JohnnyT's C5 Z06 Build Thread

JohnnyT · 04-03-2013

I like reading build threads, so figured I'd share mine here too.

I'll start from the beginning and work my way up to where I'm at today.

I picked up a 2002 C5 Z06 in May of 2010 nearly bone stock minus a C6Z shifter, flowmaster axleback, and other small goodies like a shorty antenna, partition, etc. It had 28k miles on it when I bought it - figured $22k was a pretty reasonable deal considering it was super clean and local. Here's how she looked the day I bought her:

The first 'season' I got a few basic things done - tinted the windows 20% , installed a Vararam CAI and lowered the car using C6 bolts and longer rears. I somehow managed to find my dream set of wheels locally on Craigslist - CCW SP500s. 18x10 fronts with 275/35s and 19x11.5 rears with 305/30s. I replaced the Blowmasters with a Borla XR-1 catback and got it tuned by Carl @ CJTunes. She put down average #s - 360whp/355wtq. After season one here's the refresh:

JohnnyT · 04-03-2013

The second 'season' things got a bit more interesting. I wanted to keep it N/A for as long as I could so I went with a fairly aggressive custom grind cam - 238/240 - .600" / .600" on a 112 LSA + 2 and paired it with a set of LG SuperPro 1 3/4" LTs, X-pipe, and replaced the Borla XR-1 with a GHL axle-back. Here's a few build pics:

Out with the old:

In with the new:

After the tuning was all said it done she put down 427whp / 394wtq. Overall she finally sounds like she should. Drivability is overall still very good, and boy does this thing pull like a train. At 3k it starts to pick up pretty good and by 5k it's screaming as the hp keeps climbing to redline. The sound is bliss. Absolutely no drone, ever, and I'm pretty sure my neighbors hate my guts. One told me every time I drive by, nearly at idle, it shakes his house. It's so worth it:

Skip to about 50 seconds in for idle/rev:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZXzpj70qAk&hd=1

JohnnyT · 04-03-2013

On to 'season' three. Not a whole lot new here. I finally got rid of the crap stock seats and replaced them with a set of microsuede Corbeau A4s as they're one of the only few that fit this car. Since it's not seeing a ton of track time I wanted something supportive, but not a race bucket. These are by far one of the best mods I've ever done - very comfortable and worlds more supportive:

I also converted to e85 and with that came new injectors and a re-tune. Overall, she runs a good 20* cooler now and the extra octane sure doesn't hurt engine longevity. I went on the rollers later that year and threw down:

422whp / 405wtq

Dyno vid:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1bC8u7pP9E&hd=1

Graph:

Of course I'm happy with the peak #'s compared to my stock dyno (360whp/355wtq), but I was more concerned with WHERE I picked up the power, so I went ahead and graphed the comparison. To me, it's MUCH more interesting:

All in all, I picked up a good 15-60whp and 20-50wtq. within the powerband and the meat of the power is right where I wanted it with the cam.

JohnnyT · 04-03-2013

Spring 2013 teaser:

Parts list:

- ACI front lip and side skirts
- Mantic ER2 clutch/flywheel (installed)
- New slave, speed bleeder, other necessary clutch parts (installed)
- Poly torque tube couplers (installed)
- Ported FAST 92 intake manifold
- Ported LS2 throttle body
- Catch can
- Shift knob

The exterior will get a nice refresh with the new body parts and I have a couple other plans not mentioned.

Oh, and I wasn't really planning on this, but it was too good of a deal to pass up. I found a set of GM T1 sway bars with spherical endlinks for a ridiculous $200. I plan on PC'ing them to match the color of the red brake calipers. The front's a ridiculous 38mm (~1.5"), while the rear is a stout 27mm (~1"). These things are burly. Should help keep her pretty flat around the twisties...

JohnnyT · 04-03-2013

Nate over at One-Guys-Garage was kind enough to tackle the drivetrain install for me. Car's home now and I only got to put a few miles on it but I'm loving it so far. Engagement point is about 1/3 to halfway up now and although I still have to break in it, the pedal feels fantastic (nearly stock, if not lighter) and I can tell this thing will hold plenty more than I'll throw at it.

Now I'm just waiting on warm weather to get the body pieces painted and do the intake job and tune!

JohnnyT · 04-03-2013

Oh, and for those curious the lip kit I bought will look like this. Nothing crazy, but should be a nice touch. I just hope it works well with the wheels. We'll see soon enough.

**Murlo26** · 04-03-2013

Sweet, making me want an LS motor car more and more!

turbotalon1g · 04-03-2013

Soon ls cars will take over!!! I love it!

**Murlo26** · 04-03-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbotalon1g

Soon ls cars will take over!!! I love it!

What do you mean soon? Unless you mean this site.

LS motors already get swapped into everything...lol

1QUICK4 · 04-03-2013

Looks good, bet it rips. I got my LS motor from Nate at oneguys. Seemed like a good guy

I'd be interested in buying your old Z06 intake when you swap to that F.A.S.T. setup

evotuner · 04-04-2013

I want both, v8 and evo

JohnnyT · 04-04-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murlo26

What do you mean soon? Unless you mean this site.

LS motors already get swapped into everything...lol

They're just so compact - that's what really makes them special. Well, that and there's millions of them and they're pretty cheap, easy to mod and reliable.

The 4.8s and 5.3s are quickly becoming the new 'boost friendly' blocks. Hot Rod Magazine strapped an eBay TT kit to a 4.8 and made something like 1,100+hp using a $300 junkyard block and a few easy mods: http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/h...g_bang_theory/

And here's a stock bottom end 5.3 throwing down stupid numbers with an F1X:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Awa2W6x1h9k&&hd=1

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1QUICK4

Looks good, bet it rips. I got my LS motor from Nate at oneguys. Seemed like a good guy

I'd be interested in buying your old Z06 intake when you swap to that F.A.S.T. setup

Yeah I got your PM. I'll keep you in the loop when I decide to swap everything. I know she'll run like shit so I need to schedule another tune and work around that too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by evotuner

I want both, v8 and evo

You and me both. I used to have a Mazda Speed6 that was fairly hopped up but it just didn't compare to an EVO. Maybe in a few years when this is paid off I'll look at upgrading my daily.

Knoxville · 04-04-2013

Johnny, very nice build! What RPM are you shifting / redline at?

C3L1CA · 04-05-2013

Car looks really nice!

JohnnyT · 04-05-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knoxville

Johnny, very nice build! What RPM are you shifting / redline at?

Stock the redline is 6,800rpm but I think my limiter was set to 7k so I'll carry it. What's your set-up at? I know the base LS1s were 500rpm lower so that extra top end on the LS6 is a good feeling!

Quote:

Originally Posted by C3L1CA

Car looks really nice!

Thanks!