Thanks for the pics. The widebody BMW is gorgeous.

I've been having some trans overheating / running warm issues with the Allison in my truck.

So I ordered an aftermarket transmission cooler that bolts to the OEM lines - its a Setrab unit from Ingleside Transmissions in CA. I got it today (one week shipping from CA to NC) - and got it installed.

I got everything buttoned up and went for a quick 15 mile drive and it never went over 175*.

I need to drive it more to see how much it cools it down.

Now for the pics:

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2932/...b7362518_b.jpg
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https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5507/...fedce5b0_b.jpg
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So I lowered my C6 on a set of a coilovers - and then added a set of ZR1 side skirts and front splitter - so this made ground clearance even more of a problem to deal with.

I have had a set of Race Ramps for a long time - and still use them to do oil changes, tightening down swaybars, etc - and with the lowered Vette - I couldn't use them anymore as the front splitter would beach itself on the front part of the ramp and wouldn't let you pull the car up.

I did some research and found that they sell a set of extenders that decreases the angle of approach and allows you to get up on the ramps.

Yes - the front lip hits the wheel stoppers at the end - but now I can at least drive up on them - and then get a jack under the car and lift it up a ton easier then having to jack up one side of the car, jack up the front, move the other jack - just making a huge PITA.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3917/...315c10ef_b.jpg
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3857/...c25902a9_b.jpg

Also - with lowering the car - I couldn't get the arms for the Maxjax lift under the car - so I ordered 2 pairs of the Race Ramps scale ramps - and it provides the perfect height of getting the car up in the air to get the arms under the car with no issue.

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5577/...59ffe6cd_b.jpg
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3874/...9d522fc6_b.jpg

Some of you might say why don't i just use some 2x4's, etc - I tried that with the race ramps and all I did was pushed the 2x4s against the floor and scuffed up the epoxy - so after doing that once I said never again. I got these from Summit Racing - with free shipping, a $20 mail in rebate, and I used some Summit Bucks that I had saved up.

As you know - I bought those small race ramps to get the car up on the lift.

Well the oil pan gasket has been leaking on my LS2 - seeping from the bolts - and been covering the bottom of the pan in a mist of oil.

Previously - I took out the bolts that I could reach and put some RTV on the end of the bolt and torqued them back down - this didn't really fix the problem, so I ordered a new oil pan from GM.

The old felpro gasket that I used I had to take the oil pan off 3x when I was building the the motor back in Jan/Feb - I am not sure if taking it off those times screwed up the gasket or what - so this weekend I am going to drop the front suspension, raise the motor up, and replace the gasket. I went with a GM gasket this time - hopefully it seals up!

Those ramps worked exactly as planned and gave me the height that I needed to get under the lowered car:

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2925/...47dc8f6f_b.jpg
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3841/...0b825c56_b.jpg
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Not sure if this is appropriate here - but here goes:

I entered into a Gladiator GarageWorks Makeover contest - and I have made it to the second round.

If you could please help me out - click on the link below - and comment on the Gladiator Page with "A" as your comment - it would greatly be appreciated.

Again - please click the link and comment on that page - not mine.

Please share/vote - and thanks for all of your help!

https://www.facebook.com/GladiatorGW...453972/?type=1

-Craig

So I dropped the oil pan this weekend - and got a new GM gasket in it. Wasn't to terrible of a job - I used the low rise jack stands that I got and it made the job a lot easier.

This sealed up the oil pan - but now the front timing cover is seeping a bit - to get to that timing cover, I have to pull a lot of crap out of the motor bay - and well this isn't that bad - I'll just deal with it for now.

I also modified my MaxJax - I added 90* fittings to all quick disconnect fittings to get the hoses pointed more toward the ground - and reduces the chances of tripping over the hoses - which has happened in the past.

Now for the pics:

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3894/...98be908b_b.jpg
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5552/...f2608ba0_b.jpg
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3870/...31052200_b.jpg
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5551/...45a76007_b.jpg

Quick update - picked up a transmission jack for the MaxJax.

This is a Torin Big Red transmission jack that I got at Northern Tool.

I will have to modify the the base that bolts to the hydraulic pump - basically cut it down - redrill the 3 holes for the legs and move it closer to the ground.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3893/...cc224574_b.jpg

I'll take measurements next time I get the lift out and modify it then. Oh and this trans jack was only $120 on sale/with extra coupon - so no I have no problem taking an angle grinder it to make it work for my application.

