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I'm at a tad over 400 miles on it now, everything is working great - some minor exhaust clamp/hanger adjusting and other little odds and ends to get everything perfect - it really is a blast and the road race tires allows you to put the power to the ground really well...
I might try to get the top complete before winter - we will see..
Only issue is, and I don't mean this in a I'm so talented way, but I'm getting very comfortable with it's acceleration. Road race tires are awesome for keeping you safe and actually using the power your making! First gear is very tricky, but if you're rolling, you can ease the throttle all the way to the floor and be floored right when it's maxed RPM and time to shift. "Ease" is a relative term as this happens in under 2 seconds, but it's amazing how well it sticks if you are careful. After that it's all in for subsequent shift and it's hauling! Not sure if I ever listed the tires, but they are Toyo R1R's...
The photo shoot fell through, the guy never made it into town during his travels and I didn't spend much time looking for other options - I need to get back on that...
Darn it! I should have took a video last weekend, but we forgot and just took a few still shots...
Here is a "live" shot, but just in 1st and not moving very fast...
And here are some other photos parked by the beach this morning before the weather turned 180 degrees...
Got the convertible top frame all refinished, installed and adjusted, but haven't gotten the top on yet..
I fear there won't be a whole bunch more nice weather left to get many more miles on it before it will be winter here <sad>
No pretty pictures this time, but a question for those that have done it or had it done.......
What is up with the convertible top weather-strip pieces down by the back of the door?
With the top frame, windows and everything adjusted for the best window gap and fitment, the lower edge of the weather-strip was and still is a little silly..
I've already cut/trimmed the outside edge/lip of the vertical pieces, there was no way the door would shut without trying to and being successful at just taking the whole lip and rolling it over, wedging in a bunch on the top of the door.. I see, after trimming the outside, I need to do something with some of the inside too, because it gets pushed over and looks bad as well..
I saved all my original pieces and they are completely torn up and gone at this location, making me think that originally things were just as much as a mess and got torn and worn until more clearance was made...
I also notice the small piece that attaches to the rear bow will need some help too.. The best way to show it was by holding it by the door.. You can imagine how the outside edge/lip will just roll under and bunch up in a wedge.. I can understand if the pieces had more width, the same size as the door, then maybe they would flop down, but the door is so much larger than the seals...
Am I missing something or do most people just let things wear and tear?
Thanks,
Rich
Last edited by Rzepka_r; Dec 27, 2014 at 12:35 PM.
Been absent from posting for a long time, but thought I'd give a short long term perspective on everything....
Top went on about a year ago - love the different attitude it gives the car!!
I also added a small stereo system, completely confined to the storage bin area. The wooden lid has a JL Audio amp and two speakers and all the wiring and everything attached to the lid - you can "unplug" it from power and ground and pull the whole system in minutes. It works on a Bluetooth device JL Audio has. It's really quite amazing how nice the sound is from something so simple - an amp, two speakers and a little Bluetooth adapter.
Driving is as fun as it was on day one, although I am much more used to it now. I'm up past 3,000 miles and really love all aspects of it. Here are a few goods and bads or maybe a better way to say it is things I'm glad I did and things I might change or should have:
1. Road race style tires are GREAT! I have Toyo R1R's, I think the treadwear is 140 and they allow you to get everything to the ground safely. Sure you can easily get them crazy loose in 1st, but come 2nd they are stuck like glue and nothing scary has ever happened.
2. In general the suspension/chassis impresses me relative to putting power down. I've had it lose complete traction in 1st gear when I've got into it a little too quickly, but it doesn't do anything stupid, it really tracks pretty darn straight until it gets traction again.
3. The LS engines are crazy, mine is pretty modified, but the thing just lays on the power so well.
4. I still tell people I think different when shifting the TKO-600, it's more of a "shift out of gear, pause, shift into next gear", but at the same time, I've shifted into gears quickly with no problems at all. In general I don't slam the shifts much though, with the tires and all shifts end up being really aggressive if you do. If I build another, it will be with a six speed, I just like the way my 2013 1LE Camaro shifts in comparison.
5. Love the old (but modified to work) gauges and I would probably do that again for the looks, BUT my odometer stopped turning a few months ago and my speedometer doesn't enjoy the acceleration g forces - it always takes a little to catch back up after smashing the gas.
6. Love the braking ability, BUT I've already bought a Hydraboost system to install later this year. I'm tired of the electric pump noise, it comes on more often then it did when new AND it's not come on a few times. Too many issues with it since new and I don't like the idea of loosing boost and not knowing it until I touch the brakes and realize it might not be there. If my exhaust was quiet, I'd of changed the brake system out long ago.
7. Someone mentioned it long ago, I like the iPod integration I did, but you cannot see it in any type of sunlight - I use it every once in a while to integrate with the ECU, but not very often.
I can't think of much else, but if anyone has any questions, I'd be happy to help with anything I can.. All and all I LOVE the car!
Here is a quick video getting onto the thruway - no quick shifting, but it's fun to see how quickly the speed sweeps up in 2nd and 3rd:
Lastly, my neighbor is the owner of Rail Ryder and asked me if I'd tag along with an extra trailer and show the car off in his booth at Carlisle - so it looks like I will be at Carlisle later this month if anyone want to stop and see the car in person and say hello. Anyone have any contacts at Vette magazine? It would be cool to get the car in a feature sometime..
Take care everyone!
Rich
Last edited by Rzepka_r; Aug 8, 2017 at 07:41 AM.
Reason: Changed photo link
Lots of fun talking to people and helping with questions...
I should have pulled it off the trailer and headed over to the autocross with it Friday, only saw a few people practicing Friday and didn't realize there wasn't any practice time for Saturday until Saturday. Headed home Saturday night...
Chris, yup, it's the cloth style top - I really like it. And, yes, it's a slick trailer system - the "white glove" treatment, so to speak..
Benton - Thanks for the kind words!
GES - Tad under 450 RWHP (it was 440 something). All dyno's are a little different, but it was just a little better than bone stock C6 Z06's on this same dyno. It moves pretty well at under 3,000 pounds with me in it and a full tank of gas!
