Team Heatseeker has been formed in Winter of '08 and its goal is to participate in the 3rd season of the Legendary Bullrun Rally.
A brief history of this car:
Although it is not a production WS6, it features all the correct SLP components that a '96 or '97 WS6 would have- such as the hood, intake box, rims, badging and exhaust. The car was modded by it's previous owner, who in '96, worked at a GM dealership wanted a WS6, but did not want to go out and buy one, so he cloned one. At the time, these parts were available only for production WS6's with VIN verification. He got a VIN of a 'real' WS6, called SLP gave them a creative line and aquired the parts and had the conversion done at the dealership- wich later contributed to him loosing his job. Externally, the car is identical to a factory delivered '96 WS6- and even now with all it's mods. I am still using the WS6 exhaust tips to keep the 'stock' look- that's where 'stock' ends with this car.
Want some?.... Come get some!
Track Events:
I've been tracking this car at Road America, located in Elkhart Lake, WI since July of 1997. www.RoadAmerica.com It is North America's longest road course at just over 4 miles and having 14 turns. You'll find that most pics were taken at that racetrack during event weekends.
In 2000 I participated in a Concours De'Elegance during the Merrill Lynch/ Brian Redman Internationational Challenge In Elkhart Lake where it did very well. Took a week tearing the car down and cleaning every inch of it in preperation for the judges to go over it with white gloves.
Automotive Accomplishments:
In 1999, I founded a high-speed/non-competitive event at Road America for my club, the Midwest F-Body Association. Our 1st event was in April of 2000 and now the event is going into its 9th year running. The event as well as many of its participants enjoy multi-year coverage in fine magazines such as 'Popular Hotrodding' and 'Speed, Style & Sound'.
Magazine Coverage:
This Trans Am was in the September issue of "Popular Hotrodding Magazine". The 5 page article is titled "The Greatful Red", and looks at 4 red road-race/auto-X modified sports cars. The other 3 cars featured in the article are a '00 Cobra R, '02 Z06 and a Viper GTS. The photoshoot was done at Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI in April '03. It was a pleasure and a privilege bieng in the company with those fine cars.
Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour:
The car has been on the Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour 5 times. 1997, 1998, 2004, 2005 & 2008.
During the Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour in 2004 while parked in front of the Comp Cams tent at the Arlington Heights, IL stop it was filmed briefly on the TLC show "Rides". The car can be seen in the background towards the end of the episode with Christopher Titus's Chip Foose-built 1956 Chevy right in front of it. I was totally unaware of the taping until I saw my car on TV.
During the 2005 Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour which began in Milwaukee, WI (My hometown). Vic Edelbrock Jr autographed the car while in Nashville, TN.
Making the car do some 'leaning' at Road America
To the above left is the stock K-Member and to the right is the new BMR K-Member. It is lighter and frees up alot of space with its tube design vs the stamped steel factory design. Plug & wire changes are now under an hour.
Detailed Mods Listing:
Suspension:
- Eibach Sportline Lowering Springs
- BMR 3/4" tubular K-Member w/ integrated motor mounts (See Pic Above)
- Custom tunnel brace
- KYB Shocks & Struts
- Spohn double adjustable panhard rod
- Edelbrock rear lower control arms & relocating brackets
- TPIS 3 1/2" aluminum driveshaft
- Alston Chasis strut tower brace
- Energy Suspension transmission mount
- PST 1 1/2" front anti-sway bar
- PST 1" rear anti-sway bar
- PST Polygraphite front-end Polygraphite bushing kit
- Kenny Brown double diamond subframe
connectors
Overhead shot of some of the mods
EXHAUST:
- Edelbrock ceramic Jet-Hot coated headers with Y-pipe
- Mufflex custom 3 1/2" intermediate pipe
- High-Flo cat
- High-Flo muffler
MOTOR/ DRIVELINE:
- TPIS/AFR Stage III heads (See Pic & Info Below)
- K&N filter
- Edelbrock 52mm throttlebody
- Comp Cams CC305 camshaft
- Comp Cams hardened pushrods
- Crane Cams Gold Race Series 1.6 roller rockers (See Pic & Info Below)
- 30# SVO injectors
- TPIS Adjustable fuel pressure regulator
- Ported & polished intake manifold
- PCMFORLESS programming
- 160 deg t-stat
- Accel 9000 plug wires
- NGK TR55 spark plugs
- MSD A6L Ignition w/ adaptor
- MSD coil
- A/C completely removed- Never used it anyways!
- 1LE A/C Delete pully
- 3200rpm 10.5" Custom built stall
- GM/Richmond 3.73:1 rear gearing
- T/A rear differential cover
- Custom built manual valvebody 700R4 transmission
- B&M trnasmission cooler
TIRES & BRAKES:
- Custom Painted Gunmetal ZR1 17x9.5" front and 17x11" rear wheels
- Nitto NT05 275/40/17's & 315/35/17's
- Hawk HP pads - C5 Corvette Z06 front brakes w/ Doug Rippie Motorsports upgrade kit - UMI Corvette brake adapter brackets - Earls stainless steel brake line kit
- Pics coming soon of brake cooling ducts
C5 Z06 Calipers with Doug Rippie upgrades. Custom painted Gunmetal ZR1 wheels
AFR/TPIS Cylinder Heads-this joint venture between TPIS and Air flow will produce more torque and high end RPM power, than we could get out of our old air flow castings. These take advantage of the heavy duty AFR casting and our perfected CNC port design. They have 2.02 intake and 1.65 exhaust valve, .600 lift springs, Titainium retainers and guide plates.
Crane Cams Gold Race "Self Aligning" (Extruded Narrow Body). 1.6 Roller Rocker. Made from heat treated, extruded aluminum billet bar stock for ultimate strength. Needle bearing fulcrum and roller tip for maximum friction reduction. Improves response, increases HP and RPM, lowers oil temp.
Page 2- Parts & Mods
Page 3- Parts & Mods
Page 4- Track Events
Page 5- Shows & Hanging out