Corvette update:

I've had the z06 front clip on the car for a while now - and I've noticed a few extra rock chips in the rear fenders as I lost the front splash guards that I had with the old front end.

GM doesn't sell a front set as an accessory - so I picked up a set from RPI - same company I got the ZR1 spoiler, splitter, and side skirts from.

I got the passenger side installed with no huge issue - doing the drivers side today:

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3865/...77309d46_b.jpg

Man I love this car !!!

I have been looking at those MaxJax for about a year now and am wondering what your overall feedback is of them after owning them and using them as much as you do. If you had to do it over again, would you get them a second time or consider something else like a permanent 2-post lift?

They seem really handy and the only drawback I am thinking of is the max height they go to. Seems like it should be plenty for ease of working under the car but I have only had one of two worlds in terms of experience - either laying on my back with the car up on stands, or a full lift that I could walk under the car, nothing in between. Thoughts?

BTW, great work on the car!

Marty - thanks - that means a lot!

Tim - I've had the MaxJax for probably around 2 years now.

I've used it to do a complete engine build in the Vette, and the suspension swap.

I've also used it to swap out the control arms in my G8 with the updated design.

So I've used it for some fairly involved car projects - and I have absolutely no regrets buying it. It has saved me from laying on my back multiple times. To be honest - I'd never go back to working under a car on jackstands.

For my low 8.5' ceiling - it works out perfectly as I can lift both my cars - but not my 2500 HD to the full height with no issue.

Does it suck that it makes the car a 1 car garage when in use - yeah sort of but I usually have so much other crap laying around the garage that I wouldn't be able to pull in a second car anyways.

I would recommend this lift in a heartbeat.

I would also recommend 2 mods to the lift.

1) Get the 90* Hydraulic hose fittings that I put on the hoses in the post above - it will save you from tripping over the hose and busting your ass.

2) Drill 2 more sets of holes in the main towers - I haven't done that yet but it will allow you to put the car at 2 more different heights - and use the safety poles that you place through the posts. Currently - when I am done working on the car - but leaving it on the lift - I place 4 jackstands under the arms to rest the car/lift - as you never know when a pump might fail. If you had another set of holes - you wouldn't need to use the jackstands in a lower position.

Also - I kind of need to make an announcement. My GF and I have been together for 4 years, and after losing my job earlier this year it made us look at our finances. It is really stupid of us to both be paying mortgages and maintaining 2 houses, lawns, all the misc bills that goes along with both.

So I am putting my house up for sale. Right now I am fixing up some things that I've neglected and getting ready to list it.

We have been looking for some houses in Lincoln county - this is one county west of Charlotte and simply more rural. Where not trying to get away from it all - just move to an area that is a bit smaller and has a cheaper taxes. We did our pre-approval process and I am looking for a house with some land - and at least a 3 car garage. Preferably a 4 car - between the 2 of us we have the SS, Vette, IS350, and my truck. The truck will stay outside.

I plan on leaving the AC system, and the lighting upgrade - but I am bringing all the Gladiator products, air compressor, lift, and all my tools.

I haven't decided what I am going to do with the peeling up Epoxy - I'll probably leave it as is.

Long time no update - been working alot, getting my house ready to sell, and been replacing the suspension on my truck.

I got under the front end and found both upper balljoints have torn boots, one of the outer tie rod ends has a born boot, and both of the inner tie rods are missing the clamp around the dust boot that looks like a CV joint.

So I ordered all new Moog front end pieces, as well as Bilstein shocks all around.

I did the easiest project first - I installed the rear shocks:

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3914/...96866b8c_b.jpg
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5571/...04743744_b.jpg
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I decided just to replace the entire upper control arms as the prices weren't that much more then the pressed in balljoint - plus I installed a set of Bilsteins up front.

Overall the front end replacement was too terrible - it just took freaking forever.

Pressing out and pressing in the lower balljoints really is what took the longest as I've never had to press them out before. I usually just have to unbolt them/cut the rivets for them.

So I took it for a very quick test drive - everything seemed okay - going over bumps there is no more squishy sounds. As the stock shocks with 194k on them where completely shot!

Now for some pics:

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3879/...36955c46_b.jpg
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5595/...733269cc_b.jpg
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https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5555/...9d5d74e0_b.jpg

When I finished up installing the front end - I was really tired and lowered the truck down.

