Now that I have a bit over 200 miles on the car (since the complete rebuild), I'd like to share a few thoughts with you. Following the trip to Bowling Green (for CruiseFest 2005), I'll file a more complete report.
1. The brakes are fantastic. I upgraded to the new oil-ring calipers and all new rotors. And, I'm using the HawkBrake Ferro-Carbon Pads. So far, no evidence of fade, but admittedly I haven't put them to a severe test yet. I have noticed a small amount of brake squeak when applying at slow speeds, but nothing serious.
2. The aluminum radiator / twin fan setup, from Dewitts, is truly phenomenal. I'm not sure it would be possible to overheat this engine now, except maybe in Death Valley in the dog days of summer. This should have been available 30 years ago.
3. The suspension? Wow! For those who don't know, I switched to the Vette Brakes Performance Plus kit (front and rear), along with offset trailing arms, rear cross-member aluminum blocks, a heavy-duty rear cover, and a spreader bar up front. For performance driving, this is absolutely amazing. For example, there's an off-ramp close to home that takes a sudden hard right half way through. In my 2004 Z-71 Tahoe, I could manage 40mph through the corner and that's with the special suspension including gas shocks. High centre of gravity. My wife's Grand Prix GT could manage 45mph. The '67 can easily pull 60mph, not on the outside lane like the other two, but on the inside lane. It's like being on rails. :eek Where was this suspension a long time ago?
There are four settings for both front and rear for harder / softer ride on the suspension. I am running the second-most stiff ride and, believe me, you know it. On the smallest bumps, it's like riding a buckboard wagon. Once we return from CruiseFest, I'll begin experimenting with the different settings.
Oh, and did I mention how easy it is to dial the car up or down by several inches?
4. The ZZ-502. Oooooomph. It's torque city baby! There's just about all the giddy-up you could ever want, while still being reasonably streetable. We may play cam swap next winter though.
5. Coolness factor? The car always got lots of attention in the "old days" but now it's like we landed from Mars when we roll by. If Z28Canuck sees this post, I'll let him tell you a bit more about what it's like to cruise through traffic on a Friday evening.
Overall, I couldn't be happier. Once the initial 500 miles are completed, some spirited driving will provide more insight.........then it's off to Bowling Green.
1. The brakes are fantastic. I upgraded to the new oil-ring calipers and all new rotors. And, I'm using the HawkBrake Ferro-Carbon Pads. So far, no evidence of fade, but admittedly I haven't put them to a severe test yet. I have noticed a small amount of brake squeak when applying at slow speeds, but nothing serious.
2. The aluminum radiator / twin fan setup, from Dewitts, is truly phenomenal. I'm not sure it would be possible to overheat this engine now, except maybe in Death Valley in the dog days of summer. This should have been available 30 years ago.
3. The suspension? Wow! For those who don't know, I switched to the Vette Brakes Performance Plus kit (front and rear), along with offset trailing arms, rear cross-member aluminum blocks, a heavy-duty rear cover, and a spreader bar up front. For performance driving, this is absolutely amazing. For example, there's an off-ramp close to home that takes a sudden hard right half way through. In my 2004 Z-71 Tahoe, I could manage 40mph through the corner and that's with the special suspension including gas shocks. High centre of gravity.
My wife's Grand Prix GT could manage 45mph. The '67 can easily pull 60mph, not on the outside lane like the other two, but on the inside lane. It's like being on rails. :eek Where was this suspension a long time ago?There are four settings for both front and rear for harder / softer ride on the suspension. I am running the second-most stiff ride and, believe me, you know it. On the smallest bumps, it's like riding a buckboard wagon. Once we return from CruiseFest, I'll begin experimenting with the different settings.
Oh, and did I mention how easy it is to dial the car up or down by several inches?
4. The ZZ-502. Oooooomph. It's torque city baby! There's just about all the giddy-up you could ever want, while still being reasonably streetable. We may play cam swap next winter though.
5. Coolness factor? The car always got lots of attention in the "old days" but now it's like we landed from Mars when we roll by. If Z28Canuck sees this post, I'll let him tell you a bit more about what it's like to cruise through traffic on a Friday evening.
Overall, I couldn't be happier. Once the initial 500 miles are completed, some spirited driving will provide more insight.........then it's off to Bowling Green.
Shut it down to order. Shut it down to pick up the order.
