The new master is great. No complaints, have not had a sticky pedal once since installation.

 

I guess I can scrape something together. Not really been doing much

Been driving it around a bunch. The front ride height is a bit "high" for my taste due to the thick piece of rubber I put between the spring and the control arm to prevent contact. I can probably replace it with something thinner but just as durable to drop it another 1/4" or so.

0819161725 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

1472409268907 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

The cutout butterfly valves have started rattling ever so slightly at a certain RPM (around 1000) on warmup, which is annoying, so I removed them to inspect and figure out how to fix it. It will probably involve a bit more fab so I may leave that to a winter project.

1471655753617 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

If you recall these were V-Banded to the exhaust midpipes, so with those off the car there was a big gaping hole in each pipe. I still wanted to drive the car while the cutouts were removed so I ordered up some flat 1/8" thick, 3" diameter round plates and welded those to some v-band rings to make blockoff plates. Welds aren't pretty but are getting better and don't leak.

1472685638458 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

I painted the "X" in the LSX of the plate frame to give it a bit more contrast.

_DSC5513 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5515 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5520 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

and gave the stainless frame a quick wipedown to bring some shine back.
_DSC5528 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5523 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5534 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5535 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

 

My buddy came over with his recently turbocharged, all original (and definitely patina'd) '92 SE-R for some work. This thing is super cool and spins the fronts pretty well on 7lbs. Trying to convince him to come out to the road course with me.

1472608344587 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

1472606411497 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Speaking of road course, it was definitely time to replace the brake fluid that was probably original.

1472078975613 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

New Motul RBF600 ready to go in.
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Lastly I ordered up some vinyl test samples to try out. Was thinking the Nardo Gray but it just doesn't work. I may stick to something gray, but with much more metallic in it.

0821162103 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

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0821162101a by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

0821162101 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

 

Quick update

Took a ride out to Rochester to pick up two 16" Firebird ABS wheels. I really don't plan on taking this car to the drag strip - but I guess if I ever get serious I can stick a drag radial on them.

1003162108 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

They fit without any modification - extremely close on the spindle but doesn't touch. The ball joint dust caps also cleared. Miles of room on the calipers. They look goofy.

1004161855 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Tiny sized tire (225/60/16) makes for a fun time on the street.
received_10103371545198348 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Installed these as a track-only option - and bedded in on the street.


Amazing braking force when warmed up. but have pretty disappointing cold initial bite. They make a LOT of dust! This is just a few short drives on the street with some aggressive stops/bedding in.

0923161626 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

0925161846 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Took apart the passenger wheel well
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So I could ship this guy out for a tune over at ECS in NJ.
1009161149 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Been running on the stock tune this whole season despite having longtubes, LS6 intake, catless x-pipe, Z06 Ti's, zip tie modded intake, etc. So, hopefully the car shows some gains as a result of the tuning.

 

Very nice car and detailed thread. I like the wheels that were on the car when you bought it, were those factory? Don't see Vettes with them very often. New ones look great as well.

About turning the 1-4 shift light into an actual shift light, does that actually work? And does it work WELL? This is the first time I've heard about this. I would love to do that to my TranAm if it were possible.

 

I feel your pain about the brake dust. I'm running Hawk HP+ pads (came from HPS) daily driven and they coat the wheels pretty easy. Not to mention what they look like after a weekend of autocross.

 

I miss the N73 magnesiums, I shouldn't have sold them. I'm on the look out for another set. Thanks for the compliments.

Yes, it actually works. I think I have it set to 6000 or so. You will need tuning software.

http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/...post1564942105


I couldn't believe how much they dusted in just 1 drive!

 

Wow, I was just about to order those exact pads and rotors. They advertise no very little brake dust.

Should I pass?

EDIT: I see you didn't get their rotors. Maybe the cause?

Edit: I emailed Power stop about those pads. This is what they said.

"Hey Scott! Thanks for the email. The best choice for you would be the z26 street warrior. The only reason I say that and not Trackday is the dust, daily driver and only a few runs on the drag strip. I'm guessing the car isn't to crazy on horse power that's why you can daily the car."

