Norb's BMW/Audi Double Garage

[55cadillacking]

Cool travel blog. Is that the place that had the cave in?

 

[M-technik-3]

Have to get around to visiting The Gap one of these days, This was the year for BMW attending as The Vintage show was co-hosted by BMW CCA. I wanted to attend with the E30 M3 but it's still at the painter's and don't think it will make an appearance till next year.

I have to do my intake seals on my LQ9 and might be a good time to steal your idea of painting the intake manifold.

Keep the updates coming.

 

[nsogiba]

Yes, this is the place that had the cave in. More pics to come, I ran out of time yesterday.

 

[dubber]

Sweet pics from the dragon. Thats a trip i've wanted to do for awhile. Is there any leftovers from the corvette sinkhole?

 

[nsogiba]

Sweet pics from the dragon. Thats a trip i've wanted to do for awhile. Is there any leftovers from the corvette sinkhole?

Yes, I have documented the entire museum along with sinkhole leftovers. Be patient

 

[nsogiba]

More old examples


_DSC5300 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5301 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5302 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5304 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5305 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Interesting exhibit showing the "marriage" of the chassis to the body.

_DSC5306 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Check out the external shift linkage on the 4 speed and the exhaust traveling through the frame
_DSC5307 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5309 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Homologation C5

_DSC5311 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5312 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5314 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5313 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

ZR-1 LT5

_DSC5315 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

The 80s C3s/C4s with crazy livery were pretty cool

_DSC5316 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5317 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Uhhh...interesting fabrication/wiring
_DSC5318 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5319 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Love the mesh deep dish race wheels.

_DSC5320 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

 

[nsogiba]

Cutaway, working model (with moving parts) of a Gen 2 small block (LT1)

_DSC5321 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

C6 ZR-1 Exhibit showing footage from the record breaking Nurburgring lap. Very cool. I will be there myself in less than 2 months.

_DSC5322 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5323 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5324 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Concept cars over the years

_DSC5334 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5324 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

This next section was one of my favorite of the museum - not only because it featured a lot of C5 development, but because it focused on technology and the development process as a whole. The engineer in me was in heaven.

'97 C5 bare chassis

_DSC5326 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5327 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Interesting how tall the center tunnel is, but how low the side-sills are. Apparently the reduction in that sill height was a big deal when the C5 was introduced.
_DSC5328 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Rear transaxle assembly, another first for the Corvette family introduced on the C5
_DSC5330 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Balsa wood sandwiched between the flooring of the chassis for rigidity and light weight.
_DSC5331 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5332 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Needs the zip tie mod. Think they'd notice if I tossed the lid cover?
_DSC5333 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Just plain cool.
_DSC5335 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

 

[nsogiba]

Some non-LS powertrain...wait a minute...

_DSC5337 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

In a C6? This was the test mule used by GM to develop the C7 powertrain without giving away the C7 body to the press and public.

_DSC5336 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Even comes with magic floating Mobil 1 oil.
_DSC5338 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Conventional C5 hood in red VS carbon fiber hood that came on 2004 Z06s. Significant weight difference that you could feel when you picked them up.

_DSC5339 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

C5 steel chassis exhibit...
_DSC5340 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

That you could lift at one end.
_DSC5341 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

C5 Crash test vehicle.
_DSC5342 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Tucked away at the end of this row was a small shop where the museum maintains and works on the vehicles. Imagine doing that for a living.
_DSC5343 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5344 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

The next exhibit showcased the whole sinkhole - I had no idea that it was that big of a hole. Lots of fun interactive displays showing how the rock collapsed, how a sinkhole is formed, which cars got swallowed up, which ones got saved, etc.

Damn right!
_DSC5346 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

notes:///ClientBookmark?OpenWorkspace&id=117 _DSC5347 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5348 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5349 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

This was very cool. A small room with a projected image and sound that showed what it would be like, under the floor, when it collapsed. The wife loved it.
_DSC5350 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

 

[nsogiba]

That led directly out to the Dome, which was much bigger than I thought it would be.

