Building a dedicated HPDE car.

[SS Performance]

So I had an incident with my 2015 1LE.

https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=549711

So now I have a 2014 SS with a salvage title. I bought it for parts to fix the 1LE but discovered I couldn't use anything off it.

I was shocked how little damage there was to the car;







So I ended up getting a second salvage title car to fix the 1LE and now I have the 2014 SS sitting around...…..Soooo being who I am I have decided to turn it into a dedicated track car.

I located a ZL1 complete rear cradle with differential, axels, and suspension. Got a good deal from a Camaro5 member. I know the ZL1 weighs a LOT more than the SS rear but the price was right and it's a lot stronger. And it cam with the drive shaft and differential cooler.

I Z28 installed trailing arms and delrin bushings in the outer trailing arm bushings, inner lower control arm bushings, differential bushings and upper control arm bushings. I also installed solid aluminum cradle bushings. Some of these parts I had purchased for the 1LE and never gotten around to installing.

While the cradle was out of the way I installed the ZL1 fuel pump. That way I am set for future power upgrades.

I plan to drill out the spot welds for the inner wheel tub and replace it with the one from my other parts car. Then I will get some help from some friends to fix the quarter.

I intend to strip the car to the bare minimum. The interior will be gutted, the glass will be replaced with lexan of some type and the A/C will be removed. I will also try to remove as much of the wiring harness as possible.

All new springs, struts and sway bars. I will most likely go to 19 inch wheels for a lower stance and better tire selection.

I will most likely go with the ZL1 6 piston brake upgrade unless someone has a better suggestion.

Race seats and cage will also be added.

This project won't happen over night but I will add info as I make progress.

Any suggestions or observations would be greatly appreciated, especially in the suspension aero dynamics and electrical areas.

Thanks
Craig

[SS Performance]

Here are the pictures of the damage. A friend that manages a body shop was shocked the car was totaled. The air bags didn't even deploy!

[bkevind]

This is AWESOME! I'm slowly working to make my '13 a HPDE dedicated car. Maybe some TT later, and down the road perhaps some wheel to wheel racing.

If you're going with the ZL1 setup, look for the AC Delco part numbers. Much cheaper than the "kits" out there. I think I got the rotors and calipers for 1300ish sourced from Amazon.

Heat is the killer of brakes regardless, so figure out some ducting. Key is to have a proper spindle mounted duct receiver that forces air directly on the rotor.

I've got parts in hand for when I get my car back from the shop (engine work) to attempt a DIY ducting setup.

I'm probably going with a RPM half cage / SCCA legal cage rather than a full custom or just a harness bar. Might as well get some roll protection for not much more than a harness bar.

Luckily you already have vented hoods in your 14 and 15, I've got to source that to reduce the front end lift and get some better heat ventilation.

Good idea with the ZL1 rear end. yeah it adds weight but it's solid! I'm rolling the dice with my stock 1LE diff, added a truetrack and LPW cover along with delrin+poly bushings for the diff as well as solid cradle bushings. It feels so much better, but it's noisy. Don't really notice the noise on the track.

[SS Performance]

On my 1LE I used the ZO6 calipers with the vented pistons, and you are correct the AC/Delco parts are less.

On the brake ducts whos spindle mount duct receiver did you get?

[bkevind]

Originally Posted by SS Performance

On my 1LE I used the ZO6 calipers with the vented pistons, and you are correct the AC/Delco parts are less.

On the brake ducts whos spindle mount duct receiver did you get?

Cool, didn't know how much you knew already

I don't know where to find the duct receiver made for the car specifically. I bought some generic ones that I will try to make work.

Vorshlag made a set for a customer and told me they'll make more at some point. Theirs was well designed and looked to force the air effectively. It looks fairly easy to make if you have the time and tools. One of these days I'll have the space to play around.

Good ducting would probably make the stock 4 pistons stand up to the abuse pretty well.

[SS Performance]

I'll talk to Vorshlag about them. I'm already talking to them about the suspension.

thanks
Craig

[Mgizzle]

BK, cut your hood and install vent, $100 in parts if that. I did it on my 13 1LE.

[SS Performance]

Originally Posted by Mgizzle

BK, cut your hood and install vent, $100 in parts if that. I did it on my 13 1LE.

Nice car(s) my 14 has the hood vent.

Did you make the tow strap or purchase it?

Thanks
Craig

[Mgizzle]

Sparco tow strap, like $15. I just drilled a hole on top of beam bolted it up and cut a slot in the fascia. Currently doing one on back too while cutting some metal of real bumper as well for some mass savings.

My car is totally gutted and one word of advice is onstar you need to connect two wires to not trip Communication lines and getting it out of theft detterent mode Is interesting once you remove hvac module and the radio box.

You said you have the zl1 diff so you will run the diff cooling lines then too right? What you gona run for a seat?