I ended up snapping one of the adjuster screws on the torsion keys clean off the thread.

So I ended up ordering a new screw and the retaining nut as well.

Since I don't have a welder - I ended up ordering the OEM tool brand Torsion arm loading/unloading tool - I got it for $62 off ebay - so I can't really complain about that.

I spent last Friday under the truck. I used the tool to compress the Torsion arm key upward and got the snapped bolt assembly loosened up enough to use a dremel to try and cut through the bolt.

I got half way through it before I ran out of room for the dremel - I then used a jig saw with metal cutting blades and got another 1/3rd of the way though it - but then snapped both blades that I had.

At that point I decided to get out the big gun - my angle grinder with a grinding wheel and decided to cut the end off of the retaining nut assembly and almost got it out - I ended up having to round off 2 of the edges of the retaining nut and finally it dropped out of the frame - I got the new nut/bolt installed.

Some pics of the carnage:

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3858/...4356a344_b.jpg
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3849/...cd5af482_b.jpg
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3893/...b67d55d1_b.jpg

I am still around - just been a long time for an update.

A bit of an update on the truck - after finishing up the suspension project and getting everything fixed up - I wanted to replace the front headlights.

I had polished them up earlier this year - but they yellowed and started to look like crap again.

So I ordered a set of Denali headlights, as well as new turn signal housings. I also ordered a set of DDM Tuning HID's to throw in as well.

The lights all snapped right into place - the DDM kit required some wire removal from the kit - otherwise those where plug and play as well.

Install took about 2 hours - but not too bad. I still need to adjust the headlights - I plan on doing that tonight.

Now for teh pics:

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3949/...8a6bc3f1_b.jpg
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3953/...a60657bb_b.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7511/...e416d74c_b.jpg

Also - I took apart my drivers side mirror because it was flopping around on the highway - and was driving me nuts. Come to find out that someone had broken the original glass and replaced it with the wrong glass/element! My truck has the DL3 - heated/auto dimming/power fold in option - and the glass that was in it wasn't heated or auto dimming.

So after pricing out the correct replacement glass - it was going to be cheaper to get an entire replacement used mirror. So I found an Escalade mirror with the bottom light on it cheaper then a DL3 Sierra/Silverado mirror. I found another lighted DL3 mirror for the passenger side and ordered that as well.

The drivers side color didnt match my truck, and the passenger side was the black textured plastic - so I was going to have to do some painting.

So I picked up some Duplicolor perfect match rattle can primer, base coat, and clear coat and got to work.

The pre-painted mirror was easy to wet sand and prep - the black plastic cap I ended up sanding with 220, 320, 400, then 600 to get it smooth enough for primer.

I have finished painting both mirror caps - I am waiting for the clear coat to harden up. I am going to wet sand it and buff it before I install them.

I have already installed the mirrors themselves - and confirm everything is working correctly.

Here are my pics with the finished clear coat - I will get installed pics after I wet sand and buff everything next week.

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5614/...b6ff6b4f_b.jpg
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https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7495/...2fe05857_b.jpg

I gave the Duplicolor clear a week to dry - today I sanded it with 1000, 1500, 2000, and 2500 grit.

I then used Meguiars Ultimate compound, Scatch X 2.0, Meguiars Cleaner Wax, Polish, and then some Carnuba wax.

I finally attached the caps to the mirrors with some 3M double sided tape - here are the results:

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7507/...68cdecb4_b.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7539/...9f289394_b.jpg

Overall - I am pretty happy with the results, I wish I could have buffed it with my DA Porter Cable - but I really couldn't put much pressure on the caps not being attached to the truck. I'll probably buff in a few months with the PC, and use my much better quality Adam's Polishes and Sealants next time. The color match is spot on with the rest of the truck and look way better then the crappy black plastic that was there before on the old mirrors.

I forgot to post about puddle mirror from the Escalade mirrors - plugged right in and gained an extra light at night:

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8566/...324edfb3_b.jpg

Is that truck dark spiral grey?

Kody - it is.

wa805k is the paint code - Either Chevy or GMC called it a different name - but its all the same paint.

Thanks for posting the tips and tricks on the truck. Been enjoying the little details that are setting it apart.

My 04 2500 was spiral grey and that is such a nice color!

