C3 Corvette Interior Ep 6

Originally an L46 4-speed car, it is now running a 500hp LS3 Cruise and Connect package with a 4L70E auto trans and Vintage Air front runner system. It has a full VB&P suspension package including offset trailing arms, GM rack and pinion steering and a late model Dana 44 rear with 3:31 gears. The exhaust is stock LS manifolds with Magna Flow cats feeding 3” pipe into factory 69 mufflers. Interior is filled with Dakota Digital VHX gauges, Dakota Digital cruise control, Vintage Air AC, Kenwood stereo, C5 seats, late C3 tilt-tele column and wheel, a CIPA auto dimming rear view mirror with compass, power windows, power steering and remote door openers. The exterior has late C3 smoked glass tops, late model emblems, aluminum filler cap and LED lights from Dapper Lighting. I’ve converted the headlamps to electric as well as the cowl wiper door. The wheels are custom cut Intro Haulers in 17x8 with 245/45 Goodyear Eagle F1s and the rears are 18x9 with 265/40 F1s. Wiring is the Hwy22 kit from American Auto.
Parts Sources:
American Autowire - www.americanautowire.com
Bowtie Overdrives - www.bowtieoverdrives.com
BRP/Muscle Rods LS Conversions - www.brphotrods.com/products/68...
Classic Tube Industries -classictube.com
Corvette America - www.topflightautomotive.com/p...
Dana Swap Corvette Forum -www.corvetteforum.com/forums/...
Dakota Digital - www.dakotadigital.com
Dapper Lighting - www.dapperlighting.com/produc...
Derale Performance - derale.com/product-footer
Eckler’s Corvettes - www.ecklerscorvette.com
GDS 4x4 - www.gds4x4inc.com/home.html
Holley Performance - www.holley.com/garage/view/42...
Interiors by Sebastian - autodesignsbysebastian.com
Intro Wheels - introwheels.com
JEGS - www.jegs.com
Killer Lights - mcspeed.homestead.com
Mid America Motorworks - www.mamotorworks.com
R1 Brakes - www.r1concepts.com
Shiftworks - shiftworks.com
SimpleTire - simpletire.com
Summit Racing - www.summitracing.com
Tanks Inc - www.tanksinc.com
Vintage Air - www.vintageair.com

[@nonsequitur807]

That blue interior is absolutely intoxicating 🤤

[@C3Mods]

Thank you. I really love the color combo.

[@RestoVette]

Very tastefully done interior on this c3, great job 👍🏼

[@C3Mods]

Thank you! 👍

[@billjerome4010]

Love the way you upgraded to C5 seats, overall you done an excellent job on the C3

[@C3Mods]

Thank you!!

[@yoda2000675]

What a beautiful interior! I think I might have to copy some of your ideas when I get a C3

[@C3Mods]

You should!

[@user-mo6gv8xz6u]

Very well done!

[@C3Mods]

Thank you very much!

[@alhodge4051]

Beautifully done and thorough. thanks.

[@C3Mods]

Thanks!

[@stfitness-du4bq]

You did a good job on your Corvette it looks really nice.

[@C3Mods]

Thank you.

[@jimjacobs8997]

Amazing work John!

[@C3Mods]

Thanks!

[@lawdogcorvette8565]

looking great - working my interior right now - glad to sub

[@C3Mods]

Appreciate it! More to come!

[@jessemarinjr6374]

Great Job on Your Corvette Interior !!

[@C3Mods]

Thank you!

[@eloymartinez67]

beautiful interior

[@C3Mods]

Thank you. I appreciate it.

[@jesse33cdn]

I laughed when you said you made the colume telescopic for other drivers lol like that's gonna happen😂, that car is AMAZING! inside outside and you could eat off the underside of that car! Best i EVER saw! THAN YOU for sharing it with the world! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@C3Mods]

Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it! 😀

[@C3Mods]

I actually let my sons drive it. They like to thrash on it.

[@georgediego]

I appreciate the walk through. I have a 73 with the Bright Blue interior (borrowed some parts from a 70) and it's nice to see one complete. I've been working on the interior for a year now getting everything dialed and the little tid-bit about the Vintage Air was nice to see as I reassemble the car. I also like the 6.5's in the kick panels. I'm sure it sounds a lot cleaner than just the 4x6's.

