The £7700 Corvette C6
Discussion
FelixP said:
I'll be interested to see which seats you go for, I wouldn't mind replacing mine too. Space is a real premium in the C4 as well unfortunately.
Do you think a square wheel/tyre setup will help with the understeer?
Have fun at Le Mans!
Currently thinking of OMP Style seats, a more road biased seats, but at least they allow a 6 point harness. https://www.ompracing.com/en_gb/style-44807.htmlDo you think a square wheel/tyre setup will help with the understeer?
Have fun at Le Mans!
Yes, wider front would help, although the front arch width does restrict things. I'm running a 275 front, and it slightly rubs the brake cooling ducts on the inside at full lock. With a better offset I could run slightly wider fronts. In future, when/if money allows an 18" all round wheel is on the cards, giving more clearance for a big brake kit, but it's a big investment, more than half the total cost of the car!
Daston said:
Awesome read! I was looking at importing a car from the US 10 years ago and doing exactly what you did. Really regret not doing it! Maybe once the kids have grown up a bit I should revisit that itch!
Is there any sites to calculate the VAT etc? How does HMRC work out its value?
Do it, it's a great adventure. Is there any sites to calculate the VAT etc? How does HMRC work out its value?
The rate of import costs are dependant on the age of the car and the invoice value. This guide is very useful: https://www.shipmycar.co.uk/how-much-import-duty-w...
In my case they accepted the invoice value of my car, so it was 10% duty plus 20% VAT. I get the feeling they will accept the invoice value as long as it appears fair.
minipower said:
Really good thread and very interesting re Florida shipping address for importing parts.
For seats, take a look at Corbeau Evolution Xs as they seem a very popular install for Vettes. Comfortable and from the ones I have seen, do not look out of place in the car.
Thanks, yes, I really like the look of these seats, perfect proportions for the C6, but they have fixed backs and I'd need to import them. I've never had experience of vinyl seats, not sure if they'd be sweaty?For seats, take a look at Corbeau Evolution Xs as they seem a very popular install for Vettes. Comfortable and from the ones I have seen, do not look out of place in the car.
Thanks all for the compliments above, it's what encourages me to carry on rambling.
). Let me know if you book the 4th, I'll try to get along, although am racing in the Spa 3 Hours the weekend before so money might be tight. I don't think the sprint times will worry you too much 
.
MrNoisy said:
Dave,
I have Corbeau A4’s in mine (with harness and sharkbar) and they transform the car on track. Will try to get some pics of my install - of note, they are in opposite sides as intended which makes no difference but allows easier fitment.
My Wilwood aero 6 race kit just turned up and is getting fitted next week(by me) hopefully, life/time permitting! You’re right, stock brakes even upgraded don’t last. I’m hoping these with a spindle duct kit will stop me having to do so much brake management.
It has been a pretty intense first half the year but hoping to get the Vette out a bit more now, tentatively aiming to go Snett on 04th July for a new brake shakedown. Having seen your sprint times it looks like I need the practice
I've read about the A4's, they look good too. The Aero6 looks well priced, just a shame that all caliper upgrades seem to require new wheels, massively adding to the cost (plus the bling, chrome ones have grown on me I have Corbeau A4’s in mine (with harness and sharkbar) and they transform the car on track. Will try to get some pics of my install - of note, they are in opposite sides as intended which makes no difference but allows easier fitment.
My Wilwood aero 6 race kit just turned up and is getting fitted next week(by me) hopefully, life/time permitting! You’re right, stock brakes even upgraded don’t last. I’m hoping these with a spindle duct kit will stop me having to do so much brake management.
