Much bigger job
Thread Starter
Mike
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
Much bigger job
I am installing an LS7 in my C6 Convertible and it is more of a job than I thought. Finally after new harness and ecm it started up and everything is working...except the gas pedal - what a bummer. Now we are searching for a way to fix this.
It idles very smooth compared to my ls2 which was quite modded and I should have more HP with just headers, intake work and Jeremy tune.
That is if I can get the gas pedal working - I guess I may have to just go slow as I figure it should idle at about 35-40 mph in 6th gear.
Below are my original posts
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1447896
It idles very smooth compared to my ls2 which was quite modded and I should have more HP with just headers, intake work and Jeremy tune.
That is if I can get the gas pedal working - I guess I may have to just go slow as I figure it should idle at about 35-40 mph in 6th gear.
Below are my original posts
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1447896
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,888
Likes: 4,342
From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
Being a GM dealer 'splains a lot!
If the Corvette Z06 came in a convertible model, I would be driving one right now. The only reason I didn't get a Z06 is it did not have a removable top/drop top...EOS
Beautiful car you have BTW! Maybe a write up on your build it yourself Z06 Vert when it is all said and done.
If the Corvette Z06 came in a convertible model, I would be driving one right now. The only reason I didn't get a Z06 is it did not have a removable top/drop top...EOS
Beautiful car you have BTW! Maybe a write up on your build it yourself Z06 Vert when it is all said and done.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
Mike Norris at Next Level Perf can help you. My buddy JP's car just turned 10.84 at 127 Saturday night in the heat (around 3800 DA) with his LS7 C5 tuned by Norris. He did go with a slightly bigger cam designed by Norris.
It's a great mod - and not so bad money wise, as it will run with some high dollar tuner cars but gives daily driver reliability and much less cost than the twin turbo solutions and more driveability. I thought JP was crazy at first but seeing his sano install and seeing the results convinced me.
It's a great mod - and not so bad money wise, as it will run with some high dollar tuner cars but gives daily driver reliability and much less cost than the twin turbo solutions and more driveability. I thought JP was crazy at first but seeing his sano install and seeing the results convinced me.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 78
From: Miami FL
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16,'17,'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
Mike Norris at Next Level:
http://www.nlperformance.com/
Supporting Tuner, listed in the column of supporting vendors at the left of the main pages.
http://www.nlperformance.com/
Supporting Tuner, listed in the column of supporting vendors at the left of the main pages.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by rsbb
How do I get in contact with Level Perf if I need to?
Thanks
Thanks
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Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
From: The Woodlands TX
Please post details about the problem/fix. It's like pulling teeth . . . please share your experiences so you can help another CF member out. 
[edit] I'm also surprised that you changed the wiring harness, as Vette magazine said that the Florida shop plugged the ECM into the same harness.
[edit] I'm also surprised that you changed the wiring harness, as Vette magazine said that the Florida shop plugged the ECM into the same harness.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by rsbb
I am installing an LS7 in my C6 Convertible and it is more of a job than I thought. Finally after new harness and ecm it started up and everything is working...except the gas pedal - what a bummer. Now we are searching for a way to fix this.
It idles very smooth compared to my ls2 which was quite modded and I should have more HP with just headers, intake work and Jeremy tune.
That is if I can get the gas pedal working - I guess I may have to just go slow as I figure it should idle at about 35-40 mph in 6th gear.
Below are my original posts
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1447896
It idles very smooth compared to my ls2 which was quite modded and I should have more HP with just headers, intake work and Jeremy tune.
That is if I can get the gas pedal working - I guess I may have to just go slow as I figure it should idle at about 35-40 mph in 6th gear.
Below are my original posts
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1447896
I'm not bashing you, but if you had to look back at the process, would it have been easier if you started with a Z06 and then put the convertible parts on it?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,176
Likes: 0
From: Orange, CT
Originally Posted by teazr1
I'm not bashing you, but if you had to look back at the process, would it have been easier if you started with a Z06 and then put the convertible parts on it?
Absolutely not. The Z06 is built a certain way, utilizing it's hardtop design to provide rigidity due to it's high HP and aluminum frame among other factors... If you chop the Z06 into a convertable, it would probably handle much, much worse, as well as be extremely unsafe.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by turbo_tom
Absolutely not. The Z06 is built a certain way, utilizing it's hardtop design to provide rigidity due to it's high HP and aluminum frame among other factors... If you chop the Z06 into a convertable, it would probably handle much, much worse, as well as be extremely unsafe.
What I was asking him is if he thought it would have been easier to accomplish what he did by starting with a Z06. As an engineer I can take care of the stiffness and handling problems. I want to know the best way to get a Z06 motor and a Covertible body in one package.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,366
Likes: 9
From: Jacksonville FL
Originally Posted by teazr1
Well by that theory....sticking that motor into a convertible isn't a good idea either. Putting a lot more horsepower into a car that isn't as rigid to begin with and one that wasn't designed to handle that much power is gonna make it handle much, much worse, as well as be extremely unsafe. GM doesn't offer a Z06 convertible for a reason.
What I was asking him is if he thought it would have been easier to accomplish what he did by starting with a Z06. As an engineer I can take care of the stiffness and handling problems. I want to know the best way to get a Z06 motor and a Covertible body in one package.
What I was asking him is if he thought it would have been easier to accomplish what he did by starting with a Z06. As an engineer I can take care of the stiffness and handling problems. I want to know the best way to get a Z06 motor and a Covertible body in one package.
Well actually since we have a steel frame vice the ZO6's aluminum frame, C6's start out stronger. If you had to go one way or the other, I think he chose the wisest and safest route. The ZO6's frame can't take the power the engine produces without the hard top. I am not sure if the standard C6 frame can or cannot, but it has a much better chance.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,176
Likes: 0
From: Orange, CT
Originally Posted by DrivnXcitment
Well actually since we have a steel frame vice the ZO6's aluminum frame, C6's start out stronger. If you had to go one way or the other, I think he chose the wisest and safest route. The ZO6's frame can't take the power the engine produces without the hard top. I am not sure if the standard C6 frame can or cannot, but it has a much better chance.
Exactly. And that is also a reason why they use the base C6 to make the C6R instead of the Z06...
Thread Starter
Mike
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
Actually now that it is done it would be easy for the second one, this was the first time my tech has ever tried this. We tried it with the regular ecm and wiring harness and the crank sensor would not talk to the ecm so no start. After the new wiring harness and ecm and rewire the throttle it is great. On the ecm we had to download a program from a Z06 using the Z06 V.I.N. I believe I will have more horses with the LS7 over my modded LS2 and be much smoother only mods on the LS7 are Long Tubes, Halltech filter, and Jeremy is going to port the intake and put a tune on it - My LS2 was about 460 RWHP. The LS7 is much smoother than that. If anyone needs any help doing this just email me at rsbb@att.net
Last edited by rsbb; Aug 8, 2006 at 06:17 PM.