_DSC5351 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr


_DSC5352 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

The extent of the hole had been outlined on the floor throughout the entire room.
_DSC5353 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Some of the vehicles were deemed too far gone to be restored, so they were just placed on display, which I thought was very neat.
_DSC5354 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

From this...
_DSC5355 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

To this
_DSC5362 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Interesting C6s
_DSC5363 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5364 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5365 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Pace car history
_DSC5366 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5367 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Anniversary models
_DSC5370 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5371 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5372 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

 

[nsogiba]

Gorgeous '96 C4 Grand Sport, my favorite C4. I remember the first time seeing this car in my Gran Turismo days as a kid
_DSC5373 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5374 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5375 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5376 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Why settle for a V8 when you can run a V12? Apparently this exercise was to see what the C4 chassis could handle in terms of power. I wonder why they went with more displacement rather than moving some forced induction through the tried and true small block.

_DSC5377 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

 

[nsogiba]

The only '83 left in existence. There was no regular production for the 1983 model year.

_DSC5378 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Some of the unrestored sinkhole victims.
_DSC5379 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5380 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

2001 Mallett Z06
_DSC5381 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5382 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Aluminum upright snapped clean in half
_DSC5384 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5385 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

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_DSC5389 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

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_DSC5390 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Wow...what a hole!

_DSC5392 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

 

[nsogiba]

I had wanted to also visit the Motorsports Park Track next door and do some Touring Laps, so imagine my disappointment when I heard a rumbling overhead

_DSC5393 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

So, I took a few more snaps in the dome to wrap up my visit

_DSC5394 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5396 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5397 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

The final room in the museum showed some racing history.
_DSC5398 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5399 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5400 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Stopped by the gift shop and picked up a couple posters for the garage back home, an engraved beer glass, and tumbler.

_DSC5401 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr




Quick stop in the men's room - even the entrance here was decorated.
_DSC5407 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Walking through the main entrance area, there were still a couple things to see
_DSC5408 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Such as the Museum Delivery area.
_DSC5406 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

where new cars were awaiting pickup by their owners.
_DSC5402 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5404 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5409 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

There was a new C7 ragtop available to sit in. Not sure if I like it.
_DSC5410 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

But the wife did
_DSC5412 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5417 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5419 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

 

[nsogiba]

Once outside I was surprised to see that the sun had come back out and the rain was drying up, although it was still wet in spots.

The stable had changed over in the Vette lot. I found it interesting that every one of them had a personalized tag.

_DSC5421 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5422 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5423 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5424 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5425 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5426 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Had to get some shots in front of the building
_DSC5442 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5444 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Headed over to the track next door with fingers crossed hoping they'd let us run despite the recent downpour. The manager, Mitch Wright, was a great guy and had no problem taking the lead in the track prepped C5Z for some touring laps. I fired up the GoPro and we ran 1 warm up lap, 4 hot laps, and 1 cool down.

_DSC5437 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Great track with a lot of blind hills and corners, and surprisingly a lot of elevation changes - which led to a lot of water run off from the rain making some parts of the course slippery. The car held up great; I did watch the oil temps climb up to 250F, but the brakes and tires were problem free. I think we saw around 105mph on the front straight.

Will have to upload the video as it's still on my other computer along with the dragon/skyway footage.

_DSC5427 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5429 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

I chatted with Mitch about the yellow track prepped C5Z (which had only 24K on it - mostly from that track) and the C6Z's (not pictured) used for passenger hot lap joyrides.

_DSC5430 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5433 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Note the skyjacker ride height on the C5Z compared to my lowered street car. Aside from race pads, race seats, and a revised alignment, the Z was bone stock. A real track *****, she showed her scars.
_DSC5431 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5435 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5438 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

 

[nsogiba]

At this point it was about 90F with humidity right about there too, so after the track laps we hit a local gastropub in Bowling Green for lunch to cool off. The final stop in Bowling Green was the Corvette Assembly Plant. Unfortunately the plant was on their shutdown week, so I wasn't able to get a tour, so I'll have to come back in a couple years to experience it.

First, a quick stop and photo op:
_DSC5448 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

I didn't get to do the plant tour, but that didn't stop me from grabbing some pics out front.

_DSC5452 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5451 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5450 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5453 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5454 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Mitch (the track manager) had mentioned some big upgrades that were coming to the plant - namely a new "Paint Shop". What an understatement...
_DSC5455 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5456 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Some massive construction going on there.

