New guy from VA
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 32
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New guy from VA
Hi Everyone. I'm another military member, got back from Afghanistan about a few weeks ago. Picked up a 2004 Z06 and some goodies before I came home, had them waiting for me. I felt like a kid at Christmas!
Heres my first time sitting in it as soon as I got home
I've spent some time getting used to it, drove it 1000+ miles in the first two weeks Its such a pleasure to drive, its an amazingly balanced car. Great for cruising, and the pull from 4k+ on up is just unreal. The car had a borla stinger catback on it when I bought it, and sounds pretty sweet. It gets a lot of looks, and I've already been criticized a few times for driving "daddy's vette". Oh well, theres always haters, and I'm only 24.
I came from driving a Mustang, so I've always considered myself a bit of an enthusiast and I cant leave anything stock. So after a bit of research and planning, these are the parts I've got. The brakes will be going on this weekend, and the rest of it next week hopefully, pending the arrival of the last package!
First we gotta start with getting it breathing better, so I went with Kook's 1-7/8" LT's, catted Kook's Xpipe, and Borla XR1 catback. Also picked up a Vararam intake/powertube.
These headers are very well built, much nicer than the MAC longtubes I had on my mustang.
I went with the XR1 catback because its a little different than most people running Stingers, and other catbacks. I didnt know the stinger catback was on there when I bought it, so it'll be going up for sale after the install.
I had an MGW short throw in the Mustang, and its an awesome piece. So I picked up one for the Vette also.
Then I decided it was time to dig deeper. So I picked up a TSP 228R camshaft from Texas Speed & Performance.
After doing more research and talking to a few builders, I decided I could get more power and same driveability out of a slightly bigger, custom grind camshaft.
So I got with Pat G and Geoff at Engine Power Systems and got a 234/234 .602"/.602" 114 LSA camshaft with their EPS lobes. For the valvetrain I went with TEA dual valvesprings rated to .660" lift, 7.425" pushrods, and Yella Terra 1.7 RR's. This is the package I'm waiting on, should show up sometime this week and off to install next week!
Since I figured the engine would be torn down, why not do the heads too. So I picked up PRC Stage 1 LS6 heads from Texas Speed and had them milled to 59cc for roughly 11.1 static compression.
The brakes are Baer Decelarotors with Hawk street pads from Corvette Garage.
Stock calipers will be fine for now, as bigger calipers mean bigger rims, new tires and a lot more money. They are due to arrive Friday and I'll install them Saturday.
I always like custom plates on my cars to set it apart a little bit more. So when I got to town, I took my documentation down the DMV and ordered some new plates. Heres what I got; they'll be here within the next 10 days I imagine.
Looking forward to the build and I freaking love this car!
Heres my first time sitting in it as soon as I got home
I've spent some time getting used to it, drove it 1000+ miles in the first two weeks
Its such a pleasure to drive, its an amazingly balanced car. Great for cruising, and the pull from 4k+ on up is just unreal. The car had a borla stinger catback on it when I bought it, and sounds pretty sweet. It gets a lot of looks, and I've already been criticized a few times for driving "daddy's vette". Oh well, theres always haters, and I'm only 24.I came from driving a Mustang, so I've always considered myself a bit of an enthusiast and I cant leave anything stock. So after a bit of research and planning, these are the parts I've got. The brakes will be going on this weekend, and the rest of it next week hopefully, pending the arrival of the last package!
First we gotta start with getting it breathing better, so I went with Kook's 1-7/8" LT's, catted Kook's Xpipe, and Borla XR1 catback. Also picked up a Vararam intake/powertube.
These headers are very well built, much nicer than the MAC longtubes I had on my mustang.
I went with the XR1 catback because its a little different than most people running Stingers, and other catbacks. I didnt know the stinger catback was on there when I bought it, so it'll be going up for sale after the install.
I had an MGW short throw in the Mustang, and its an awesome piece. So I picked up one for the Vette also.
Then I decided it was time to dig deeper. So I picked up a TSP 228R camshaft from Texas Speed & Performance.
After doing more research and talking to a few builders, I decided I could get more power and same driveability out of a slightly bigger, custom grind camshaft.
So I got with Pat G and Geoff at Engine Power Systems and got a 234/234 .602"/.602" 114 LSA camshaft with their EPS lobes. For the valvetrain I went with TEA dual valvesprings rated to .660" lift, 7.425" pushrods, and Yella Terra 1.7 RR's. This is the package I'm waiting on, should show up sometime this week and off to install next week!
Since I figured the engine would be torn down, why not do the heads too. So I picked up PRC Stage 1 LS6 heads from Texas Speed and had them milled to 59cc for roughly 11.1 static compression.
The brakes are Baer Decelarotors with Hawk street pads from Corvette Garage.
Stock calipers will be fine for now, as bigger calipers mean bigger rims, new tires and a lot more money. They are due to arrive Friday and I'll install them Saturday.
I always like custom plates on my cars to set it apart a little bit more. So when I got to town, I took my documentation down the DMV and ordered some new plates. Heres what I got; they'll be here within the next 10 days I imagine.
Looking forward to the build and I freaking love this car!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
Welcome to the Forum!!!!!!! 
Congratulations on your C5 Z!! You REALLY can't leave anything alone or stock! Huh? 
Enjoy the car and the Forums. 
Sorry you were wounded. Thank you for your service!
Congratulations on your C5 Z!! You REALLY can't leave anything alone or stock! Huh? Enjoy the car and the Forums. Sorry you were wounded. Thank you for your service!
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 12,122
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From: Cold Hell, Minnesota...for now
St. Jude Donor '15 thru '26
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 14,406
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From: Cypress TX
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18
Welcome and congrats man! Thank you for your service. I noticed that your plate said "combat wounded". I hope your wounds are healed and that they weren't very serious. Thank you for your sacrifice! 
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
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I've made a full recovery minus some hearing loss on both sides and some wicked scars. Thank you
