TP's Modding/Repair/Maintenance Thread





Last edited by tommypenguin; Dec 4, 2018 at 10:12 AM.
Great car/write-up btw too!
Last edited by Ncognito; Dec 4, 2018 at 06:47 PM.





C7carbon race edition spoiler, vented splitter, zr1 side skirts
Backup camera, Sony ax200 double din, Metra bezel
Domed dash letteringc7Carbon extended spoiler
c7Carbon zr1 side skirts
c7Carbon vented splitter
metra double din bezel
sony XAV-AX200
eRapta ERT02 backup camera
relocating afr gauge from ash tray to steering wheel column via autometer
smoked led 3rd brake light
black corvette lettering
Flip key





I'm planning on coming out your way in February for the NRHA Arizona Nationals.






Couple of updates, reached 1100 miles on the new motor. To get to this point have had to troubleshoot a couple more issues both dealing with header heat. Had a random misfire at 5000rpm ended up being from bad plug wire on bank 7.
I ran hinson spark plug wires with the 45 degree bend and they clicked onto the spark plug but easily rotated while connected. Had air gap when installing them but over a couple hundred miles one of the plug wires rotated on the plug and melted on the headers. Ended up doing what I should have done from the get go and ordered gmpp plug wires, then put 3 of them on an old spark plug and bent them slightly away from the header. Then ran those 3 with no heat shield. Most important thing is to have air gap, if the metal boot touches you can short out. Socks won't prevent grounding out even if they might prevent melting the wire. The gmpp wires fit so much tighter than any other brand I've used, wouldn't roll the dice again with a different brand. Don't over complicate the spark plug wire decision, go with GMPP!
Also my passenger side o2 sensor slipped out of it's holder and also touched the header and melted a bit. Had to order a new one and took some more precautions zip tieing things away from the headers.
Did an oil change, oil looked good after cutting open filter along with magnetic drain plug. No outstanding issues for now, seems like there's always one around the corner. Got 1000 miles to go and then will switch back to synthetic oil.
Aside from that I love driving my car so much, having incredible weather in phoenix been driving my car with the top off every day and getting on it! So much fun to drive, also really digging the double din and having android auto in the car, use google maps all the time to help avoid traffic jams and handle my text messages. Backup camera is also key. Am considering installing an aftermarket birds eye camera system, where I have to put cameras in the mirrors and front of the car. Also may add aftermarket blind spot monitors to complete updating the safety features on the car. Will see for the next month or so plan on just driving and enjoying the car.
You're car is already there, if I could have my choice my car would be balloon white. The G8 is coming along really well can't wait to see what you do next.
Couple of updates, reached 1100 miles on the new motor. To get to this point have had to troubleshoot a couple more issues both dealing with header heat. Had a random misfire at 5000rpm ended up being from bad plug wire on bank 7.
I ran hinson spark plug wires with the 45 degree bend and they clicked onto the spark plug but easily rotated while connected. Had air gap when installing them but over a couple hundred miles one of the plug wires rotated on the plug and melted on the headers. Ended up doing what I should have done from the get go and ordered gmpp plug wires, then put 3 of them on an old spark plug and bent them slightly away from the header. Then ran those 3 with no heat shield. Most important thing is to have air gap, if the metal boot touches you can short out. Socks won't prevent grounding out even if they might prevent melting the wire. The gmpp wires fit so much tighter than any other brand I've used, wouldn't roll the dice again with a different brand. Don't over complicate the spark plug wire decision, go with GMPP!
Also my passenger side o2 sensor slipped out of it's holder and also touched the header and melted a bit. Had to order a new one and took some more precautions zip tieing things away from the headers.
Did an oil change, oil looked good after cutting open filter along with magnetic drain plug. No outstanding issues for now, seems like there's always one around the corner. Got 1000 miles to go and then will switch back to synthetic oil.
Aside from that I love driving my car so much, having incredible weather in phoenix been driving my car with the top off every day and getting on it! So much fun to drive, also really digging the double din and having android auto in the car, use google maps all the time to help avoid traffic jams and handle my text messages. Backup camera is also key. Am considering installing an aftermarket birds eye camera system, where I have to put cameras in the mirrors and front of the car. Also may add aftermarket blind spot monitors to complete updating the safety features on the car. Will see for the next month or so plan on just driving and enjoying the car.
I didnt know know they made aftermarket 360 and birds eye systems for cars, that is going to be super cool! Every time I see your car I get that much closer to ordering carbon fiber flares! I should be putting the c5z on the dyno once it warms up here and I can fully break in the new clutch, hoping for 575 rwhp n/a on it.
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts





On to a new project had an opportunity to upgrade my speakers in my car to Focal KRX2 for the front and 130 kr's in the rear. At some point I'm going to want to upgrade my amp to give these speakers more power. But in the interim they sound really good. Am playing with the tweeter location and also had to order some door panel repair tabs off of ebay.
I've taken my door panels off countless times since owning the car. This will be my 4th set of speakers including the stock ones I've had. Probably should make a new speaker mount myself, have a sweet milwaukee m18 jigsaw now and the current ones are pretty beat. Also should insulate the doors better. A blessing and curse with this car is that the there will always be a project to do. At least with these speakers retailing for close to the cost of my wheels I know that I won't be upgrading them anytime soon.






My hood is still touching the AC condenser when I close it, might need to run a dewitts lowered radiator to clear the SC intake dongle. If I can get that clearance the ac condenser/radiator will sit closer toward the blower giving me the 1/2" of clearance I need to clear the hood.
Beyond that the only outstanding items on the wish list are new hood, 3.4 pulley, reupholster my arm rest and wiring in a homelink to my mirror visor.
My hood is still touching the AC condenser when I close it, might need to run a dewitts lowered radiator to clear the SC intake dongle. If I can get that clearance the ac condenser/radiator will sit closer toward the blower giving me the 1/2" of clearance I need to clear the hood.
Beyond that the only outstanding items on the wish list are new hood, 3.4 pulley, reupholster my arm rest and wiring in a homelink to my mirror visor.





Here are a couple pics...















Went back and did all soldering with nice pinned connectors. Lastly installed a dewitts shorty radiator and spal shorty fans. I can at long last close my hood without hitting the ac condenser. I can finally order a hood, still leaning towards anderson, not sure when I will but at least it won't get damaged closing it when I do.
Last edited by tommypenguin; Sep 15, 2019 at 12:12 PM.





Started a YouTube channel I'll be posting diys in going forward.
Last edited by tommypenguin; Feb 17, 2026 at 09:25 PM.


















