C4 Race Car Build - roadrace, endurance
#21
Instructor
Thread Starter
I'm back with some new updates...
After the cage was put in we knew that we have to concentrate on suspension and stopping. For the brakes and to stay within the rules we decided to upgrade the front to C5 brakes. We found a used set of calipers, made our own brackets and added power stop rotors. For the rear we are going to use the stock set up with new rotors...
After the cage was put in we knew that we have to concentrate on suspension and stopping. For the brakes and to stay within the rules we decided to upgrade the front to C5 brakes. We found a used set of calipers, made our own brackets and added power stop rotors. For the rear we are going to use the stock set up with new rotors...
#22
Instructor
Thread Starter
On to the suspension
First thing after looking at the front end you can see it needs attention. So we decided to replace all of the bushings and ball joints, and since the front was all apart we decided to install the lowering kit and also replace the shocks.
First thing after looking at the front end you can see it needs attention. So we decided to replace all of the bushings and ball joints, and since the front was all apart we decided to install the lowering kit and also replace the shocks.
#23
Instructor
Thread Starter
The next task on our list was to get the exhaust resolved. After thinking about what our application is going to be we decided that it would be better to get the exhaust out from under the car.
This way if we have to work under the car on the trans, clutch etc. we won't have to worry about taking the exhaust off. All we have to worry about is burning our selves getting in and out of the car. But hay it looks cool and if it isn't dangerous its not racing...
This way if we have to work under the car on the trans, clutch etc. we won't have to worry about taking the exhaust off. All we have to worry about is burning our selves getting in and out of the car. But hay it looks cool and if it isn't dangerous its not racing...
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Joey Genitempo (03-29-2024)
#24
Instructor
Thread Starter
Now with the car on the ground we can see how much lower all that work did for us...
Well that was a little disappointing... wish it would have sat a little lower maybe it will settle down a little lower
Well that was a little disappointing... wish it would have sat a little lower maybe it will settle down a little lower
#25
when you took that photo and the car rolled back-and-forth on the driveway? It will not fully settle until it has been moved. Does this on a normal car without the Loring package after it's been up on jackstands and you Lower it until it's driven very short. Allowing the suspension to re-position itself
The following 2 users liked this post by 1985 Corvette:
Joey Genitempo (03-29-2024),
racerxl83 (07-22-2020)
#27
Race Director
I like your aero direction! Awhile back I vented the wheel well liners to the gill. And have since thought of expanding the gill vent like you have. Will you cut a large vent in the liner or remove it entirely? The liner to the front blocks a lot of tire crud fling.
That hood vent looks great too! Will you box the intake tubing inside the radiator hot air path or isolate it by doing ducting around it?
The suspension will settle some! It can be quite a bit depending on what type of parts were used and how they were installed. Some should be final tightened at ride height so binding isn't hanging it up.
That hood vent looks great too! Will you box the intake tubing inside the radiator hot air path or isolate it by doing ducting around it?
The suspension will settle some! It can be quite a bit depending on what type of parts were used and how they were installed. Some should be final tightened at ride height so binding isn't hanging it up.
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1966ponyguy (07-17-2017)
#28
Team Owner
The C5 front brakes are a great mod to help bring the speed down. Did you get and install a brake bias spring for the master cylinder? You will need one. IIRC, Doug Rippie Motorsports has them for about $25. They have springs for both ABS and non-ABS systems.
Front hubs will be a wear item. Depending on the course and the tires, you could easily destroy a pair of front hubs in no time. Look for Timkin or SKF hubs that fit the early C4 (84-87). I also used ARP wheel studs that were about 3" long and a .509 knurl.
Front hubs will be a wear item. Depending on the course and the tires, you could easily destroy a pair of front hubs in no time. Look for Timkin or SKF hubs that fit the early C4 (84-87). I also used ARP wheel studs that were about 3" long and a .509 knurl.
#29
Melting Slicks
The next task on our list was to get the exhaust resolved. After thinking about what our application is going to be we decided that it would be better to get the exhaust out from under the car.
This way if we have to work under the car on the trans, clutch etc. we won't have to worry about taking the exhaust off. All we have to worry about is burning our selves getting in and out of the car. But hay it looks cool and if it isn't dangerous its not racing...
This way if we have to work under the car on the trans, clutch etc. we won't have to worry about taking the exhaust off. All we have to worry about is burning our selves getting in and out of the car. But hay it looks cool and if it isn't dangerous its not racing...
