The Story:

I happened to own one of Americas Favorite Sports cars a 2002 Corvette Z06 and My friend Happens to own Orange County Performance In Mission Viejo CA.
After completing my last project with them (1982 Jeep CJ-7) I felt it only proper to start up on another endeavor and see what happens.
Basically the concept is simple. I supply the parts he supplies the labor & maintenance. Together we build a car for Show, and Print for his business and I get to Drive it.

I have had the car for about 15 months now & have been itching to do another project since finishing the CJ-7. After discusing the concept a couple of months ago we started to build a list of mods and I started buying what I could that was on the list. So far it includes: Lowering 1-3/8" in the front & 1-1/16" in the rear, Cross drilled / slotted rotors, Michelin Pilot Sport PS2's, Tinted Windows, Window Valet chip, Custom Sub System, Lambo Door Kit (Next Week), shift skip eliminator chip, CF Vanity Plate, HID Headlight upgrade (pending delivery), Procharger II (Feb 2007), Full Cage & Roll Bar (April 07), Wheels (Looking at options right now, leaning towards the Andro Evo 5's), Low Profile rear wing & custom paint schema (by the end of 07). It's only been a few months and already the projects taking off. I have some pic's now and will continue to post new one's up as we go. The schedule is all based to allow me time to recoup from each purchase and also to allow for time to do the work as OC Performance is always slammed so getting an appointment is a week out each time. (wish I was this busy).
Any way’s if you get a change to stop by the shop feel free they always have some interesting cars their from a 34 Ford Roadster To Full on Off road Rock Crawlers It's crazy I never know what I'm going to find in their. Again I'll post pics as we go and feel free to drop me a line if you have questions or comments. Thanks again and I hope everyone enjoys the project as much as I am so far.

 

 

 

sounds like an awesome project. i'm a fellow south orange county z06 guy myself so it's nice to see local shops making some badass cars. Are you just lowered on longer bolts in the rear and cut bushings up front?

 

Hi and Thanks for your post.
I opted for the bolts and bushing technique for now. This allowed for funds to be redirected. In the future I'm sure I'll be looking at new springs to dial it in. I've also been talking to them about doing an "Air Ride" adjustable front & rear suspension. As being lowered I have found it VERY difficult to get over some speed bumps including the driveway in the front of the shop. With the adjustable shocks this would eliminate some of the trouble. Only thing is I want to keep the ride quality and I've never been too impressed with air ride suspension. We'll see, it's only talk at this point and I have enough planned already.

Thanks again

 

Hex$cyn, looks like a fun project. I would stay away from the air ride. Just go with the Elite Engineering frame saver wheels; this will help on driveways but not on speed bumps. For speed bumps use the A&A frame rails, this will give you some protection over the speed bumps.

 

I saw those, your talking about the aluminum rails that go along the side right? I was wondering about those. I like the idea of having the protection from grinding over things but wasn't sure about the approach. I know the rails are much more economical then an air ride system. and I imagen that it would reduce the impact to the ride quality as well (more then an air ride that it). Thanks for the suggestions I'll check these items out again.

 

are you going to be doing any PERFORMANCE mods... or are you only doing cosmetics.

 

The wheels or the rails won't keep your cats from grinding if you have headers. That's a big bummer! Good luck with your project.

'Socal guy' did you notice the part about the Procharger II? I have blower envy

Dave

 

Hi Everyone, Thanks again for your posts.

As far as performance mods go I'm looking at the LG long tube headers, Corsa cross section and possible retaining my stock titanium mufflers (maybe). I'm also looking into a blower, I like the prices I found on a roots style blower less then 3500.00 complete from a friend, however the guy's at the shop are telling me I'll get more out of a remote blower then a fixed. There recommending the procharger I or II. I'm still working on the price of these systems 6 - 7k so well see which way I end up going on this. Plus right now I'm not looking to get into the bottom end so I'm only going to be adding about 6-psi anyways but who knows as this could change as the project take off.



