1969 Corvette Stocker
 

If you were building a 1969 Corvette for Stock what engine combination do you think would be most competitive? Also, if you were to go to a big block which combination would have available head and manifold castings.

Re: 1969 Corvette Stocker
 

I don't know about competitive but I'd build a '68 L88. Stick only. Real mans car! :cool:

Re: 1969 Corvette Stocker
 

Jeff, Thanks for the input but if I go with a big block it will be an automatic. I will leave the stick to you guys that can handle it! Sid

Re: 1969 Corvette Stocker
 

Sid,
Make a 70 out of it and put the LT-1 350cu. 370hp stick combo in it. That motor is rated at 340 hp.Should be a NICE combo.

Re: 1969 Corvette Stocker
 

Terry is right on. Although big block wise in a 68-69 I would suggest a 390hp 427. the 3x2 motors are a challenge (both Terry and I can attest to that), the L88 will be very expensive to be competitive with, and catching the CJ's is pretty hard to do

Re: 1969 Corvette Stocker
 

Chad,
I don't know of anyone running the LT-1 combo in the 70 Vette. Do you? I know Greg Hill is running it in the Camaro (maybe others). When I hit the powerball lottery I'm going to build one.
See ya,

Re: 1969 Corvette Stocker
 

No I don't. I know that the 69 LT-1 needs to be brought back into reason (thats not a 400hp combo, the LS1 is clearly a better motor than the old LT-1). Dad and I would consider it if we could get the hp right.

Re: 1969 Corvette Stocker
 

If it was me just starting out in stock I would go with the 300 HP version. It has been de-rated to 290 HP and the 69 Corvette coupe breaks (10.87) good for F and G. Going to E might be tuff although the car can get really light. The one I ran back in 1970-72 could get to 2950 lbs with steel cragar spoke wheels on the front and the OEM ralley steel wheels on the rear. This was with the radio, heater, windshield wipers, etc. still in the car and I had to carrry the steel wheeled spare tire and some balist to make weight (3152) as we couldnt go to the min. weight back in 1970.. Its a less expensive combo to assemble and you can still get away with the swing axle assembly with an automatic (Turbo 350 or 200 metric= less weight). We had to use a 400 turbo back in the stone age although mine was a 4-speed (muncie). If you beef up the rear axle assembly with larger u-joints and a 12 bolt ring and pinion (cut down to fit the 10 bolt rear) it will live. The big blocks really need the 12 bolt conversion although some are getting away with the swing axle (pure luck) with an automatic. If money is no object then Id build an L-88 for AA and A with an automatic. A 12 bolt solid axle would be mandatory with the big "KHAHUNA" All of the engine combos are set back in the chassis approx 10% and the wheelbase is only 98 inches. GREAT for a race car. Its one bad Mo Fo. Those Mustangs wont keep their HP rating forever as some inflated egos will come into play sooner or later. Its all a mater of how fast do you want to go and how much do you want to spend.

Re: 1969 Corvette Stocker
 

Thanks for the input and suggestions. I really am looking at the Corvette due to engine setback. The only drawback I see is the use of a transverse spring with a solid rear and short trailing arms.

Re: 1969 Corvette Stocker
 

I beg to differ on that. A properly set up Swing Axle will live behind a big block just fine. Greg Eaton runs mid to high 8's on a Tom's differential IRS. You do have to know what you are doing but the Tom's stuff is 100% reliable in a stocker. Its also an advantage on a marginal race track.

Re: 1969 Corvette Stocker
 

shoot me an private message and I will try and help you out with the IRS, and I can also recommend someone to do the straight axle conversion if thats the route you want to go.

Re: 1969 Corvette Stocker
 

I recall the issues with the IRS Corvette rears a little. When Bernie Agamen built his Corvette he was given an ok to use a std solid rear axle. When he showed up at the racetrack the story changed and he had to change it back to the IRS type rear. He broke that thing numerous times as I recall. Now that was a big tire car and a 454 but they were not all that fast back then compared to today's stockers. I was pitted next to Muni Haddad at Maple Grove one year and they were workjing on the rear of their Corvette. I was wrestling with my own issues but on his next run Haddad crashed that car badly and went up and maybe over the guardrail. I heard it was a half shaft failure......I'd be hesitat to race one if it had a BB without using the solid rear...


Personnaly I'd run the 350/300...Cam is pretty small but hey scads of guys run that cam and go fast with low compression 350's...Same cam.....Those cars are nice and make very nice racecars. There is a '68 327 for sale on this site I think.....Real nice loooking car.....

