The Build...

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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

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101 - 120 of 209 Posts

Junior1

Discussion Starter · #101 · Jul 26, 2012

trukk said:
Do those have the 2" shoulder straps to work with a HANS?

-Chris

I was originally thinking of going that route since I always wear a HANS when on track. But a few things changed my mind. Taking a walk through the paddock/pits I didn't see any pros that were using the 2" shoulder straps. Next I figured in the event I let a coach or someone else help me shake the car down they would need to have a HANS in order to go on track. The 3" leaves me with more flexibility in that respect. Third reason was that the HANS was specifically designed to work with the 3" belts. According to the company they will work with either 2" or 3" but the original testing was done on 3". I figured if its not broken, don't fix it...

Reactions: 1

Junior1

Discussion Starter · #102 · Jul 26, 2012

lollygagger8 said:
Can you post pics of the control arms?

Can't wait to see this beast all together

Which ones? Front or Rear? They should be posted up in the past page or two...

crankedupforit

· #103 · Jul 26, 2012

Junior1 said:
Went away for a couple of weeks so didn't have a chance to check on anything. Ended up buying something for the V in Atlanta...

Wow that looks big enough to live in. Very nice.

trukk

· #104 · Jul 26, 2012

Junior1 said:
I was originally thinking of going that route since I always wear a HANS when on track. But a few things changed my mind. Taking a walk through the paddock/pits I didn't see any pros that were using the 2" shoulder straps. Next I figured in the event I let a coach or someone else help me shake the car down they would need to have a HANS in order to go on track. The 3" leaves me with more flexibility in that respect. Third reason was that the HANS was specifically designed to work with the 3" belts. According to the company they will work with either 2" or 3" but the original testing was done on 3". I figured if its not broken, don't fix it...

They will fit with 3", just dig into your neck. I use a Hans in the E30 chump-mobile, and we have the 3" shoulders. Not a big deal, bit it is a bit annoying. I'll let you know how it goes after the 24 hour. If my neck isn't rubbed raw by then it's probabaly not that big of a deal.

-Chris

Junior1

Discussion Starter · #105 · Jul 26, 2012

trukk said:
They will fit with 3", just dig into your neck. I use a Hans in the E30 chump-mobile, and we have the 3" shoulders. Not a big deal, bit it is a bit annoying. I'll let you know how it goes after the 24 hour. If my neck isn't rubbed raw by then it's probabaly not that big of a deal.

-Chris

Chris, maybe check into the mounting of the straps. That is the premise behind the 2" but usually the 3" should just ride along the lip of the HANS

trukk

· #106 · Jul 27, 2012

Junior1 said:
Chris, maybe check into the mounting of the straps. That is the premise behind the 2" but usually the 3" should just ride along the lip of the HANS

The hans lip (at least the sport model I have) only has a 2" collar on the inside of the lip, this you have 1" overhang on the inside towards your neck, since the outside has to ride the lip (or it could slip off when you really need it!). Like I said, it was a bit annoying, but not a big deal. With a Balaclava you probabaly wouldn't notice it too much. It is nice to reduce driver distraction where you can however. Here is a pic of a 2" on the hans, that 1" needs to go 'in':

Yellow Personal protective equipment Orange Jacket Headgear

Can't wait to see this thing!

-Chris

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thebigjimsho

· #107 · Jul 29, 2012

You race guys and all your fancy words. HANS, balaclava...

trukk

· #108 · Jul 30, 2012

Your big butt needs to come out and rent a seat in the chumpmobile!

Then you can say balaclava and nomex-undies and MEAN IT!

-Chris

thebigjimsho

· #109 · Jul 30, 2012

trukk said:
Your big butt needs to come out and rent a seat in the chumpmobile!

Then you can say balaclava and nomex-undies and MEAN IT!

-Chris

What, you want me to drive? That's craziness...

trukk

· #110 · Jul 30, 2012

thebigjimsho said:
What, you want me to drive? That's craziness...

You know you want too!

Still need 1 moahr driver for 24 hr in Aug. Blow off your other plans man! Uphill Essess at 3am = EPIC!

-Chris

thebigjimsho

· #111 · Jul 30, 2012

trukk said:
You know you want too!

Still need 1 moahr driver for 24 hr in Aug. Blow off your other plans man! Uphill Essess at 3am = EPIC!

-Chris

Well, of course I want to(o?). But I think its on a weekend I absolutely cannot change and I'd have to pay double for a firesuit to fit my fatness...

Junior1

Discussion Starter · #112 · Aug 21, 2012 (Edited)

6

UPDATE *8/20/2012*

Moving along slowly but making progress...

The Oil and Tranny Coolers are now mounted and fully functional.
Front & Rear Tow Hook provisions are now done.
All wiring has been pulled from the doors. The Rear doors are now back on the car with Lexan windows installed
Rear bulkhead is now closed off with aluminum.
All 4 remote reserviors are mounted and manual trunk release is now rerouted under the bumper for easy access.
Front suspension is now together.
Braille lightweight (21lbs) carbon battery and cover (thanks crankedupforit) came in. Ride Along seat and brackets also arrived...

Oil & Tranny Coolers

Rear bulkhead

Lexan rear door windows installed

Front Suspension

Underhood Bling

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Reactions: 4

Skidmarcx

· #113 · Aug 21, 2012

Clean work...

54inches

· #114 · Aug 25, 2012

The definition of sex on wheels; keep up the good work!

Junior1

Discussion Starter · #115 · Aug 30, 2012 (Edited)

UPDATE * 8/30/2012*

Rear Deck sheetmetal is being fabricated

Hard-wired Transponder is getting installed, almost time for dyno and corner-weight...

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OneFast V

· #116 · Aug 30, 2012

Do you plan to sitck with the stock V1 calipers?

Junior1

Discussion Starter · #117 · Aug 30, 2012

OneFast V said:
Do you plan to sitck with the stock V1 calipers?

Yes I do...for a few reasons:

I've never had a problem with them.
Its a consumable item, so its cheaper/easier to get rotors in stock sizing.
And I could swear I read something in the rules that only allowed for the stock sizing of rotors.

Reactions: 1

Junior1

Discussion Starter · #118 · Sep 10, 2012

5

* UPDATE * 9/10/2012

It runs

Lots of progress these past 2 weeks.

Both seats are mounted and harnesses installed
Front and Rear tow hooks are installed
Relocated and hotwired the trunk release for access
Wheels and tires mounted up
Front brake ducts just about complete...(don't ask)
Connected battery and started right up. No leaks, no drips

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crankedupforit

· #119 · Sep 10, 2012

Sha-wingggg!

I want those brake ducts Chris. Looks like you said goodbye to the front wheel tubs.

Car looks fantastic!!

Junior1

Discussion Starter · #120 · Sep 10, 2012

crankedupforit said:
Sha-wingggg!

I want those brake ducts Chris. Looks like you said goodbye to the front wheel tubs.

Car looks fantastic!!

Sent ya a PM regarding.

Don't know on the wheel tubs yet, the ducts are just layed in there right now. We removed the stock one in the opening of the fascia and replaced it with a carbon fiber scoop. I was tempted to either remove the whole marker light housing similar to D3's car or do like yooper/powell did and run hose from the carbon fiber to a mesh screen...

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