Daily Slideshow: Detroit Speed's C3 Corvette Is an Autocross Terror
A cool $200k went into making this 1972 Corvette a corner eating machine.
Carvin' corners
When you think of early Corvettes, you don't normally think of corner carving, high-speed lateral g's, and autocross monsters. Of course, these older rides were pretty darn good in the handling department in their day. But compared to today's modern 'Vettes, they leave a lot to be desired. Thankfully, there are plenty of aftermarket solutions available to turn any early Corvette into a proper corner carver. And Detroit Speed built this incredible C3 to test and show off their own wares.
>>Join the conversation about this LS3 C3 Corvette right here at the LS1 Tech Forum!
One hot test bed
The idea behind the C3 build was to construct a testbed capable of allowing Detroit Speed to conduct their own, real-world research and development. So they fit it with the full array of their latest C3 suspension systems, beginning with a SpeedRay front setup and DECAlink Rear Suspension system. Thousands of miles later, the car now sports the latest developmental suspension system from Detroit Speed, which isn't even on the market yet!
>>Join the conversation about this LS3 C3 Corvette right here at the LS1 Tech Forum!
The juice to get loose
Tires are an important part of autocross, of course. So DS fit their test 'Vette with massive BF Goodrich 315s up front and 355s in the rear, mounted on Forgeline wheels. To ensure there was enough power to scoot the whole thing around the cones, a smoking hot LS3 now resides under the hood, producing just under 600 hp at the crank. And shifts are handled by a tough-as-nails Hightower Racing 4-speed transmission.
>>Join the conversation about this LS3 C3 Corvette right here at the LS1 Tech Forum!
Low, wide, and mean
To make room for those massive steamrollers, Detroit Speed widened the 'Vette by nearly six inches. They did so using nothing more than fiberglass, just like Chevrolet intended. All of that work, along with the fabulously patriotic red, white, and blue paint job that was done in-house. Just like the rest of the car. But the best thing about this incredible test car might just be the way it sounds through those four-inch side pipes!
>>Join the conversation about this LS3 C3 Corvette right here at the LS1 Tech Forum!
Paid the cost
Detroit Speed's incredible C3 wasted no time dominating the competition, taking the win at its first ever autocross event. Since then, it's racked up thousands of miles on the track but has held up quite well despite the fact that the DS team drives it like they stole it. All the time. But we guess that's to be expected when you spend roughly $200,000 on a build, which is what they claim to have in this incredible machine!
>>Join the conversation about this LS3 C3 Corvette right here at the LS1 Tech Forum!
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