The Build...

46157 Views 208 Replies 50 Participants Last post by CTS-VR, 7 mo ago

Junior1

Discussion Starter · Dec 5, 2011 (Edited)

As some of you guys know, I've been bouncing around the idea of converting the V into a dedicated track car.
Main use will be to run NASA's ST2 class with the possibility of running in other SCCA classes as well.
Today, I'm happy to report that the first step in the build process has begun.
I hope to provide a step by step process that will detail all of the changes from start to finish...

Vehicle as it stands today road ready is:

2005 CTS-V
Light Platinum w/ Black interior
LS6/6 speed tremec
11,771 miles

Current Mods:

Magnaflow Cat-Back exhaust
Diablo Predator tune
Ron Davis Racing radiator
FG2 Shocks
UUC Poly motor mounts, tranny mount, and diff bushing
UUC short shifter
Spectre Werkes delrin cradle bushings
Rear Strut tower brace
UUC Braided brake lines
GM Performance/Brembo cross drilled rotors
Motul 600 fluid
Michelin Pilot SuperSport Tires

12/4/11: Conversion

All Fab work for the rollcage as well as complete gut of the interior and removal of all non-necessary parts is being done by Phoenix Performance*
Last year at the V Performance Lab @ MMC, I met John Heinricy who recommended I get in touch with the owner, Joe Aquilante, who happens to build and maintain some of the Vettes that HeinRocket has had much success with running in the SCCA ranks. It also didn't hurt that Phoenix had built the V that John Buttermore has had his success in T2 so I know they have experience working with V's

First order of business is to completely remove the interior and begin fabrication on the SCCA/NASA legal rollcage, as well as remove all of the non-essential parts such as the air conditioning and other heavyweight items.
(BTW, please contact me if you should need any stock interior parts)

Pictures to follow soon...

*About Phoenix Performance: Phoenix Performance, LLC owned by Joe Aquilante, is based in a 32,000 sq ft race shop in Phoenixville, PA. Since 1999, Phoenix Performance-prepared cars have won 21 SCCA National Championship Runoffs in Touring and Showroom Stock classes, 2 professional series Driver and Manufacturer Championships, and the GM Motorsports Winner's Circle Award

See less See more

Reactions: 5

61 - 80 of 209 Posts

yooper

· #61 · Apr 8, 2012

thebigjimsho said:
I used to run Delrin bushings in my SHO...

Yeah, but did you have a quick disconnect steering wheel?

thebigjimsho

· #62 · Apr 8, 2012

No, they were for my sway bars and subframe...

Junior1

Discussion Starter · #63 · Apr 9, 2012

Wait...what?

thebigjimsho

· #64 · Apr 10, 2012

wut?

Junior1

Discussion Starter · #65 · May 3, 2012 (Edited)

2

*UPDATE* 5/2/2012

Went to shop today. The car is basically almost fully disassembled, the only things still in and on the car are front fenders, hood and motor/tranny

The suspension is fully apart for the Delrin Bushings, plus it was easier to drop the whole rear cradle since there was nothing left so that is out as well.
Right now we are fighting with room to run an Oil Cooler with the headers and trying to fit Carbon Fiber brake ducts up front.

Lots of wiring going on, switch panels being made and fire system getting routed.

Suspension-wise I am talking with Anze Suspension for a set of custom Penske coilovers with canisters and Hyperco springs (not sure of 2 way or 3 way yet) and also in the process of sourcing all of the parts to swap out the clutch for an Exedy

Here's a couple of pics showing the replacement of the dash as well as the Momo wheel and Kill Switch. I'm still undecided about putting the center console back in or leaving it out.
Switch plate for the Coolers and Fire system will mount in place of the Radio/Nav and the Center Net will mount through the center A/C vent locations.

Land vehicle Vehicle Car Steering wheel Steering part

Land vehicle Vehicle Car Steering wheel Steering part

See less See more

Reactions: 1

thebigjimsho

· #66 · May 3, 2012

Damn, that looks awesome and horriffic at the same time! What size Hyperco springs? I've got a few left over that fit the GC kit...

