101 Corvette Projects A collection of Do It Yourself projects for the C5 and C6 Corvette

26Jan/111

Corvette C6 Z06 Transmission Fluid Change

*** Standard disclaimers apply. I assume no responsibility for any damage. Please be careful - the consequences of a mistake or improper install could be disastrous ***

Pics below are from a 2007 Z06, and a 2007 Service Manual was used.

Tools
* Small 3/8" Wrench or Large Wrench with a 3/8" Extension
* Oil Drain
* Suitable Pump / Transfer Tube (I got the pictured Pennzoil Pump from my local Kragen)
* 4 Quarts Trans Fluid (p/n 88861800 for GM fluid)
* Drain Plug Sealant (p/n 12346004). Note: I've never used this stuff. The red stuff applied at the factory seems to keep the plug sealed for years and many, many fluid changes -- experience from my C5Z06. But it is listed in the Service Manual.

Step 1) Raise Car
Car must be level once raised to get an accurate fluid level reading.

Step 2) Locate Trans Fill and Drain Plugs
Fill Plug is on Driver's side of Trans; Drain Plug is on Passenger's side.
Note the number of exposed threads on each.

Step 3) Optional: Remove Electrical Connector from Trans Temp Sensor
This gets the wire out of the way of the fill plug.
Unclip it using your finger, and pull out.

Step 4) Open Fill Plug
I'm a big believer in opening the fill plug, before dumping the fluid out 
Place Oil Drain under Fill Plug
Insert the end of the 3/8" Wrench or 3/8" Extension into the Fill Plug (no socket is required) and open.
A little fluid may dribble out.
Wrench inserted into Fill Plug (behind Trans Temp Sensor):

Step 5) Open Drain Plug
Place Oil Drain under Drain Plug
Insert the end of the 3/8" Wrench or 3/8" Extension into the Drain Plug (no socket is required) and open.

Step 6) Close Drain Plug
Once fluid is drained, close the Drain Plug
Torque to 20 lb-ft (27 N*M) or tighten until the original # of threads are exposed (step 2)

Step 7) Fill Trans with Fluid
Insert Pump / Transfer Tube into fill port and add fluid until it starts to dribble out, and then stops dribbling.
Mine took ~3.5 quarts.
* From Service Manual: Fill the transmission with manual transmission fluid, until even with the bottom of the fill plug hole. *
Pump in place:

Overflow draining out:

Step 8) Close Fill Plug
Torque to 20 lb-ft (27 N*M) or tighten until the original # of threads are exposed (step 2)

Step 9) Reinsert Electrical Connector into Trans Temp Sensor

Step 10) Lower Car and go for a Test Drive

That's it… enjoy your new Transmission fluid!

 

