hard to find better in the area....
Need mods done in MN
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis MN
Need mods done in MN
Looking for a good shop to do some performance mods - headers, supercharger and exhaust. Anyone have any suggestions or experience with local shops in the Twin Cities area?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 1
From: Rugby North Dakota
call DRM and ask for Randy - Randy Rippie is Doug Rippie's brother, I believe - I've had them "bench tune" my computer after minor mods last winter, and they did a good job - Now, after this winter, they are going to have to "bench tune" my computer again, but to compensate for major mods
Then, I'm gonna drive it out to them this spring for dyno tuning 
They have been great to work w/ so far, and if you look at their website, they seem to have a LOT of Vette racing experience under their belts!
Then, I'm gonna drive it out to them this spring for dyno tuning They have been great to work w/ so far, and if you look at their website, they seem to have a LOT of Vette racing experience under their belts!
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 9,615
Likes: 13
From: Burlington NC
Thanks guys for the heads up 
We are in Buffalo, MN on the corner of highway 55 and highway 25. I would be glad to answer any questions of yours and or give you a shop tour. We are around the shop all the time so if our 9-5 doesn't work for you let me know and we can open the doors any time. Super chargers are becoming a very popular around here. 460 WHP to 750 WHP.
Randy Rippie
(Doug's son)
763-477-9272
We are in Buffalo, MN on the corner of highway 55 and highway 25. I would be glad to answer any questions of yours and or give you a shop tour. We are around the shop all the time so if our 9-5 doesn't work for you let me know and we can open the doors any time. Super chargers are becoming a very popular around here. 460 WHP to 750 WHP.Randy Rippie
(Doug's son)
763-477-9272
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,811
Likes: 31
From: Minnetonka MN
St. Jude Donor '06
Randy, im going to call you this next week! better pick up the phone!!!
99FastLane: Randy is Dougs son..not brother...LOL
what kinda mods you looking to do. are you willing to start and do it yourself? i know myself and a few local guys are always willing to learn to do new things. But at any rate, DRM is the best place (IMHO). they just built my 427 motor and it is AMAZING!!! nothing but great stuff from their shop! I am actually going to go back there and have them work on my truck too! call em up and talk to Randy!
Aj
99FastLane: Randy is Dougs son..not brother...LOL
what kinda mods you looking to do. are you willing to start and do it yourself? i know myself and a few local guys are always willing to learn to do new things. But at any rate, DRM is the best place (IMHO). they just built my 427 motor and it is AMAZING!!! nothing but great stuff from their shop! I am actually going to go back there and have them work on my truck too! call em up and talk to Randy!
Aj
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis MN
Appreciate the feedback, sounds like DRM is the place to go. I was thinking about trying to do some of the work myself but I'm getting a little to old to be crawling underneath my vette 
Looks like DRM does not have forced induction as part of their packages but if you can get another 100 hp without it...
I was thinking about trying to do some of the work myself but I'm getting a little to old to be crawling underneath my vette Looks like DRM does not have forced induction as part of their packages but if you can get another 100 hp without it...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,811
Likes: 31
From: Minnetonka MN
St. Jude Donor '06
99FastLane: DRM can do anything! when i was there, they had a C5 getting a 427 AND a ATI procharger setup... installing that is not hard. it just takes time.
if you have time, go over to www.Vetteaction.com. its a local board, we get together often and help each other out on their mods or repairs... there are very knowledgable folks on there.
Aj
if you have time, go over to www.Vetteaction.com. its a local board, we get together often and help each other out on their mods or repairs... there are very knowledgable folks on there.
Aj
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Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 9,615
Likes: 13
From: Burlington NC
I know our website is a little slow with what we are doing. We are a bunch of car guys around here, not computer people at all. Give us a call or stop on out and we can talk about your goals.
Randy
Randy
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 1
From: Minnesota
Randy, I have heard that even a tune on a stock C5 can do a lot because the factory settings help to keep you "from the ditch" as a tuner friend of mine said. He said there are alot of things to do with a tune on a stock C5. What are your thoughts?
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis Minnesota
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis MN
Randy,
I'm planning on doing it this spring. In addition to performance mods, would like like to add stripes and new wheels / tires (CCW's with Michelin ZP's). I will give you a call in a few months or sooner if the weather improves.
I'm planning on doing it this spring. In addition to performance mods, would like like to add stripes and new wheels / tires (CCW's with Michelin ZP's). I will give you a call in a few months or sooner if the weather improves.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,811
Likes: 31
From: Minnetonka MN
St. Jude Donor '06
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 9,615
Likes: 13
From: Burlington NC
I'm glad I checked back.
Yes a dyno tune on a stock car will give it more performance!!! They don't make a huge power improvment, but feel better in the whole rpm range. Gets rid of the skip shift, turns cooling fans on sooner, and a couple other little things.
This year we are planning on a get together here at the shop. Last year was the first year we missed in the past 10. We had to finish the race car during the peak BBQ days last spring. Most of us worked 8-9am to 12-2 am every day so there wasn't a ton of time.
I will post on our web site and on the forum when, and the menu.
Randy
Yes a dyno tune on a stock car will give it more performance!!! They don't make a huge power improvment, but feel better in the whole rpm range. Gets rid of the skip shift, turns cooling fans on sooner, and a couple other little things.
This year we are planning on a get together here at the shop. Last year was the first year we missed in the past 10. We had to finish the race car during the peak BBQ days last spring. Most of us worked 8-9am to 12-2 am every day so there wasn't a ton of time.
I will post on our web site and on the forum when, and the menu.
Randy
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 1
From: Stillwater,MN
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Randy,
Be certain to let us know at Suburban Corvettes so we can get it on the club calender. Don't forget, Corvettes Do Brainerd is 6/1 to 6/3 this year.
Be certain to let us know at Suburban Corvettes so we can get it on the club calender. Don't forget, Corvettes Do Brainerd is 6/1 to 6/3 this year.