Esser's 2002 M6 Coupe Progress Thread
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 190
Likes: 36
From: Evansville IN
Small update while I wait for some more parts to arrive. Thanks to Diode Dynamics I have some bright LED lights installed in both the footwells and the trunk. Makes a big difference!
After:
I am waiting for the concrete on the driveway to cure and the weather to clear up so I can get some more items done and off the list!
After:
I am waiting for the concrete on the driveway to cure and the weather to clear up so I can get some more items done and off the list!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 190
Likes: 36
From: Evansville IN
Radar
Last night I wired up my Valentine1 radar detector to the power rear view mirror so it's a hidden install. I hate it when there is a cord hanging down the middle of the center console. I went to Home Depot and picked up some telephone cable and used an old connector for some prongs so I could tap into the existing auto-dimming mirror power source. I soldered it up and put some heat shrink on:
Here is the pin outs of the rear view mirror (auto-dim version) for those that want to attempt this:
Here is it mounted and wired up. The way the valentine sits, it looks much better and is easier to see when it's on the right side of the mirror.
All in all its a pretty easy to do mod that costs less than $6!
Here is the pin outs of the rear view mirror (auto-dim version) for those that want to attempt this:
Here is it mounted and wired up. The way the valentine sits, it looks much better and is easier to see when it's on the right side of the mirror.
All in all its a pretty easy to do mod that costs less than $6!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 190
Likes: 36
From: Evansville IN
Updates
I finally have some updates now that the weather is nice and I have some time on my hands. I bought some black outs for the front and rear from ebay and installed them. I love the black on red look, good contrast with the black wheels. Here is the before and after:
I also put on a jake skull exhaust plate. I think it gives the rear a mean look!
And the work continues on the garage as well, getting ready to hand some more cabinets and stuff.
I also put on a jake skull exhaust plate. I think it gives the rear a mean look!
And the work continues on the garage as well, getting ready to hand some more cabinets and stuff.
Last edited by Esser; May 29, 2016 at 10:45 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 190
Likes: 36
From: Evansville IN
I built a tire rack the other day for my stocks tires. I hate having them sitting in the garage floor because it uses up a lot of floor space. I went to home depot and bought some galvanized pipe and fittings to create a base and some chain to hold it up.
I think it turned out well for the cost being less than $100!
I think it turned out well for the cost being less than $100!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 190
Likes: 36
From: Evansville IN
As do I 
Well in the recent humid summer days I have noticed that the engine temps were getting pretty high on occasion. Especially after a few spirited runs. I read up on this and found out that the radiator can be easily clogged with debris due to its location. I removed the hood and air dam, and sure enough there was a bunch of crud built up on the radiator.
I pulled as much as I could by hand, but I didn't think I was getting ALL of the stuff out.... So i just decided to pull the radiator and completely clean it out and flush it. And I'm glad I did, so much more stuff came out of it than I ever believed. I just kept hitting it with the hose, and stuff continued to come out. I went ahead and did the same thing with the A/C condenser in the car.
v
And mid wash:
With it all back together and filled with fresh coolant, I took it out and ran her hard. I could never even get the temps over 205, and the fans never wanted to kick on. I'd say it worked pretty well!
If you're ever having temperature issues I highly suggest removing the radiator and cleaning it out, these vettes are like vacuums going down the street.
Well in the recent humid summer days I have noticed that the engine temps were getting pretty high on occasion. Especially after a few spirited runs. I read up on this and found out that the radiator can be easily clogged with debris due to its location. I removed the hood and air dam, and sure enough there was a bunch of crud built up on the radiator.
I pulled as much as I could by hand, but I didn't think I was getting ALL of the stuff out.... So i just decided to pull the radiator and completely clean it out and flush it. And I'm glad I did, so much more stuff came out of it than I ever believed. I just kept hitting it with the hose, and stuff continued to come out. I went ahead and did the same thing with the A/C condenser in the car.
vAnd mid wash:
With it all back together and filled with fresh coolant, I took it out and ran her hard. I could never even get the temps over 205, and the fans never wanted to kick on. I'd say it worked pretty well!
If you're ever having temperature issues I highly suggest removing the radiator and cleaning it out, these vettes are like vacuums going down the street.
Last edited by Esser; Jun 1, 2016 at 12:29 PM.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 190
Likes: 36
From: Evansville IN
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 190
Likes: 36
From: Evansville IN
I am going to give the car the "ZR1" look by making the roof and halo blacked out. I personally love the look. I bought some 3M wrap on ebay and got the roof panel wrapped. I will have to order a longer piece to get the halo. It took some patience, but I got it wrapped near perfect with the roof sitting on my living room floor. The material costs about $30 for enough to cover the roof.
The completed roof:
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 190
Likes: 36
From: Evansville IN
I went out and did the "Ranger" method and cleaned out the clutch fluid. It was nasty in there. I had to pump and flush and repeat 6 times before the fluid came back out clean. Went through a whole bottle of brake fluid. But now its crystal clear!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 775
Likes: 76
From: Mooresboro NC
What a great post this is! I love the attention to detail and all the pics to go along with it! Certainly taught me a bunch of things I didn't know and turned me onto new products I've never heard of or used (never had a vette before either! lol) Thank you for your wonderful info!! 
The car looks awesome by the way!!
The car looks awesome by the way!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 190
Likes: 36
From: Evansville IN
What a great post this is! I love the attention to detail and all the pics to go along with it! Certainly taught me a bunch of things I didn't know and turned me onto new products I've never heard of or used (never had a vette before either! lol) Thank you for your wonderful info!!
The car looks awesome by the way!!
The car looks awesome by the way!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 190
Likes: 36
From: Evansville IN
Update
Been busy working in the garage on all the new parts. I installed American Racing headers as well as billy boat bullets, what an amazing sound! Install went smooth in my garage on the headers, and the mufflers slid in easy on the lift. It is very loud, but manageable. The exhaust is nice and deep from idle to 4k rpms, and above it is a very exotic sound, love it!
I also installed some GM performance plug wires and some NGK TR-55 plugs while I was in there.
In addition, I installed a vararam intake. It was a little tricky to get the fitment correct, but with some perseverance and some engineering I was able to get it on.
Lastly, I tied it all together with a mail order tune from ECS. I couldn't be happier with how it runs! Seat of the pants tells me I must have gained at least 30 hp to the wheels. Feels great up top, and spins the tires with ease now. A vast difference from stock. While it runs and drives great, I am only itching for more....
I also installed some GM performance plug wires and some NGK TR-55 plugs while I was in there.
In addition, I installed a vararam intake. It was a little tricky to get the fitment correct, but with some perseverance and some engineering I was able to get it on.
Lastly, I tied it all together with a mail order tune from ECS. I couldn't be happier with how it runs! Seat of the pants tells me I must have gained at least 30 hp to the wheels. Feels great up top, and spins the tires with ease now. A vast difference from stock. While it runs and drives great, I am only itching for more....
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 190
Likes: 36
From: Evansville IN
I need opinions... I wrapped the halo section of the roof in gloss black. Trying to determine if I like it black or red. I can upload some better pics if needed, but what do you think???
