Zeppelin

Got the Hellwig rear swaybar on this morning. A couple things I'd suggest with the instructions. First they have in big bold print that the framerails will have to be drilled. But then in the detailed instructions they don't mention at all where the drilling needs to be done, what size bit should be used, or anything. Wasn't hard for me to figure out, but it would have been nice to have better instruction there for someone that may not be as savy. Also, when talking about installing the bolt where you have to drill the framerail, it specifically tells you to install a washer between the adjustable endlink and the new bracket. It does not mention at all that there is a washer provided for the outside also, between the endlink and the bolt. Only looking at the pics real well do you kind of see there is a washer there also. Also in the pics of the swaybar mounting brackets, it shows 2 nuts on each side of the u-bolt(and they do not appear to be locknuts), but only 1 locknut is provide for each side of the u-bolt (4 locknuts total, 2 for each side of the car). Other than those few points, the instructions were pretty straight forward and the parts are stellar. Here are a few pics. Original endlink mounting bracket http://www.zeppelinsreef.com/images/war_eagle/rear_swaybar1.jpg New bracket http://www.zeppelinsreef.com/images/war_eagle/rear_swaybar2.jpg Adjustable endlinks assembled(assembly tool pictured also) http://www.zeppelinsreef.com/images/war_eagle/rear_swaybar3.jpg Adjustable endlinks mounted http://www.zeppelinsreef.com/images/war_eagle/rear_swaybar4.jpg Overall, the Hellwig adjustable rear swaybar is a very stout, quality piece IMO.

SOLD

Nice car man. I hear ya on the lessons learned. Nothing like putting it together yourself. Good luck. Hope the tranny install is a smooth one for ya.

Brakes are done......finally. Took it on a maiden voyage to Jegs a little bit ago to take a set of the spacers back. Stops on a dime for sure. Here are a couple new pics. http://www.zeppelinsreef.com/images/war_eagle/new_brakes3.jpg http://www.zeppelinsreef.com/images/war_eagle/new_brakes4.jpg

I got the one side on tonight. Test fitted the rim and I will need to run a 1/8" spacer to clear the caliper. Back to Jegs in the next day or so.

When I got the pads from the shop I got the brake setup from, they sent the wrong pads. They sent regular C6 corvette brake pads. My $85 pads suddenly went to $249 for the right ones. I checked Jegs and could get Hawk ceramics for a little less so I ordered from them. The brake pads came in at Jegs today. GM stock Z06 ceramic pads were $479.00 list!! The place I got the brake setup from had the GM ceramic units for $249. Got Hawk ceramics from Jegs for $198.00. Still a chunk o' change for brake pads for sure. Here's a pic of one side. There are individual pucks for each piston. 6 pucks per side. http://www.zeppelinsreef.com/images/war_eagle/brake_pads.jpg

Includes LS1 calipers, pads, and brake lines with 23,000 on them and a nice set of cross-drilled and slotted rotors. Nice upgrade for you LT1 guys. $275 takes the setup. http://www.zeppelinsreef.com/images/war_eagle/old_brakes.jpg

With the nice weather, I thought I would get started on the brake swap. I took Sunday morning to dis-assemble the current brake system down to bare spindles. Off came the calipers, rotors, hubs, and the old brake lines. I then installed the new steel braided brake lines for the Z06 calipers. http://www.zeppelinsreef.com/images/war_eagle/spindle1.jpg Tonight I had to cut off the original caliper mounting ears to make room for the caliper adapter brackets. http://www.zeppelinsreef.com/images/war_eagle/spindle2.jpg Here is a pic of the caliper adapter bracket. http://www.zeppelinsreef.com/images/war_eagle/caliper_adapter.jpg I then test fitted everything prior to painting the spindle. Here is the caliper adapter bracket test fitted with the hub. http://www.zeppelinsreef.com/images/war_eagle/caliper_adapter2.jpg Test fitted the rotor and caliper while I was at it. http://www.zeppelinsreef.com/images/war_eagle/new_brakes1.jpg http://www.zeppelinsreef.com/images/war_eagle/new_brakes2.jpg When the brake parts shipped initially, they didn't send the pads. I didn't realize that until I opened the small box Sunday that should have had the retainer clips and pads inside and only found the clips. Called them Monday and the pads shipped that day. Should have them in the next day or so. I hope to have the brakes done and the new front swaybar installed by Saturday.

Ya, I know about the knot headedness. I'm looking for a little guy so I can do the training, and so he (looking for a male) grows up used to my daughters and having friends around allot. So, like 8 weeks old or so. Looking for one with a decent amount of white in it. Does she have any pups available?

