[andrewb70]

Originally Posted by b-man

Andrew,

I'm going back and forth between stock C6 hubs made by Timken ($175 each) and the SKF racing hubs ($380 each) http://www.pfadtracing.com/catalog/p...roducts_id/125 .

Will the stock replacement parts wear out quickly if I engage in a little spirited weekend canyon carving from time to time?

Am I better off buying the racing parts in the first place because I'll eventually need them anyway, after the stockers fail after a fairly short amount of time?

Your opinion would be greatly appreciated on any pros and cons of either choice.

Thanks, Bart

Bart,

Thats a tough call. I went with the race hubs. Part of the reason was that the stock C5 hubs were not available. However the other part was because I felt my GTO could use the extra durability due to the extra weight as compared to a C5/C6. From what I understand the stock hubs have been known to fail from a single track day with street tires. The race hubs last a whole season on race cars with slicks. If it is in your budget, I don't know that you will go wrong with the race hubs. Just my opinion :-)

Andrew

[b-man]

.....so I unpacked them to check for any missing parts or shipping damage.

Not so much as a scratch on any of these beauties. Clearly Tobin at KORE3 knows how to package his parts just as well as he knows his braking systems.

I decided to upgrade my brake package with some DBA (Disc Brakes Australia) 4000 slotted rotors and Hawk ceramic brake pads. Front rotors measure 355mm X 32mm (14.0" X 1.25") and the rears are 340mm X 26mm (13.4" X 1.00"). I'll have plenty of braking power to stop this train once it gets a-rollin'.

[marauder]

So much for the sleeper look with those calipers showing through the open wheels!

[MoonShiner]

Nice! I have the same rotors and pads on my Aussie GTO.

.....at least I will when I get around to putting them on.

[b-man]

Originally Posted by marauder

So much for the sleeper look with those calipers showing through the open wheels!

Well, sometimes one must make a few sacrifices to better the overall package. Not much of a sacrifice at all of course, this pup needs to stop as well as it goes to be even the least bit fun or safe to drive hard.

Still going to end up looking pretty tame overall with the somewhat boxy-looking white 2-door coupe body with the aqua bench seat interior and stock chrome column shifter.

Besides, this is the all that most of my fellow motorists will get to see much of anyway:

[andrewb70]

Originally Posted by b-man

.....so I unpacked them to check for any missing parts or shipping damage.

Not so much as a scratch on any of these beauties. Clearly Tobin at KORE3 knows how to package his parts just as well as he knows his braking systems.

I decided to upgrade my brake package with some DBA (Disc Brakes Australia) 4000 slotted rotors and Hawk ceramic brake pads. Front rotors measure 355mm X 32mm (14.0" X 1.25") and the rears are 340mm X 26mm (13.4" X 1.00"). I'll have plenty of braking power to stop this train once it gets a-rollin'.

Bart,

You will be very happy with that brake package. I am really thinking about doing my rears this spring. I suggest going with a manual MC. You can get a 15/16" bore MC with a rod for about $30. 1977 Chevrolet Malibu v6 w/manual brakes. If you want some bling and don't mind spending over $200, the Wilwood 7/8" bore MC will work as well. For me $30>bling.

Important tip: Don't use brake cleaner on the rotors. It will remove the dark gray coating in the center "hat" area of the rotors. Use mild soap and water and dry with compressed air.

Important tip #2: Double check the clearance between the rotor and the three "points" of the hub assembly. I had to use an angle grinder on the hubs to add clearance for the rotors.

I also prefer to flip the rotors left to right compared to the labels. This is not a problem since the rotors have straight vanes. I flip them because I have experiences some brake squeal when the rotors are installed with the slots as labeled. Flipping them took care of the squealing. I've seen race cars have slots in either direction, so I am not sure that it matters much.

Andrew

[David Holmberg]

Bart, do you work for AIG?




Gotta spend that big bonus on something.


The entire car will be breathtaking, IMHO.

[b-man]

Originally Posted by David Holmberg

Bart, do you work for AIG?




Gotta spend that big bonus on something.