Re: 1969 Corvette Stocker
 

I had the "TOMS" complete swing axle also known as Henerys stuff. I got all of mine from Leon Maranian when he went to S/S and a dana rear. It is really strong but your not supposed to run a spool...Just a posi unit with a swing arm assembly (NHRA rules) though some do run a spool. Several have ended up in the wall because of using a spool instead of a posi (Muni Haddad for one???) when a half shaft or U joint breaks look out.. Your on borrowed time with a high HP big block. Its up to you. If i was going with the small block I would stay with the swing axle. I ran mine for 3 years with a small block and a 4 speed (7 inch tire days) with out a failure but as soon as we went to the S/S rules of 1972 (larger rear tires) I ran into breakage. One tip....align the rear with 1/8th degree Positive camber with the swing axle and use a heavy rated (pound) transverse spring.

Re: 1969 Corvette Stocker
 

Well dad's been racing IRS vettes since 1970, and we have had zero failures since we went to the Tom's stuff. I also know Leon pretty well. If you really study the forces and physics behind these rear ends its not a big issue. The Tom's 1480 stuff is damn near bulletproof if you follow a few rules. Hint: the car shouldn't "squat".

Oh and about the spool issue. ANY car would do that if it broke an axle with a spool. The big issue is the outer axle and the Henry's/Tom's/Peppy's/etc solved that. Regular maintenance, and some good knowledge of geometry and physics goes a long way on these cars.

Re: 1969 Corvette Stocker
 

Guys, Now have finally decided to build a car I will go to a solid rear end. Chad, I will PM you to find out who you recommend for the solid rear end. Thanks for the input.

Re: 1969 Corvette Stocker
 

Ditto!

M68

Re: 1969 Corvette Stocker
 

[quote=Rich Biebel;134033]I recall the issues with the IRS Corvette rears a little. When Bernie Agamen built his Corvette he was given an ok to use a std solid rear axle. When he showed up at the racetrack the story changed and he had to change it back to the IRS type rear. He broke that thing numerous times as I recall. Now that was a big tire car and a 454 but they were not all that fast back then compared to today's stockers. I was pitted next to Muni Haddad at Maple Grove one year and they were workjing on the rear of their Corvette. I was wrestling with my own issues but on his next run Haddad crashed that car badly and went up and maybe over the guardrail. I heard it was a half shaft failure......I'd be hesitat to race one if it had a BB without using the solid rear...

The half shift broke in the lights............he went a long way on his top......but he was "OK"..........:eek:

Re: 1969 Corvette Stocker
 

Tom's stuff would be the way to go.
You'll never get the 427/400 3X2 to run with the Camaro's
The 390 Hp has a problem with the intake, It's junk.
If I were to do another Corvette it would be with Tom's stuff and the L-88 Automatic,
We ran SS corvettes year's ago with Tom's stuff, It held up to 700 hp plus.
Why put the solid rear in a Corvette and make it like a Camaro.
You take the best part of the car away.
With the 502's in Top Stock Matt Morgan and I had the same HP.
He always ran the same ET but I would run a bit more speed. (I had a 12 bolt solid rear)
I have the feeling the IRS would run a bit quicker.How much, That's the question.

Re: 1969 Corvette Stocker
 

I have also ran some vettes, listen to Ken, go here and read. The Toms stuff works along with the Dragvette Products link system works. You even get halfshaft loops and drive shaft loop, all quality stuff.

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/1...es_shafts.html

Re: 1969 Corvette Stocker
 

Thanks for sharing your experience and suggestions. I will read up on both rear end solutions.

Re: 1969 Corvette Stocker
 

This is good to know. Looking at doing a fast streetcar Clone for the F.A.S.T. type stuff and was worried about the rear.

Thanks for the info

Re: 1969 Corvette Stocker
 

I have a short transverse spring, NEW, which I have carried around for years since I had my 67 vette. We sold the car before the coil overs became popular in SS.
It is for sale for $75 plus frt if anyone wants it. Dick Butler 937-623-8126

Re: 1969 Corvette Stocker
 

S/ST4707 you have a pm

Re: 1969 Corvette Stocker
 

Ken,
What did Bogan have in his? Yours worked very well everywhere.
Still miss your coffee and BBQ coleslaw!

Re: 1969 Corvette Stocker
 

Bogan I think has a solid 12 bolt, not suure
I miss the coffee and BBQ with all the people, we had a good time,,,,
The Cook Out at Rockingham was the Best !!!!

Re: 1969 Corvette Stocker
 

The Solid 12 Bolt Rear Is Faster And Safer !!!!!! Than That IRS Stuff You Have Less Rotating Weight. If You Break A Ring And Pinnion With That Machined Center Section It Is A Nightmare. And It Is Out Lawed To Race At An NHRA Bracket Race With An IRS Rear. Read The Rule Book. I Had The First Ever Solid Rear End In A Stock NHRA Corvette. Myself And Mark Oswald Installed The Rear In My Car. We Received The Best Enginered Car Award At The 1998 Houston Nats. For The Rear End.