Does John have any advice for those looking to make an early-generation Vette into something more along the lines of what Messrs. Earl and Arkus-Duntov had in mind? "It's something that can be done. It's not that difficult to do, and when you're done, you have pride of ownership."
Data File ::: '54 Chevrolet Corvette roadster
Owned by John Loeper, Ocean City, New Jersey
| BODY |
| Modified original '54 Corvette body |
| MODIFIED BY |
Owner |
| MODIFICATIONS |
Fender flares, scoops, and induction hood by Legendary Corvette. |
| PAINT |
DuPont-blended Alpine White (with LeMans stripes in 1958-vintage Sea Mist Green) done in satin-finish basecoat/clearcoat; painting/paint prep by Perry-Egan Chevrolet, Ocean City, New Jersey |
John says he's had his ZZ430-powered...
John says he's had his ZZ430-powered '54 up to 150 miles an hour-quite an achievement for a C1 roadster!
GM Performance Parts' ZZ430...
GM Performance Parts' ZZ430 crate engine replaced a replacement 235-inch Six. The airbox atop the 650-cfm Holley carburetor is owner-fabricated, while A/C hardware is from Classic Auto Air. The ZZ430 (No. 101 of 430 built) puts out almost three times the horsepower and torque of the original '54 Corvette Blue Flame Six.
A big ATL fuel cell replaced...
A big ATL fuel cell replaced the original '54 fuel tank, and Carter electric fuel pumps keep the ZZ430 fed. The trunk's front wall wears logos of more than a few companies whose parts and services were used to build John's C1.
| CHASSIS |
| Modified production '54 Corvette frame |
| TECHNICAL ADVICE |
Paul Newman at Newman's Car Creations, Templeton, California |
| FRAME WELDING |
Winoc Welding, Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey |
| SUSPENSION |
Based on '90 C4 Corvette design (Front) Bilstein shocks, Doug Rippie Motorsports hypercoil springs and Hoerring Racing dampers, and '90 Corvette anti-sway bar (Rear) Bilstein coilovers, Doug Rippie Motorsports Hypercoil springs and Hoerring Racing dampers, Vette Brakes & Products (VBP) Racing Smart Struts |
| SUSPENSION TUNING |
(To advance autocross specification used in Race America Series) Best Tire, Ocean City, New Jersey |
| STEERING |
'90 C4 Corvette rack-and-pinion with KRC power steering pump and BRT Racing fluid reservoir/cooler/filter |
| BRAKES |
GM C4 ZR-1 "Big Brake" four-wheel discs all around, non-power-assisted |
| WHEELS |
One-off billet Boyd's Wheels: front 17x8 inches, rear 17x9.5 inches |
| TIRES |
Goodyear Eagle GSC: front 245/40ZR17, rear 275/40ZR17 |
| ENGINE |
| GM Performance Parts ZZ430 crate engine (No. 101 of 430 engines made) |
| MODIFICATIONS |
KRC front pulley assembly |
| DISPLACEMENT |
350 cubic inches (5.7 L) |
| COMPRESSION RATIO |
9.6:1 |
| CYLINDER HEADS |
GMPP ZZ430 aluminum cylinder heads |
| IGNITION |
GMPP ZZ430 HEI electronic ignition |
| INDUCTION |
Holley 650-cfm carburetor on original ZZ430 aluminum intake, owner-fabricated carbon fiber airbox, Legendary Corvette hoodscoop, and K&N air filter |
| CAMSHAFT |
GMPP ZZ430 hydraulic roller |
| EXHAUST |
TPI 2½-inch diameter/36-inch long tube headers, Winoc Welding 3-inch crossover, Hooker 4-inch side pipes, and Power Effects scavengers |
| COOLING |
BeCool aluminum cross-flow radiator, Spal 16-inch pulling fan, Winoc Welding two-quart aluminum expansion tank, and XRP hoses/fittings. |
| HORSEPOWER |
430 @ 5,800 rpm (advertised) |
| TORQUE |
430 ft-lb @ 4,000 rpm (advertised) |