I love the sidepipes my only question is that those rocker panels are urethane I be extremely concerned about the heat coming off those pipes. You might want to section the rocker panels and use sheet stainless in the cutouts to handle the heat. If you look at a photo of the C6R and C7R they have stainless stand offs where the exhaust exits their rockers. Love to watch your build. Best wishes!
#31
Melting Slicks
The welds on your frame repair and rollbar / cage are nice...and I've seen pic's of welds on C4 frames that didn't look anywhere as clean..so I.ve got to ask can you share any of the welding techniques you used? problems you encountered?
#32
Melting Slicks
I've wrapped exhausts where the temp went from you couldn't even hold your hand near the exhaust to you could actually touch it (but not for long, lol) without being burned. besides using multiple layers of wrap, what I did, and I think it helped, was to soak the wrap with high temperature exhaust paint as I wrapped the exhaust.
Last edited by mtwoolford; 12-26-2016 at 02:54 PM.
#33
Instructor
Thread Starter
Thanks for all the nice comments...
On the body mods I'll post some more pics. Right now we plan on keeping the front liners but the back had to go for the side vents.
On the brake bias we have an adjustable brake bias valve plumbed in, this way we can adjust it if needed.
The side pipes will be painted black and we are going to install header wrap on the pipes that run under the floor. As for the rockers I think our car is missing the factory rockers, all we have is steel sheet metal under the door.
On the welding, that is my teammate's handy work. He is a great fabricator and we're lucky to have him. I gues it helps that he is actually an Airplane mechanic / fabricator by trade.
On the body mods I'll post some more pics. Right now we plan on keeping the front liners but the back had to go for the side vents.
On the brake bias we have an adjustable brake bias valve plumbed in, this way we can adjust it if needed.
The side pipes will be painted black and we are going to install header wrap on the pipes that run under the floor. As for the rockers I think our car is missing the factory rockers, all we have is steel sheet metal under the door.
On the welding, that is my teammate's handy work. He is a great fabricator and we're lucky to have him. I gues it helps that he is actually an Airplane mechanic / fabricator by trade.
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Joey Genitempo (03-29-2024)
#35
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
The following users liked this post:
Joey Genitempo (03-29-2024)
#36
Race Director
ive been flamed and called names on this forum for making this suggestion, but i will say it again.
i would like to create a c4-r that competes and beats the c6r and c7r race teams.
tube chassis. titanium and carbon fiber parts. better brakes and better tires. better drivers.
i would like to create a c4-r that competes and beats the c6r and c7r race teams.
tube chassis. titanium and carbon fiber parts. better brakes and better tires. better drivers.
#37
Melting Slicks
ive been flamed and called names on this forum for making this suggestion, but i will say it again.
i would like to create a c4-r that competes and beats the c6r and c7r race teams.
tube chassis. titanium and carbon fiber parts. better brakes and better tires. better drivers.
i would like to create a c4-r that competes and beats the c6r and c7r race teams.
tube chassis. titanium and carbon fiber parts. better brakes and better tires. better drivers.
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ghoastrider1 (05-25-2020)
#38
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
IDK if he's really been "flamed"...the legitimate point was made that by the time he has a "tube chassis. titanium and carbon fiber parts. better brakes and...." ...and all the other things he listed previously, it will be a purpose built, C4-looking car...not a C4. So, what is the point in that? It's not a C4, so it's not really "proving what a C4 can do". The other point that I believe was made was that if he wants to see that done so much, he should do it.
#40
Melting Slicks
I just found this thread, you are doing a really great job thanks for sharing with us. I just did a similar brake upgrade on my C4 and it makes a difference, but you will want to get the DRM bias spring, it is easy to install.
I also had that issue with ride height when I redid my suspension, it might have to do with removing a bunch of weight under the hood, but in my case the leaf spring went from a gentle Bend to having a U-shape while it was out of the car for a couple months, I rocked the car up and down every day for a month and it never settled to proper height on the front, the rear was fine on mine. I ended up putting coilovers on the front...
Best of luck on your race car I look forward to watching your awesome project progress.
-DMITTZ
I also had that issue with ride height when I redid my suspension, it might have to do with removing a bunch of weight under the hood, but in my case the leaf spring went from a gentle Bend to having a U-shape while it was out of the car for a couple months, I rocked the car up and down every day for a month and it never settled to proper height on the front, the rear was fine on mine. I ended up putting coilovers on the front...
Best of luck on your race car I look forward to watching your awesome project progress.
-DMITTZ