Kingpin4329 Posted April 1, 2022 Share Posted April 1, 2022 Here's a little history first: 9 Years ago, I knew enough about mechanics to get past a valve cover before I felt like I was in over my head. Around that time I purchased an 1989 Mustang GT and over the course of the next two years, I put myself through my own self-taught mechanics class with professor google and doctor youtube. In that time the mustang went from "ready for the scrap yard" to a 400rwhp turbo'd 302 show car (after blowing 3 motors while I learned what not to do). I fell in love with mechanics and motors. I sold the mustang to afford the down payment on a house and immediately turned my garage into a shop - buying up every tool I could find. The next 6 years I spent building sport bikes and flipping cars but always had this itch to build another show worthy "race car". 6 months ago, I sold my full build ZX10R and began looking for a high dollar flip. For no particular reason I stumbled across a 1999 Corvette coupe 6-speed on craigslist with a rebuilt title and 158k on the clock. I had ZERO knowledge about corvettes but it looked neat so I bought it. I'll never forget that first drive home and the fucking smile i had plastered on my face. Needless to say, when i got home, the whole "flip" idea had been thrown out the window and I began grinding away online trying to find out everything I could about these cars. Well i'm officially 6 months into the build out of this C5 and it's been an absolute headache of a blast! Felt like it was about time to start putting together a little build log so here ya go! *I'll keep this first post updated with the parts I add as I go LINK TO COST/LABOR BREAKDOWN WORKSHEET Parts list updated on 08/12/22 BODY: EXTERIOR LIGHTING: OEM Headlight Assemblies KnightDrive TV Sleepy Eye V2 Headlight Conversion LED Halo Taillights (Previously Installed) Tinted Tail Light Lenses and Reverse Light Lenses Clear Daytime Running Light Housings 6000k LED Daytime Running Lights 6000k LED Daytime Running Lights and Turn Signals 6000k LED Reverse Lights Smoked LED Laser Side Marker Housings WHEELS/TIRES: ZR1 19x10 Rear Wheels (Previously Installed) ZR1 18x8.5 Front Wheels (Previously Installed) Nitto NT555 285-35ZR19 Rear Tires BODY PANELS: ZR1 Side Skirts (Previously Installed) ZR1 Front Facia (Previously Installed) OTHER: New Hood Struts Windshield Wiper Bolt Covers/Plugs New Windshield Wiper Motor Bosche ICON Wiper Blades (22") New Aluminum Radiator Support / Skid Bar New Window Regulator (Driver Side) INTERIOR: Corbeau A4 Seats w/ double locking sliders NRG Wheel Hub Adapter NRG Quick Disconnect Hub MOMO TUN35BK0S Leather Steering Wheel G-Force Pro Series Camlock 6-Point harness Brey-Krause Lap Belt Mount Kit Passenger Sunvisor Retaining Clip Black C5 Floor Mats Autometer Dual Gauge A-Pillar Door Panel Access Covers Dash Temp Sensor Cover RPMRollbars Roll Bar 4-point Bolt-in White LED Replacement (Door Control Panels) Key/Ignition bezel Custom Fiberglass Radio Bezel with triple gauge pod Custom Sub Box C5 floor mats Black Driver and Passenger Side Area Carpets Black Passenger Area Fuse Carpeted Fuse Cover Black Rear Wall Molded Carpeted Covers Black Rear Wall Center Carpet Black Waterfall Carpet Black Driver and Passenger Side Doors Black Glove Box Black Knee Bolster Black Seat Belts and Receivers Black Passenger and Driver Side Lower B-Pillar Trims Black Passenger and Driver Side Carpet Retainer Trims ELECTRONICS: AUDIO: SKAR SK-M9005D 5-Channel Amp SKAR 6.5" Component Speakers (front door speakers) SKAR 6.5" Coaxial Speakers (Rear speakers) Speaker Adapter Plate (Front Door speakers) SKAR 8" 2ohm Dual Voice Coil Subwoofer 300w RMS Double Din Touchscreen Android 10 PX6 Radio MONITORING: AEM X-Series Wideband Glowshift Boost/Vacuum Gauge Glowshift Trans Temp Gauge Glowshift Diff Temp Gauge Glowshift Fuel Pressure Gauge New TPMS Sensors HP Tuner MPVI2 OTHER: Valentine One v1 Gen1 Radar Detector Airbag Light Resistors 12v ACC Fuse Box 12v Constant Fuse Box 4GA Fused Distribution Block 4GA 12v Power Line (From Battery to Electronics Stack) 4GA 50amp Breaker Steering Lockout Column Lock By-Pass module (Previously Installed) Holley Sniper OBD2 Shift Light Pixel 2XL (GPS Tracking/Hotspot) Optima Red