managerman

As the winter modding season comes to an end, I have completed most of the things I wanted to do to my car.

Here is a rundown of what I did!

Project #1: Painted the Black OEM Calipers white.

This was my big project. I looked into having them removed, powder coated, reinstalled, and then having the brakes bled....it was a 1500.00 cost....so...I decided to go the less expensive way and see how it would turn out. I figured that I could always have them powder coated if I did not like the way they turned out.





I bought the G2 Caliper Paint kit. It was around 40.00 on Amazon...There are a bunch of videos on YouTube on how to apply the paint and prep the calipers....The most important thing to remember is that the Calipers need to be super clean! Depending on how dirty your calipers are it mat take some time to get them clean. The kit does come with a can of Brake cleaner to help with that process...I washed my calipers with soapy Dawn water and then sprayed them down with the brake cleaner. I would also recommend that you buy a set of fine artist brushes from Amazon (8.99)

The brush that comes with the kit really sucks!


It is important to scuff up the existing calipers if they are painted so the new paint will adhere better. I used 180 grit sandpaper. I then masked off any areas of the rotor, pads, and caliper that I did not want paint to get on.





Once you mix the catalyst into the epoxy paint you will have about four hours to get the job done. It took me all four hours to apply six coats of paint to each caliper. This will allow about 15-20 min between coats...the paint is self leveling so much of the brush marks will disappear...You have to be careful to watch out for drips and runs...






I let the paint dry overnight and then I applied the "Corvette" decals. I ordered the decals from Tower Decals.









I think they really turned out great!!





Project #2: Install ACS Rear Fascia Extentions.





I received an email from ACS about these new items and I ordered them 5 minutes after getting the email! I think they are very subtle, but carry the line of the splitter and sideskirts to the rear of the car. They were very easy to install..

Here's a before picture....





And the install was very straight forward....Two existing screws and two additional rivets.

Two 1/2" deep holes needed to be drilled....I used some masking tape on the drill bit to measure the 1/2"







Final result tuned out great!







Project #3: Add new painted supercharger cover.

The details are important so I painted the cover bolts gloss black!

Before:



After:




Project #4: Install new Painted splash guards....

Before:



After:



Project #5: Install new Arctic White Cowl.

I always have wanted to do this ever since I saw Jeremy Welborn (jagamajajaran) do it on his Velocity yellow vette! I followed his install video and it was super simple! Thanks Jeremy!

First step was to remove the old cowl....that involved first removing the windshield wipers and the trim pieces on either side of the car...

Side trim pieces removed





Nut covers on wipers removed




Remove 4 push pins on the cowl





Disconnect the windshield washer fluid tubes





Remove wipers by removing the 15mm nut...then Remove the cowl...(Note you will need to remove the tube from under the cowl and re attach on the new cowl.)





Install the new cowl!





and then the wipers!





Project #6: Install new kalahari upper trim molding batwing and grab handle! (A.K.A Kalahari 2.5!)

A few years ago I saw a few threads that were called Kalahari 2.5...where some people had a 2LT Kalahari interior and wanted a few more accents of Kalahari trim, built not the full blown 3LT look....

I decided to add the Kalahari batwing and grab handle....The swap out only took 10 minutes!!

Before:





Using a small trim tool, the cover piece for the grab handle is removed to expose two screws holding the batwing in place..





Once the screws are out, the trim piece just pops out and the new pieces pop in! Simple!









Project #7: Install Carbon flash Spear!

Another very simple project....Spear vinyl was bought from Vettestripes.com. Once again a very subtle change, but I like it!

Before:





After:





Project #8: Upgraded engine components!

Went back down to my favorite shop! Weapon X Motorsports!

Changes made:

1. Upgraded Brian Tooley Valve springs
2. New upgraded spark plugs
3. new updated tune
4. New supercharger expansion tank!

The upgrades smoothed out the power delivery and the car is more responsive along with a more linear power curve! Very happy with the results!










Once the upgrades were made it was time for the dyno!!


-M

cheapthrills

Good stuff, car looks great.

blackbirdws6

Very nice work and I like the theme although I do not envy your need to clean all that white lol, especially in the brake and engine areas. Maybe its the picture but is the Z51 badge a little crooked?

Jeff V.

That looks really good. But all I can think when I see it is what a nightmare it'll be to keep clean. But it really looks nice.

John Micheal Henry

What are the final dyno numbers..

DWS44

The freshly-painted white calipers look great...but you are a brave man, especially if you are still running the stock brake pads.

managerman

Thanks....Badge is a little crooked...but I did it on purpose to follow the upper body line instead of the lower body line...I actually tried to match the old stingray badge line exactly....I am good with it for now. And yes...white is a pain to keep clean, but I enjoy detailing!

610/600 to the wheel.

-M

managerman

Not running stock! LOL! I have Carbotech 1521...so not as much dust as OEM..

-M

rpm462

Looks good!

Where did you get the painted cowl from, or did you order a stock one and paint it yourself?

Internets_Ninja

I love everything except the crooked Z51 badges get my OCD going. I mean at least they look crooked to me. Personally I would level them out but its your car and you are free to do what you please!

managerman

I thought about painting it myself, but decided to go the professional route. I ordered from Southern Car Parts.

-M

Woodson

You’re a brave man having white calipers even with the 1521’s.

Joseph Bryan

Looks great!

ssidekickbp

Love it!
There's something great about having items that you don't see on so many other Corvettes, especially when done tastefully.

rpm462

Thanks. I painted the one on my C5 myself and not sure I want to do that again! Lol

Always Red Dave

You definitely put in a lot of time and hard work!

robert miller

Nice looking car man well done on the mods on her. Robert

Stuman45

Nice work, all those mods make a really nice improvement in the look of your car. The details make all the difference.

RyanC7

You have been busy...looks good.

Vetteman Jack

You were definitely busy over the winter. All those mods look great on the car.