Category Archives: Cam’s 2007 Corvette

This category contains posts about my 2007 Z06. Below are posts about projects, repairs, and my Vette “adventures.” Check out my Corvette Page & my “How To” and “Shopping” categories.

Locked Out? But That’s Impossible!

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I got locked out of my car about a month ago. That may not seem like a big deal, but it is. When my key fob  is near the car door it automatically unlocks (and when I walk away it locks- very nice).  The car will only start with the key fob in the cabin and if you forget the fob when you get out and close the door the car reminds you to grab them (serious). So, with the fob in the car, and the door closed it shouldn’t be a big deal. Except that this one time my car decided the fob wasn’t there and locked the doors with the keys inside (the left is a picture of where the keys were). Technology is cool, but it can really hurt a guy.

I had a hot date (with my wife) and I really needed the car that night. I called Onstar.  “Sir, you could be anyone. I can’t open the car for you.” “I just need you to fax over your registration. It’s in the car? One moment, let me see what I can do.” “Click.” I was frustrated, but in retrospect it’s obvious they couldn’t help me. I did the only think I could think of…

We sell lock pick kits, so I busted one out. One of the coolest gadgets is a device that slides down under the window and pops up in the cabin. Once it’s inside you can hit the lock buttons. The second picture shows what I mean- half outside, half inside, button pressed. I was absolutely shocked at how easy it was to get inside my car. It might have taken five minutes. No alarm, no snags, no damage. Once I learn how to hot wire vehicles I’ll be on my way to grand theft auto academy.

Originally Posted December 12, 2009

September 2009

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A couple weeks back Jim, Justin and I hit the Rocky Mountain Raceway for some midnight drags. Anyone who hasn’t gone should check it out- $5 to go watch people dual it out in the quarter mile. And a mighty dual it was. Corvette vs. Corvette vs. Camaro I  ran a 12.1 at 131mph, Jim ran a 12.2 at 121 and Justin ran a 12.3 at 117mph! It was a super close race between Jim and I- he had me until about 90mph. You can check out one of our races and some pictures on Jim & Cindy’s blog. We were all hoping for 11 second runs, but we’ll have to get a little faster. 

 Speaking of a little faster… That’s what I plan to be shortly. I recently picked up a copy of HP Tuners. This nifty little software package gives the user control over every aspect of the car’s engine computer (yes, this can be very dangerous) . I need to pick up a few more things before I’m ready to start seriously tweaking, but I predict a predict a lot of fun… or tears. 

Originally Posted September 28, 2009

The Z06: There’s Nothing Vetter

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Cars are my hobby. I thought my hobby might have been writing… but I don’t every write. Drawing? No… don’t really do that either. Maybe my hobby is working? I work alot, but that doesn’t do it for me.  Cars. It’s cars. For Father’s Day Fran got me an awesome 1000+ page automotive textbook that covers everything car related. Beautiful.

A few months ago I bought a newer Corvette, but it was just this past week that I put the finishing touches on her (I named her Vanessa). When you get a car you have to do certain things to make it ”yours” (like giving it a name). Some people just need to add a bumper sticker, put on seat covers, or get some new floor mats.  Others have to overhaul their car’s physical appearance in one way or another (there’s a right way and wrong way to do this -learn more HERE).   Sure I did the floor mats and some stickers, but I did the wheels too.

I replaced the stock Z06 rims (18″ front, 19″ rear, flat, kinda boring, generic) with West Coast Corvette’s WCC Forged 946 EXT custom series (19″ front, 20″ rear, not flat, super exciting, made by Asanti). For tires I went with Michelin’s PS2 series. So far I really like them- good ride & great traction.

As far as cars go I’m having a good time with this one.  It’s an actual Z06 (my last car looked like one but had a secret)  with nearly 800 horsepower  (the APS Z06 twin turbo system on an LS7 engine is pretty mean) last car accelerated so fast it made some people scream.  This car is so fast that it will compress the air in your lungs so you can’t scream (better for you, better for me). Not that I have ever sped. Mom thinks I should get something quieter. Something safer. Sorry Mom. I like my cars loud and fast.

Originally Posted August 18, 2009

July 2009 Car Post

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I did steal some time to work on another car project that’s been haunting me for several months. I recently got a new car (a newer Corvette) and, aside from the usual tune tweaking, one of my first projects was to put in a new Stereo. I put the head unit and mid speakers from my old car into my new car but I couldn’t move my subwoofers because of car design differences. Justin was on the job- he built my sub box and amp rack and I did the carpet and installation

I relocated my trunk lights to the center (previously they were on the corners where the sub and amps now go). I think I like them better there

Instead of two 8″ JL Audio W3 subs I went with one 10″ JL Audio W6 (it’s a beast). I’m running matched Kenwood Excelon amps. Since I only have a single sub this time we tried to balance the visual presentation by putting the amps in the other corner. Overall I think it turned out great

Originally Posted July 18 2009

Need for Speed

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This is a post about my obsession with vehicle power. I’m not trying to be tacky, I just love modified cars (plus I have a lot of blog catching up to do…).   It started out innocently enough back in 2003 with an Acura Integra. It was a forest green 1995 model with 142 horsepower. I loved it. Compared to our 2000 Honda CRV it was a rocket. It was this car which got me hooked on the idea of upgrades. I looked at cold air intakes, exhaust systems, toyed with the idea of an engine swap and then one day, quite by accident, I found my new car.
Acura RSX-S

It was a modified silver 2002 Acura RSX-S and I had to have it. The base engine would have put out 200 horsepower but this RSX was equipped with a Greddy Turbo, Intercooler system and an upgraded exhaust which shot the output to a little over 300 horsepower. Perfect for a speed freak. The acceleration was satisfying. Time moved on and my appetite for power increased (as did my understanding of engine capacities and limits). I wanted something more powerful but upgrading the Acura wasn’t going to give me what I wanted. It was time for a change. I looked for something that would reflect my personality a bit better. I moved away from Japanese innovation to…

myvette.jpg
…American muscle. I purchased a black 2006 C6 Corvette a few months ago and I couldn’t be more pleased. With 680 horsepower (more on this in a sec), unrivaled handling and heart-pounding acceleration I have found true automotive love. While it appears to be a Z06 model, my vette is really a clever impostor. It’s the standard C6 coupe with every Z06 accessory such as body panels, brakes, emblems, etc. While the base coupe has 400 horsepower stock, this Vette attains its massive power via a twin turbo setup (you can read all about the APS twin turbo upgrade here). There are numerous advantages to the stock coupe with the upgrades.  The Z06’s lightweight engine materials (i.e. titanium, magnesium, etc) make it dangerous to add more pressure to the cylinders via forced induction. The LS2 engine of the ’06 coupe, while smaller and heavier, is actually much better suited to a turbo upgrade. It’s my opinion that you can safely get more torque and horsepower out of it than the Z06 block. In addition, with the coupe you get a removable top, better gas mileage (I’m averaging 25mpg!), the option for an automatic transmission (I’m loving it), it’s way cheaper to insure (it’s only $7 more a month than my Acura!) and it costs less then a comparable Z06 model. Spiffy.

Maybe one day I’ll trade out the Vette for something a little faster… or maybe not.