Junior1

Discussion Starter · #67 · May 3, 2012

thebigjimsho said:
What size Hyperco springs? I've got a few left over that fit the GC kit...

No clue yet. Way too customizable and too many options

I'm gonna let Angelo handle it...

trukk

· #68 · May 4, 2012

Chris,

Did you look at the Katech LS9-X(orR) clutch? It uses OEM disks, with a Katech lightened flywheel. I've had *ZERO* issues with mine. It might be nice to put a part on your car that you know you won't have any issues with, since you are changing so much other stuff all at once.

-Chris

Junior1

Discussion Starter · #69 · May 4, 2012

trukk said:
Chris,

Did you look at the Katech LS9-X(orR) clutch? It uses OEM disks, with a Katech lightened flywheel. I've had *ZERO* issues with mine. It might be nice to put a part on your car that you know you won't have any issues with, since you are changing so much other stuff all at once.

-Chris

Yep, thats my other choice.
Mike seems to have had nothing but good things to say about his Exedy (Katech's recommendation), plus they ran Exedy's in the grand-am cars back in the day...

Junior1

Discussion Starter · #70 · May 11, 2012 (Edited)

Some Clutch bling to add...
All parts for the swap should be here by next week

See less See more

crankedupforit

· #71 · May 11, 2012

Pretty sexy!

Junior1

Discussion Starter · #72 · May 15, 2012

Rest of the clutch parts arrived...

LS7 slave, Tick speed bleeder, ARP flywheel and pressure plate bolts

See less See more

Junior1

Discussion Starter · #73 · May 17, 2012

9

*UPDATE* 5/17/2012

Lots of progress being made. Delrin Bushings are done and installed. Rear cradle is back in the car, most of the suspension is hooked up.
Rear Diff Cooler has been installed and wired up. Rear brakes have been assembled. Getting closer on the Oil Cooler (LOL).
Main switch panel with Fire System arming is installed and operational. Outside kill switch and underhood fire nozzles installed as well.

Shocks have been ordered

...went all out with Anze Suspension - Triple Adjustable Penske's with Hyperco Coils and Clevis attachments, upgraded pistons and remote reserviors

Here's some more pictures

Rear brakes

Rear Suspension

----------

*5/17/2012*
Kill Switch, Momo Wheel, Switch Panel

Switch Panel detail

Full Dash

----------

*5/17/2012*
Rear Diff Cooler

Delrin Bushings installed in front control arm

Delrin Bushings

See less See more

Reactions: 1

crankedupforit

· #74 · May 18, 2012

Lot's of progress. Things are shaping up. Nice work.

04SilverV

· #75 · May 18, 2012

What Steering wheel hub did you go with? Does the common GM adapter have the same spline?

Thanks,
John

trukk

· #76 · May 18, 2012

..When will those bushings be available?

I NEED EM!

-Chris

Reactions: 1

Junior1

Discussion Starter · #77 · May 19, 2012

04SilverV said:
What Steering wheel hub did you go with? Does the common GM adapter have the same spline?

Thanks,
John

I think so, they had a vette upper shaft just in case. He said it went on with minimal modifications. I'll double check for you.

----------

trukk said:
..When will those bushings be available?

I NEED EM!

-Chris

Not too long. He just needs to figure out pricing. They won the Grand Am race last weekend and he was busy.

Junior1

Discussion Starter · #78 · May 20, 2012

04SilverV said:
What Steering wheel hub did you go with? Does the common GM adapter have the same spline?

Thanks,
John

We ended up using a C5 Vette upper steering shaft and a corvette hub...

Reactions: 1

liqidvenom

· #79 · May 22, 2012

very cool build, and that clutch is great on a track. i love mine

Junior1

Discussion Starter · #80 · May 23, 2012

Managed to track down the last of the carbon fiber brake ducts and fascia scoops...

See less See more

61 - 80 of 209 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.