[@C3Mods]

Thanks! Much appreciated!

[@ronaldwarren5220]

Nice site. The only C3 I have ever owned was an 81 that somewhere in its life was converted to a drop top. I bored the engine out and used some aftermarket parts to hop it up. I loved that car but wanted another C4. Keep up the nice work!

[@C3Mods]

I absolutely LOVE 80-82s that were converted to ragtops! I think they’re sick! I love the look of them. You were lucky to own one!

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

Good detailed video, keep up the good work :)

[@C3Mods]

Thank you!!

[@robdedgar]

Love it! I just got a 75 project vette to work on.

[@C3Mods]

Thanks! Have fun on the 75!

[@RichVLucky]

Thanks for the Great Video! RE: Seats: It would knaw on you until you got it done, and they do look really cool. And it's YOURS! Hey, I spotted the dynamat! Makes it a totally different car, eh? I used 100% coverage with kilmat, then a 3/8" layer of dynaPAD on top of that, where it could fit (pro install). The car doesn't feel like it's trying to shake itself apart anymore! Anyway, you got yourself a real beauty! Thanks for the videos!

[@C3Mods]

Thanks, I appreciate the comments! Yeah, sound proofing!! Makes all the difference!!

[@timewiththedurbins]

Awesome job on the C3. I have owned several C3 and C4 Vettes, my favorite is the C3, I'm currently working on a 71. It's a red coupe with a black interior. I like how you did the center console. I want to eliminate the fiber optics too. I am missing most of the cables and lenses for them anyway. I'm a machinist so my plan was to machine aluminum filler plates and powder coat them. I'm going to install Vintage Air and I like the control you installed for it. I thought my only choice was to use the original control. Keep up the good work.

[@C3Mods]

Thanks! I appreciate it! Sounds like you got an awesome project!

[@MoGumboFukUTubeForChngngMyName]

Man! You like yourself some bright blue!!!

[@C3Mods]

Factory color! It’s awesome!!

[@SLINGING_MUD_SINCE1994]

Amazing build I’m building a c3 1980 thanks for the info

[@C3Mods]

You’re very welcome!

[@OutontheRanchwithDrLee-xb4lo]

Hi John! I'm new to your channel. I too have a YT channel, but my '70 Corvette vert rarely makes an appearance. I'll probably be binge-watching your vids tonight. I've recently pulled my car out to start rebuilding it. Brakes and steering need replacement/upgrade just to get it rolling. I'm expecting a T/T column (today via UPS) from a '72 so hopefully it won't need trimming....But it WAS pricey. Anyway, I love your vids: concise, good editing, and content that's "over the top!" Happy to sub here! Dr. Lee

[@C3Mods]

Glad I could help. Reach out anytime!

[@lucada8538]

I'm your 200th subscriber!!

[@C3Mods]

Lucada Thanks! That’s awesome!

[@joebirdable]

This guy is the truth.

[@C3Mods]

Thanks Alex!

[@MEANSTREETAUTO454]

Did not know I had the storage where the trunk lid would be ! 😁

[@michaelmiller-oi8fg]

love the blue interior.....wonder how it would look in a silver 1980?

[@RestorationObsession]

Hi John, I really appreciate these videos as I am restoring a 76 C3. I'm currently working on the center console and have run into issues with the old sliding plastic pieces that cover the hole where the automatic shifter goes. I was considering tossing them and replacing with a leather boot and noticed it looks like you did that with yours. Would love to learn more about how you went about that. It seems straightforward enough I guess. I must admit though, I really do like the sliding plastic pieces so I might either fashion my own from some sheet plastic I have, or just buy new.

[@C3Mods]

The boot around my shifter is just a replacement 4-speed boot. My car was originally a 4-speed car and I like the look.

[@C3Mods]

You can also but that auto shifter trim piece from any big Corvette vendor.