It has been a pretty intense first half the year but hoping to get the Vette out a bit more now, tentatively aiming to go Snett on 04th July for a new brake shakedown. Having seen your sprint times it looks like I need the practice
). Let me know if you book the 4th, I'll try to get along, although am racing in the Spa 3 Hours the weekend before so money might be tight. I don't think the sprint times will worry you too much .Back from Le Mans, our first time there. Why have we not been before?! Well, stories of drunken louts, Brit hating Gendarmes, cost and my wifes aversion to tents are the main reasons. Having the Corvette and this being the last year we'll see a C7 were good enough reasons to make the effort to go. At first we booked a chalet about 20 miles away, but then we heard of the Corvette Corral and through Facebook made enquiries. Gerrard and his wife have been arranging this for many years and whilst the location has changed, the spirit of bringing together Corvette owners from all over the world in a safe, secure camping area has remained. £320 was a bargain for the two of us, including most food and drink, plus the camping pitch, tv, security, clean, warm showers and loos.
The journey was a pleasure on Thursday, we used the Newhaven to Dieppe crossing and would do so again, avoiding the autoroutes, therefore no tolls, no police but plenty of views and pretty French villages.
Good to leave rainy England behind.
I was tempted to order the Milf
The site was about a 15 minute walk from the track, in the technopark, just far enough away from the action. Thankfully it was fine weather, with light wind, as the ground was too hard for tent pegs!
Once set up we walked to the grandstand for qually 2. Thankfully we brought earplugs (wimps!), loved the rumble the C7's and AM Vantage made.
The plan for Friday was to get to the circuit in good time to queue for the pit opening at 10am and try to say hello to Darren Turner. Only they didn't open the pit lane to us non-VIP until 10:30.
He and the other drivers had to leave for the PH camp by then, ah well. Still, once in we had a good look up and down the pit garages in relative peace, although it certainly got busier.
We loitered around the Corvette garages, watching the mechanics do their work, noticing various guests walk through the crowd tape. I chatted to a lady who was letting guests through and politely asked if it were possible to get closer to take a photo and see the cars up close. She rightly said that it was going to be busy but would see if it were possible.
Jan Magnussen and Oliver Gavin were chatting to guests, but every so often the lady looked our way and smiled, showing we hadn't been forgotten. An hour passed, my wife showing great patience, but I thought we've waited this long....
By then Darren Turner had returned and was in the window above the Aston garage next door. I gave him a call and exchanged waves, at this very moment Oliver Gavin walked over to us and said he was happy to show us his car! He noticed I was talking to DT and asked to take my phone, the two of them chatted, along with the traditional LM two fingers up. It was a very cool moment and didn't go unnoticed by the ten deep crowd, what a privilege!
It turns out that the kind blonde lady who had helped arrange this for us was non other than Mrs Gavin!
He talked about the car, qually, tyres, BOP, general racing stuff. We thanked him for his time, took a few more photos of both cars and left the garages, what a thrill.
Back at the Corvette Corral for lunch and being as the site is part shared and subsidised by GM we were then visited by the drivers of car 64, Marcel Fassler, Tommy Milner and Oliver Gavin. We had a talk from all three, a chance to chat to them and get autographs (they kindly signed my hat and book) and also heard from Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. VP, Performance and Motorsports.
Toyota Gazoo Racing were just over the fence, with a constant stream of Supra coming and going, they look good to my eye.
A few of the Corvette that had travelled from across Europe. On Saturday morning I visited the car wash up the road.
Grandstand seats (T5 Dunlop) had been bought from a PHer who couldn't attend, pretty good viewing, although lower than the wire.
Beth wasn't feeling so good so we headed back to camp after a couple of hours, the crowds were crazy, almost impossible to move through the tunnels and pinch points around the village. Exciting to see both C7s had improved on their qualifying position, with the 63 in the lead for much of the time.
More Corvette had turned up, as had a load of American visitors as part of an NCM (National Corvette Museum) organised tour, they were very pleasant to chat to. Hog roast dinner, yum.
|https://thumbsnap.com/zI9ABWKc[/url]
Darkness (and the cold) had descended, so myself and the presidents of the Swiss Corvette Club (Peter) and New Zealand Corvette Club (Donna) headed back to the track to watch from various vantage points, both were great company. By this stage the 64 car had retired some hours before, having collided with a 911 (to loud groans from the Corvette tent, watching the race on TV).
Apologies that I have neither the skills or the camera to capture the action that well.
A decent nights sleep with ear plugs and after breakfast we packed up the tent and with Beth feeling better we went back to the track to watch between the Porsche Curves and start straight.
