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C6 Corvette ZR1 & Z06General info about GM’s Corvette Supercar, LS9 Corvette Technical Info, Performance Upgrades, Suspension Setup for Street or Track
Quick update. I've taken her to Watkins Glen 10 times so far this season. She has performed great. Very happy with the power. Very smooth delivery and predictable. Mike from New Era did a bang up job on the tune for me and hats off to Tony Mamo on his MSD intake. I've picked up very usable power for how she is driven. Oil temps have been pretty consistent around 240-250 and coolant around 225. She is getting run pretty hard but still staying cool. Sessions are 30-50 minutes long, 4-5 times a day sometimes for 3 days straight. NT01s are performing like champs. They run forever.
I made an adjustment to the alignment last week and my turn-in has improved. Running pretty consistent times. Another fresh oil change and brake fluid flush also. Catch can is picking up about half a windixie cup worth of oil every 1-2 days....so it is doing it's job. I also swapped my XP12s (good until the last drop) for XP24s on the front. I can go through a set of 12s in a few days. The 24s are holding up much better and the rotors look good....just normal heat checking. Apparently the AZDAVE modified cooling ducts work. I can pretty much stay on the track until I run out of gas.
For anyone interested, here are a few short videos from today. They should be in 1080p. I data log most of my runs but haven't had time to compile them. I know that no one is interested in watching 45 minute videos of someone lapping a race track (although it is sure some serious fun), so these are just a few minutes long. 1st vid is a few laps from the end of the day. 2nd vid is me chasing a pretty fast Viper.
Anthony, thanks for the update! I can't believe you have 10 days at the Glen already this season. Glad you are happy with Mike's tuning and the usable power from Tony's MSD. Hopefully we can get together soon to catch up!
Thanks fellas. Much appreciated! Another good day. She literally ran on the track for 3 hours yesterday. Four 30 minute sessions, a 45 minute session and a 15 minute session at the end where I took it easy - working on a few corners etc. I need bigger sway bars, but very, very happy over-all in the performance. She ran like a champ and I outrun most. I am seriously considering the GM T1 or LG G1 bars.
Jason we definitely need to catch up man! I had the C7Z out all weekend before going to Watkins the last few days...was going to text you as I need to see your cars, plus I need a ride in the grey one. Hell, drive one of them over here soon if you can. I'll be in the garage working on the C6Z this weekend. Pretty sure these XP24s are done now too, but I may have a day or two left in them. They did hold up very well and I am going to use them again....at least until I cook these calipers.
Heading back Monday and Tuesday to the Glen with the Porsche guys. Few more short vids below if anyone is interested. These are from yesterday in a pretty fast group (advanced - instructors). Guy in a blue C5Z on slicks that is fast as hell and even I couldn't catch him. Pretty fast, built GS too.
She has been running good, up until the clutch went to the floor on the back straight while downshifting for the turn. Was chasing a group of Porsche cup cars. Got the clutch off the floor, then it went rock hard and started slipping. Had to limp her home. Clutch fluid is swapped as often as I take a ****, so no issue there.
So I swapped out the Master cylinder for the new "improved" version. Fresh fluid. No luck. Think it is the diaphragm spring. So, new clutch going in. Thanks to Unreal for helping me narrow down the right one. Mantic 9000 twin cerametallic.
Will install a remote bleeder while I am down there.
Oh and I figured I would re-fresh the heads while she is down. So off with the heads! New guides, exh valves etc etc.
Thanks Jason. Much appreciated! I will let you know how I progress and if I need some help. I sincerely appreciate the offer. Not looking forward to the clutch swap, but such is racing. Hopefully this Mantic twin holds up better.
I think I am going to gut my cats also, they are rattling like hell inside after the exhaust came down and I looked at them. I also found out where that annoying rear rattling was coming from when I took a high G right hander. It was the rear tow hook bracket hitting the tail pipe from the right muffler moving. The muffler was moving back and forth due to a hangar that came off. I couldn't see it until I got the exhaust apart.
How are your cars running? Anything new? I really need to see them man. I've been driving the C7Z more now that my C6Z is down for a bit. I may put a pulley on it soon and send it to Mike for a re-tune. You think I should bring the C6Z back to Mike again when I am done refreshing these heads? I'm going to take 20-30 thou off them and replace the guides and exh valves for this refresh. My springs and the rest of the valve train look real good.
Anthony,
I'm good! No problem. If you need an extra hand with any of the car stuff, I'm game.
I would definitely have Mike retune your car after the "rebuild" on the heads. Specifically if you are going to mill them .020-.030". You'll need to have a little timing pulled to be safe (detonation). If you weren't milling them, a retune wouldn't be necessary. You'll probably pick up 15rwhp with that mill/retune. In addition, you'll probably see an additional gain (less rotational loss) in rwhp if your new clutch is lighter than what you had previously in there. Was it a stock clutch/flywheel?
My last piece of advice would be to go ahead and replace the valve springs with the heads being off. It's a small cost for additional piece of mind. You have quite a few hard seasons of track time on the engine already from what I recall. I personally wouldn't reuse the springs even if they are testing ok. Also, inspect each lifter before reassembly. You can learn a lot from close inspection of them. I'd be happy to look them over for you as well!
Alright, thanks. I will take a good look at the lifters. Yea it was the stock clutch (2nd one). Guess it didn't like the extra torque as they usually last a bit longer before giving out. Will see how this Mantic goes.
I also just picked up this new wheel. Wanted a flat bottom like my C7Z and figured I would ditch the steering bus wheel once and for all and spruce up the inside a bit. Functional and looks good (to me).
Found this on the tunnel plate. So oil pan needs to come down and will replace the pan gasket. So much fun!
My heads are back. Thanks AHP!!! All freshened up. New guides, exhaust valves, valve seals, springs etc. Also had them milled .030". Grabbed some shorter push rods, but will measure. Also new ARP head bolts.
Yea Brandon, I am glad I found it when I did. I knew there was an issue with the pan gasket, but didn't know it was this bad until I got everything apart. Bellhousing was soaked in oil. It is still a **** ton of work to drop the damn pan though. I already got most of it done.
Yup MTP...went MS90 this time around.
Went down to the Glen today to watch Corvette Racing in the IMSA GTLM qualifying. Going back tomorrow for the Weathertech race. So heads won't go on until Monday. Then I will get lost in some traffic on Tuesday to break in the clutch and I will be at the track all day Wednesday and Thursday. I will be on the track at speed for 3 full hours each day, so she will get a real workout.
Here are some pics from the races today. Figured while I was in the wrenching mood I would give Corvette racing a hand. Told Garcia to kick the crap out of the Ford GTs tomorrow.
05-15-2017, 09:18 PM
Told Garcia to kick the crap out of the Ford GTs tomorrow. 
