'05 Vette build thread

[bonecrrusher]

So this past weekend I got the radiator and fans in, the intake, and the rear coilovers in.

This week I drained the transmission fluid relatively easy and couldn't figure out a way to refill the t56 still up in the car.

I ended up using a really old cheap fluid pump that I bought like 10 years ago to drain a fuel tank - I didn't think it would work - but it got the ATF into the trans with no problem.

I then installed the Kooks X-pipe, reconnected the Corsa axle back - and tightened everything up.

I tried to fire up the car last night - but the battery is dead - so by tonight I expect to get it up and running!

I still need to adjust the coilover ride height - and then reattach the rear swaybar as the rear is lowered and the endlinks won't line up anymore.

Now for some pics:

[bonecrrusher]

Well I tried to fire up the car last week - and I got it running for a couple minutes and it was running like absolute garbage.

With the 60 lb injectors nearly being double the stuck LS2 injectors - it was throwing a ton of gas into the and out the exhaust.

So I decided to have the car towed up to the tuner as I didn't want to risk messing up the motor. They are tuning it now - and I should get it back next week - I really am looking forward to finally driving this thing!

Also before having it towed - I lowered the car down onto my race ramps and was able to get the rear swaybar attached - I will have to fine tune and readjust it after I get the car back.

Here are some pics of the car on the lift - and of the 3" Kooks long tubes and X pipe.








Also for my birthday - my girlfriend got a set of 2" tripod stands that I will be able to use under the lift - they are from Greg Smith Equipment.

They are made in China - and some of the hardware is pure garbage - I stripped one of the bolts putting it together - so I got some better hardware from Lowe's.

I have seen some people support entire cars on these - I know that I wouldn't - but I would have no issue putting a rear axle or hold up an exhaust pipe or two with them.

[bonecrrusher]

I picked up the car last Friday from the PCM of NC - they had no problem tuning the motor with all the parts that I had added.

They did a dyno tune, and tweaked it on the street as well.

Here are the final dyno numbers - I have to say that I am more than happy.



For 6 weeks of work and doing it all by myself - I can't complain about picking up ~120 hp at the crank.

I previously dyno'd my car and it made 375 at the rear wheel - now its making 450!

Also - here is a video of the LS9 cam idling - it has a bit more lope than stock:



PCM filmed the last dyno run - so I should be able to post that in a few days.

[bonecrrusher]

Like I said - here is the chassis dyno video!

[Che70velle]

Great job man! Nice numbers you have there.

[glassman]

6800 redline? Sure sounds nice!!!! Watchin dyno video's never gets old.....

[bonecrrusher]

6800 - guess thats where they cut it off.

The lifters and fuel are good for it.

Only thing that would really hold back would be the valve springs.

[bonecrrusher]

I finally got the Corvette all finished up - the Kooks midpipe was rubbing against a heat shield on the gas tank.

I had to loosen the shield - move it over just a tad - and also bent the tab a bit upward to make room - no more rattling when I first fire the car up!

I finally got the first fire up video off of my GoPro - mind you the car wasn't tuned yet and was on the stock LS2 tune:



I finally took down the lift - and put all my tools/parts away - two get 2 cars parked back in my garage.

A few weeks back my G8 got backed into by my neighbor - she managed to crush both doors on the drivers side.

I took the car to the body shop and it got repaired.

Ever since I got the car back the front suspension was making a creaking noise when I turn the wheel - and I took the car to the dealership for an alignment - and the tech couldn't get the wheel straight.

So at that point - still having a car payment for 2 more years - and having no more warranty - I decided to talk to the sales guys and see what they would offer me for the G8.

After going over this purchase in my head for a few hours - they gave me a good deal, and my rate on the new car was lower then my g8 was!

I ended up lowering my monthly car payment by a hundred bucks - so I ended up taking my car in for an alignment - and went home in a new car.

Here is what is in my garage now:






Some pics of the G8 next to the SS:




If you notice - I kept the CTS-V wheels and brakes - I haven't decided if I am going to put them on the SS yet - we'll see.

First thing I need to do is add Homelink to the car - I actually removed the visor that I modified in the G8 - and I am going to put it in the SS.

Yes the colors are different - but it should plug right in.

[Jon69RagTop]

Love the new color, white is awesome for a daily driver.

[89 RS]

Nice work on the Vette, sounds good. How do you like the new SS? Those SS's look like they are pretty nice.