never feel obligated to explain, rationalize or apologize for whatever he or she does with their car. If your passion is to return a car to absolute “showroom” condition... put it on a turntable in your game room and just look at it...fine. If your thing is to go "Resto-Mod" and drive the bejesus out of it...God Bless and have at it. No matter if it's a pristine show car that never gets driven or it’s a daily driver with bugs on the windshield; you paid for it, your money restored it to whatever degree suited you and, it’s your right to do with it as you please. Good Luck

[Jim T.]

Re: How would you modify an original car that will be driven?

Mark I moved from Dallas in 1975, however when I bought my new 1970 I still liked the 1969 style of factory side exhaust I viewed of the new 1969 Corvette with factory side pipes in magazines prior to 1970. I bought the factory style factory 1969 side exhaust parts from GM parts and installed them on my 1970 in 1973. I maintained the factory 1969 style side pipes on my 1970 until the late 1980's. The side pipes do make a difference on the tunnel heat generation of standard type of under body exhaust.
Another difference in tunnel heat was made by the factory installed foam piece that was installed over the top front section of my turbo 400 and sealed against the transmission fiberglass tunnel. I thick piece of foam could be placed on a 4-speed bell housing to prevent the hot air path over the top of the bell housing as a restriction of the hot air flow.
I don't know what size underneath exhaust your 454 has, my 1970 had 2 inch exhaust. When I removed the side exhaust I used the 1968 type exhaust pipes which are 2 1/2 inch. Still putting miles on my 1970, over 160,000 now, although it has not been a daily driver for over 24 years.