The entire car will be breathtaking, IMHO.

David,

No big paycheck here, but I am lucky enough to have steady work and spend 50+ hours there every week of the year. I'm very frugal (a cheap SOB) and save my money for what I really want, and this is something I've been wanting to do before I get too much older.

I'll be done collecting parts soon, the only big-ticket items yet to be collected are my 8.5" 10-bolt rear and a Classic Auto Air direct-fit A/C system. I've also decided to buy the SKF racing bearings/hubs for the front, buy the best and buy it only once.

Soon the party will begin.

Thanks for the kind words, I can't wait to drive this thing.

Bart

[b-man]

.....for the drivetrain and suspension upgrades.

A set of C6 Corvette SKF racing hubs. I can't run the forged aluminum ATS spindles without these, I went for these heavy-duty parts instead of standard OEM replacments hoping that they'll last me a lifetime.

Along with the front hubs I bought some new MOOG A-body upper ball joints and outer tie rod ends to complete the front suspension.



New GM part # 12606620 flexplate, to replace the C6 Corvette-specific one that was supplied with the LS3 engine. I can't mate the engine and trans together without this, thanks again to Rich (TURBO BUICK) for the technical help.



My work hours will be reduced to 45 per week as of this coming Monday due to the slowing economy, I'm glad that I have already collected 90% of the parts I need.

On the brighter side I'll have more time and energy to get some work done on my project, there's a long road ahead.

[b-man]

.....some real motivation to keep moving forward on my Tempest project.

I was actually caught in the act of working on the Tempest by a long-time internet forum friend who I had not had the pleasure of meeting yet. I was all wet and dirty from laying underneath the car. I was really getting into washing down the underside of the floor pans and frame rails to remove all of the grease and dirt when a 'stranger' walked up my driveway called out my name.

Mike (455HOGT37 on Performance Years) stopped by in his LS3-powered six-speed manual 2008 Corvette. We talked cars and took inventory of some of the major components I had for the LS3 swap for a while. It wasn't long before Mike forced me to get behind the wheel of his 'vette. I gladly accepted his generous offer.



I impressed Mike right away with my ability to handle a stick-shift by trying to take off in 3rd gear instead of first. Those shift gates are mighty close together.

We headed out for a little drive and right away I was impressed with the smooth low-RPM power of the LS3. I had the car in sixth gear at a little over 50 MPH, it was doing about 1100 RPM on the tach and wasn't complaining. I pushed it back into 5th to keep it a little happier.

Mike asked me to find a spot where I could launch the car in low gear from a dead stop, I gladly obliged. Beat on your car? Sure.

The car spun the tires with ease, I let out of the throttle once and nailed it again and they spun even harder. These LS3 cars are animals.

We headed to the freeway to check out the high-speed power and acceleration. I was able to get it up to 90 MPH in a very short distance heading down the onramp, letting off before entering the freeway. The acceleration ability of this base model Corvette was nothing less than astonishing, it's stock other than the addition of a set of factory LS7 headers and matching factory 3" exhaust.

Thanks Mike, I'm now even more excited than ever about getting the LS3 Tempest project done!

[b-man]

.....and more progress.

First thing today I removed the rear bumper and fuel tank, and emptied out the trunk. Both bumpers will need to removed to replace the body mounts. The bumpers bolt to the frame and body needs to move up enough to get the mounts out, so removing the bumpers is a must.

While I was under the car I loosened up all of the body mount bolts in preparation for their replacement. Every single one broke free and turned freely without any penetrating oil, there will be no cutting out the floor to remove any rusted-up captured nuts in the floor pans.

Spent some time inside the trunk scrubbing it cleaner than it's ever been since I've owned the car. My full-size spare 18X9" wheel and 245/45-18 tire needs a nice home.



The spare will sit in the stock location on the passenger side.



A look at the driver's side.



The trunk floor still looks pretty good after 13 years, some of the heavier rust has started to bubble up under the silver POR-15. This trunk floor was pretty crusty when I did the POR-15 application, I scrubbed the loose stuff off until I just couldn't scrub any more.



