GM High Tech Performance - Street Heat
Send high-res, digital photos and a description of your high-tech performer to: scott.parker@primedia.com, or mail to GM High-Tech Performance, 365 West Passaic Street, Rochelle Park, NJ 07662. All photos are presumed to be for publication, and GMHTP reserves the right to edit all accompanying descriptions.
Satisfaction Guaranteed
Sean Buchar of Crystal Lake, Illinois, is wild about his first Corvette. Unfortunately, he wasn't wild about its 14.0 at 98 mph timeslip when he purchased it bone stock. Since then he has added an SLP cold air intake, TPIS long-tube headers, MTI X-pipe (for a C5), and a B&B Tri-Flow exhaust to liven up the '96 Torch Red Vette. With a 100-shot from an NX wet kit, Sean has already gone mid 12s. Meanwhile AFR 195cc heads, 58mm throttle body, 1.6 roller rockers, and a Combination Motorsports cam measuring 227/233 duration, .560/.569-inch lift, and 111LSA are waiting in the wings. Right now this baby rolls on ZR1 17x9.5 and 17x11-inch rims shod with sticky BFG drag radials. However, a Dana 44, 3.73 gear and 3000-stall converter should improve short times dramatically.
Boom Goes The Dynamite
After blowing up the stock motor on his 1999 SLP Firehawk with nitrous, Long Island F-body Association President Mike "Hawkeye" Rebentisch resorted to swapping in a 2,500-mile LS6 from a 2004 Z06. The stock LS6 breathes through a ported stock throttle body with SLP smooth bellows. An ASP underdrive pulley reduces accessory drag as a 160 degree thermostat helps reduce operating temperature. The stock valvesprings were upgraded with COMP Cams 918s to accommodate a Thunder Racing 230/224 duration, .575/.563-inch lift, 111 LSA cam. Long Island shop The Vette Doctors tuned for the healthy cam, Kooks stainless steel long-tube race headers, off-road Y-pipe, and MagnaFlow cat-back as well as an NOS 125hp dry shot. An MSD Window Switch helps keep the new motor healthy at launch and in between gear changes on the stock T56, enhanced by a Cartek clutch with adjustable master cylinder. A Hurst Billet Plus shifter negotiates the six-speed while the rear end is beefed up with an Auburn posi, Motive 3.73 gear, and TA Performance cover. The suspension is firmed up with Eibach lowering springs, airbags, Lakewood lower control arms and Panhard rod, Kenny Brown subframe connectors, and a Hotchkis strut tower brace.
One HO That Can Go
Loyal, longtime subscriber James Jaco purchased his Hugger Orange Z28 about six years ago, and hasn't looked back since. The former Colorado resident promptly drove his HO Camaro down to Texas Speed for a big cam, long-tube headers, and true dual exhaust. This combo was sufficient for 13.4s at over 9,000 feet DA in Colorado. After a recent promotion moved him back to his native Chicago suburbs, his understanding wife gave him a blank check for Christmas and it was time to drop off the Z at Outlaw Motorsports. Using a Texas Speed 239/233 duration cam and ported heads with 2.04 intake and 1.575 exhaust valves, James was well on his way to 11s in good air. A FAST LSX manifold and Nick Williams 90mm throttle body setup would help take advantage of the deep breathing heads, as would a 200hp direct port fogger system. A Mufflex 4-inch exhaust and full complement of bolt-ons has so far helped this Camaro go 12.30 at 114, but a harder launch and some juice should change all that. Despite a Ford 9-inch rear with a spool and 4.11 gears, short times haven't breached the 1.7s. But James plans to drop the Textralia clutch at about 5,000-6,000 rpm next time he is at the track and let the BMR suspension and 26-inch Mickey Thompsons do their work. On laughing gas James believes timeslips should be in the 10-second region. Even with the spool, he still drives this 90,000-plus-mile F-body on the street and occasionally to pick up his 8-month-old son, who loves to fall asleep to the sound of a lumpy idle.
Junk In The Trunk
Some people just can't get enough when it comes to the portly B-bodies, and Jason Stevensen is no exception. After the demise of his 1994 9C1 Caprice, he has turned his attention to this super clean 1995 Caprice wagon. Believe it or not, Jason's favorite pastime is scooting the former Utah State honeybee transport vehicle through Brainerd International Raceway's 3.1-mile, 12-turn road course. To grip the pavement Jason uses meaty 275/40/17 Bridgestone Potenza rubber mounted on Impala SS rims, BMR control arms and front sway bar, Hotchkis rear sway bar, Bilstein shocks, and Eibach lowering springs. A Neal Chance 2500-stall torque converter, 3.73 gear and Eaton posi help the mostly stock motor distribute power to the rear wheels. Crane valvesprings and 1.6 ratio rockers, SSRI intake, Fbody MAF, Tri-Y headers with off-road pipes, and a MagnaFlow cat-back open the LT1's lungs. A 160 degree thermostat and tune from PCMforLess complete the list of bolt-ons.

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