With all the "car stuff" for the day over with, we headed back to Nashville with the AC cranked up. Ran into a group of 4 ladies on bikes that were staying at our hotel and looked like they were ready for a fun weekend.
_DSC5457 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

 

[tennesseewj]

Cool trip. Love seeing the Vette come together. If you haven't seen it, there is an episode of Americana that covers the sinkhole at the Corvette Museum. They show a time lapse video of the repair process that is worth a look, especially for we geeky engineers.

Also, my wife and I stayed at Fontana Village the weekend we got engaged. We drove there via the Dragon...after dark...in the rain...in a Chevy Equinox. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say the drive in the Corvette was WAY more enjoyable haha

 

[Mr. Roboto]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing all the pics from the trip, it looks like you had a great time.

 

[ajohno]

Great photos and write up.

 

[dubber]

Second round of pics were also great. I like what they have done with the sink hole and adding that event to the museum.

 

[Morio]

What an awesome trip!!! I so miss the Dragon

Thanks for sharing!

 

[nsogiba]

Saturday morning we woke up and headed over to the Pancake Pantry for breakfast on foot - to find a huge line outside. I thought the food was good in Buffalo, but it must be better in Nashville...

IMG_1567 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

So we had a very good breakfast at a cafe close by and set out for a quick walking tour of some stuff downtown. First stop was the Parthenon in Centennial Park.

_DSC5461 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5462 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

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_DSC5465 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

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IMG_1571 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

On our way past Vanderbilt University
_DSC5484 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Bachelorette party on a pedal tour, these look fun, might have to try one
_DSC5485 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

More lines for restaurants!
_DSC5488 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

General sights on the way back to the hotel
_DSC5475 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Broadway leading into downtown
_DSC5483 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Back to the hotel to cool off and change, then off to our next stop in the Vette. View from the hotel room worked out well:
_DSC5458 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5459 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Country music hall of fame. This place was okay, not my cup of tea, mostly just exhibits of articles of clothing and guitars that artists had worn or played.
IMG_1575 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

 

[HemiRamOn22s]

You need to head down to the riverfront. Tons of great places to eat on Broadway and 2nd Ave.

 

[nsogiba]

After Country Music Hall of Fame we stopped at Edley's BBQ for dinner - probably my favorite out of all the ones we tried while in town (Edley's, Jack's, Peg Leg).

IMG_1579 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Nice place too.
photo 1 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Next up was a whiskey tasting at a distillery in town. http://www.corsairdistillery.com/tours-brewery-tn/

This building had obviously been used as an old manufacturing facility at one point as there was all kinds of ancient machinery around - drill presses, mills, lathes, etc.

IMG_1582 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

IMG_1581 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

IMG_1580 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

The distillery actually made both beer and whiskies, and featured an old still that was from before the Prohibition years.

photo 4 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

It was easily 100F in this room with the humidity close to that
photo 3 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

photo 2 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

photo 1 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

We started the tasting with some beers - love the guy's expression as he watches the pour
photo 2 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

And then passed out the harder stuff.
photo 3 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Back to the hotel to clean up and have a couple beverages before the evening's festivities, and then we made our way to the strip for some more great live music. We made our way downtown via golf cart (no, seriously, there are roving golf carts that give rides all over the city), and at the recommendation of the driver we started at this Dueling Piano Bar
IMG_1589 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

These guys played every request you could throw at them
IMG_1590 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

IMG_1583 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

IMG_1584 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

IMG_1588 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

IMG_1587 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

IMG_1586 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

IMG_1585 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Somewhere along the way at the next bar we made some friends
IMG_1601 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

And even found a bride on her wedding day enjoying her reception
IMG_1603 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Had a great evening and enjoyed some of the best live music I've ever heard.

The next morning we checked out of the hotel and gassed up again for what seemed like the millionth time
photo 2 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

The drive home was uneventful despite some traffic in Columbus and Cincinnati.

More gas, in Columbus. about 28-29mpg on the highway
photo 4 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

We got home safely with a whole lot of pictures, memories, and a couple extra thousand miles on the car.

Then my wife bought a car the next day.
IMG_1608 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

I still have to upload the videos of the Dragon, Skyway, and track laps...but I will leave you guys with the pictures that I picked up from one of the photographers on the Dragon. I will get these printed out and put up in the garage...

