�3G Vette�
1960 Chevrolet Corvette
Project details

The ultimate goal of the 3G Vette is to create a sports car that is capable of producing 1g on the skid-pad, 1g of acceleration and 1g of braking. In addition to the performance goals, we wanted to fashion the car so that it retained all of the class of the early Corvette design while integrating modern, luxury performance styling cues.

The performance goals of the 3G Vette are based off of the �GT Sport� replacement chassis. Built by Art Morrison Enterprises Inc., the GT Sport chassis features all the necessary body mounts, bumper mounts, core support and engine mounts. Engineered to deliver world-class, sports car performance, the chassis features C5 Corvette front suspension, adjustable Strange Engineering coil-overs and an AGR 15:1 power rack-and-pinion. Integrated into this is a 7/8� sway bar to control excess body roll. Out back is AME�s tried and proven triangulated 4-bar suspension. Utilizing a 9� housing and Strange Engineering 3rd member, axles and adjustable coil overs work with the rear sway bar to give the car a low, stable roll center and stick the car through the corners. Braking is handled by a massive set of 14� Wilwood brakes with 6 piston calipers up front and 4 piston calipers in back.

To make sure that the car sticks to the ground, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires and Boyd Coddington wheels round out the performance package.

Power for the 3G Vette is thanks to an all-aluminum 427� Bill Mitchell small block. Utilizing a Wilson Manifolds modified intake and fuel system components as well as FAST XFI ECU; the potent engine made 538hp and 517ft lbs of torque on regular 92 octaine gas. Because of the all aluminum construction, the engine weighs in at only 350lbs and keeps the weight off of the front end for better balance. Shifting this power to the rear wheels is a McLeod dual-disc clutch and bell housing mated up to a Rockland-Standard T56. The complete line of Red Line Oil components help ensure that maximum performance is never compromised.

In order to keep the classic features of the 3G Vette, all of the stock trim was retained, reproduced by Year One. Numerous body modifications have been made such as the molded inner fender panels, the functional brake duct scoops, roll hoops and painted dash. The biggest challenge was turning the car into a true roadster. Capping off the doors and fabricating new trip to mate up to the stock Vette trim was quite a challenge. Included in this Herculean task was modifying the stock windshield posts to eliminate the notch for the wing window and getting it all to appear like it was made that way over 40 years ago. The experts at Byers Custom and Restoration then worked their magic straightening the body and applying the PPG paint.

The interior was tackled by McFarland Custom Upholstery and utilizing components from Classic Instruments, Vintage Air, American Auto Wire Crow Enterprises and Dynomat they managed to bring the Eric Brockmeyer design to life. The most striking parts of the interior are thanks to Reese Sanderson who wrapped the gauge cluster in carbon fiber as well as created the door panel inserts, grab bar and console insert. The end result is a classic, high performance look.

• We had our exterior rendering done by Jason Rushforth, and then had this engine bay rendering done by Eric Brockmeyer. When working off of a rendering it is a lot easier to keep a consistent theme and vision throughout the construction of car.
   

• The power for our 3g Corvette project is thanks to one of Bill Mitchell�s Hardcore all-aluminum 427� SBC crate engines. Thumping out 538hp and 517ft-lbs of torque and weighing in at only 355lbs, it is a great engine for this project. The light-weight nature of this engine was perfect for the overall balance of the car.
   

• In order to keep things under the original hood, the Dominator carburetor was replaced with a Wilson Manifolds throttle body and spacer, and a set of their fuel rails. Wilson also did all the modification work to the Weiand Team G manifold, adding the bungs for the Bosch fuel injectors.
   

• The cold-air intake tube is routed so that it mates up to the core support where the original openings for the driver/passenger fresh air vents were.
   

• To keep the engine cool and within its operating temperature, an all aluminum PRC replacement radiator for the C1 was used as well as Flex-a-lite�s Syclone fan.
   

• In order to keep the engine bay as symmetrical as possible, we added Flaming River�s billet aluminum power steering reservoir to the driver�s side of the core support. Both the overflow and the power steering tanks were then sandblasted and painted a satin black to match the rest of the engine compartment layout.
   

• Mated to this strong combination of horsepower and torque is a universal McLeod bell housing, dual disc clutch, throw-out bearing and a Rockland-Standard prepared T-56 6-speed. Offering a close ratio through all 6-gears and beefed-up internals, this combination of clutch, transmission and throw out bearing will offer years of trouble-free service.
   

• Because of the size of the T-56 6-speed, there were some modifications required for the transmission tunnel.
   

• Delivering the power to the ground is a Strange S case, 3.70 gears and 31spline axles.
   

• Once we were happy with how everything was fitting in the car; it was time for some dyno-tuning. Because of the cost of dyno tuning, we made the decision to build a crude test stand and fire the engine and rough-in the fuel map before it went onto the professionals.  AME�s own in-house engineer Matt Jones has had quite a bit of experience with operating the F.A.S.T. XFI system. During the dyno tuning process, Matt programmed the fuel curve based on the information the dyno technicians provided.
   

• To finish off the engine compartment, a custom set of �3G� badges were made by the folks at Motorhead Jewelry. While it doesn�t add to the performance of the vehicle, its touches like this that can help set your own project apart from the rest. Other visuals included the carbon fiber air box insert made by Rhys Sanderson at Carbonguy.com and the carbon fiber K&N valve covers.