New Balance and Jean shorts..non typical C5 build

[SebastienPeek]

That new cage is something else! Is it bolt in or weld in?

Either way, solid progress. Looking forward to seeing this rip around!

[hinrichs]

Not much new to update on. I did get the camber lock plates installed which really was not bad at all. Getting the stock rear eccentric bolts out was more of a pain than anything. I set them to the max "street" setup, so we will see when I can get an alignment at what it landed me at. I can always bump them to the "track" position if I want more camber. Only pic I took of that. I did a halfass diy alignment to try and get it close, since my front toe was out about 1" which was crazy. The rear is also kinda adjusted so hopefully monday I can find a shop.

IMG-3312 by minthinrich, on Flickr

I sold the rollbar, hopefully it makes it to the new owner safe. I had a few guys locally bail of course, so I had to ship it out to Cali which was not fun, or cheap. I did make a decision on what I am going to install however after talking to a few friends for real advice. Here is a teaser of the cage, I took from the vendors facebook.

IMG-3318 by minthinrich, on Flickr

Probably overkill, but everytime I mention running a Hill Climb, you really get a different answer from guys who just run on track. I could have just went with a rear only, but figure why not just go all out and do it right the first time. I did ask about adding the front section in after the rear install, and while it might be possible, this vendor told me its next to impossible with how their kit fits. They wont even try it in their own shop. Hopefully it ships out sometime next week so I can strip down the car and start getting to work.

[hinrichs]

Had a decent friday/weekend working on the car. My roll bar showed up friday around lunch, so I worked on getting it un packaged and put together for a test fit. Pulled the front seats with my helper

IMG-3234 by minthinrich, on Flickr\

Put the bar together, then threw it on the carpet and into the car to see how it fit.

IMG-3227 by minthinrich, on Flickr
63709247887--6892D5F3-BF47-454B-A85B-BEB1A2308516 by minthinrich, on Flickr
63709248871--2811EF9E-1361-4EAD-9843-1CF1CEDA1989 by minthinrich, on Flickr

Threw the seat in to check measurements.

IMG-3259 by minthinrich, on Flickr
IMG-3260 by minthinrich, on Flickr
IMG-3261 by minthinrich, on Flickr

After measuring, I am right on the line of passing tech for where my seat lands. A few other things I dont like as well, so the bar is either getting sold, or returning to kirk racing. Kind of sucks to be back to square one with the cage dilemma but I am trying to make a smart decision for this year. Main thing is do I really need to keep going to race hill climbs, or should I just do autocross and track events till I make sure I really like the car. I will order a harness bar so I can still run the seat if I go that direction.

So after all the headache with the roll bar (called a few friends) I ended up installing some other parts. First was the harmonic balancer since the stock one was a little wobble. I ordered a summit pulley, arp bolt, and install tools. I can say I am very happy I ordered the correct tools. It really wasnt too bad. You have to pull the steering rack which was the worst part, but it only took me a few hours.

IMG-3243 by minthinrich, on Flickr

Since the upper control arms had to be come off to lower the subframe down a little, I decided to install the AMT motorsport upper control arm stud kit. It replaces the stock bolts and makes using shims for alignment a lot easier. Took no time to swap around. I had ample time to let the loctite set. I still need to install the lower camber locking plates, but I want to schedule an alignment first so I know how long I have to get them in vs driving it.

IMG-3255 by minthinrich, on Flickr
IMG-3254 by minthinrich, on Flickr

While the front end was apart, I also figured it was time to install the tow hook. Install went kind of well, but I need to fix 2 nutcerts to really make it secure on the backside. It was in a tight spot and I should have pulled it to re-tap the certs before I tried to bolt it on. One doesnt really line up and the other pushed into the frame with the bolt stuck. Thats for another day tho. I also cut and installed the z06 style fog screens. I think it really cleans up the front end and makes it look sportier. I took out the vararam intake since there was fitment issues no matter which side I ran the tow hook. I ordered an SLP filter and threw it in.