At this point we were in 2nd place, separated by a safety car but on the lead lap. Sadly it was the last time it would be so high with this spin on cold tyres after the safety car re-start. Limping back it had a stint in the garage, losing laps as a result.
We had booked the return ferry months before and knew we would have to miss the end of the race. A shame, but it meant that we had an easy drive back, with a few other Brits making the same decision.
It was a warm day, but not this warm! Clearly there is an iffy temperature sensor that needs investigating.
We were home by 1am, that's another 1000 miles under its wheels done. An excellent trip, the best large race event I've been to and with some unique memories.
[url]
The journey was a pleasure on Thursday, we used the Newhaven to Dieppe crossing and would do so again, avoiding the autoroutes, therefore no tolls, no police but plenty of views and pretty French villages.
Good to leave rainy England behind.
I was tempted to order the Milf
The site was about a 15 minute walk from the track, in the technopark, just far enough away from the action. Thankfully it was fine weather, with light wind, as the ground was too hard for tent pegs!
Once set up we walked to the grandstand for qually 2. Thankfully we brought earplugs (wimps!), loved the rumble the C7's and AM Vantage made.
The plan for Friday was to get to the circuit in good time to queue for the pit opening at 10am and try to say hello to Darren Turner. Only they didn't open the pit lane to us non-VIP until 10:30.
He and the other drivers had to leave for the PH camp by then, ah well. Still, once in we had a good look up and down the pit garages in relative peace, although it certainly got busier.
We loitered around the Corvette garages, watching the mechanics do their work, noticing various guests walk through the crowd tape. I chatted to a lady who was letting guests through and politely asked if it were possible to get closer to take a photo and see the cars up close. She rightly said that it was going to be busy but would see if it were possible.
Jan Magnussen and Oliver Gavin were chatting to guests, but every so often the lady looked our way and smiled, showing we hadn't been forgotten. An hour passed, my wife showing great patience, but I thought we've waited this long....
By then Darren Turner had returned and was in the window above the Aston garage next door. I gave him a call and exchanged waves, at this very moment Oliver Gavin walked over to us and said he was happy to show us his car! He noticed I was talking to DT and asked to take my phone, the two of them chatted, along with the traditional LM two fingers up. It was a very cool moment and didn't go unnoticed by the ten deep crowd, what a privilege!
It turns out that the kind blonde lady who had helped arrange this for us was non other than Mrs Gavin!
He talked about the car, qually, tyres, BOP, general racing stuff. We thanked him for his time, took a few more photos of both cars and left the garages, what a thrill.
Back at the Corvette Corral for lunch and being as the site is part shared and subsidised by GM we were then visited by the drivers of car 64, Marcel Fassler, Tommy Milner and Oliver Gavin. We had a talk from all three, a chance to chat to them and get autographs (they kindly signed my hat and book) and also heard from Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. VP, Performance and Motorsports.
Toyota Gazoo Racing were just over the fence, with a constant stream of Supra coming and going, they look good to my eye.
A few of the Corvette that had travelled from across Europe. On Saturday morning I visited the car wash up the road.
Grandstand seats (T5 Dunlop) had been bought from a PHer who couldn't attend, pretty good viewing, although lower than the wire.
Beth wasn't feeling so good so we headed back to camp after a couple of hours, the crowds were crazy, almost impossible to move through the tunnels and pinch points around the village. Exciting to see both C7s had improved on their qualifying position, with the 63 in the lead for much of the time.
More Corvette had turned up, as had a load of American visitors as part of an NCM (National Corvette Museum) organised tour, they were very pleasant to chat to. Hog roast dinner, yum.
|https://thumbsnap.com/zI9ABWKc[/url]Darkness (and the cold) had descended, so myself and the presidents of the Swiss Corvette Club (Peter) and New Zealand Corvette Club (Donna) headed back to the track to watch from various vantage points, both were great company. By this stage the 64 car had retired some hours before, having collided with a 911 (to loud groans from the Corvette tent, watching the race on TV).