Another truck update:

So I found a thread on here about a backup camera that tied into an edge tuner, well since I had already swapped to an Escalade Lux touch screen nav, I figured that I would tie into the nav screen that I had.

So I picked up a PAC-VCI-X adapter, a backup camera, and 25' of RCA cable.

I also picked up the 1500 style spoiler to put the backup camera in.

I split the nave unit open, installed the screen ribbon adapter, and ran the VGA cable out the bottom of the Nav unit.

I then tied into the light green harness wire in the trailer plugin box in the interior under the dash for the backup signal for the PAC unit.

I then removed the factory rear tail gate lid, put on the 1500 lid and drilled a hole for the camera. I ran the power supply for the camera to the reverse light harness under the bed.

I then ran the 25' of RCA cable and accessed the interior by the grommit holding the e-brake cable.

I plugged everything in, adjusted the camera, and boom - here is a pic of the camera working, the spoiler, and how I installed the camera.


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7476/...2f3f59e9_b.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7467/...dfb22a04_b.jpg

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8593/...c04cc8a6_b.jpg

Hey everyone, longtime no update..

Life has been crazy around here. I sold my house the week of Christmas, and closing was a couple weeks ago. So I had to pack all my stuff up - and get out of the house.

I moved all of my big furniture and garage/shop stuff into a storage unit.

Back during the week of Thanksgiving, we signed a contract on our new house - it will have 5 bedrooms and a 3+ car garage.

For more info and pics - head on over to Garage Journal for the latest and greatest:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=276996

As for the Corvette - it is up in storage until the house gets finished - we simply didn't have enough room to store the car at my gf's house.

I have a few parts to bolt onto the Vette - but will have to wait for the house to be built - and for me to install the lift.

Like I had mentioned earlier - I had some updates waiting to come in - well here is one of them:

Last year when I built my engine - I used an LS9 cam in my build - while it produced an extra 20 hp or so - it shifted the power band up and made 6th gear in my car an absolute dog - it made absolutely no power and I would have to drop 2 gears just to pass someone on the highway.

I chose that cam for a reason - I found a very good deal on a used Edelbrock E-Force Supercharger for an LS3 motor.

With my motor being an LS2 block with an LS3 top end - I ended up with the LS3 blower.

Since the Vette is in storage - and my new house/garage aren't built yet I will have to wait to install this.

Reading the install instructions - I'm going to be using my lift for this install - so for now here are some pics:

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7334/...612900a2_b.jpg
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8629/...e8652dbc_b.jpg
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https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7282/...0757fbe7_b.jpg

Nice man. That should wake it up. Looking forward to seeing the installation pics.

Not much of an update - but I did manage to go up to where I am storing the Corvette and work on it a bit.

I ordered a steering wheel from a 2012-2013 C6 Corvette a few months back and finally got that installed. The 2012+ has leather grips built into the leather - as well as a different finish on the steering wheel control surrounds. The airbag that I had used in my older steering wheel clipped right in, and the steering wheel controls all work!

I also started swapping out the factory interior bulbs for LED's - I did this on my truck awhile back and really love the look.

Also - the house is moving along - the footers are done and perimeter walls are done as well. They are starting on the underground water piping - will lay down the insulation - then start on the slabs - after that its framing time!

Now for some pics:

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7647/...ec051b73_b.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7599/...7f5847fc_b.jpg

That blower...
 

Makes the car!

Drove a customer's GS with one, and some LT's, and a tune...was unreal!

I have the long tubes, and the tune, just need boost!

Happened to stop by where the Vette is being stored this weekend - I finished up the LED install:

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8596/...a385774f_b.jpg
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8586/...ace29e5c_b.jpg
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8571/...d9352e45_b.jpg

Thats about it for now - I have to wait for the house to get finished being built, move, install the lift then tear into the motor again.

What pedals are you running?

Stock C6 pedals...

SS update:

I happened to be looking on the Chevy SS Facebook group - and happened to see a guy selling a GM blackout kit for the SS.

I had looked at the kit - but importing it from Australia was going to be around $600 - to get rid of the chrome on the front end of the car.

The seller lived in Atlanta but was driving up to Charlotte for the NHRA 4 Wide race at Zmax - we met up and I bought the front end parts off of him.

I installed them this weekend - the side vents where easy, but the front bumper had to be entirely removed to get to the trim rings.

I really like the front end without all the chrome - it fits better with my personal taste.