Special thanks to "Dreamin" from the Corvette forum for this contribution

19Jan/110

Installing a Corvette C6 ZR1 Carbon Fiber Splitter

Thanks to Gene I finally got a ZR1 splitter to put on my Katech Z. I thought I'd document the installation process with lots of pictures for folks like me that need pictures. I'm assuming that you're going to install the support brace that goes behind the front fascia as well. The first step is to remove the front fascia, this also makes an excellent time to install a front tow hook like the removable one that Phoenix Performance sells. Start by putting the car up in the air and removing the front wheels. You could do this entire procedure on jack stands but I had a lift. I put some painters tape along the top of the front fascia and where it meets the fenders on either side. I found the last time I did this those areas are prone to get scratched or scuffed if you aren't careful. Especially the top of the fascia when you go to put it back on. Pop the hood and remove the four 7mm head screws at the front of the engine compartment that hold the fascia to the support. Unhook the two tabs in the same area In each wheel well first remove the five T-15 screws Then the 3 push pins to loosen up the wheel well liner Peel back the wheel well liner then disconnect the turn signal bulb by turning then pulling the bulb and wire out. You also need to disconnect the fog lights from the wires. Remove the two 10MM nuts holding the fascia to the fender. Under the front bumper remove two 10mm nuts (these are the silver ones with integrated washers Remove the five center 7 mm screws (really 3 in the center and one on each side slightly back and set in a well). With the 3 center screws removed you can now pull the flexible flap back and see up in to the area behind the grill. Right above where the flap is and off to either side is a push pin (these are the kind you need to pry out rather than those with a removable center). Use a screwdriver or better yet the proper tool to remove these push pins. In the same area on one side you will see that the plastic trim has a slot with a pin through it. Pull the trim piece toward you and unhook it from the pin. I couldn't get a good picture of this area due to space constraints so here's where the push pin was after I pulled the fascia out. At this point the fascia is almost free. Make sure hood is open and lift up the part of the fascia under the hood where you previously removed the four screws and the tab. On the far corners of this same area the fascia will still be held in place by a metal clip that snaps in to a slot in the fascia. Just grab the fascia all the way in the upper corner by the headlight and pull straight up. The fascia should pull out of the clip. Do the same on the other side. Here's what it looks like once it's unclipped At this point make sure the fascia is off of the studs connecting it to the fenders, make sure the brake duct pieces are out of their slots, and just lift a bit and pull the entire fascia off as a unit. If you missed a step you'll know it now so go slow and if you feel something caught go see what you missed. I'll also note that it's a tight fit to clear the part where it goes under the front of the hood. You might have to experiment with closing the hood first but make sure you don't pinch the fascia when closing the hood. Here's what the removed fascia looks like from the back Remove the push pins inside the grill and pull the grill out the front. Here's a couple pics of the new splitter as well as a comparison of the two. Here is the new support piece that goes inside the front fascia and becomes the new mount point for the splitter. At this point I removed the two plastic reinforcement pieces already inside the fascia. The new support goes in front of them and while you might be able to wedge it around them I thought it best just to remove the existing pieces and then put them back after the new support was in. The first support is held on with two push pins and four 7mm screws. Then there are two more screws on each side holding the last support to the fascia. Here is a quick pic of those pieces removed. The new support just drops in around the grill opening. I had just set the whole fascia on the couch in the garage to work on so it didn't get scratched up. Now remove the 7mm screws that are holding the old splitter on and remove all but the 3 outer clips since you will be screwing directly to the support now. Go ahead and line up the new splitter and start screwing it to the clips. There are four clips in locations from the original spoiler that you will no longer use and four new ones with holes already in the new splitter and the support (with clips). The new holes are on either side of the openings in the splitter.

I went ahead and installed all the screws I already had holes for as this made sure the support and splitter were already aligned. Then I drilled out the fascia for the four remaining and installed them. As the saying goes installation is the opposite of removal. Just like with removal getting the top of the fascia under the front of the hood is a bit tough but doable. This is why I used the masking tape to keep from scratching it. Also if you're having trouble getting the rest to bolt up make sure that you're clear of the foam bumper support. I wasn't and had to reach up from underneath to lift the fascia over the foam bumper. Here are a couple pics of the finished project. When we get some decent weather and I can get out in the daylight I'll take some better pictures and post them. You'll notice that I also added the RPI painted ZR1 spoiler. Now I just need those sided skirts. Thanks to "Dreamin" from the Corvette Forum for this contribution.

17Jan/111

Corvette C6 Z06 Air Filter Element Replacement

This is a very easy procedure... it takes ~15 minutes.

*** Standard disclaimers apply. I assume no responsibility for any damage. Please be careful - the consequences of a mistake or improper install could be disastrous *** 

Pics below are from a 2007 Z06.

Tools
* Flat Blade Screwdriver
* T25 Torx bit, with suitable attachment
* Optional: Screwdriver with a "V-shaped" head


Step 1) Remove Two Retaining Pins
Use Flat Blade or "V-shaped" Screwdriver and lift the center of the push-pin





Step 2) Loosen Worm-Clamp on Accordian Coupler 
Use Flat Blade Screwdriver and loosen Worm-Clamp. You dont need to 'open' it completely, just loosen it a fair amount.



Step 3) Disconnect Intake from Accordian Coupler
Push end of Acordian toward rear of car
Move/wiggle intake until it's free and place on top of Accordian (Be careful not to strain MAF Wires) 
Carefully Flip Intake over and place on left side of engine (Be careful not to strain MAF Wires) 
Note: I did not disconnect the MAF Sensor Wiring Harness, there is enough slack to place the intake as shown.