 

I wouldn't run the Track Pads on the street. They dust too heavily. However if you're only looking to use them on the track, like I am, then why not? I don't mind swapping out pads and rotors before and after a track day.

If you're looking for a pad that serves double duty on the street and track then follow their recommendation.

 

With the exception of the rattles, how have the cutouts been working for you? Any issues with the overall system?

 

They are awesome. No binding, no issues, the vacuum system works flawlessly. Really happy with that system. They do rattle, but that can be fixed.

I have a small update on just little things I fixed/cleaned....need to get it off my camera.

Car is in storage for the winter...

 

good work bud!

 

found some pics on my camera from a month or two ago...

Original tail light lenses had seen much wear.

_DSC7559 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

So out they came for some TLC with the polisher.

_DSC7561 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

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_DSC7588 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

I swear this stuff is magical, here are some befores and afters.

_DSC7573 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC7575 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC7578 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Gave it a whirl on the LED 3rd brake light too.

_DSC7572 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr


I built a cabin partition that separates the passenger area from the "trunk" out of MDF and covered it in carpet material. It stops all my stuff from flying around and also reduces the noise from the exhaust/rear tire wells.

_DSC7581 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC7582 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC7586 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Installed a trailer hitch I had bought over the summer

1125162001 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

and had to make sure it worked correctly.

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I am planning on some upgrades to the rear diff over the winter and might change up the exhaust as well. Still keeping the cutouts, might try a new location for them to reduce drone when they're open. We shall see.

 

LOL a C5 pulling a Snowmobile...don't see that every day. Just need snow tires and let 'er rip!

 

What buffer are you using? Where did you get the pads?

 

https://www.amazon.com/PORTER-CABLE-.../dp/B002654I46

https://www.amazon.com/Chemical-Guys...XTYB59VZZN99BR

Best investment ever, fixed so many scuffs and scratches. I plan on a full paint correction when it gets warmer.

 

Thanks for sharing. I'd love to master this. My car needs help lol. Come spring time I'll give it a shot.

 

Great thread! Love the updates you're giving.

 

Started my annual winter project of "take a perfectly good running vehicle and take it apart"

0114171752 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr


Midpipes and exhaust removed. Now on to 36 of these little bastards. Thank god for power tools. Stiffening plate was not as stiff as I imagined it would be.

0115171250a by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Begin the parts pile.

0115171808 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

No pictures of the physical removal of the drivetrain, but it came out pretty easily.

0115171808a by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Note the generous amounts of kitty litter on the ground. Gotta drain diff fluid before dropping assy next time. When the axles get pulled out of the trans, and you wiggle the whole thing side to side, she tends to puke out the oil.

0115171808b by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

It's beyond me how some of this junk ended up on top of the diff, short of being deposited by a critter. All components will get scrubbed before going back in the car.

0115171808c by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Separated the diff/torque tube/trans from the subframe - it's only held together with 2 bolts. The centrally located diff mount does a very poor job of holding a rigid connection between the subframe and drivetrain.

0115171814 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr


I don't want solid mounts in this car so one of these is definitely in my future





So we finally have all this junk

0115171814a by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

0117171935 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr


Tucked away so wife can have her spot back until parts start coming in.

0117172003 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr


The plan right now is an LS7 clutch combo, torque tube rebuild (guibos, bearings), and a 4.10 diff (either send my stocker out or get my hands on a DTE built unit). Anything that doesn't look ok will get replaced with OEM or better parts. I'll probably end up modifying the C6Z06 shifter to have no slop as well - the lower box bushings wear out over time. Already have the Tick clutch MC but I'll replace the slave with a new OEM and throw in a remote bleeder too.


If I really get bored I can investigate the T56 internal centering detents - the 1-2 position snaps back to neutral just fine, but the 5-6 stays put in between those gates unless you snap back to 3-4. The external linkage to the T56 also has some tiny amount of slop in it, but that translates to much more when you multiply by the length of the shifter. I guess I was just spoiled by BMW shifters in the past.

 

I have a new (driven home from the dealer) LS7 clutch if interested in saving a few bucks. Love keeping up with your progress on this thing