Exhaust System 101
Since I was so bored yesterday, I thought I would finally get my new cat back exhaust system installed before the touring season starts. I so love these little Vette projects which you think are going to be simple and bring joy to your day. I mean by that, that you would think hanging a new exhaust system, cat back, on an 84 would be a rather simple 1-2 hour task. Right? Wrong!
A friend of mine has a workshop/barn down in Eaton Rapids. 40 miles away from home sweet home here in Laingsburg. He has a lift, compressor, torch, etc., which makes working there a real pleasure. It took just a couple of hours to get the old one off. Only because the heat shields surrounding the cat were a pain.
I spent an hour getting the old muffler hanger off. It would have been a lot easier if the last shop/people that worked on it, hadn't welded the bolt to the hanger bracket. I was going to install the new hangers I purchased but the new design just didn't set well with me. So after close to an hour I finally managed to salvage the old one. It's amazing what an air chisel, hack saw and file can do. Had I found the Milwaukee SeeSaw sooner it probably would have taken 10 minutes. Thankfully the other hanger was perfectly fine.
When removing the old cat, I snapped the bolts off, but no big deal since I was replacing it. Or so I thought. You know how helpless it is to get your exhaust system off after two hours only to discover that the new cat has flanges that are not perpendicular to each other? Also, it turned out it was a half inch shorter which would have created problems trying to get the heat shields back on. Corvette America asked me to send them some photos, so I attached them such that you can see how far off the flanges are. This is the last time I'm ordering anything exhaust related from them. I had a problem last fall with the front y pipe which was a Walker made pipe as well. I had to send that back because of very poor parts positioning prior to welding. Since I ordered the cat last fall it'll be interesting to see what they are going to do about it.
So there I was, wondering how mad Kathy would be to have to drive down and pick me up. The only way to keep that from happening was to reuse the old cat with the new pipes and muffler. I had to wait for Rob to get home from work and eye appt and see if any of his automotive expertise would come in handy. He said we could torch them out of there. So he gave me a refresher on using a torch. I mean it's only been since high school since I took my welding/torch class. Of course his eyes were still dilated and he couldn't see. But he showed me how to get one of the old bolts out of the old cat and I was then able to get the last three out so I could reuse it temporary. Finally got it done about six hours later so I could drive home.
I keep thinking about the comment a friend made at the zoo last year about why would I want to put a new cat back in. He said to take it out completely and just shoot it straight back. Still don't know why I'm obsessed with trying to keep it original. But it sure would have been easier had I taken his advice.
(Shared by Dave Pursel)
Race to Win Corvette
Enter for a chance to win a 2011 Corvette Grand Sport and a Trip to 2011 24 Hours of LeMans in France. Click here to go to the Race to Win Corvette Website and enter the contest.
(Shared by Ted Lasher)
World's Most Beautiful Garages - and some cars
Check out what have to be the worlds most beautiful garages and cars. These garages are amazing. Anyone got a spare million or two???
(Shared by Dave Pursel)
Note: If you are still on dial up you may want to grab a snack while downloading the PDF from our site as it is 3.66 MB (i.e. it is a very large file).
Cadillac V Day in Shanghai
On May 9, 2009, thousands of spectators gathered at Shanghai's Formula 1 Circuit to watch a team of professional stunt drivers perform daring maneuvers with Cadillacs in celebration of the car's introduction to China. Be sure to watch John Heinricy and the Cadillac CTS-V set the production sedan record at the F1 course with a lap of 2:32.80.
(Shared by Simon Reiffer)
Remember Slot Car Racing?
Remember the electric slot car tracks when you were a teenager? Check out the YouTube videos on Southern Car Parts for a trip down memory lane. I had a Jaguar XKE and a 1965 Barracuda that I raced on slot car tracks in GR.
(Shared by Simon Reiffer)
Note: Scroll down the home page to find SCX Digital Slot Cars. After viewing the first video others will pop up. There are some really slick track setups.
A Car of Dreams
This it is a piece of art not only a car. Bugatti, nothing else needs to be said.
(Shared by Ed Politza)
Note: After opening the 3MB file (long download on dialup connections) you will need to left click or roll your mouse wheel to navigate your way through the slide presentation. It didn't appear to go automatically.
Portage Point Inn
Portage Point Inn is positioned on a wooded peninsula with miles of sandy Lake Michigan dunes and beaches to the West…and the clear, protected waters of Portage Lake to the East. The two lakes are connected by a wide navigable channel, located just 3/8 mile South of the resort. Greg has suggested this as a great place for a fall or spring getaway. Find out more by visiting their Website at www,portagepointinn.com. Talk with Jeff, at Portage Point Inn about getting low fall rates if you decide to check it out.
(Shared by Greg Kapp)
C5 Computer Diagnostic Codes
Click here to view a list of diagnostic codes for the C-5.
(Shared by Ed Politza)
Woodward Dream Cruise
Click here to view pictures from the 2009 Woodword Dream Cruise.
(Shared by Ted Lasher)
Vehicular "You're Doing It Wrong" Moments
Below are links to a "You're doing it wrong" photo feature from Jalopnik.com. They have some extremely interesting pictures.
Part One -
Part Two -
Part Three -
Part Four
(Shared by Ted Lasher)
1,500,000th Corvette
GM recently built the 1,500,000th Corvette. Click here for a link to a celebratory picture that includes the following milestones: first-year Corvette, (1953), the 500,000th Corvette (1977), the 1,000,000th Corvette (1992) and the 1,500,000th Corvette (2009). This picture was taken in front of the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky
(Shared by Ted Lasher)
Reminder of Proper Caravan Procedure
This is for our new members and a reminder for members that have been in the club for a while.
LEADER: The leaders job is to make sure the caravan stays together. This usually means driving the speed limit and some times slowing to less than the speed limit to allow members to keep up. When pulling out onto roads quite often you have to drive slow until everyone gets out and catches up and force non-caravan cars to pass. If you have a need for speed the leader spot is not the place for it. There are several speed events offered around the state. That would be the place to exercise that need.
CARAVAN MEMBERS: It is your job to try a keep up to maintain the caravan. If you are following someone who chooses to drive slower it is not bad form to pass when it is safe. That member should not be offended, as you have taken the pressure off them to drive faster than they want to.
I hope these reminders help. If you don't follow these procedures there is no reason to caravan. Just announce the destination and what time to meet there.
(Shared by Greg Kapp)
The History of Jake: Corvette Racing's Mascot
Racing liveries come and go, but there are some so iconic, so recognizable, they'll be remembered forever. For example, Gulf and Martini Racing. There's now a new one to add to that list. Meet "Jake."
(Shared by Ted Lasher)
Corvette ZR-1
Click here to see a video of Corvette ZR-1 being driven at Nurburgring at speeds of up to 178 mph. They take you through an entire lap with driver Jim Mero. (Sorry, I can't remember who shared this one.)
The Cars We Drove in the 50's and 60's
Hey Everyone!! Are you ready for a trip down memory lane? This video is way cool for us with the gray hairs! Many of the cars I don't remember first hand but sure do remember them thru the years. Enjoy the ride!! Some of you may not have the gray hairs but I think you or your spouse would enjoy this anyways.
(Shared by Patti Leppanen-DeNike)