Top 34 Group 78 ENGINE: COOLING: Red 3-ply Silicone Upper/Lower Radiator Hoses New Engine Coolant Temp Sensor ACDelco Water Pump Lingenfelter 160 degree thermostat ACDelco Thermostat Housing ECP Aluminum Racing Radiator (2-core) INTAKE: AIR System Delete Catch Can PVC Valve Relocation Varam Cold Air Intake (Previously Installed) Vaccum Distribution Block EXHAUST: EGR Aluminum Block off plates Borla S-Type Classic Over Axle Pipes and Mufflers (Previously Installed) Catalytic Convertor Deleted Stainless Steel Long Tube Headers 1-3/4" (LG style) (304 stainless) Stainless Steel X-pipe 2-3/8" inlet/outlet (LG style) (304 stainless) Titanium Header Wrap FUELING: Siemens Deka Injectors 84lbs/882cc (x8) IGNITION: Hinson Spark Wires Titanium Spark Wire Sleeves NGK 1465 Laser Iridium Spark Plugs (.045 gap) OILING: Melling M295 Oil Pump G-PLUS 19 Row Oil Cooler and Oil Plate VALVES/CAM/TIMING: Michigan Motorsports Timing Gears Michigan Motorsports LS2 Style Timing Chain Michigan Motorsports OEM Style Rockers with upgraded Trunnions Texas Speed Bald Eagle Cam 25-TSPCATHBaldEagle-SC 227/234 duration (intake/exhaust) .600/.600 lift (intake/exhaust) 114 LSA 7.400" Chromoly Pushrods .660" Dual PAC Spring Kit Titanium Spring Retainers Comp Cams 623-16 Spring Keepers/Retainers (7 degree, 8mm, single groove race) Felpro Timing Cover Gasket Kit Fel-Pro Camshaft Thrust Plate ES73115 OTHER: Hinson Urethane Engine Mounts New Valve Cover Gaskets Summit Racing SUM-C2501 SFI Harmonic Balancer ICT Billet Crank Pin Kit ARP 234-2503 Harmonic Balancer BOlt New OEM GM Front Main Seal ACDelco OEM Accessory Drive Idler Pully Dayco OEM Accessory Drive Belt Tensioner Duralast Reman Starter (DL9995S) DRIVETRAIN: TRANSMISSION: Skip Shift Eliminator Anti-Venom mod (1 shim) MGW Short Throw Shifter w/ Black Flat Stick Hinson Urethane Transmission Mount DIFFERENTIAL: CLUTCH: Stainless Steel Braided Slave Clutch Remote Bleed Line (Previously Installed) Quick Time RM-6036 SFI 6.1 Bellhousing (Previously Installed) Centerforce Clutch - unknown model OTHER: SUSPENSION: Adjustable Lowering Kit (Previously Installed - unknown brand) Prothane Front/Rear Sway Bar Poly Urethane Bushing Kit (Red) Holley Proforged Sway Bar End Links (Front) Moog ES2231RL Tie Rod Ends Prothane 72014 Front/Rear A-arm Poly Urethane Bushing Kit (Red) BRAKES: Russel Stainless Steel Brake Lines (Previously Installed) DOT4 Fluid Flush Parking Brake Lever OTHER: New Clutch Return Spring MOST CURRENT PHOTOS: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingpin4329 Posted April 1, 2022 Author Share Posted April 1, 2022 ORIGINAL PHOTOS FROM AUCTION *I bought the car from someone who picked it up from the auction and then sold it to me after 8 months of beating it up and installing ZR1 body trim auto_auction_engine_pic1.jfif auto_auction_engine_pic1.jfif auto_auction_front_end_pic.jfif auto_auction_front_end_pic1.jfif auto_auction_front_end_pic2.jfif Auto_Auction_Interior_Pic.jfif Auto_auction_interior_pic2.jfif Auto_Auction_Pic2.jfif auto_auction_rear_end_pic1.jfif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingpin4329 Posted April 1, 2022 Author Share Posted April 1, 2022 FIRST DAY PHOTOS: *Here are the photos I took the day I bought the vette (I swear i'll never learn my lesson with not taking enough photos of projects before they start haha) **No - those are not awesome "sleepy eye" headlights.... they are a Harbor Freight light bar headlight abortion (he destroyed the whole assembly and they didn't work) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingpin4329 Posted April 1, 2022 Author Share Posted April 1, 2022 ELECTRONICS: With any vehicle or motorcycle project, I learned my lesson that the best way to start is to put together a central "aftermarket electronics stack" where everything you add can be properly fused and powered from. It can get extremely tricky to trouble shoot electric gremlins when every thing you've added is t-tapped into factory wiring wherever it was "convenient" at the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingpin4329 Posted April 1, 2022 Author Share Posted April 1, 2022 COMFORT: It's not fun to drive if you're not comfortable! Next up on the table was new seats and a steering wheel. Corbeau A4's