1218554 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

1218555 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

 

[bonecrrusher]

You have your videos from the Vette on the Road Course?

How much where laps?

All of the pics look great - I've been to all of those areas before.

I would agree with you that the Skyway is better then the Dragon.

Back to the Vette - those S2000 seats look badass!

How are the Energy Suspension swaybar mounts holding up? I have a set of Pfadt swaybars - and I think those would work. My factory set has 50k miles on them.

 

[nsogiba]

You have your videos from the Vette on the Road Course?

How much where laps?

All of the pics look great - I've been to all of those areas before.

I would agree with you that the Skyway is better then the Dragon.

Back to the Vette - those S2000 seats look badass!

How are the Energy Suspension swaybar mounts holding up? I have a set of Pfadt swaybars - and I think those would work. My factory set has 50k miles on them.

http://motorsportspark.org/hot-touring-parade-laps/
I did the Touring Laps, which were $45. 1 warm up lap, 4 hot laps, 1 cool down lap. It was just after a rain so the instructor and I were the only ones on track. Worth every penny. I was driving at about 70-80% of the limit. Videos are on my wife's laptop, I need to get them up. Highly recommended.

Skyway was cool, I would love to go back and try it at night. I probably would only do the dragon in ideal conditions.

I FINALLY finished up the S2000 seat install last week, using aftermarket seat brackets, including swapping over C6 seatbelts into my C5. They're better than I imagined they'd be.

The swaybar bushings are great. Silent, firm, no issues. Ride like stock and really hang on in the corners.

I am in the middle of installing a Tick Clutch Master Cyl right now.

 

[onemanarmy]

You were at the old Marathon Motor Works building. They made cars there in the 30s and 40s I beleive, and there is a small 'museum' in there.

Also home to Antique Archaeology (American Pickers)

 

[nsogiba]

Cool, never knew. Could definitely tell it was a manufacturing facility at one point.

 

[bonecrrusher]

http://motorsportspark.org/hot-touring-parade-laps/
I did the Touring Laps, which were $45. 1 warm up lap, 4 hot laps, 1 cool down lap. It was just after a rain so the instructor and I were the only ones on track. Worth every penny. I was driving at about 70-80% of the limit. Videos are on my wife's laptop, I need to get them up. Highly recommended.

Skyway was cool, I would love to go back and try it at night. I probably would only do the dragon in ideal conditions.

I FINALLY finished up the S2000 seat install last week, using aftermarket seat brackets, including swapping over C6 seatbelts into my C5. They're better than I imagined they'd be.

The swaybar bushings are great. Silent, firm, no issues. Ride like stock and really hang on in the corners.

I am in the middle of installing a Tick Clutch Master Cyl right now.

Those touring laps - so much cheaper then flying to Germany... lol!

I'll have to add those ES bushings to my lo-do list.

If you ever have to put a clutch in - I highly recommend the Tick Speed Bleeder - also replace the slave cylinder while you have it all apart.

 

[KM223]

Looks like you had a great time!

 

[nsogiba]

_DSC5538 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5537 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

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_DSC5559 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

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Note severe front brake dust
_DSC5571 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5572 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Post mortem
_DSC5573 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

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Cooked pads
_DSC5575 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Corner exits slightly sideways on gravel will do that
_DSC5576 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

 

[nsogiba]

 

[HiWind]

Norb what dyu think of the mid mounted engine news/rumours?!

 

[nsogiba]

It's tough for me to relate to the new chassis (C7/C8) as I'm not really in the demographic of new buyers. I think change is a good thing for the Corvette brand as they are obviously targeting other world supercars. At one time it seemed revolutionary to put the transmission in the rear and use a torque tube but that's commonplace now. One the one hand, it's slightly disheartening that "America's Sports Car" is leaving its Front engine, Rear drive roots that it is so famous for, but I understand the need to revise the layout to stay with the times and keep the Corvette as a world contender.

I am certainly excited to see what it does in the professional racing circuit, and moreso how the aftermarket community/hot rodders accept it/tinker with it. To me - a Corvette was always a "bruiser" of a street car - lots of attitude, big motor up front, tail ready to step out all the time. The new C8 might gain some sophistication and "exotic" factor - but may lack some of the "street cred" it has worked so hard to achieve over the last half century...