Apologies that I have neither the skills or the camera to capture the action that well.
A decent nights sleep with ear plugs and after breakfast we packed up the tent and with Beth feeling better we went back to the track to watch between the Porsche Curves and start straight.
At this point we were in 2nd place, separated by a safety car but on the lead lap. Sadly it was the last time it would be so high with this spin on cold tyres after the safety car re-start. Limping back it had a stint in the garage, losing laps as a result.
We had booked the return ferry months before and knew we would have to miss the end of the race. A shame, but it meant that we had an easy drive back, with a few other Brits making the same decision.
It was a warm day, but not this warm! Clearly there is an iffy temperature sensor that needs investigating.
We were home by 1am, that's another 1000 miles under its wheels done. An excellent trip, the best large race event I've been to and with some unique memories.
[url]Edited by Fishy Dave on Tuesday 18th June 14:30
On a separate note I've ordered a seat, just the one to check if it fits. I've gone for an 'OMP Style', it's cloth, adjustable for angle, allows the standard 3 point and a 6 point, looks half decent and was well priced from Demon Tweeks. It won't be light, but as long as its comfortable and holds me in place better than the standard seat I'll be happy.
https://www.ompracing.com/en_gb/style-44807.html
https://www.demon-tweeks.com/uk/omp-style-seat-omp...
https://www.ompracing.com/en_gb/style-44807.html
https://www.demon-tweeks.com/uk/omp-style-seat-omp...
Geekman said:
What a great thread: thoroughly enjoyed reading that.
One question - you mention in the OP that "Ivan, a Californian friend we met in 2016 was a huge help in arranging the car insurance through Geico."
Very interested in this as I've been considering buying a car in the US for a while, but assumed insurance and registration would be a huge issue. Were Geico happy to insure you on it for a temporary period, despite you not being a US resident and not having a US address? Also, how did you deal with the registration - I assumed, perhaps wrongly, that when buying a car, you'd have to go to the DMV to switch it into your name, which wouldn't be possible as you're not a US citizen. Did you just leave it in the name of the previous owner or was there a different process to go through?
I'll probably get this wrong and contradict what I've previously typed, but here goes....One question - you mention in the OP that "Ivan, a Californian friend we met in 2016 was a huge help in arranging the car insurance through Geico."
Very interested in this as I've been considering buying a car in the US for a while, but assumed insurance and registration would be a huge issue. Were Geico happy to insure you on it for a temporary period, despite you not being a US resident and not having a US address? Also, how did you deal with the registration - I assumed, perhaps wrongly, that when buying a car, you'd have to go to the DMV to switch it into your name, which wouldn't be possible as you're not a US citizen. Did you just leave it in the name of the previous owner or was there a different process to go through?
It seems that each state is different, with some being very difficult for non residents, others, like California are easier, perhaps as they are more used to non-nationals living and working there. In advance of collection I arranged my insurance with Geico through a combination of online, email, live chat and one phone call. Geico were easy to deal with, helpful even and the situation didn't seem to faze them. You don't need to have a social security number, I gave the address of my friend as where I was staying (not living) and took out an annual policy with breakdown cover, paid in instalments on a credit card. They took down my UK address and I emailed my passport, UK licence and International driving permit.
On the day of collection we filled out their equivalent of the V5/sales invoice, with one copy going to the US keeper and one to me. You have to re-register, smog and pay any due taxes within 14 days, but we dropped the car off to the shipping agent within 10. I cancelled insurance after a couple of months and got a part refund.
I'm a law abiding citizen and fortunately had no problems at all, but am aware that someone with a greater local knowledge may say that what I did was incorrect? However, short of being a resident I'm not sure I could have done much more, other than putting the car put on a transporter, but it wouldn't have made for a very interesting road trip! Would we have been in trouble in the event of an accident? Not sure, but I would certainly do the same again, in fact we have talked about buying a C7 after they are ten years old.
Schmeeky said:
Great write up of LM2019! Great memories, esp. getting to see behind the scenes a bit!!
Interesting bunch of cars on the ferry - what were the two you were parked behind?
