Page 1: About Me and My Car

Page 2: My Racing

Page 3: Mods of 2007

Page 4: Mods of 2008 (You Are Here)

Page 5: Mods of 2009

4-30-2008

I have just placed an order some parts from UMI.  The list consists of Adj. Lower Control Arms (LCA), Adj. Panhard Bar (PHB), Lower Control Arm Relocation Brackets (LCARB), and Tie Rod Adjusting Sleeves.  This order just set me back about $350.00

5-21-2008

Ordered even more parts today, but this time they were from Spohn.  This list consists of polyurethane bushings and endlinks for the front and rear (36mm hollor front bar/24mm solid rear bar), tubular subframe connectors (SFC), and some bolts to replace all the rusty stock ones.  This order just set me back about $380.00

6-1-2008

I finished installing the new bushings, bolts, PHB, and LCA.  The car is a lot stiffer so I can only imagine the difference the SFC will make to the car.

9-11-2008

All I have done since the last update is install some Corbeau Forza seats.  I got both seats, sliders, and brackets for $140.  It's a great deal because the seat alone costs $230 each when brand new and the brackets are another $80 a piece, and then then cost of sliders... in other words it was one amazing deal (you have to love Craigslist)!  I also made a friend in the process... the previous owner of the seats owns a KICK ASS '69 Stingray!!  It had a twin turbo 400 SBC putting out about 880 hp on the street tune, and about 1050 hp on the track tune.

The second picture shows a different angle of it in my car.  It sits upright a lot more than my stock seats.  In this case, that isn't good because that gives less headroom, and I need all the headroom I can get since I'm 6'4" and still need room for the helmet.  Fortunatly, I was able to tweak the seat mount so it has a little more angle.

Here are both seats installed in my car now.

I have a new rear end sitting in my garage waiting to be installed.  I currently have a 10-bolt 2.73 limited slip drum brake rear end.  I'll be replacing that with a 9-bolt 3.27 posi disk brake rear.  Here it is in all its glory.  :)

Excuse the other stuff cluttering the picture.  I didn't have much room in the garage at the time this picture was taken.  Fortunatly, I did have the time and room to put some paint on it.  It is now a gloss black with a silver differential cover.  It looks sharp under the car.

I just ordered some more parts (Koni Yellows, Eibach Pro-kit springs, J&M strut mounts, and HAWK brake pads) which set me back about $1300.00.  They will be arriving within a week and I hope to get them installed in the next couple weeks.  After that, all I will need is a STB (strut tower brace) and my suspension is done being modded.  I'm still looking for a 5-point harness that I can use for autocross.  I am also no longer going to be needing the other set of wheels I have for race tires because the race tires aren't allowed in my new class.

11-01-2008

I finally got the Koni Yellows, Eibach Pro-kit, J&M strut mounts, new rear end, and Hawk brake pads (HP+ front/HPS rear) installed.  The new springs actually raised the rear of the vehicle by 1/2" and the front by 1/4".  I took it out for a test drive and HOLY CRAP is it a different vehicle.  Even though I was driving it in the rain and wasn't able to push it as hard as I would have liked, it is a huge difference.  In fact, I pushed a little too hard and ended up merging onto the highway in a drift.  YIKES!!  Fortunatly, I managed to save it and no one was hurt.  Actually, there wasn't even anyone on the highway where I was...

While I was installing the stuff mentioned above I also swapped in a poly tranny mount and torque arm mount.  Turns out, half my tranny mount was MIA, and my torque arm mount looked as thoguh it too had seen better days.  Now I have problems with my shift counsol vibrating.  Oh well, have to accept the good with the bad.

11-04-2008

Anyway it finally dried up and I am even more amazed.  The car barely leans in the turns and the braking is so much better.  I didn't even change my proportioning valve and the rear disks made a world of difference... or is it the aggresive pads?  I found out that my brake fluid resivour is leaking on my new strut mounts.  I have to get that fixed ASAP.

I have purchased an Edelbrock 3pt STB (strut tower brace) #5226 which set me back another $140, so that should be arriving soon.  I can't wait to get it on the car.  Only problem is that I'll have to take off my hood or find a right angle drill.  Hopefully I can get someone to lend me their drill.

I also noticed that I need new gears in my tranny so my speedometer is accurate, and that I have to replace a burnt out brake light.  The work never ends...

11-12-2008

Very little to update.  I fixed the leak of the brake resivoir ($5.99 at autozone) the paint around my drivers side strut mount won't deteriorate any more.  I also fixed the brake light.  I spent yesterday afternoon fiddeling with the settings on my Koni Yellows and found that one complete rotation (360*) is optimum for my current setup.  This will change however, because I still have the SFC, STB, and LCARB to install.  I'm hoping to do this while it is put away for the winter.  *crossing fingers*

I can also finally say with certainty that I have the best handling car at my school.  There was a kid with a BMW Z3 (daddy bought it for him) that kept running his mouth.  We went to a newly developing neighboorhood (only roads... no machinery or houses yet) and did timed laps around it.  Needless to say, I kicked his ass.  The route we followed was a little under half a mile long because we went through some parts twice, and I was 12.86 seconds faster.

11-19-2008

Just purchased an LS1 3" aluminum driveshaft (#4004).  That should arrive on the 25th, but I probably wont install it until I get my car out of storage next Spring.

11-22-2008

I got the driveshaft in the mail today and it all looks good.

Now I'm starting to look into a cost effective brake upgrade.  I'm planning on LS1 brakes but I'm still waiting for a good deal on some calipers and rotors that are still usable.  I can make the hubs and modify the spindle myself so that will save me around $200-$250. However, it seems it is still going to cost around $300 for just the fronts.

12-23-2008

I am beginning to question my choice for the brake upgrade.  I am now considering the C4 HD (ZR1) brakes because I found out they are 10% better then the normal C4 brakes so I can only imagine the gain over my stock junk.  I also found out that over time, lots of heat causes the LS1 calipers to spread which renders the calipers useless... not good since I'll be racing with them.  More reasons for the C4 HD setup is the extra inch in rotor diameter, the stronger caliper, and they still fit under stock 16" wheels.

The first picture shows the 0.5" of clearance bettween the wheel and caliper that I would have.  Just enough...

The second picture shows the style of runners I may be getting.  Only difference is the runners and plenum are polished, and the runners, plenum, and manifold had a ton of porting done.  $200+shipping isn't a bad deal since the runner alone cost over $100 more then what teh guy is asking.

I think I just made up my mind.  I just have to sell my Wii ($300), other 3rd gen Camaro parts ($400) and extra set of wheels ($250).  This should easily pay for the C4 HD setup and intake system with some money to spare.