Step 4) Check for oil in Intake and Accordion
Dry:



Step 5) Remove Filter Frame
Remove 6 T25 Torx Screws
Pull Frame toward you





Step 6) Remove Filter Element
With frame removed, pull element out toward you.


Step 7) Replace Filter Element
Push new element into intake, and reverse the above steps.

Thanks to CorvetteForum User "Dreamin" for the article.

15Jan/110

How to Replace a Corvette C5 Convertible Power Antenna

How To Replace a Defective Telescopic Antenna

Now this is a simple mod and the OEM assembly with motor is $130+. You'll know you have the problem because the antenna won't fully retract



Parts:
Adjustable wrench
GM OEM Power Antenna Replacement ($13 E Bay). 




Make sure the antenna is fully retracted and that the radio is off

Remove the antenna mounting nut located on the base of the mast on the outside of the car. If the mast is bent it may be necessary to cut off the old mast). If you can't all of the plastic cable out as one piece, (sometimes the plastic gets really hard and breaks into pieces then falls down into the motor), you can just pull the motor after you have pulled the mast out and get all of the pieces out. To do that you'll need to take out the outer right turn signal housing.




Turn on the radio and pull out the old mast and serrated cable completely out of the antenna motor. (Note which way the serrations on the cable are facing)

Feed the serrated cable of the new mast into the antenna hole and stop when resistance is felt. (about 12"). Make sure the cable is fed in with the teeth the same way the old cable came out.



Turn the radio off to lower the antenna until the serrated cable catches.. You may have to cycle the antenna a few times until the cable catches the gear mechanism and retracts into the antenna motor.



Replace and tighten the antenna nut into the mast base.



Turn on and make sure that the mast fully extends without binding. Clean the surface of the antenna to remove any adhesive etc.

10 minute job.



If you encounter a stuck mast here's advice from the mast vendor:

You see the new "Retaining Sleeve" (silver, 2 inches or so, with slots) on the shaft of the new antenna mast, the original one is most likely a little corroded/frozen into the shaft of your antenna No problem : You are in need of what I refer to as the "snap and tap" technique of mast removal

Turn radio on and let cycle to as much extension as is currently possible 

Take hold of the thickest metal mast section (closest to fender) with you thumb and forefinger about 2-3 inches above the top of the antenna shaft hole

Push the thickest mast section into the shaft (as much as it will go within that 2-3 inches) 

Hold tightly with thumb and forefinger and Snap your Wrist upward.....you will hear the mast bottom "tap" the bottom of the frozen in place retaining sleeve (what this is all about) Repeat this over and over again In-Snap-Tap-Repeat Short Firm Bursts of Energy Focusing the energy blow to the point of the tap This will free the retaining sleeve little by little till it comes out completely

12Jan/110

Corvette C6 Z06 Brembo GT Brake Installation

This is a fairly easy, though time-consuming do-it-yourself project... Plan on spending a full day if you work carefully and slowly. It's a basic bolt-on project, though there is a little filing that needs to be done (5 minutes worth per corner), and the only challenging part is getting a good seal between the brake hard line and new SS brake line. And plan on getting brake fluid *everywhere*. Other than that, very straight-forward.
The Brembo instructions are good, but I changed the order of the steps to minimize brake fluid spillage.


*** Standard disclaimers apply. I assume no responsibility for any damage. Please be careful - the consequences of a mistake or improper install could be disastrous ***

Pics below are from a 2007 Z06, and a 2007 Service Manual was used.