Thanks Interesting bunch of cars on the ferry - what were the two you were parked behind?
Fishy Dave said:
I'm pretty sure the car immediately in front is an Alvis, however, the very old thing in front of that I have no idea. I should know, but anything pre 60's tends to go under my radar. The first OMP Style was tentatively lowered into position yesterday.
The good news is that the OMP sliding rails fit the cheap ebay subframes I've had for the last 6 months. Also the seat proportions are far better suited to the C6 and it will allow me to retain both the standard 3 point belt and also fit a 6 point harness.
The bad news is that I sit a little higher than in the standard seat. Where the seat has a dial on both sides to adjust the angle, the one against the centre tunnel is preventing the seat sliding back enough, so the angle grinder may need to make an appearance! I may see how this feels for a few days, if I'm too high I will have to lose the rails.
The seats fit my proportions well (6', long back, slim to medium build), the base bolsters are very small and won't offer much lateral support, but with the harness and grippy cloth it should be enough. I've angled the seat base up a bit with spacers as it's very flat, maybe my arse will give it more of a contour in time?
The good news is that the OMP sliding rails fit the cheap ebay subframes I've had for the last 6 months. Also the seat proportions are far better suited to the C6 and it will allow me to retain both the standard 3 point belt and also fit a 6 point harness.
The bad news is that I sit a little higher than in the standard seat. Where the seat has a dial on both sides to adjust the angle, the one against the centre tunnel is preventing the seat sliding back enough, so the angle grinder may need to make an appearance! I may see how this feels for a few days, if I'm too high I will have to lose the rails.
The seats fit my proportions well (6', long back, slim to medium build), the base bolsters are very small and won't offer much lateral support, but with the harness and grippy cloth it should be enough. I've angled the seat base up a bit with spacers as it's very flat, maybe my arse will give it more of a contour in time?
Edited by Fishy Dave on Monday 8th July 13:55
I know it's been warm recently, but this is ridiculous! 
A new external temperature sensor was ordered and fitted, only a few pounds and I now have the correct display and can switch off the A/C. Guessing that it was permanently on to prevent me from certain death had it actually been as hot as displayed?
My wife followed me back from a friends and noticed the rear lights doing odd things, right side brake lights switching off when indicating right for example. Removing the rear I found that the load resistors had become very hot, broken free of the fixings (cable ties, stupid boy!) and then proceeded to melt a small part of the polystyrene bumper and shorted a couple of wires. I was lucky to avoid a fire. So, rewiring commenced, but this fault remained. I had some great advice from the seller of the blinker splitter https://cartown.se/index.php?route=product/product... I tried various things, but the fault remained. I had a spare (2nd hand) US lighting loom, so tried this and it worked perfectly, as it did in America, so at least I knew the BCM was ok.
After hours of re-wiring I still had the same fault! I found another company making a neat looking wiring solution, delivery was made in just two days as well, at half the total price of the blinker, much smaller and lighter too. splitter. http://www.elektronikbox.de/rearlight_C_uk.html
I wired this in and it cured the odd brake behaviour but I couldn't fix the indicators hyper flashing with 2, 3 and 6 ohms resistors. The instructions say to add resistors to the outputs, but after wasting almost a whole weekend on this I tried the input channels and a 3 ohm 100 watt resistor on each got everything working perfectly. This time I riveted the resistors to the metal bumper to help as a heat sink.
Finally I upgraded the front switchback bulbs to these new ones, they are super bright.
Time to do some driving!
A new external temperature sensor was ordered and fitted, only a few pounds and I now have the correct display and can switch off the A/C. Guessing that it was permanently on to prevent me from certain death had it actually been as hot as displayed?
My wife followed me back from a friends and noticed the rear lights doing odd things, right side brake lights switching off when indicating right for example. Removing the rear I found that the load resistors had become very hot, broken free of the fixings (cable ties, stupid boy!) and then proceeded to melt a small part of the polystyrene bumper and shorted a couple of wires. I was lucky to avoid a fire. So, rewiring commenced, but this fault remained. I had some great advice from the seller of the blinker splitter https://cartown.se/index.php?route=product/product... I tried various things, but the fault remained. I had a spare (2nd hand) US lighting loom, so tried this and it worked perfectly, as it did in America, so at least I knew the BCM was ok.