Anyone know of any breeders in the Columbus/Pickerington area that may have pups for sale at a good price? Thanks Larry

Thanks guys. I've only driven it a couple times since the tires went on. Not the off the line grip of the drag radials, but I didn't expect it. Definitely a driving style adjustment though. Overall, the ride is a ton better than the drag setup. I need to get the swaybars on before I really lean on it around corners though to see what the tires really do.

Nice to see you back on it Ray. Sounds like its going to be an even bigger monster this year.

Got the swaybars in yesterday. Very nice looking product from Hellwig. 35 mm hollow front(thing is huge) and 22 mm adjustable hollow rear. http://www.zeppelinsreef.com/images/war_eagle/swaybars1.jpg http://www.zeppelinsreef.com/images/war_eagle/swaybars2.jpg

Thanks for the compliments. Looking at it today, I agree the stance is looking pretty good as is. Just a few more pics I took today in the sun. Trackbracket caliper adapters came yesterday, so I should be able to get on the brakes as soon as it warms up a little. It is a very nice, heavy duty piece. I'll get some pics when I start the brake install. http://www.zeppelinsreef.com/images/war_eagle/new_rims5.jpg http://www.zeppelinsreef.com/images/war_eagle/new_rims6.jpg http://www.zeppelinsreef.com/images/war_eagle/new_rims7.jpg

Looks sweet. A little pricey, IMO.

Took a run up to Sawmill this afternoon and spotted this on RT 270 on the NW part of the loop. Not too often I see a couple hotrods mixed in with the normal cars/trucks on a carrier. Check out the bug. Slicks, no rear lid, turbo, wing and air scoop. http://www.zeppelinsreef.com/images/hotrods_on_carrier.jpg

Ya, I am going for a more well rounded car. After all, it will see more road time than track time. I enjoy blasting into on/off ramps as often as possible, and may try an autox event or two this year also. Probably get a set of matching 17s for the rear to put drag radials on, and a set of skinnies that will clear the new brakes, so I can switch them out quick for track days. Pretty sure I got as much tire as I could. 19" 305s only come in 30s that I could find at a decent price, and the 295s are 35s. I think I could have gone to maybe 40s up front with a different tire, but then they didn't have 305s in 19s. I did allot of tire research, mainly on tire sizes available for 19s and 18s before settling on the Nitto Invos. That was actually a PITA.

Took a few pics of the stance with the springs cut. Re-measured and both sides are the same after settling. I think I need to lower the front a little now though. Need to wait until I see if the new front brakes clear the rims without spacers first. If I have to space the rims out much, lowering it allot will lead to tire/fender contact on bumpy roads I am afraid. We'll see. The caliper adapter brackets finally shipped. Due here Friday, so I may get the brakes on this weekend. Ordered a set of Hellwig swaybars too. 35mm hollow front and 22mm hollow rear. Car currently has NO rear swaybar at all and the stock WS6 front bar. http://www.zeppelinsreef.com/images/war_eagle/new_rims2.jpg http://www.zeppelinsreef.com/images/war_eagle/new_rims3.jpg http://www.zeppelinsreef.com/images/war_eagle/new_rims4.jpg Also got some nice black lugnuts in from Jegs. They are Gorilla brand. Nice heavy coating. Wrench didn't scratch them a bit. I grabbed a set of matching locks also. http://www.zeppelinsreef.com/images/war_eagle/stockbrakes.jpg

When my oldest(17 now) was about 9-10 I think, she dug an animated film called Ferngully-The Last Rainforest. Watched it allot. Avatar reminded me of that movie. The forest they created in Avatar is straight out of a saltwater reef tank under actinic(blue) lighting. They seemed to use the physical characteristics of zoanthids and palythoa corals, as well as featherduster invertebrates. That was cool to see. HBO had a 'behind the scenes' of the making of this movie. Quite a few firsts used in the creation of both the 2D and 3D. The plot was pretty generic, yes, but the movie itself took film making to the next level for sure.

Marc Sent him a PM. Thanks for the lead.

V6 hatch would work. Thanks for checking.

Anyone have one of the regular 4th gen Firebird low spoiler hatches laying around that they switched out for a TA hatch? Prefer black. Got a wing idea and need a canvas.

No doubt. I'm real happy with the dropped look. I searched allot of reviews on the tires before pulling the trigger. Found WAY more good reviews than bad. Biggest concern was winter driving, which this car hopefully will never see.

Nice meeting you Rick. Post up some pics of the Camaro when you get 'em on.

Ya, I know. Damn rain.