Great build, I love the S2000 seats.

Sorry about what seems to be poor luck with the car around every corner!

 

Ok, here we go.

Stock C5 seat
_DSC5489 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Comparison wtih S2000 seat.
_DSC5491 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5493 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5496 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

ebay seat brackets, bolted in with factory hardware.
_DSC5490 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr


Removed S2000 seat cushion and back from the lower brackets.
_DSC5495 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Welding on some plates to accept the wider S2000 rails
_DSC5494 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

I thought that I'd have to buy new seatbelt receivers to match the new C6 belts, but by some miracle, the S2000 receiver accepted the C6 belt buckle perfectly.
_DSC5497 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

So I finished up the C6 seatbelt install, finish welded and painted the lower seat brackets/rails, and bolted them in.

Previous height of the S2000 seat using strut mounting. way too high.
_DSC5499 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

New height - at least an inch lower.
_DSC5502 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

 

Finished pics

_DSC5498 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5500 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5501 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5503 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5504 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

 

Got tired of the clutch pedal going to the floor, so I picked up a Tick Master cylinder to replace the OEM junk.

Installation was not difficult, just really uncomfortable. I ended up removing the driver's seat and laying on the floor on my back with my head up by the pedals.

_DSC5506 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5507 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Fittings hooked up
_DSC5508 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5509 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Additional insulation over the whole clutch line as it passes somewhat close to the longtubes.
_DSC5510 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

 

The gatorbacks were discontinued and are now sold as the "continental Elites" that you just purchased , good call

 

I guess I can scrape something together. Not really been doing much

Been driving it around a bunch. The front ride height is a bit "high" for my taste due to the thick piece of rubber I put between the spring and the control arm to prevent contact. I can probably replace it with something thinner but just as durable to drop it another 1/4" or so.

0819161725 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

1472409268907 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

The cutout butterfly valves have started rattling ever so slightly at a certain RPM (around 1000) on warmup, which is annoying, so I removed them to inspect and figure out how to fix it. It will probably involve a bit more fab so I may leave that to a winter project.

1471655753617 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

If you recall these were V-Banded to the exhaust midpipes, so with those off the car there was a big gaping hole in each pipe. I still wanted to drive the car while the cutouts were removed so I ordered up some flat 1/8" thick, 3" diameter round plates and welded those to some v-band rings to make blockoff plates. Welds aren't pretty but are getting better and don't leak.

1472685638458 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

I painted the "X" in the LSX of the plate frame to give it a bit more contrast.

_DSC5513 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5515 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5520 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

and gave the stainless frame a quick wipedown to bring some shine back.
_DSC5528 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5523 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5534 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5535 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr



My buddy came over with his recently turbocharged, all original (and definitely patina'd) '92 SE-R for some work. This thing is super cool and spins the fronts pretty well on 7lbs. Trying to convince him to come out to the road course with me.

1472608344587 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

1472606411497 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Speaking of road course, it was definitely time to replace the brake fluid that was probably original.

1472078975613 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

New Motul RBF600 ready to go in.
1471911273260 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

1472073583611 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Lastly I ordered up some vinyl test samples to try out. Was thinking the Nardo Gray but it just doesn't work. I may stick to something gray, but with much more metallic in it.

0821162103 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

0821162101b by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

0821162101a by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

0821162101 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

 

How hard is a wrap? Very interested in the outcome.

 

I don't know. I've never wrapped a whole car before, only small trim pieces. I like tackling new projects and learning new things, so we will find out.

 

Nice write up, I'm a fool for the FRC myself, great looking car.

 

Quick update

Took a ride out to Rochester to pick up two 16" Firebird ABS wheels. I really don't plan on taking this car to the drag strip - but I guess if I ever get serious I can stick a drag radial on them.

1003162108 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

They fit without any modification - extremely close on the spindle but doesn't touch. The ball joint dust caps also cleared. Miles of room on the calipers. They look goofy.

1004161855 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Tiny sized tire (225/60/16) makes for a fun time on the street.
received_10103371545198348 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Installed these as a track-only option - and bedded in on the street.


Amazing braking force when warmed up. but have pretty disappointing cold initial bite. They make a LOT of dust! This is just a few short drives on the street with some aggressive stops/bedding in.

0923161626 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

0925161846 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Took apart the passenger wheel well
1009161148 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

So I could ship this guy out for a tune over at ECS in NJ.
1009161149 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Been running on the stock tune this whole season despite having longtubes, LS6 intake, catless x-pipe, Z06 Ti's, zip tie modded intake, etc. So, hopefully the car shows some gains as a result of the tuning.

 

Holy crap, I thought you painted your rims, I was going to say it looked good until I read that it was just brake dust!!!

I'm interested to hear your review on the ECS tune. I am leaning that way also.

 

Haha, it blew me away too.

I experimented with vinyl wrapping the C6 wheels in a high gloss black, and did not do too well - still learning how to stretch around those angles and curves without tearing or creases. I might try it again with a more aggressive heat gun, and the Primer 94 from 3M to help adhesion.

I should have the tuned PCM back by this weekend, I'll do a review on it when it's up and running again.

 

Your car has been fine without a tune so far? Were you tracking AF-ratios or anything like that?

 

No wideband gauge in the car. It drove normally, like stock. However I am sure it was running lean or rich due to all the additional airflow (LS6 intake, zip tie mod, long tube headers, cutouts, etc). Hopefully it makes some nice gains.

 

Making a big trip from Wichita, KS to Ocala, FL soon in mine. Definitely gotta document it like this, nice work and congrats!

 

Definitely start a thread! They are meant to be driven!

 

subbed

 

Any update or review on the ECS tune?

 

I am overdue for an update. I have a bunch of pics sitting on my computer at home and on my DSLR.

Anyhow, the car is sitting in the garage right now as the snow is starting to pile up. Haven't driven it in a few weeks. Unfortunately since I did not perform a dyno tune before or after any modifications, I can't say with any certainty what the actual gains were. However, I will say that the top end feels stronger, above 4000rpm. Doesn't feel much different below that.

I am debating putting 4.10s in it, or getting a C5Z, or getting something with 4 seats as my wife and I are thinking about starting a family....decisions, decisions

 

Yeah, the old M5 is a great car, I had a 2001, even stock it was fun. Great thread, your car has had a pretty severe transformation, looks stellar.