[@RestorationObsession]

Very cool

[@RestorationObsession]

I will probably go ahead and do that. I'm sure those would be far better than something I'd try to make from scratch. Just finished installing a composite monospring and Bilsteins in the back today. She's got her stance back! I'm putting the Vintage Air kit in next. Looking forward to your next video. Cheers

[@RTbeard1988]

Just found your channel, love it! I have a 69 as well. Was wondering what year of vette was the steering column from.

[@C3Mods]

My steering column is the 80-82 gen. Mine was an 81.

[@C3Mods]

Glad you like the channel. Hope to do another one someday!

[@RTbeard1988]

@@C3Mods thank you for the info. I’m wanting the tilt/telescope for mine.

[@C3Mods]

@@RTbeard1988 You’re welcome!

[@davidmills8229]

Hi John, Thank you so much for posting these videos. I have the exact same car, and am in the process of the same LS3 swap. Completely new guts all around as well. The car was totally stripped. I do have some questions and would appreciate any help. My first question is about how you replaced the rear window storage tray. I would like to do the same thing you did. I can get my hands on a '70-'72 tray, but I'm wondering what needs to be modified to get it to fit. Can you please explain how you did that? I have very little experience with any of this, just a love for the '69 Vette! Thanks in advance and keep up the good work! Dave

[@C3Mods]

So, everything that attaches to the body of a Corvette has a sheet metal plate riveted to the backside for the screws to grab on. I don't recall if the hinge points on the early tray are the same width as the later tray, but if you look at the photos of my storage area you will see that I installed rear speakers in the corners at an angle similar to the 80-82s. With that being said, the 70 tray was hitting the speakers so I cut the sides of the tray down and move the hinges further inward. I also replaced the metal attaching plates on the backside of the body as well and raised them so I would have more vertical storage room. So you may get away with just replacing the tray itself and using the existing mounting points. As far as the release handle up front, mine was slotted for adjustment and I just put it where it would grab the front lip of the chrome trim. Works perfect. The only issue was that when the tray is empty it bangs on the underside of the body. So I got 1/4 rubber windshield washer hose and slit it length wise and slipped it over about two inches on each end of the chrome trim to keep the noise down. Hope that helps.

[@davidmills8229]

@@C3Mods Okay, I am on it! Thanks so much! I have some other questions about the seats and uprgrading to shoulder belts as my '69 only has the lap belts... but I don't want to bother you too much! By the way, I am in Illinois as well, near Chicago... Cheers, and Thanks again!

[@C3Mods]

David Mills Any time, glad to help. Let me know your other questions and I’ll answer them as best as I can.

[@DeathByLego]

I am not looking forward to getting my interior and redoing it. Going from red to black, spraying the inside with some kind of spray to make it clean and tidy, going to heat/sound proof, replace my wiring harness, steering column, So many things to do and I don’t really know how to do them. Even worse is it’s best if it’s done all at the same time. But I can’t replace my own wiring harness and someone’s shop won’t let me in it and do stuff

[@DeathByLego]

Out of your experience and knowledge, how much is this going to run me? I think I’ll get my carpet from AI Knoch and everything else from Zip.

[@C3Mods]

It’s really not very hard to do. I would purchase everything piece by piece until you have it all. Most corvette vendors offer an assembly line manual that is great for understanding how things come apart and go together. I would suggest that.

[@C3Mods]

You’re looking at a several thousand dollars to replace the interior. The 3 piece dash alone is $1k, each door panel is $300. It adds up, but is well worth it in the end.

[@rogerramos6]

Superb sound could you share your exhaust setup adding a 383 stroker on my 81?

[@C3Mods]

I cut the pipes of the front of the muffler and it’s all custom from there. So it’s designed to work with OEM LS manifolds. But you can do the same thing on any engine combo.

[@rogerramos6]

⁠Got it thanks for the info.

[@jamtardio]

Idea for clasp on arm rest - magnets?

[@C3Mods]

That’s a good idea. Never thought of it.

[@WAVYWANDERLUSTOFFICIAL]

Can I drop my 75 off at your garage and hand you a bag of money....this is Awesome 😂

[@C3Mods]

As long as it a BIG bag! 😂

[@WAVYWANDERLUSTOFFICIAL]

Man I love everything you did....I'm not too far away in St. Louis ..just let me know when to bring the BIG BAG 😂😂😂

[@xChaoticGTAQUADZx]

Any tips for opening the hood? My left sides release is broken

[@C3Mods]

I’m fortunate enough to have a lift where I can get underneath and manipulate the latches.

