New Balance and Jean shorts..non typical C5 build

[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]

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

[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]

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

[rightfullrudder]

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

[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?

[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

[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.

[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]

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

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

Its a lot of cutting, and full weld in.

[SebastienPeek]

Its a lot of cutting, and full weld in.

Ahah a lot of cutting! I'm so pumped for you

[hinrichs]

Jungle gym showed up, hopefully I can start the prep and install next week

63959807638__408CA7B6-D3CB-4222-8887-31653E2F4294 by minthinrich, on Flickr

[hinrichs]

Spent a few hours over the weekend stripping out the interior to get ready for the cage install. Thought this sticker on the seatbelt was rather funny.

IMG_3474 by minthinrich, on Flickr

Small pile of parts. I will need to install most of it back in to stay in a street class outside of the seats. I do have some exceptions for things that physically can not go back in due to bars from the cage. From what I can tell I should be able to make it look half decent.

63976540835__3B1E0162-3F1B-4DC1-A687-9FE72183BD92 by minthinrich, on Flickr

I still have a little bit of carper in the rear, but Its not really near where the bars land. Also taking dash out was surprisingly easy. The cuts are also very minimal to get it back inside the car

IMG_3476 by minthinrich, on Flickr
IMG_3477 by minthinrich, on Flickr

[gnmzl]

Good progress, would love to see the cage installed soon and trim fitted back

[ThayQi]

Dude you're quite serious about this it seems

Looks awesome, I always had a sweetspot for the C5 Corvette and always love myself a good track-oriented Build! <3

[hinrichs]

So after a lot of cutting, and I mean ALOT, I finally was able to get the cage fit, and all tacked in. The worst part was massaging the windshield frame since this cage fits so tight everywhere for driver fitment. I will get some horror shots if I still can. I have one spot to cut yet but that is for final welding. Here is the full cage fit in the car.

IMG-3497 by minthinrich, on Flickr
IMG-3499 by minthinrich, on Flickr

The top does fit on the car as well. Here is before most tubes were added, but you can not see the upper roof bars which makes me happy. I think the "best cage on the east coast builder" has them lower.

IMG-3495 by minthinrich, on Flickr

Last picture I decided to throw in my seat mainly to make sure the extra small rear support fit with my seat. Large/tall drivers do not fit with that extra bar in the car. Good thing for me I have tons of clearance everywhere. I had issues with that in my E36 where no matter where I put the seat, when I tilted my head to the left, I hit the cage. Sure I run padding but its very thin and minimal and it was still too close. It honestly made the car annoying to drive and you felt almost claustrophobic while racing. Right now the corvette feels roomy as can be. I would have loved to put NASCAR style bars in the car, but loosing my windows was not worth it for me. The car seems to be just as easy to get into as before, but there are 2 bars yet to be installed which I will test today.

IMG-3500 by minthinrich, on Flickr