After hours of re-wiring I still had the same fault!
I found another company making a neat looking wiring solution, delivery was made in just two days as well, at half the total price of the blinker, much smaller and lighter too. splitter. http://www.elektronikbox.de/rearlight_C_uk.htmlI wired this in and it cured the odd brake behaviour but I couldn't fix the indicators hyper flashing with 2, 3 and 6 ohms resistors. The instructions say to add resistors to the outputs, but after wasting almost a whole weekend on this I tried the input channels and a 3 ohm 100 watt resistor on each got everything working perfectly. This time I riveted the resistors to the metal bumper to help as a heat sink.
Finally I upgraded the front switchback bulbs to these new ones, they are super bright.
Time to do some driving!
For someone thinking of their own Corvette adventure dive in and buy this quick! Slightly higher miles than mine was but other than that it's the exact spec as mine. If I had the money I would buy this car as well and have a sister car dedicated to track days and racing.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c6-corvettes-...
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c6-corvettes-...
Not if you'd seen the ladies serving! 
pistolpete12 said:
Brilliant thread, just read the whole way through
great way to start an early shift.
Car looks awesome, as i got further through i thought i recognized the car.
I run in the Jap sprint series, but i also ran Anglesey Javelin series. So i can also say it sounds awesome too (we were in the rx8)
Keep up the great work!!
Thank you, was good to chat to you guys at Anglesey, you just beat me too! great way to start an early shift.
Car looks awesome, as i got further through i thought i recognized the car.
I run in the Jap sprint series, but i also ran Anglesey Javelin series. So i can also say it sounds awesome too (we were in the rx8)
Keep up the great work!!
The summer has been kind to us in the South West so far, plenty of driving in the Vette as a result, including a trip through South Wales. I'm likely to take it on track at Castle Combe this coming Monday for a short session.
Since Snetterton earlier in the year I've had a recurring power steering fluid leak from where the sensor and sensor wires enter the rack. It's most likely caused by age, heat and pressure from using it on track. It's a non-serviceable part and it's not unusual for them to leak here apparently. To get to the rack is a pain, having to remove the mono leaf spring, to remove the rack is many hours of work. So far a repair with metal putty lasted a short time and then failed and I suspect a recent fix with quick drying epoxy may have also gone the same way, unless the drips are residual fluid finding there way to the ground.
The fluid gets so hot on track that it actually bubbles and boils after a trackday session! My base car doesn't come with a cooler and whilst I could have bought a second hand item for not much more than $40 plus shipping I decided to go for a small Mocal oil cooler instead. The cooler, hose, angles and mounts were £140 from Merlin Motorsport. It lines up nicely with the thread subframe holes that held the standard figure of 8 alloy tube.
The reversing lights were starting to become a bit intermittent, not worth messing around trying to get an old switch working, so a new one was fitted to the gearbox, a very easy job.
A quick check to see how the silicone tape I'd applied to the ball joints was working out, perfect so far. No grease leaking out and it has taken the heat from the discs well, a good fix.
An easy modification used by some owners from the southern states is to remove the weather strip from the trailing edge of the engine bay/bonnet. It just allows a small exit for hot air to escape the engine bay when in traffic. I will keep an eye on temps and perhaps add the rubber strip back on for the cooler/wetter months.
I sold my used set of Hankook road tyres to a fellow C6 owner, he also brought his over from the States and apparently used some of the info on here to convert his car to UK lighting. He went a slightly different way at the back end by going for LED tail light units, an EU loom and re-programming the BCM into Japanese region. As I am still experiencing rear lighting niggles I may look to do this myself, unless I can fix a momentary flash of the indicators when braking! A replacement EU-C unit from the ever helpful Axel Joost hasn't cured this sadly. I need to find someone with a three channel Oscilloscope to take some readings.....
