carolina classics

[vaughan watkins]

Hi there, Has anyone used carolina classics in andover for any repairs? i am looking at getting my gearbox(th400) rebuilt by them and re-core my rad at the same time just curious if anybody had any experience with them good or bad,
Thanks Vaughan
(1975 gold corvette)

[vetteheadracer]

North American Motors in Fleet / Aldershot rebuilt EricTheBrave's white 78's gearbox a couple of years ago and as far as I know he was happy with the job they did. Talk to Steve at the next Crispin meeting!

[scovette]

How about getting a 4-speed auto box instead? Obviously more expensive (new one around £3k fitted) but if you do a decent amount of miles it'll pay for itself in reduced fuel costs, not to mention making motorway cruising more pleasurable.

[vaughan watkins]

Yes i would love to go for a 4 speed, but as usual severe lack of cash, unless you want to sponser me! As for North American i could not get a firm price from them and unfortunatly i am not in the position to risk it and find i cant afford it, Especially as i have just booked the ferry for Le-Mans, thus the rebuild to ensure i get there......... and back.

[franv8]

Only thing about the 4 speed is that it is a weaker box, so if you've got lots of poke it may not be the best option (in stock form).

Surprised at the price, wouldn't a rebuild and remove/refit be more like around £1000 ?

[eric the brave]

vaughan watkins said:

Yes i would love to go for a 4 speed, but as usual severe lack of cash, unless you want to sponser me! As for North American i could not get a firm price from them and unfortunatly i am not in the position to risk it and find i cant afford it, Especially as i have just booked the ferry for Le-Mans, thus the rebuild to ensure i get there......... and back.

Part of the fun of going to Le Mans in a C3 is the uncertainty of wether you will get there and back offset against the pleasure of the admiring looks and comments that you get from the fans of sheer class!

[scovette]

franv8 said:

Surprised at the price, wouldn't a rebuild and remove/refit be more like around £1000 ?

Yes a simple rebuild, etc will be around £1000. The £3k is for a brand new box fitted - could be a bit cheaper depending on the power it has to handle - I'm getting it done and will be putting 430hp through mine so unfortunately it's at the expensive end of the scale.

[vaughan watkins]

I have been quoted £1200 for the rebuild at carolina classics this includes a shift kit to liven it up a bit, the same thing from DART was £1500, only benefit of carolina is they offer a free loan car which is handy, only time will tell.

[franv8]

I was looking at a new Art Carr built 4 speed (believe the C3 unit is same/v similar to the TH700R4 fitted to the earlier C4's) - it was a few years ago now, but I think from Real Steel that tranny ran to about £13-1500 all in. It was a beefed up one, when I was in the realm of fantasy supercharging...

Could be worth a look at their catalogue - I think you'll have to order it if you wanted one, suspect there is, as was then, little presence on the Interweb.