Yzark99's mod madness

[yzark99]

Full-size Spare Tire: I wanted the donut spare when I ordered the car, but it was under constrainment (which means that GM was too lazy to make enough to meet demand). It was impossible to get one for months afterwards. They started showing up in the aftermarket after about a year, but they still want around $300 for the kit.

While it's true that I never used the donut in my last car for 13 years, I did have some flats near tire shops, so I could get the tire fixed without too much hassle. My previous car before that one did have some flats on the freeway, and out in the boonies, and having a spare meant that I got home that night (no AAA membership at the time).

I decided against the donut, as it is only rated for 55 MPH for 50 miles; which is ridiculous considering that it costs more than a real tire. I then wanted to make a full-size spare for an upcoming road trip. I heard that the GM tow was a long wait; and I was going to be way out there, which probably meant 4 or more hours for the tow truck.

I found a C5 member with LS wheels for sale. I must have a had a brain fart, because I thought I was getting tires and rims; so I ordered 2. No, just rims; and freaking dirty ones at that. I used a whole can of brake cleaner to get the dust off, then painted the one that I was going to use with black and then clear coat.

I got a tire from Simple Tire for $130 shipped, which is the same size as my 1LT uses. My work mounted and balanced it for free. I also picked up a jack, lug wrench, and other tools. I also got a mushroom plug kit from Amazon for $40. I figured that I could handle 4 normal flats; and 1 sidewall tear.

Long story short, I removed my subwoofer and amp rack for the trip, tied the spare in the trunk, and drove for 6 hours one-way. Over the next week, I was way out there; and on the way back I decided to take the really scenic route. I had no problems, and no flats.

Now I keep all tools in the spare well, and leave the spare at home, which I only take on those long trips. I figure that it is better to have it if you need it, then not carry one.

[yzark99]

Illusion: I created this design in 1994. You either love it, or it gives you a headache.

[yzark99]

Painted Fusebox Cover: I had this painted SIM by my dealer for $25. They even managed to paint the tiny hinge parts, and the lock. I think it looks awesome!

[yzark99]

Under hood pictures. The painted fusebox cover and the brake fluid reservoir cover now match the other SIM parts. They look so good, that I am considering having my dealer paint the engine cover also.

[yzark99]

Seat Belt Extenders - 9" Length:

These are available free from any Chevy dealer. They extend the seat belts either 9" or 15", depending on the ones that you get. I ordered one for each seat. By using one, you can move the shoulder belt off of the side of your neck. By using two, you can make it to where the shoulder belt is almost useless. 3 extenders should prove interesting in "click it or ticket" areas.

These seem to be made for compact people with wider girths than me. 6'6" and 250 lbs. doesn't really need these.

[yzark99]

Saikou Michi oil catch can - PCV clean side:

I bought one of these mini cans for the clean-side intake of the PCV system. It maintains the design of the OEM line, which allows for excess pressure in the PCV to be exhausted out through the intake. It was $71 shipped; plus hose and some other parts brought it up to $80 total.

I got it here: http://www.saikoumichi.com/micro_oil_catch_can_tank.htm

It is a little smaller than my dirty-side RX can, but it won't have to catch more than 10% of the total oil vapors in the system. I mounted it to the strut tower with an 8mm stainless steel bolt, and blue locktite.

It might look like it is hooked up backwards; but this is to condense oil vapors when the flow reverses towards the intake. I blew into both inputs of the can, and there are no check valves to prevent air flow in either direction.

If you were wondering about the quality of this can, there used to be 3 manufacturers that were rated the highest: Elite, RX, and Saikou Michi. I guess it's down to 2 now. If you order one of their bigger cans, the price goes up to what the other 2 are usually sold for.

Update: I have now moved this in front of the engine, to make room for my new strut tower bar.

[yzark99]

SLP Faded Gill Stripes:

I like how these make the gills look like they are functional. I got the matte version from LMPerformance.com for $60 shipped. They seem to look better on an overcast day; in the direct sun they are a little hard to see.

[yzark99]

CAI Intake Upgrade

After waiting over 2 years for Vararam to release their 2012 LFX intake, and getting scammed repeatedly (Scamaram), I decided to buy a CAI Intake. I was never happy that they wanted $400 for one new, so I got one used from a C5 member for $300. I had to "paint it black" literally as it had been painted blue by the previous owner, and it took a few weeks for the weather to clear up for that. It took a few weeks after that for it to stop raining enough to install it.

I decided to record some before/after sound samples for those who are interested. I was previously running a stock intake with an aftermarket Green Filter, a VMAX PTB, and a SOLO Catback Exhaust.