Tools
* 2 Bottles Brake Fluid Minimum – 3 Bottles Ideally
* Blue Loctite (#242)
* 11mm, 13mm, 17mm, & 5/8" Box-Wrenches
* 10mm Hex Socket
* 11mm, 13mm & 21mm Sockets
* Suitable 3/8" & 1/2" Wrenches
* 3/8" to 1/2" Adapter as needed
* Pliers / Metal Snips
* Large Flat Blade Screwdriver
* Round Metal File
* Empty Plastic Bottle
* Turkey Baster 
* Hammer - if changing brake pads (from what's shipped installed in the calipers)
* Small Nail Punch - if changing brake pads (from what's shipped installed in the calipers)






Step 1) Raise Car; Remove Wheels; Release Parking Brake 

FRONT BRAKES 
Pictures are of Passenger Side Front

Step 2) Remove Caliper 
Turn Steering wheel to give more clearance
Use 21mm Socket and Remove Two Bolts.
Slide Caliper off and place to the side, supported by something, so the brake line is not stressed.
Back Side of Caliper, top bolt in place, bottom bolt removed:



Step 3) Remove Rotor 
Use Pliers / Metal Snips to cut Rotor Retaining Washer off
Pull rotor straight off


Rotor removed with caliper on the side supported by a 2x4:



Step 4) Install Brembo Caliper Mounting Bracket 
Use 21mm Socket with Stock Bolts
Service Manual says to use new bolts; if you choose to reuse your existing bolts, clean the bolts and apply Blue Loctite. 
Torque to 129 ft-lbs (175 Nm)
Torque Wrench attached to top bolt:



Step 5) Clean Rust off the Hub 


Step 6) Install Rotor 
It just slides on the hub


Step 7) Install Caliper 
Use 10mm Hex socket and long Brembo Bolts. Thread these carefully… the threads on the bracket are easy to damage!
* Brembo Manual says that these are Self-Locking and do not require thread lock compound... so use it at your discretion *
Torque to 80 ft-lbs (115 Nm)



Step 8) Attach SS Brake Line to Caliper 
Use 13mm socket
Torque to 15 ft-lbs (20 Nm) – I had to tighten a little more to get them leak-free.
The line should be attached just forward of vertical (15-30 degrees toward the front of the car)
Secure other end of SS Brake line out of the way for now.


*From Brembo Manual: Do not apply sealant or thread lock to any brake line connections *

Step 9) Remove Brake Hard Line Retaining Clip 
Use Flat Blade Screwdriver and push up (vertically) on the Retaining Clip. It takes a moderate amount of force.
Screwdriver on Clip:


Clip half-way off:


Clip is reused; it fits on the Brembo supplied SS brake line perfectly:



Step 10) Disconnect Brake Hard Line from (flexible) Stock Brake Line 
Pull assembly toward you a little, enough to get both box wrenches on your side of the mounting tab.
Use 5/8" box wrench on (outer) Flex Brake Line Nut. This nut does NOT move. 
Use 13mm box wrench on (inner) Brake Hard Line Bolt. This 'Bolt' is threaded into the outer Nut. The threads for this nut face toward you. Unscrew this bolt.



Step 11) Cap Brake Hard Line 
*Now you have to work fast, to minimize getting brake fluid everywhere*
Pull Hard line onto other side of mounting tab and out of the way.
Use Red plastic stopper from Brembo supplied SS brake lines, and insert over Hard Line.
Note: this slows, but does not stop brake fluid from leaking out.


Step 12) Enlarge Brake Line Mounting Tab 
Use Metal File and make the 'square' hole in the Mounting Tab more circular
A minimal amount of filing is required. Maybe 5 minutes +/-. 
Test Fit the Brembo supplied SS brake line as needed.





Step 13) Attached Brake Hard Line to Brembo supplied SS Brake Line 
Use 17mm box wrench on (outer) Brembo-Supplied SS Brake Line Nut. This nut does NOT move. 
Use 13mm box wrench on (inner) Brake Hard Line Bolt.
It should not take a lot of force to thread the brake lines together. 
Torque to 13 lb ft (18Nm) - I had to tighten them very tight for them not to leak.


Step 14) Reinstall Brake Hard Line Retaining Clip 
Use back of Flat Blade Screwdriver and lightly pound Retaining Clip back on. 

That's it for the Front!




REAR BRAKES 
Pictures are of Driver Side Rear


Step 15) Install Rear Brakes
The procedure is identical to the front; Torque values are identical to the front. Summary Pictures:
Remove Caliper:


Remove Rotor; Install Brembo Caliper Mounting Bracket:


Disconnect Brake Hard Line; 


File Brake Line Mounting Tab; Get Brake Fluid everywhere:


That's it for the Rear!