Since Snetterton earlier in the year I've had a recurring power steering fluid leak from where the sensor and sensor wires enter the rack. It's most likely caused by age, heat and pressure from using it on track. It's a non-serviceable part and it's not unusual for them to leak here apparently. To get to the rack is a pain, having to remove the mono leaf spring, to remove the rack is many hours of work. So far a repair with metal putty lasted a short time and then failed and I suspect a recent fix with quick drying epoxy may have also gone the same way, unless the drips are residual fluid finding there way to the ground.
The fluid gets so hot on track that it actually bubbles and boils after a trackday session! My base car doesn't come with a cooler and whilst I could have bought a second hand item for not much more than $40 plus shipping I decided to go for a small Mocal oil cooler instead. The cooler, hose, angles and mounts were £140 from Merlin Motorsport. It lines up nicely with the thread subframe holes that held the standard figure of 8 alloy tube.
The reversing lights were starting to become a bit intermittent, not worth messing around trying to get an old switch working, so a new one was fitted to the gearbox, a very easy job.
A quick check to see how the silicone tape I'd applied to the ball joints was working out, perfect so far. No grease leaking out and it has taken the heat from the discs well, a good fix.
An easy modification used by some owners from the southern states is to remove the weather strip from the trailing edge of the engine bay/bonnet. It just allows a small exit for hot air to escape the engine bay when in traffic. I will keep an eye on temps and perhaps add the rubber strip back on for the cooler/wetter months.
I sold my used set of Hankook road tyres to a fellow C6 owner, he also brought his over from the States and apparently used some of the info on here to convert his car to UK lighting. He went a slightly different way at the back end by going for LED tail light units, an EU loom and re-programming the BCM into Japanese region. As I am still experiencing rear lighting niggles I may look to do this myself, unless I can fix a momentary flash of the indicators when braking! A replacement EU-C unit from the ever helpful Axel Joost hasn't cured this sadly. I need to find someone with a three channel Oscilloscope to take some readings.....
99t said:
Great thread and a lovely car
Silly question though, isn't that seal you've removed to keep heat and engine bay fumes out of the HVAC system, the inlet to which appears to be just to the rear of the seal?
Thanks, yes, you could well be right there. The smell in the cabin hasn't changed so far, although granted CO doesn't smell Silly question though, isn't that seal you've removed to keep heat and engine bay fumes out of the HVAC system, the inlet to which appears to be just to the rear of the seal?
As I live in a sleepy village I'm conscious that not all my neighbours appreciate the rumblings on an LS2 in the morning, but nor would I want to lose it either. From 2008 onwards Corvettes were available with factory option code 'NPP' which is a vacuum operated exhaust with valves that would close below about 3000rpm and open up for more volume and power (+6hp). The 2008 NPP only happens to have the same sized pipes for fitting onto my 2007 model. A pair came up for $225 in the States, so I bought these together with an 'NPP in a box', giving me the vaccuum lines and importantly an electronic box with remote controls so you can choose between the two modes. Fitting the vacuum hoses, 12v feed and box took a couple of hours only, it was a bit fiddly opening up the port on the back of the inlet manifold but the Dremel helped.
When the back boxes arrived I was disappointed to see that the owner had chopped off the connecting pipes, requiring a trip to Infinity Exhausts for a bit of welding and fettling.
Giving one of the backboxes a shake revealed something loose inside, but we proceeded anyway. The end result works well, much quieter with the valves close and a similar volume to the Flowmasters I'd removed; the burble on over-run remains.
You can see the mechanism here and also how each pipe varies in sootiness, time for a polish.
I tried to fit the OMP 'Style' seat directly on the subframe so I could sit lower, but access to the rear bolts and harness eye bolts proved impossible, so for now I will tolerate being too high, but at least I am far better restrained.
My wife wanted a battery for her horse electric fence, the perfect excuse for an upgrade! I had a £45 Yuasa 18aH battery spare from my previous E30 race car, so thought I'd give it a go, although on paper it is too weak for the job. The measurements were a good match for a Powerlite Lithium battery, so bought just the cage for now. It saves a good 10kg of weight, every bit helps in a car weighing 1470.
