'05 Vette build thread

[bonecrrusher]

So I started off with the Vette sitting on the ground this morning - and well I got a lot done today.

I got the rear coilovers out, then disconnected the rear upper control arms.

I had to take out the drivers side long tube header to get access to the bolt holding the slave cylinder to the bell housing.

I then got the slave cylinder disconnected, the brake lines disconnected, and the wiring harness that runs down the trans tunnel disconnected.

I then setup the trans jack - zipped off the rear subframe bolts - and got started on the torque tube bolts.

I struggled with one of the torque tube bolts into the bell housing because that wire harness was in the way.

After getting that off - I got the torque tube out and the drive train dropped out of the way.

I plugged the brake lines with plugs from my Brembo kit - and a closet wire shelf end cap - saw that suggestion online -and it worked like a charm - no brake leaks here!

[bonecrrusher]

So I started off today by getting my fuel system all finished up and reinstalled.

I am glad that the drivetrain was out of the way - it went together so much easier!



I then started on the clutch side of things - I got most of the bell housing bolts off with no big issue except for the bolt right above the starter. I couldn't get at it front the back or side - and the long tube header was in the way.

So I got out my ladder - opened the hood and got the plugs, dipstick, and the header bolts out. I slid it out the bottom of the car after I got down from the ladder.

I got the last bolt out - and the bell housing popped off. I then got the flywheel and pressure plate off.

Thats where I stopped today - I am not sure when I'll get back to it. With the holidays coming up - plus I am still awaiting a few parts from my Amazon order that I put in last week.

[bonecrrusher]

So I finally got some time to get back out into the shop - I got the rear main cover on the Corvette replaced. This included new bolts, rear main seal, and the rear cover gasket.

I also got the input bearing removed from the car - I used a slide hammer and bearing removal tool from Autozone - and it came out with 4 or 5 good hits. I then knocked a new input bearing in with a large socket.








I also got a few truck parts for Christmas - I got new fog light assemblies - as well as a new interior light switch. The factory switch was randomly diming at night - and you couldn't see any of the gauges. My factory fogs - one of the lenses is corroded - and the the other has crap inside of the light itself.

[bonecrrusher]

I got the LS7 flywheel bolted up - it went in with no issue.

I used ARP bolts to attach it to the crank - and went to install my clutch and realized I didn't have an alignment tool. I went to Autozone and Advance - and neither locations had it in stock. Advance will have it by tomorrow morning - so I will get the clutch disk and pressure plate in tomorrow. I also need to get the new slave cylinder installed - as well as my Tick Performance Speed Bleeder as well.

[bonecrrusher]

I got the clutch disk and pressure plate installed last night - and secured it with ARP bolts. It went together with no issue.

I need to get the bell housing back on the car - then the slave cylinder and the rest of the driveline!

[bonecrrusher]

So Thursday I got the drivetrain back in the car.

I got the new slave cylinder, and the Tick Performance bleeder installed.

I finished the fuel system up, hooked up the brake and transmission lines. I also got my Kooks long tubes back into the engine bay - and bolted down with ARP Hardware.

I had problems with the new GM slave cylinder - the cylinder did not want to slide all the way into the master cylinder - and the retaining clip wouldn't secure it.

There was something wrong with the plastic molding of the slave cylinder - so I ended up taking the retaining clips off the stock 05 unit, and put that onto the new slave cylinder. Everything snapped together and the clips all fit. I am not sure if something changed with the newer slave cylinders - or something is different with the 05's. Either way its all back together.

I still need to get the rest of the exhaust installed, the brakes and clutch bleed - and then some gas thrown in this pig and see if it fires up!

[bonecrrusher]

So I got the car back together last night - and attempted to go for a test drive - but the car wouldn't go into reverse.

I took the interior apart and tried to adjust the trans linkage - but it still wouldn't go in. Then I thought about the reverse lockout solenoid - and I didn't remember plugging it back in.

I ended up putting the car back in the air - reached above the trans and felt the plug. I plugged it in - dropped the car back down and reverse worked!

So I went for a test drive and went and got gas. The fuel pump works - and so does both fuel level sensors that I replaced. I got about a half mile from home - and the transmission cooler line popped off and threw ATF all over my long tubes. I got the car pulled over and the smoke cleared out. I didn't have the interior back together and it looked like the scene from Up in Smoke. I was flailing around looking for the block off plate to put back on the trans tunnel.

I got the car home - and the put it back on the lift. I cleaned up the under side and popped the trans cooler line back on.

I went for another test drive - this time with no issues, then I put the interior back together. I still need to wash the car down - and put the rear splash shield in - and go buy more ATF.

No pics of the smoke show - but here is the interior stripped at the gas station:

[Penny]

Looks great.

Saved yourself a ton on labor costs

[Jay Hilliard]

Nice job. Glad the reverse issue was just a matter of connecting a plug.

[bonecrrusher]

Yeah - I can see why shops charge $1500 for a clutch job on this car. No way would I want to pay that.

As for that plug - I knew that I should have marked it. I marked all the other ones with painters tape - and when I was getting the driveline back into the car I didn't even see it in the harness.