63726713614--13DDE0CF-C9C9-4B1D-AB71-E7B88CBE007C by minthinrich, on Flickr
IMG-3305 by minthinrich, on Flickr

[SebastienPeek]

Yes, yes and more yes!
The 3D printed inserts are wild, that's something I wish more companies were doing, taking the 3D printing shit more serious.

Legit to see the motor mounts all sorted, does it feel a hell of a lot stiffer in the car?

[rightfullrudder]

I knew you had this but I missed the thread somehow! Always loved C5s and looks like you are progressing quick.

[hinrichs]

Those fender vents are sweet and functional.

I ***** the little plastic inserts, pulled mine and told myself it helped cool the engine bay a bit more. But the look of the vents with depth was much nicer.

I know a lot of track guys were very excited to try running them, so I figure why not jump in and try myself.


Todays list of parts was to install my AMT Motorsport engine mounts, and also the diff mount. I was going to push getting them for a while, but I was lucky enough to win the diff mount on another forum, which saved me a good bit. I called Mark up when I heard I won and got a set of the engine mounts that I was eyeing up anyway. Easier to save on shipping and get them both. Diff mount was easy. I only took a pic of the stock one and then the new mount and installed. Kinda sucks you never see it. Install basically was loosen all the stock bolts, and jack up the trans. Fish out the mount from its hole, and replace.

IMG-3205 by minthinrich, on Flickr
IMG-3206 by minthinrich, on Flickr
IMG-3207 by minthinrich, on Flickr

Then onto the motor mounts. I didnt take many pictures cuz this really turned into a chore. I had to lower the subframe, loosen the stock mounts on the block, pull the stock mounts, then put in the new ones. It took a few hours but its finally finished. The mounts are a thing of beauty, and designed well. Curious to see the difference in the car with both installed. There is still rubber inside, but much more solid all around. Hard to see installed, but its in there.

IMG-3209 by minthinrich, on Flickr
IMG-3208 by minthinrich, on Flickr

A pic back outside since. Its crazy how low the roof really is on this thing.

IMG-3204 by minthinrich, on Flickr

[white out]

Those fender vents are sweet and functional.

I ***** the little plastic inserts, pulled mine and told myself it helped cool the engine bay a bit more. But the look of the vents with depth was much nicer.

[hinrichs]

I dig that companies are selling 3D printed parts for crazy form stuff like this. Those will help, especially for track days. I did a much more butchered fix on a freind's FRC autocross car ages ago, those printed parts are 100x cleaner.

I am kind of surprised more things arent out for these cars as how popular and cheap they are becoming. I mean you can buy any kinda chrome panel or trim piece or badge for these cuz of the old demographic that used to own them. Performance parts are good but not at the same time its weird.


While this exhaust sounds very good, I cant stand the single tips. I know its just visual, but I **** when I see them. Not sure its worth spending for a new exhaust tho. I have been keeping an eye out for used systems, just shipping can be rather expensive on these due to one set of pipes.

IMG-3115 by minthinrich, on Flickr
IMG-3114 by minthinrich, on Flickr

[MommysLittleMonster]

I dig that companies are selling 3D printed parts for crazy form stuff like this. Those will help, especially for track days. I did a much more butchered fix on a freind's FRC autocross car ages ago, those printed parts are 100x cleaner.

[hinrichs]

Good to see another C5 on here. I had a lot of fun with my FRC.

Do all the steering lock/security bypass shit. That left me stranded so many times that I ended up selling the car because it was so annoying.

I think it was disabled before me, I know the steering wheel can always move that is. I do really need to hook up a resistor for the airbag yet tho.


So last thing I was able to install was some fender vents from Electron Sport. They were avail for a while, but finally hit their website. They are 3D printed and very high quality. Here are some pics from their site.

Electron+Sport+Duct-0121 by minthinrich, on Flickr
Electron+Sport+Duct-0004 by minthinrich, on Flickr

I should have taken some install pics, but it literally took maybe 30 min for both sides. I will be taking more pictures again after this one when I am installing parts. Both sides came with a very good template. All you have to do is drop the inner fender liner, pulled the stock block off plastic bit, trim, and reinstall. Cars gonna be very dirty from now on.