Also, if you decide to run aftermarket steering wheel Proven wicked has an adapter thats top notch. That thing is legit and Shane rocks. Highly recommend a smaller wheel and dont mess with quick connects.

[bkevind]

Originally Posted by Mgizzle

BK, cut your hood and install vent, $100 in parts if that. I did it on my 13 1LE.

I've thought about that, would be a lot cheaper than buying a CF hood. Recommend place to buy it?

Originally Posted by Mgizzle

Sparco tow strap, like $15. I just drilled a hole on top of beam bolted it up and cut a slot in the fascia. Currently doing one on back too while cutting some metal of real bumper as well for some mass savings.

My car is totally gutted and one word of advice is onstar you need to connect two wires to not trip Communication lines and getting it out of theft detterent mode Is interesting once you remove hvac module and the radio box.

You said you have the zl1 diff so you will run the diff cooling lines then too right? What you gona run for a seat?

Also, if you decide to run aftermarket steering wheel Proven wicked has an adapter thats top notch. That thing is legit and Shane rocks. Highly recommend a smaller wheel and dont mess with quick connects.

Good idea with the straps. I wound up with ZL1 add ons for the tow hook for the front.

I'm planning on gutting eventually as well, good to know about the onstar nonsense.

[SS Performance]

Originally Posted by Mgizzle

Sparco tow strap, like $15. I just drilled a hole on top of beam bolted it up and cut a slot in the fascia. Currently doing one on back too while cutting some metal of real bumper as well for some mass savings.

My car is totally gutted and one word of advice is onstar you need to connect two wires to not trip Communication lines and getting it out of theft detterent mode Is interesting once you remove hvac module and the radio box.

You said you have the zl1 diff so you will run the diff cooling lines then too right? What you gona run for a seat?

Also, if you decide to run aftermarket steering wheel Proven wicked has an adapter thats top notch. That thing is legit and Shane rocks. Highly recommend a smaller wheel and dont mess with quick connects.

Problems like the Onstar are why I'm a little concerned with gutting the wiring harness. There seem to be a lot of circuits that get input from seemingly unrelated areas.

I have thought about changing the wheel but this car is an A6 car and I want to keep the paddle shifters.

I know lots of people frown on the A6 but its what I have. I plan to tune it to stay in lockup in 3 thru 6 and with a good converter I should be able to downshift and benefit from the compression braking.

Again any input is appreciated.

Thanks
Craig

[Mgizzle]

BK there is plenty vendors but I just hit dealer up for vent. Than home depot for sone L aluminum and got some stainless bolts nuts.

Dont sweat wires, PM me anytime I ll help you out where ever you want. Onstar fix is 2 minutes but not sure hvac and media is what you want to gut and if you do just keep parts. Fire car up with parts then disconnect and guy your fine. But if you ever loose battery or remove battery cables you have to plug hvac module and radio back in to fire car up, then take em out again. I am so weight anal that I just carry those parts to track if I loose battery lmao. This car made me loose 40 lbs lol. Curb is now at 3450 and with me 3630lbs.

[SS Performance]

Originally Posted by Mgizzle

BK there is plenty vendors but I just hit dealer up for vent. Than home depot for sone L aluminum and got some stainless bolts nuts.

Dont sweat wires, PM me anytime I ll help you out where ever you want. Onstar fix is 2 minutes but not sure hvac and media is what you want to gut and if you do just keep parts. Fire car up with parts then disconnect and guy your fine. But if you ever loose battery or remove battery cables you have to plug hvac module and radio back in to fire car up, then take em out again. I am so weight anal that I just carry those parts to track if I loose battery lmao. This car made me loose 40 lbs lol. Curb is now at 3450 and with me 3630lbs.

That weight is what I'm looking for. Did you remove your glass?

Thanks
Craig

[bkevind]

Originally Posted by Mgizzle

BK there is plenty vendors but I just hit dealer up for vent. Than home depot for sone L aluminum and got some stainless bolts nuts.

Dont sweat wires, PM me anytime I ll help you out where ever you want. Onstar fix is 2 minutes but not sure hvac and media is what you want to gut and if you do just keep parts. Fire car up with parts then disconnect and guy your fine. But if you ever loose battery or remove battery cables you have to plug hvac module and radio back in to fire car up, then take em out again. I am so weight anal that I just carry those parts to track if I loose battery lmao. This car made me loose 40 lbs lol. Curb is now at 3450 and with me 3630lbs.

Sounds simple enough. I just don't trust me to make clean straight cuts.

I'm also wanting to add lightness, but not sure how far I'll go. Intention is to race this old car for a long time. Might as well gut it to bones, and only add what is absolutely needed. That's another phase!

Can you just remove the antitheft stuff? Or would it require complete standalone system?