Re: Picked up a (damaged) 05 V for less $20K with 13K miles
I replaced a sway rear end link, lower control, straightened out both adjustable rear suspension rods, and had a wheel inpected that had a flat tire. The lower control is steel where the upper is aluminum.
Impressive that the steel lower arm would fold before the aluminum. The wheel was not bent but had a flat tire. No wonder these wheel are so heavy, they must be really over built to support the weight of the car over potholes. I replaced passenger's side fender and will hold off on replacing the driver's side. Thought I'd try my hand at the paint less dent removal tools for a few hundred dollars as I have some work to do on the passenger's roof A-pillar. Total so far for replacement parts is around $500.
While the suspension was partially apart I picked up a set of Eibach springs and sold the stock springs. Ended up costing $90 in the end. I removed the spring pads on the rear since the load leveling shocks keep the stock height. Keep the rubber pads on the fronts. Still have the old school nose down slant, but it will do. I am running the stock shock. I have adapted the C5 Corvette shock to fit the rear but the slightly extra weight and a really short shock would have to cut the rear spring. I'll see how this works first.
The PCM bracket is pretty flimsy and it let the PCM tear from the wiring harness, expecially when doing barrel rolls. Unfortunately the PCM never arrive with the car, just a handful of colored wires. I attempted to rewire it but there are too many wires of the same color doing different duties.
So I thought I'd measure the resistance between the PCM connection and plug where it attaches to the sensor...got to love CAN-data bus as every wire has resistance to any other wire in the whole harness.
So I ordered a new one for a little over $600. The bottom one is the new one. New PCM($175) with the help of Rodney from RPM Transmissions who is working on a similar project.
I had to remove the fuel line where they connect to the top of engine, radiator and fans(radiator has a crack in the bottom - think JB weld would hold until I can get in and claim it under warranty as many have been replaced?), and removed the exhaust system(headers on the way and gutted the mufflers). Two holes, copper high temperature silicone(700F) sealer, and plugs from Home Depot left the mufflers gutted and sealed up. Why keep the keep the stocker? It weighs 66 lbs. on the bathroom digital scale as oppose to a aftermarket exhaust from Corsa that weighs 86 lbs. boxed. Probably will not have a sound of the Corsa but should be slightly louder than stock.
Lowered the transmission(drive axle and while I was there shifter) to get the engine harness over the top of it. I got the front ABS wiring loose and the PS steering cooler loose and noticed that the harness is a figure "8" and must be installed before the engine/sub frame is in the car. Then I noticed the AC line entangled in this figure 8. I don't have AC in the summer/winter car('00 C5 Coupe) and don't really miss it with the top off and keeping the windows clean. Besides the C5 is just a work car/track car as I am the only one that drives it. But since the car will be a fall/spring car I decided to remove the AC and not reconnect it.
Unfortunately the more I remove the more that is not going back on and the more opportunity for improvements. :stirpot:
Norm