were the same seats I had in my mustang and I loved them - thankfully that turned out to be the "go to" seats everyone on these forums mentioned. Same story with the MGW shifter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingpin4329 Posted April 1, 2022 Author Share Posted April 1, 2022 SAFETY: Can't be too safe right? Plus I know there's a +20hp when you install a roll bar and seat belt harness. I bought the roll bar from a guy on craigslist. It was an RPMRollbar but made for a convertible C5. Naturally I didn't do any research and just assumed it would fit but much to my not-suprise, it was a shade too tall for the coupe. I tried to shorten it myself but after realizing my welding skills just aren't quite there yet, I brought it to a buddy of mine who fabricates RZR roll cages to make sure it was done correctly. Installed it to make sure it fit and then pulled it back out to paint and reinstall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingpin4329 Posted April 1, 2022 Author Share Posted April 1, 2022 MONITORING AND AUDIO: Hello my name is Seth. I'm an auto-hypochondriac. I've been 0 days sober from it. The only cure is obsessive system monitoring and loud audio. *I also changed out all the tan carpets/plastics/trim during this time... nothing worse than tan interior...except for trying to source all the black replacements without needing to refinance my home to afford it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingpin4329 Posted April 1, 2022 Author Share Posted April 1, 2022 EXHAUST: I've never had long tube headers before but thought i'd try them out on this build. Yup - never again will I make that mistake. They are a complete pain in the ass to deal with and now i've made every engine bay job take an extra hour so I can deal with these damn long tubes in the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingpin4329 Posted April 1, 2022 Author Share Posted April 1, 2022 EXTERIOR: 04/01/22 Paint needs alot of love, body panels are misaligned, fenders have chunks missing - all of which I don't mind while i'm building this thing out. The headlights HAD to go though and the only affordable options was the frog eye headlights. Why in god's good name the stock flip ups cost 1000$ used is beyond me but that's what i'm hoping to end up with. I cut out the front license plate mounting brackets (in anticipation for the future intercooler), replaced the headlights, replaced the DRL housings, replaced the side markers, and tinted the brake/reverse lights. This was my first time tinting lenses with window tint. Really easy to do if you're familiar with vinyl. 08/12/22 After two sets of the frog eye headlights fogging up on me and melting I bit the bullet and sourced the OEM headlights along with snagging up a set of the knightdrive sleepy eye v2 systems. Really like the look! I was a bit blown away that no one i could find online had modified the headlight trim bezels to fit the knightdrive kit and it seems like everyone just ran with exposed mounting holes and headlight brackets visible from the sides. A few minutes under the knife and I think it looks much cleaner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Extender32 Posted April 1, 2022 Share Posted April 1, 2022 Nice post, good luck with the remainder of the build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrimsonNCream Posted April 1, 2022 Share Posted April 1, 2022 I enjoyed all of your detail, photos, and struggle with this build as it is always a “love, cuss, kick” doing these over time. It gets harder as you age, like me, when you have to bend, get up and down, knees, back, etc. But, it is all satisfying in seeing a a job completed and knowing you did it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertdawg Posted April 2, 2022 Share Posted April 2, 2022 Going with an electronics stack is damn smart, tapping into the nearest hot wire is asking for trouble with all the other electronics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P51tj Posted April 2, 2022 Share Posted April 2, 2022 Nice write up for sure... definitely popcorn worthy!