[@jessemarinjr6374]

Hello John , looking at your Dakota gauges and do you remember the stock number ,the pricing for them ,and most of all the difficulty to install them ,plug & play ,Hopefully ???

[@C3Mods]

Go to their website. There are now more to choose from. I believe they were $1100. But yeah, pretty much plug and play. The gauges all use CAT5 cable to connect to the brain box, that’s just power and ground and sensor for the other gauges. It has a self calibrating speedo.

[@jessemarinjr6374]

THANKS JOHN !! YOUR INFORMATION IS VERY HELPFUL !!! KEEP YOUR VIDEOS COMING ,WE GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR CHANNEL !!! JESSE VIA LAS VEGAS

[@mikethompson2007]

Are the rear speakers mounted in boxes or just to the carpeted corner panels?

[@C3Mods]

Just corner panels, but I have the foam speaker enclosure behind it to get a little bit better sound. I’m pretty sure they’re by Boom Mat. Same with the front kick panel.

[@chrissmith7669]

I’m starting a sorta restoration on 1979.

[@C3Mods]

Awesome!!!

[@chrissmith7669]

@@C3Mods i want to keep the original look and feel but with some nods to modern life, Dakota gauge set, Upgrades radio with Bluetooth and satellite. Thinking about a set of retro Recaro seats as I saw they’ve restarted production of the 80‘s classic buckets. Hoping I can get a black with red accent interior.

[@C3Mods]

@@chrissmith7669 That’d look sweet! Always loved Recaros! The cars are so much more enjoyable with modern amenities.

[@alberthodge631]

you should market that seat bracket, there are alot of tall guys looking for an option.. any chance you have the measurements on your bracket design. ??

[@C3Mods]

No, unfortunately not. And I sold the car so I can’t really go out to the garage and check. But it’s not hard. It’s just flat stock, I bolted it to the bottom of the seats and set the seat down in the car and marked the underside for the floor pan bolts.

[@alberthodge631]

@@C3Mods so it is bolted downward into the floorpan both front and rear in addition to the seatbelt mounts? thanks

[@C3Mods]

@@alberthodge631 I removed the seatbelt mounts and glasses over the holes. The rear bracket has 90 degree bends on both ends and I drilled them and mounted the belts to it.

[@C3Mods]

Email me at [e-mail] and I’ll send you pics.

[@rickcates2215]

I have a 77 what type of seats are in you car and would they fit in mine

[@C3Mods]

Mine are 2004 C6 seats. You can mount them on the 77 tracks but I found them to be too high, so I mounted them to the floor.

[@nelsonherrera103]

what seats do you have in that c3

[@C3Mods]

They are 2004 C5 Sport seats.

[@JR-ic4hl]

Wow, when I compare the early c3 Vettes and the unique features that they have that the later c3s stop doing, I think that you have no respect for the originality of these cars. What I am saying is, your and idiot for removing the fiber optics, weather you like them or not. Out of all the people I have encountered with later c3 Vettes, They have all said, damn, I wish mine had that, thats cool.

[@C3Mods]

Haters gonna hate I guess.

[@JR-ic4hl]

@@C3Mods Maybe, but it is still a loss.

[@beerdragon4583]

@@C3Mods Ignore the haters. People in the Vette community can really insufferable a-holes. Corvettes, IMHO, are meant to be modified and customized.

[@C3Mods]

@@beerdragon4583 Exactly! Thank you! I agree completely!

[@duster71]

C3 is the biggest POS on the road.Buy a Mopar.

[@brentwinters4821]

Yeah right pecker head

[@bradfallin2698]

I'm a MOPAR guy and that shit is sacrilegious!

[@robertbaumann4742]

Vette has style. Why fight it?

[@C3Mods]

Ive owned several Mopars in my life. 5 chargers, a coronet RT, and a 340 duster. It’s about variety in life, not brand loyalty. That’s boring. Don’t be a hater.