xrated

Hi guys,
I would like to create an Aussie register of corvette owners on the forum. I figure if we stick together we can order parts in bulk and get better prices. Also would be great to have vette friends who live in the same country. Please send an email to

Corvette@retrostyle.com.au

just give me your name and suburb/state and your cars details.

Thanks! :hat

67HEAVEN

Man, every time I see a photo of a right-hand drive Corvette.....well it's just plain freaky
:eek: :eek: :eek:

Cheers, from another part of the Commonwealth!

jdunne

count me in.....Melbourne,74R....Rhd.......john :chevy

xrated

Its where the steering wheel was meant to be! Why did we have to adopt the british style roads. Makes things difficult if ur a fan of big v8s in small cars. We are allowed to register LHD vehicles if they are 30 years old +.

67HEAVEN

:lol: Wouldn't some of the tightass NCRS boys go nuts in Aussieland with RHD :confused: :lol:

jdunne

we just don't give Visas out to potential troublemakers.....no NCRS here.....john :chevy

Chris O'

Chris O'Shea......Brisbane, Qld.............'77

Beware, the bigger the order, the greater chance of copping customs duty! :mad

:cheers:

Brutus

You can count me in. I'm always a sucker for paying way too much for my parts.
Just ask me about the customs AND the GST I had to pay on the new aluminium heads I purchased while I was in the US this year! :mad
Customs duty is due on any parts valued over $100.00 Aus if it's bought while in Oz and $400.00 if you bring it back with you after a trip.
Anyhow.... Bob Moyle.....Sydney N.S.W.......77.
I may not have as many posts as some, but I think I may have been the first Aussie to join the Forum.

xrated

Brutus great car..and the engine bay! :cool:

I read on ur site that u want to get some 3.7s for the diff. I am looking for a set too. Drove a ford GT with a poobox old 351 in it that had 3.89s in the back. Man it was great. I goto ditch my 3.08s they are crappy. The last quote i got for a ring&pinion was $2000 Aus. Plus fiting would have brought it up near 3K! Too much for a gear swap! Maybe if a few of us get together we can cut a deal with richmond or eklers/Zip.

Brutus

Xrated... Thanks for the compliments. My web page is a bit of a mess at the moment with all this revamp that's been happening. I'm trying to get it all updated as soon as I can now.
I had a 75 GT Falcon coupe 351 that I fitted 3.55s to and even that little increase in gearing helped immensley.
I already have the 3.7 Richmond gears and installation kit for the rear end for the Vette from Summit. Bought all the bits and pieces while I was in the States last year. Didn't pay anywhere near what you've quoted tho obviously.
I think it's total crap that we should have to pay GST on something that was purchased from outside Oz.

jdunne

You might want to consider a 700R4,easily got out of a vn commodore...makes a real diff down low with a proper .7 overdrive...john :chevy

xrated

Mmmm yes i should consider that.
I understand the 700r4 has a low 1st gear which would give much better take off. I currently have a th400. Any ideas what the gear ratios are, i cant remeber.

Brutus

John...What did you pay for the trans out of the Commodore?............if that's not a rude question?
Did you install it as is from the Holden too?

jdunne

Bob,got a deal for $800,only needed minor upgrade/overhaul.....about $300....the reason for the VN is that it isnt computer controlled....a few bits and pieces from Bowtie overdrives were needed such as some connections and cables,speedo drive gear in all totalling about A$100.......very happy with the transformation......for details on the gearratios and comparisons to both th350 & th400 go to Bowtieoverdrives web site,i think it is http://www.700r4.com......john :chevy

xrated

Quote from BowtieOverdrives

"Install a TH-700R4 with these existing 3.08 rear end gears. This car will launch like a TH-350 or TH-400 with 3.73:1 rear end gears, so you can now have your stop light fun. When the TH-700-R-4 goes into fourth gear, your final drive ratio will be 2.16:1. (3.08:1 rear end ratio x .70:1 4th gear ratio in the TH-700-R-4 = 2.16:1 overall final drive ratio) With a 26" diameter tire, a 3.08:1 rear end ratio and the TH-700-R-4 in .70:1 fourth gear, your engine would be turning only 1670 RPM at 60 MPH. This is a pretty picture! "

Brutus

I saw one of their conversion kits in my mate's 81 when I was in Florida. BTO's crossmember is a very nice piece of work, but I'll just go with making my own bracket from steel plate. I have no problem doing that.
I still want to shift the engine over like you have while I'm at it. I've got a few queries on how you did yours still. Mainly to do with the power steering clearances with the frame and crossmember.

67HEAVEN

Sorry to keep butting in here, but the more I think about what goes into converting to RHD....well it boggles the mind!

- clutch linkage on manual transmission :smash: :crazy:
- master cylinder (where heater was originally) :smash:
- heater (where the master cylinder was originally - and associated cables) :crazy:
- steering box and column (this is starting to get serious) :smash: :crazy:
- maybe battery (if mid-year car) :smash:
- gauges, speedo (and therefore associated wiring) :smash:
- accelerator linkage :smash:
- no doubt there's lots more :smash:

This looks like a lot more work that simply throwing another shrimp on the barbie!

I'm going to go and lie down now...my head is hurting :crazy: :crazy: :crazy:



[Modified by 67HEAVEN, 8:09 PM 10/23/2001]

xrated

My conversion uses a ford steering box and a hydraulic ram style power steering. Everything on mine was switched over.
Bonet release, fuse box, steering wheel. :crazy:

Brutus

Mine uses a Toyota power steering box with no ram assist anymore. I do believe the Ford box is the better option tho, but i had to cop what was there when I bought the car. I may change it when I do the motor and trans.
The engine bay is as original except for the relocated steering.

Btw...Forget those stupid tourist TV ads. "Shrimps" (prawns) are the last things we throw on a "barbie".
If you're Aussie you just chuck a snag on it. :confused:


[Modified by Brutus, 11:54 AM 10/24/2001]

67HEAVEN

Sausages are certainly better than apricots!!!