Daily Slideshow: Man Buys Katech C5 Z06 Corvette, Goes Racing

The Right Tool

The Corvette you see here isn't owner Chris Jacobs’ first, two others came before it. Immediately prior to this 2001 Speedway White Z06 came a yellow C5 convertible—the car that got Chris and his wife Lynda hooked on autocrossing. Not too long after they started campaigning the yellow car, they realized it wasn't the ideal competitor–among other things, the open top compromised rigidity, and installing a roll cage that fit under the stock roof would have prevented Chris from folding his tall frame into the 'Vette's cockpit. The couple had their sights set on competing in Optima events, and liking the platform, they went looking for an affordable C5 upgrade in 2015. Their search turned up an intriguing eBay ad for a modified '01 Z06. Chris called the seller, who sent documentation. When Chris saw a receipt for $26,000, dated May of 2001 and issued by Katech, he was, as he told Hot Rod, "more than mildly interested." Soon after the Z06 was on its way to Chris and Lynda.

A Good Start

Those 26,000 circa-2001 dollars bought one heck of an autocross starter kit, not the least of which was a built 427 ci C5R engine with ported cylinder heads and LG headers, residing under a Doug Rippie Motorsports hood. Also included were T-1 springs and sway bars, Penske shocks, AP Racing brakes, and Fikse wheels. Rounding out the package were Sparco Evo racing seats and harnesses. All of the above was a great spec for 2001, but for Chris, in 2015, further measures needed to be taken. 

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Step One

First up, Chris brought the '01 to Finish Line Performance in Naperville, Illinois, who installed a high-performance Melling oil pump and performed an overall engine inspection. Next Chris had Randy Johnson of D&Z Customs replace the great-for-2001 AP brakes with hot-for-2015 Wilwoods—Aero6 six-piston calipers and 14-inch discs up front, Superlite four-piston calipers with 13-inch rotors in the rear. 

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Step Four

With sufficient, and sufficiently light, brakes, attention turned to the critical car-to-road interface. Chris moved the Z06's rear 18x11 Fiske wheels to the front and sent the old 18x10 fronts out to be changed to 18x12s for the rear. The reconfigured Fiskes were then fitted with BFGoodrich Rival S radials (315/30R18 front, 335/30R18 rear). With all the planned updates in place, they went out to test the 'Vette.

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Surprises

It's a good thing they did because testing sessions turned up a problem with the master cylinder. But they soon ironed out that wrinkle and were ready for their next event, The Motor State Challenge in Michigan. The next surprise (there's always a 'next surprise' in racing) came when Chris went to unload the C5 in Michigan. A rear shock had blown on the trip there, puking fluid all over his nice trailer. RideTech had a presence at the event though, and next thing you know Chris' Corvette had RideTech HQ triple-adjustable coilover shocks fitted.

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The Off-Season

The remainder of the Jacobs' 2015 season was relatively surprise-free but informative, and Chris wanted to use that info to make a few more changes—so back went the 'Vette to Finish Line Performance. The 243 heads were sent out to LandSpeed Development, where they received new Xceldyne valves and Brian Tooley Racing springs. A Custom Machine Performance custom-grind camshaft was installed in Z06's engine, and a FAST intake manifold and Lingenfelter throttle body were fitted. All told, the changes netted an extra 50 hp and 40 lb-ft of torque, now up to 521, and 507, respectively, at the wheels.

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The Next Seasons

The upgrades did the trick, the Jacobs' recording another rewarding season in 2016... though of course, more changes were in store. Chris figured the stock transmission's days were numbered so he preemptively installed a new Tranzilla TR6060, from Rockland Standard Gear, fitted with a Centerforce Triad clutch. Their 2017 season was going swimmingly until the (original) timing chain bought the farm circa 6500 rpm, resulting in nine burnt valves.

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Nickname

That's where our story ends, for now. So far the Jacobs' 'Vette has scooped up several division Autocross class championships, and some competitive finishes in Optima’s Search for the Ultimate Street Cars and Motor State events. You may have noticed the Z06's license plate and thought, "What tha??" The story goes that when Chris' buddy, fellow competitor Mark Stielow, was trying to come up with a name for Stielow's latest '69 Camaro, Chris suggested the name 'Fluffy'. "He always names his cars things mean and ugly," Chris told Hot Rod. Stielow vetoed the suggestion, instead, going with 'Hellfire', but Chris decided it was the perfect thing to name his Z06 and to keep making fun of Stielow. We're not picking sides, but both names remind us of '80s hair metal bands. Two great sounds that sound great together. It's officially a trend—you read it here first. 

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