So far everyone's happy, it starts the Corvette cleanly and has sat for a few days without issue, whilst the 'Vettes old battery is sufficiently strong that it's keeping the horse where it should be!
Friends were attending a BHP trackday at Castle Combe on Monday, so I went along for the day but only paid for an hour, with funds a little tighter after buying all these parts. Driving to the track the front left tyre pressure sensor decided that was the moment to run out of battery life, the result being a 55mph top speed and no ability to influence the active handling. Back home I went for a new sensor, them off to Kwik Fit Chippenham, where a good guy called James swapped them over.
Back to Castle Combe and the static noise test at 3500rpm was 98dB and I had no issues on the day running with the valves open. At some stage I will open the backboxes up to have a loose baffle/stone removed as the rattle at start up and part throttle is embarrassing.
Video here:
Great fun trying to keep up with my friend Toms modified Z4M. Pleased with the handling balance of the Corvette this time, I used slightly higher tyre pressures this time, 37 front, 35 rear. The seat and harness combo was a big improvement too.
When the back boxes arrived I was disappointed to see that the owner had chopped off the connecting pipes, requiring a trip to Infinity Exhausts for a bit of welding and fettling.
Giving one of the backboxes a shake revealed something loose inside, but we proceeded anyway. The end result works well, much quieter with the valves close and a similar volume to the Flowmasters I'd removed; the burble on over-run remains.
You can see the mechanism here and also how each pipe varies in sootiness, time for a polish.
I tried to fit the OMP 'Style' seat directly on the subframe so I could sit lower, but access to the rear bolts and harness eye bolts proved impossible, so for now I will tolerate being too high, but at least I am far better restrained.
My wife wanted a battery for her horse electric fence, the perfect excuse for an upgrade! I had a £45 Yuasa 18aH battery spare from my previous E30 race car, so thought I'd give it a go, although on paper it is too weak for the job. The measurements were a good match for a Powerlite Lithium battery, so bought just the cage for now. It saves a good 10kg of weight, every bit helps in a car weighing 1470.
So far everyone's happy, it starts the Corvette cleanly and has sat for a few days without issue, whilst the 'Vettes old battery is sufficiently strong that it's keeping the horse where it should be!
Friends were attending a BHP trackday at Castle Combe on Monday, so I went along for the day but only paid for an hour, with funds a little tighter after buying all these parts. Driving to the track the front left tyre pressure sensor decided that was the moment to run out of battery life, the result being a 55mph top speed and no ability to influence the active handling. Back home I went for a new sensor, them off to Kwik Fit Chippenham, where a good guy called James swapped them over.
Back to Castle Combe and the static noise test at 3500rpm was 98dB and I had no issues on the day running with the valves open. At some stage I will open the backboxes up to have a loose baffle/stone removed as the rattle at start up and part throttle is embarrassing.
Video here:
Great fun trying to keep up with my friend Toms modified Z4M. Pleased with the handling balance of the Corvette this time, I used slightly higher tyre pressures this time, 37 front, 35 rear. The seat and harness combo was a big improvement too.
Edited by Fishy Dave on Thursday 11th June 17:27
I've had to admit defeat on fixing the power steering leak and have ordered a reconditioned rack and a new, custom built pump from https://www.turnone-steering.com/ Not cheap but the company seems to have the best reputation and the alloy pump saves a bit of weight too. They will increase the pressure of the pump to 1800psi which they say will give me a 'reserve' of power for quick applications of lock when on track, on sticky tyres.
It will take about four weeks for them to put this order together, then I'll have to wait for a bit for it to be shipped from the States. In the mean time it's not stopping me drive the Corvette most days, it just leaves a drip of fluid whenever I park.
Just a random photo of the car parked in my village. The rake is set correctly for track use but it always makes the back look too high.
It will take about four weeks for them to put this order together, then I'll have to wait for a bit for it to be shipped from the States. In the mean time it's not stopping me drive the Corvette most days, it just leaves a drip of fluid whenever I park.
Just a random photo of the car parked in my village. The rake is set correctly for track use but it always makes the back look too high.
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