A C5 techie book...maybe?

[Hib Halverson]

CAC Members-
I'm doing a little market research.

The idea is a technical, instructional book on C5 Corvette performance enhancement. This book would be about 150 pages, 8.5x11-in in size, soft-bound and all-color.

Everything in the book would be aimed mostly at do-it-yourselfers interested in improving the performance of their street high-performance, street/track or street/strip 97-04 Vettes. The book would have little or no material on race-only cars.

Most mods in the book would be bolt-ons but some would not b, however, non-bolt-ons would be streetable and, for the most part, DIY tasks.

The book would limit itself almost entirely to engine, transmission, rear axle, suspension and brake subjects. There would be little or nothing on bodywork, paint, vehicle electronics other than chassis and powertrain, car care, interior enhancement other than for performance or appearance items.

I'm interested to know what kinds of modifications, parts or other coverage the C5 gearheads on the CAC would like to see covered in such a book. Please, confine your suggestions or comments to the above general guidelines.

TIA for any input you might have.

 

[6 Shooter]

Here's a few for starters . . .

Suspension Mods
Superchargers

Later . . . . . .
6 Shooter

 

[silver98]

The never ending Exhaust and intake mods. What the problems are with each, is there any value to doing these, $/BHP, etc. Replacement of wearing suspension parts, stay stock, or 'for a few dollars more' replace with performance. Why didn't Chevy do it in the first place; Corp MPG goal, too expensive for target market, etc.

Hib, when you're done, I want a copy.... autographed please.

Joe

 

[lt1george]

C5

Hi Hib, Great idea. Save the Wave.>George

 

[Patrick]

Some topics I'd like to see included:

Air intake systems: how and why certain aftermarket systems work, and what makes them better than stock?

Programming Control Modules: what do systems like the Predator Diablo do for you?

Exhaust Upgrades, and the infamous H-pipe vs. X-pipe configuration.

So, how much do you think this would likely retail for?

-Patrick

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
Casting numbers, for heads and blocks.
CORRECT numbers and facts on the 01-04 intakes, instead of the 'ZO6 intake' which is incorrect.
Flow ratings vs tumble ratings of cylinder heads and why tumble of the mixture is so important. Along those lines, why gross flow numbers are NOT as important as the tumble rates on the Gen 3 small block.
Truth about oil consumption of higher performance engines and the affects of mods on this.
Fuel injection changes and facts about how much HP the stock fuel system can support.
Truth about the thermal efficiency of the cylinder heads and block and why a lower degree thermostat is not a necessity on a street driven vehicle.
The truth about why TR55 NGK plugs reduce detonation and why 41-985 plugs actually function better for the reliability of the engine.
I could go on for hours but I think the reasoning is clear.
What mods WORK, and what mods are actually just wasted money.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[Hib Halverson]

c4c5....contact me privately.
finspeed@earthlink.net

 

[bossvette]

what mods work and why. I bought my C5 as a driver and want to keep it reliable with good gas milage.

put me on the list for an autographed copy also.

Craig sr.

 

[Rain]

Love it!- I have voiced the idea on a few forums for a DIY video classroom for Corvette work. Can be simply shot and clearly scripted/blocked. 19$ a DVD/tape.

A single tape on header/cats/pipes/mufflers.
a combo tape with small mods like cutting your stock shifter, painting your decals on the steering wheel and hood pad, installing diff. types of exterior lettering, painting your calipers, etc.
Companion videos to your book - just something Id like to see

Rain

 

[bluecoupe]

c4c5....contact me privately.
finspeed@earthlink.net

Two gearheads are better than one. Written by Hib and Paul ... now that would be the real deal. I'd pay $60-$100 bucks for that one.

 

[Bob25thTA]

How about "easy" replacement High Lift Roller rockers vs. more labor intensive cam swap.

 

[DRTH VTR]

I would buy one.

 

[Chrisr]

Some topics I'd like to see included:

Air intake systems: how and why certain aftermarket systems work, and what makes them better than stock?

Programming Control Modules: what do systems like the Predator Diablo do for you?

Exhaust Upgrades, and the infamous H-pipe vs. X-pipe configuration.

So, how much do you think this would likely retail for?

-Patrick

CORed91 stole my thunder!!

Being somewhat of newbie, (just getting back into the Corvette culture after a 20 year hiatus), I echo CORed91's suggestions. Especially since there's going to be a C5 in my garage within the month and I would like to try my hand at some DIY stuff.

Count me in for an autographed copy to, Hib!!!

Thanks,

Chris

 

[bossvette]

Two gearheads are better than one. Written by Hib and Paul ... now that would be the real deal. I'd pay $60-$100 bucks for that one.

I hope Hib keeps it at $19-29 so everyone will want to buy it; I don't think most people will want to pay more then that for 150 pages.

 

[Hib Halverson]

CAC Members-
Thank you for all the input so far.

I must post a little disclaimer, however. Rob was kind enough to make note of this tread on the homepage. I appreciate that greatly but he said I was thinking about writing this book. I'd say, right now, this is more like I'm assisting a book publisher in market research about such a book. Right now, i have no plans to author it myself although, i suppose that could change.

All the requests for autographed copies are very flattering, but we're not anywhere near close to that point.

Right now, i'm just looking for input.

Lastly, there was somone asking about tapes and DVDs so I'd better repeat....this is market research for a book rather than any kind of video production.

 

[04c5ragtop]

Superchargers. Centrifugal. That fit under a stock hood.

 

[1995 RedVette]

I don't yet own a C5, however, the Mrs. has been expressing her desire for a Blue MN6 with tan interior..... I would buy the book just to better understand the working of the Gen III and as research for my next Vette. It is always the buyers' lack of quality information that allows them to be fooled.
Brett

 

[jrose7004]

I would buy one.

Me too!

 

[J-Rod]

You might look at www.ls1howto.com It covers quite a few of the important topics folks ask about.

It seems like the most often asked question is a Head and cam install, followed by bolt on parts. This site covers many of the more common ones.

 

[Ken Anderson]

Two words: Will Handzel. He's already done the book and it's for sale on Amazon.com.