Here is the cold start video of the above configuration: http://www.youtube.com/embed/nRl7yfIrNcE

0-60 MPH In-Cabin sound, windows rolled up, normal Auto mode: http://www.youtube.com/embed/7DA3ATpw248


Updates May 2014:

CAI Intake, a VMAX PTB, and a SOLO Catback Exhaust.

Here is the cold start video with the CAI: http://www.youtube.com/embed/hz6AvmL1bME

0-60 MPH In-Cabin sound, windows rolled up, normal Auto mode: http://www.youtube.com/embed/Y_uGrDPGIk4

0-60 MPH In-Cabin sound, windows rolled up, M Sport mode: http://www.youtube.com/embed/5HOWLV3AfeU


Updates July 2015:

CAI Intake, APEX Air Scoop, a VMAX PTB, and a SOLO Catback Exhaust.

0-60 MPH In-Cabin sound, windows rolled up, Sport mode: https://www.youtube.com/embed/bstXhxs5jCU

0-60 MPH In-Cabin sound, windows rolled down, Sport mode: https://www.youtube.com/embed/_eLlUEIBp88

40-60 MPH In-Cabin sound, windows rolled up, Sport mode: https://www.youtube.com/embed/4jI77Pp7mcM

40-60 MPH In-Cabin sound, windows rolled down, Sport mode: https://www.youtube.com/embed/IDAR-cAx5G8

More on post #58

[aquablueL99]

Originally Posted by yzark99

I'm up to 32 now. I have also put together 4 DIYs. Please see my new mods index below.

Future Modifications: • Outside Door Pull LED Lighting • Outside Mirrors LED Turn Indicators • Apex Air Scoop • Yzk Washer Bottle Replacement • 2nd Amplifier (sitting in box) • New 6.5" Midranges (maybe ID Chameleons) • Maybe some more engine bling • and that's all for now...

SJM Autoprod Sequential Tail Lights Kit: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=315424

DIYs:

Upgrade to Heated Outside Mirrors: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...95#post6577995

Make your own front Mud Flaps: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=247119

How to mount Accessory Switches in the cup holder area: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=250418

Make your Dome Light any color (PDF): http://www.camaro5.com/forums/attach...6&d=1373088004
.

Your detail on the modifications is wonderful.....

Nice build....Thanks for sharing...

Kurt ABL99...

[yzark99]

Thanks for reading, and commenting.

[yzark99]

SJM Autoprod Sequential Tail Lights Kit

I just made a new movie today showing the results of installing this kit. I think they look really good: http://www.youtube.com/embed/4ydeuefoGcs

Link to old post: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=315424

[yzark99]

BA GTA 802 Amp:

I recently installed this to power my front speakers. I bought 2 wiring harnesses from Scosche for the HU, and soldered about 30 wires together. I plugged the harnesses into each other, and checked continuity so that I knew each wire was going to the correct place.

The source now goes from the HU into RCAs (high-signal), down the passenger side of the car to the trunk inside double-shielded cables, then converts into high-level plugs that came with both BA amps. The fader on the HU is 10 front, as I only use the rear speakers for parking sensor beeps; and they are loud enough with the fader almost all of the way forward.

Amplified signal from this amp then goes up the right side of the center console to the rear of the HU, where it ties into the harness wires for the front channels. I am using 8 gauge for power and ground, with 14 gauge for the speakers.

I am running 80 watts per side into the stock non-BA speakers without any problems. I also used the blue/white wire from the harness to turn this amp on/off with the HU. It works like it should, and it sounds awesome.

Next will be new front speakers.

[JessicasCamaro]

Subscribed--appreciate your DIY's and love the faded gill stripes--wonder how they'd look on black!

[yzark99]

Stealth Clamps

I got my black CAI intake used from the classifieds on C5. It came with bright silver hose clamps, which look awful on the black intake hoses. I was able to paint the clamp that attaches to the filter, but the other 2 clamps closer to the engine did not take paint well. For a while, I covered the middle clamp with black duct tape; but it wouldn't stay stuck and looked crappy.

I found these black "stealth clamps" on the internet: http://www.suremotorsports.com/produ...tealth-clamps/
They are made with an inner liner that protects the silicone sleeve from the worm drive slots when you tighten the clamp. They are also 100% stainless steel with a special corrosive resistant coating.

I measured first and used 2 different sizes; the middle clamp is just under 4.00", while the clamp that attaches to the TB under the engine cover is 3.50". They look great!