Here are some before and after pics:

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7589/...34416f13_b.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7603/...c4208501_b.jpg
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8727/...f0165e7e_b.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7587/...142282a8_b.jpg

Way better

Much better. I like how it hides the fogs now.

As I updated earlier - to continue the black theme - I installed my 2009-2014 CTS-V sedan wheels that I had on my G8. I didn't install them for a year because I wasn't sure if the wheel sensors would match up with the SS.

So I stopped by Discount Tire last weekend and asked if they had the SS sensors in stock - and they did. So yesterday after work I drove other there to have them break down the wheels, install the sensors, and program them.

Before they broke them down - I asked them to verify the sensors where indeed different between the G8 - and the SS. According to there system they where the same! GM changed the part number between the 2 cars - and no one could verify if they would work. So they just swapped the wheels - programmed the sensors and I was on my way!

If I had known they would work - I would have swapped over a long time ago!

Now for some installed pics:

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7591/...b4a77214_b.jpg
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8723/...2db53b87_b.jpg

The SS looks much better! There's a Vette here in VB with the Eforce Supercharger on it, It's a nice clean package.

Last update on my SS - I got some vinyl overlays for the front and rear bowties and installed them - really hated the factory gold:

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8747/...05c5a69e_b.jpg

That's about it for now!

Took my SS down to Zmax Dragway to the only Test n Tune that they have scheduled for the entire YEAR!

The car is bone stock minus wheels and tires - here are my results below:

Run 1 - 13.824 @ 105.44
Run 2 - 13.729 @ 103.92.
Run 3 - 13.6 @ 99.25 mph
Run 4 - 14.314 @ 101.95 mph
Run 5 - 13.735 @ 106 mph
Run 6 - 13.696 @ 104.95 mph

Not bad for a first time in this car - the guys at M/T ran 13.3 @ 107 MPH when they tested the SS last year.

Here are a few pics:

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8811/...75c2b089_b.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7633/...291da1a7_b.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7623/...acc3f26d_b.jpg

Few of the runs filmed from my GoPro:

Quick update on the SS - I really like the look of the blacked out spoiler on the 1LE Camaro - so I got a couple cans of Plastidip - and rattle canned my factory spoiler.

This project was kind of a PITA - as I had to spray it out twice as I goofed up the first time.

A few quick pics until it stops raining here:

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7724/...758f553b_b.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7667/...5c591461_b.jpg

SS update - I haven't liked the factory fuel rail cover on the SS since I got the car.

I shopped around - GM sells a painted "Accessory" fuel rail cover for $600 something. Stupid that its just a painted factory unit.

So I picked up a set of LS3 FRCs off a Corvette for $60!

Here they are installed:

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8737/1...92b69282_b.jpg
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7771/1...47c8e824_b.jpg

Last update before the Power Tour - the last thing the car needed was a better exhaust.

My G8 had a set of SLP long tube headers - and a Corsa catback.

When I traded it in - I left those mods on there as I had not paid for them - they came on the car when I bought them.

Had I known that the G8 catback is the same as the SS - I would have tried to find some OEM mufflers.

So I've been looking for a used set for 6+ months - with such a lower production car (G8) - people just don't sell them second hand.

So I bought a set new for the best prices that I could find. They where backordered and took a month - but I finally got them last week.

I installed the Corsa catback with no huge issue - the flanges on the Corsa are pretty cheap and I couldn't get the nuts started onto the catback flange.

I am loving the sound - and cant wait for the Power Tour!

https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7765/1...5d032199_b.jpg
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5340/1...b9b4c336_b.jpg
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5339/1...91275934_b.jpg
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8890/1...af67a6a6_b.jpg

Looks very nice.

ps I know the guy that purchased all 50 for the G8 Firehawks.

http://garagescene.net/gallery3/var/...R/IMG_8778.jpg

http://garagescene.net/gallery3/var/...R/IMG_8785.jpg

http://garagescene.net/gallery3/var/...R/IMG_8786.jpg

Making a small fortune by starting with a big one? LOL

Andrew

Marty.... why?

LOL....

How is the 5th gen doing?

One guy buys every single special edition car produced? Sounds like a selfish dick. There could be 50 happy firehawk owners, instead there's only him.

I used to really want a DeLorean. Still kind of do. Anyways, I had a little bit of coin and decided to see what I could find. What I found was a guy that had seven of the F'ing things and wasn't willing to sell any of them... what a dick.