IMG-3085 by minthinrich, on Flickr
C4A51102-383A-4F02-A356-3A66F7639F77 by minthinrich, on Flickr
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Not sure what they will do, but venting positive pressure behind the wheels always helps.

[white out]

Good to see another C5 on here. I had a lot of fun with my FRC.

Do all the steering lock/security bypass shit. That left me stranded so many times that I ended up selling the car because it was so annoying.

[SebastienPeek]

Ooooo buddy, delicious changes for the interior indeed!

That really is a strange wheel setup though, I wonder why they make it so difficult?

[hinrichs]

Next up was some decisions on parts for the interior.

The car came with a head unit already which was a nice touch. All I really "needed" to do was fix some wiring to my standards. I still have more to change on that but really didnt want to take the console apart again. Someone used home electrical wiring on the sub, so no pics of that. I did bypass some stuff on the unit tho so I can watch movies in the pits or while waiting around. The surround fits and looks like garbarge, but the oem looking one is $350 so I wont be ordering that anytime soon. I only really like the unit since there is a back up camera.

IMG-2383 by minthinrich, on Flickr

Next I called my favorite race shop to set up an appointment to go visit. StableEnergies in garfield NJ. I had to talk to them about a few things like my helmet, and they stock a good selection of seats and other goodies. I sat in a few for a while, and really tried hard to make up my mind on what I wanted for this car. I did grab a new belt that is more HANS compatible than my last schroth belt. The clubman now is all 2" belts and honestly so much more comfortable. I also picked up another steering wheel, same as the bmw, and a seat.

First up was to install the steering wheel. What a royal PITA that was. The corvette wheels are either easy to get off, or very hard. Of course mine put up a fight. I bought a tool on amazon, which of course didnt work right but I got the wheel off. Basically you need a "J" style hook since GM didnt think to add threaded holes like most stock steering wheels. Also ordered another rogue engineering quick release since I have bought like 5 now, and always happy with them.

IMG-2695 (2) by minthinrich, on Flickr
IMG-2761 (1) by minthinrich, on Flickr

I skipped a lot of pictures here, cuz I wasnt going to make a thread originally, but here is the seat mounted. I have used so many different BMW floor mount adapters, and nothing comes close to the ease of install of the AMT Motorsports mount I picked for this car. Mark really designs quality parts and while they are very expensive, it worked perfectly. I also made my own lap belt plate which I will get pics of later on when the seat comes out again. I went a little extra on this OMP seat, but I wanted the extra saftey of the head support.

IMG-2664 (2) by minthinrich, on Flickr
IMG-2745 (1) by minthinrich, on Flickr

Since I am sure someone might ask, no the seat really isn't a pain to drive around in. The back up camera helps a lot (when it works), and the "wings" really don't block that much when your driving around town. Its annoying to see a passenger more than anything. I will be ordering a WRC-R seat for the passenger side eventually, just waiting since I really don't need it at all. If I start to do more autocross sessions which we don't really have around me, then I will get once since the wife can ride along.

[SebastienPeek]

I usually dont buy into power claims, but I think once your above a certain speed is when it really helps. I can tell you none of the other sets on the market pull air in from the outside. I really should see if there is any dyno charts showing anything on the setup. Tomorrows post will be more about the direction

Yeah, I completely agree, power claims are literally just that, claims, when it comes to bolt ons.
I shall look forward to tomorrow then!

[hinrichs]

These ram/air intakes blow my mind. It’s crazy how they can claim 40hp increase from just a simple piece of mounded plastic directing the air properly!

I’m genuinely excited to see what comes next man, I know there’s a lot you can play with on these (even if it isn’t a pre-2001) but I’m curious how far you’re thinking you’re going to take it?

I usually dont buy into power claims, but I think once your above a certain speed is when it really helps. I can tell you none of the other sets on the market pull air in from the outside. I really should see if there is any dyno charts showing anything on the setup. Tomorrows post will be more about the direction