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grape Ape Posted April 4, 2022 Share Posted April 4, 2022 This a very cool build thread. Can never take to many photos, or videos, of which I'm guilty of too. Good luck with the rest of it too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCMSH Posted April 7, 2022 Share Posted April 7, 2022 Pewter adds 10 HP, this is proven fact 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingpin4329 Posted April 20, 2022 Author Share Posted April 20, 2022 @TheCMSH I really didn't like the color when I first got it but hot damn has it grown on me! I'm in love with it now @Grape Ape Thanks Grape! I'm definitely great at remembering to take a ton of photos during the builds but rarely ever have "before" photos - which is the most important!!! haha @P51tj Thanks partner! @Desertdawg Not many folks really appreciate how helpful this kind of thing can be - definitely encourage everyone to do something like this at the beginning of every build before the wiring gets out of hand! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingpin4329 Posted August 12, 2022 Author Share Posted August 12, 2022 ENGINE: Well it's been a while but i've been busy collecting parts and grinding away in the garage getting things installed. A wobbly balancer put me down the LONG path of "while i'm in there" and i've now upgraded the cam, pushrods, valve springs, rockers, water pump, oil pump, timing gears/chain, balancer, pulleys, injectors, radiator bracket/skid bars, radiator, radiator hoses, and starter (see parts list in initial post for updated parts, part numbers, and specs). I believe that the front timing cover had been leaking so badly that I was convinced the rear main seal and/or oil pan were leaking too. After cleaning things up with an ungodly amount of degreaser, rags, and a HEAVY blasting with a pressure washer - I haven't seen any more puddles or wet spots. Woohoo! As a supercharger is a part of the plans, I also pinned the crank and balancer. I was really worried about this process initially but after going through it - holy shit that was probably the easiest thing i've done on this car and took no more than 5min. **check out the updates in the body section above for the new headlights that were installed at this time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCMSH Posted August 12, 2022 Share Posted August 12, 2022 Outstanding man!! I like this thread 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingpin4329 Posted August 12, 2022 Author Share Posted August 12, 2022 SUSPENSION/STEERING: This portion is going to take some time to complete and i'm still not quite positive on the route i'm going to take but for now I've got a full set of prothane poly bushings for the front and rear end (A-arms, control arms, swaybar, leaf pucks). I've also replaced the tie rod ends with a set from moog and replaced the front endlinks with a set from holley. When I finally get around to doing the a-arm and control arm bushings, I will be cleaning the hell out of everything in the wheel wells and sandblasting the a-arms/control arms *Swaybar bushings were done shortly after getting the car and the undercarriage still had yet to be cleaned Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingpin4329 Posted August 12, 2022 Author Share Posted August 12, 2022 @TheCMSH - Thanks man! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertdawg Posted August 12, 2022 Share Posted August 12, 2022 2 hours ago, Kingpin4329 said: "while i'm in there" it’s called “while-I’m-at-it-Ittus” 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P51tj Posted August 13, 2022 Share Posted August 13, 2022 Very nice stuffff goin on here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old yeller Posted August 13, 2022 Share Posted August 13, 2022 Big improvement on the headlights. I had not seen these before your post and now I am starting to see more of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chameleon Posted August 14, 2022 Share Posted August 14, 2022 20 hours ago, old yeller said: Big improvement on the headlights. I had not seen these before your post and now I am starting to see more of them. I agree, I really like that look! And I'm sure they provide better light than OEM... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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