 

[HiWind]

thanks - great insight! I think it's watershed moment - you shd be excited despite the obvious fact that alot of what you loved will now change, but it can only be an improvement (joking!)
... 2015 Cayman GT4 similar for Porsche v 911s/GT3

 

[bonecrrusher]

Nice track time Norb - I was going to say that has to be Toronto Motorsports Park.

I drove some laps there in a Subaru almost 10 years ago..... that was forever ago.

What brand pads and rotors are you looking at next?

 

[nsogiba]

Cheap centric rotors, nothing expensive as the track pads are going to tear them up anyways.

I bought these:
http://www.powerstop.com/product/track-day-brake-pads/


No reviews yet, still need to buy the rotors, flush the fluid with Motul RBF600, and install the pads.

 

[nsogiba]

I guess I can scrape something together. Not really been doing much

Been driving it around a bunch. The front ride height is a bit "high" for my taste due to the thick piece of rubber I put between the spring and the control arm to prevent contact. I can probably replace it with something thinner but just as durable to drop it another 1/4" or so.

0819161725 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

1472409268907 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

The cutout butterfly valves have started rattling ever so slightly at a certain RPM (around 1000) on warmup, which is annoying, so I removed them to inspect and figure out how to fix it. It will probably involve a bit more fab so I may leave that to a winter project.

1471655753617 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

If you recall these were V-Banded to the exhaust midpipes, so with those off the car there was a big gaping hole in each pipe. I still wanted to drive the car while the cutouts were removed so I ordered up some flat 1/8" thick, 3" diameter round plates and welded those to some v-band rings to make blockoff plates. Welds aren't pretty but are getting better and don't leak.

1472685638458 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

I painted the "X" in the LSX of the plate frame to give it a bit more contrast.

_DSC5513 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5515 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

_DSC5520 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

and gave the stainless frame a quick wipedown to bring some shine back.
_DSC5528 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

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_DSC5535 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr




My buddy came over with his recently turbocharged, all original (and definitely patina'd) '92 SE-R for some work. This thing is super cool and spins the fronts pretty well on 7lbs. Trying to convince him to come out to the road course with me.

1472608344587 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

1472606411497 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Speaking of road course, it was definitely time to replace the brake fluid that was probably original.

1472078975613 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

New Motul RBF600 ready to go in.
1471911273260 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

1472073583611 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Lastly I ordered up some vinyl test samples to try out. Was thinking the Nardo Gray but it just doesn't work. I may stick to something gray, but with much more metallic in it.

0821162103 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

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0821162101a by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

0821162101 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

 

[nsogiba]

Quick update

Took a ride out to Rochester to pick up two 16" Firebird ABS wheels. I really don't plan on taking this car to the drag strip - but I guess if I ever get serious I can stick a drag radial on them.

1003162108 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

They fit without any modification - extremely close on the spindle but doesn't touch. The ball joint dust caps also cleared. Miles of room on the calipers. They look goofy.

1004161855 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Tiny sized tire (225/60/16) makes for a fun time on the street.
received_10103371545198348 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Installed these as a track-only option - and bedded in on the street.

Amazing braking force when warmed up. but have pretty disappointing cold initial bite. They make a LOT of dust! This is just a few short drives on the street with some aggressive stops/bedding in.

0923161626 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

0925161846 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Took apart the passenger wheel well
1009161148 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

So I could ship this guy out for a tune over at ECS in NJ.
1009161149 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

Been running on the stock tune this whole season despite having longtubes, LS6 intake, catless x-pipe, Z06 Ti's, zip tie modded intake, etc. So, hopefully the car shows some gains as a result of the tuning.

 

[AussieDan]

Looks like you're enjoying yourself

 

[bonecrrusher]

Comp Grey C6 wheels would look awesome with your black car!

 

[nsogiba]

Comp Grey C6 wheels would look awesome with your black car!

I tried vinyl wrapping one of the C6 wheels in high gloss black. It didn't work out very well due to my inexperience, but I'm not giving up. Gonna give it another whirl, maybe over the winter, using a heat gun instead of a hair dryer, and 3M's Primer 94. The silver is nice but a little boring. I also want to lower the car a bit more, but am unforunately as low as I can go in the front without going to coilovers. Rear still has some adjustability left.