Underneath the trunk floor with the fuel tank removed, you can see where a little silver POR-15 seeped through when I did some patching right in the center.



I cleaned the front trunk wall from underneath and the panel above the rear axle, I scrubbed and cleaned as far as I could reach. You can see some more evidence of rust patching right next to the trunk body plug hole.





I even scrubbed everything that's usually hidden behind the bumper.



I won't get an armfull of dirt or grease while I'm working on the chassis or brakes.



This car's cherry. Moving forward!

[SergeF]

Bart, you work fast! Thanks for posting pictures. This is a great motivation for me to work on my junk.

[Silver Judge]

For quite a few years, I could not stand the idea of a chevy or corporate powerplant in an old Pontiac. And while, I still prefer poncho power in ponchos.........

I'm changing my mind--BMan, this project is the essence of hot rodding and ingenuity.

So is the project that Andrew B did on his very nice '70 GTO

You guys are way better mechanics and trouble-shooters than I am, that's for sure.

I give a great big hat's off to you for all of the hard work, research, preparation on this.
This tasty old Tempest is going to be pretty danged cool when you're done and I'd drive it any day of the week ...with a big happy grin on my face.

Nice work there and thanks for sharing so much of your knowledge and experience

[andrewb70]

Originally Posted by Silver Judge

.....

So is the project that Andrew B did on his very nice '70 GTO

You guys are way better mechanics and trouble-shooters than I am, that's for sure.
......

Thank you for the compliment!

Andrew

[Silver Judge]

Originally Posted by andrewb70

Thank you for the compliment!

Andrew

For all of your hard work, it's a compliment that's well-deserved and your car is one tasty ride and B-Man's will be as well !

I'd love to drag race against you guys...I'm warning you though...I'm undefeated against big block chevies, 2-0

[455HOGT37]

Originally Posted by b-man

... It wasn't long before Mike forced me to get behind the wheel of his 'vette...


Thanks Mike, I'm now even more excited than ever about getting the LS3 Tempest project done!

LOL! As I recall, I didn't even get to complete the sentence "wanna drive it" before you were running for the house to change clothes!

You have a great project going there... I'm glad I could keep the fires of motivation lit in a fellow Pontiac "nut". You still owe me a test drive though.

[455HOGT37]

Originally Posted by Silver Judge

...For quite a few years, I could not stand the idea of a chevy or corporate powerplant in an old Pontiac. And while, I still prefer poncho power in ponchos....

Up until recently, I was right there with you too. Having owned 3 LSx powered vehicles has changed my mind however. While I still have some resistance to installation in a factory GTO or other "rare" car, the LSx series engines make a GREAT driver for any of the base Tempests, Birds, etc still out there. I still love the classic Pontiac V8, but compared to the LSx, the old Poncho is about as relevant to performance as a flathead Ford (and yes, I have one of those too).

Fortunately, there's room in this hobby (and my garage) for different approaches.

[Karch]

Originally Posted by 455HOGT37

Up until recently, I was right there with you too. Having owned 3 LSx powered vehicles has changed my mind however. While I still have some resistance to installation in a factory GTO or other "rare" car, the LSx series engines make a GREAT driver for any of the base Tempests, Birds, etc still out there. I still love the classic Pontiac V8, but compared to the LSx, the old Poncho is about as relevant to performance as a flathead Ford (and yes, I have one of those too).

Fortunately, there's room in this hobby (and my garage) for different approaches.

"...there's room in...(my garage)..."

That makes me extremely jealous!!!

[455HOGT37]

Originally Posted by Karch

"...there's room in...(my garage)..."

That makes me extremely jealous!!!

Yep, 5,200 square feet between the shop and garage - lots of room. TIME... now that's a different story.

[Karch]

Originally Posted by 455HOGT37

Yep, 5,200 square feet between the shop and garage - lots of room. TIME... now that's a different story.

Ha! I've got 5,250 square feet...no lie.

Yes sir, 5,250 square feet of lot, by the county assessor....50'x105'.

Isn't it pathetic?