Got the brakes and new shocks installed the first weekend in May.
I really like the DRM (Doug Rippie Motorsports) valved Bilstein shocks compared to the C5 Z06 shocks (2003 stuff). I spent a good half an hour one night chatting with Randy about the settings/valving and was pleased with the responses.
I also forgot how good it feels to have stainless steel lines.
Parts installed in this go around:
Doug Rippie Motorsports custom valved Bilstein shocks
Doug Rippie Motorsports Stainless Steel front brake caliper piston upgrade
Russell Performance DOT Brake lines
Centric Brake rotors
Stoptech Street Performance Pads
Motul RBF 600 Brake fluid (did the clutch too)
Russell Performance Speed Bleeders
The theme of this car of "bang for the buck" continues with these parts selections. As this car is a street warrior with triple duty as autocross car and drag racing (which every event I try to go to get's rained out), I needed a compromise on the pad and rotor material. I feel these are the perfect solution to those 3 uses. I know they are not a track pad and rotor combo, but the lines + caliper pistons + brake fluid allows me to swap the rotors and pads for track duty when that time comes.
I was going to paint the calipers while I was there, but figured I'll have time to do that later when I am bored; time didn't permit for this install period.
So that's it. Until I start another round of upgrades I no longer have parts to install for this car. I am deciding what needs to be done next, but for now just more seat time in various styles of racing to flush out the bugs. So far the car is fairly stout in autocross and I think adjustable swaybar end links may be helpful if I need to start to dial in preload perhaps (or get to my other holes in the front swaybar I drilled). Another thought is pick up another pair of 18" wheels to go square setup for autocross use only.
Drag racing I am thinking a built rear end with possibly a shorter gear ratio would be helpful, but the gear swap and that puts me in another class. I think a chassis belly brace and a rear differential brace are allowed by rules, still trying to determine the spirit of the wording on that (Street Touring SCCA rulebook)
Of course I'd LOVE to do head/cam upgrade on it, but then I for sure have to go to CAM-T versus STU; and I am not done seeing how this thing does in Z class STU. The 5th (Ryan) and 8th place (Me) finishes so far (Mowog 2) are promising, I should have taken 7th in that event as I blew one corner. Next event is June 4th at what I consider my home base, DCTC; so I'll see if I can catch Ryan; but I have to really learn to read the course better. Once I catch Ryan I'll be comfortable adding more power.
In the end, I'll probably just start building a wicked oil cooler setup that'll hold up for track and street duty. I don't like the corvette tax associated with what is on the market, so DIY it is. If I can make a nice enough of a setup, maybe it'll become a Complete Tuning Solutions product offering.
Overall I am very happy with this purchase and how this car is setup right now. I set out a goal of building a 110% better C5 FRC and that is what I have. I truly think of it as a Z06 light. A bit short on power and the shorter 2nd gear ratio in the Z06 shines on the autocross, but handling/braking/weight/driver feel is much improved compared to the canvas I started with. But for a car that *should* go low 13's, high 12's in the 1/4 mile, is a blast to drive and competitive on an autocross course, and is averaging 22mpg city/highway (30+ on the highway is normal); I couldn't be happier.
Hybrid Mode