Thanks again everyone and I'll post the pics once the doors are done. The car goes in this friday so I'm hoping to have it back sometime the following week.

 

Just wrapped up for the night & got back home. I'm uploading the latest pics to my PC now. I'll have em on the post by morning. So far the passengers side door is done. and alignment was perfect. I can see where this could go really wrong. we are also opting for the "strike pin guides" that I found in another post, I figure this is a little insurance that the doors never get closed wrong & smack up the body or door. The guy's liked the idea and are running with it. Well see what it comes out like here shortly.

Well thanks again and come back soon.

 

VDI Door install Day (1)

Today’s work, Passenger Door. Installed and aligned. 100% dialed in. gaps measured before and after. Shims placed and taped into place. Open and close attempts made over and over again also with pressure downward and upward to see "hit zone" of door, only with a lot of pressure like 5 - 10 pounds downward could you have an issue. and once the strike pin guides are installed even this wont matter. You do loose some of the angle of the open door (about 25%) from stock. But the over all effect is worth it to me and getting in and out is still no issue with door down or up.
Pictures below are just a few of today’s activities. I even closed with a shot of my ride home tonight just for kicks.

Thanks again for checking out this post and enjoy the pic's!!!

9:30am I stroll in and the work is already begun

Tape and Binding wire mixed with gum & JB-weld LOL only kidding of course with measurements complete, the OEM hinges are removed and the new VDI hinge is mounted and adjusted into place.

Alignment is a very delicate operation and MUST be done right. Time and patience are key

1st time lifting and letting go. Scary

Door open on new VDI Hinge

Door open Vert on VID Hinge

Door Closed on VDI Hinge. Measured out same as stock, NO MOVEMENT after install

Door open from the front

My Ride till the Z is done. I hope it dosn't rain...

Thanks again and I'll Post more tomorrow once the other side is on.

 

Whelp, Passenger side is completed. Shop closed @ noon so that was it for the day. I have to admit, the body alignment seems to actually look better after the kit was installed then before. I even looked at the drivers side (untouched) and the fender to door to hood gaps are all over the place heck even the light bucket was slightly off. I see it on Vetts all the time so I never thought anything about it till I saw it all aligned up right. What a difference.
Well I left the camera @ the Shop so I'll post the pics tomorrow of the completed passenger side. Hopefully along with the drivers side as well

 

Sunday Photos

Yep this was about it, sanding by the time I got in and done before anything more, my bad everyone.

Monday Photos

Doors are on and final adjustments are being made to the drivers door

Doors all done, Headlight covers go on next.

Doors completed. Next week materials will be in for the custom door guides and well detail that process as well. But for now check out the final results from this weeks task.

Thanks again everyone and I'll let you know once the door strike guide gets under way.

 

That is one nice Z! Looks like your project was a big success - the end result is magnificent

Definitely one of the best looking custom C5 Z I've ever seen!

 

Thanks for the ongoing pictures and updates. Great project!

 

Thanks for the support and following the project.

I know this is going to be a long project but I am sure that everyone will be able to get something out of it, even If nothing more then a cool desktop wall paper for some kids PC lol.

Seriously though, I Love making vehicles unique, and I know everything has been done already. So for anyone out their who wants to interject negatively remember,(I don't care) lol . I just want to take what I have seen from shows and mags that I liked best, and integrate it into this project in a tasteful & yet tricked out manor. Along the way it's a great way to promote my friends shop in Mission Viejo California and get some great work done to my car. A true Win - Win , - Win for everyone including the fans of this post and forum.

Thanks again everyone including all of my friends and family out side of CorvetteForum & a special thanks to Jacob for his efforts on this project.

I'll Talk to everyone laterZ...

 

Next Up: HID Headlights

Well it would seem as though the headlights are finally shipping out. So if they get here next week then we will be doing the install of them before the suspension or wheels.
Look for this update next week. Till then Thanks again for watching the progress and stay tuned everyone
ttt

 

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