FLUSH BRAKE FLUID 

By the time I got all four corners installed… this is how much fluid I had left!
It didn't cause any issues, just took a long time to get the system air free (2 full bottles).


Step 16) Flush Brake Fluid 
Turkey Baster fluid from reservoir as needed
Use 11mm box wrench on bleed-screw
Use Brembo supplied tube
Use your own plastic bottle
Run at least 2 bottles through the system
Bleed order:
Right Rear Inner
Right Rear Outer
Left Front Inner
Left Front Outer
Left Rear Inner
Left Rear Outer
Right Front Inner 
Right Front Outer



Make sure the person helping you bleed the brakes has something to do! (Because it takes a while to get the system air free and leak free)



Step 17) Verify that the brake line connections do not leak 
Any leaks will become evident during the Brake flush/bleed.
The system should not leak… not even a little, tiny bit. There may be some 'weeping' from fluid caught between the threads… but have your helper press the brake pedal as hard as they can… no fluid should seep out anywhere.
If there is a leak, tighten the brake line connection. If it still leaks, open brake line connection, verify there is no debris caught in the threads and reconnect.
It took me quite a while to get one of the corners leak-free; no problems with the other three.


Step 18) Replace wheels, Lower Car


BED ROTORS / PADS 
Follow the Brembo Supplied Instructions for this.


THAT'S IT
Now go enjoy your new Brembo Brakes… You're going to love them!





12Jan/110

How to Change your Brake Pads on a Corvette C6 Z06

Tools Needed:
- Jack and jack stands
- Lug wrench to take off the wheels
- 13/16" socket for the caliper bolts
- Clamp to compress pistons
- Flat head screwdriver 
- Allen wrench/sockets for caliper pins (only if your one-piece pads don't need them)
- Mallet, prybar, or hammer to assist with rotor removal

Brake pads:

Step 1: Jack up your car and take off the wheels.



Step 2: Locate the two big caliper bolts and unbolt them. They're on tight, so it will take some effort. The bolts are marked with red dots in the picture:



Step 3: Pry off the caliper. The pads are still pressing against the rotor somewhat, so this also takes a bit of force, but you should have no problem doing it by hand.



Step 4: Make sure the caliper is supported by something (box/brick/etc) so it's not hanging by the brake line. Pry out the padlettes. There are 6 total in each front caliper and 4 total in each rear.

If you're installing one-piece pads that don't have holes for the pins, you will need to remove the pins marked in blue. Carbotechs pads do have holes, so leave the pins in place



Step 5: Compress the pistons (push them into the caliper) so the new pads will have room to clear the rotor.
NOTES:
- Cleaning around the pistons first will help you prevent scratching the bores.
- You can leave your pads in which can make this step easier.
- Be careful when doing this as you can easily damage your caliper paint if using a metal clamp. 
- This pushes fluid back into the brake system. The brake fluid reservoir may overflow, so watch out.
- You can also open a bleeder valve which pushes the old fluid out instead of back into the system, just be careful and don't get any fluid on your caliper paint.



Step 6: Put your new pads in, put the caliper back on, and tighten the caliper bolts to 175Nm / 129lb ft. If you removed the pad pins and need to re-install them, torque them to 40Nm / 30lb ft. I went with posiquiets as I'm a cheap bastard (old pads on the bottom):



Before you start driving, be sure to pump your brakes until you have a firm pedal. This pushes the pads back into contact with the rotors and prevents you from having a possible accident.


Note about brake fluid: You don't need to bleed your brakes when you change your pads. For a non-tracked car, I recommend bleeding the brakes every 1-2 years. For a track car, this should be done as often as possible since fresh fluid will always help you brake better.

Rotors:

Step 1: Follow Steps 1-3 above in the Brake Pad section.

Step 2: If this is your first time taking off your rotors, there's a clip that you'll need to cut/pry off:



Step 3: Smack the back of the rotor until it comes loose, preferably with something that won't scratch it. You can also use a hammer or something similar to pry them off as shown in the picture. If removing the rear rotors, make sure the parking brake is off.



Step 4: You're done! When you put a rotor back on, you don't need the clip to hold it on. This is only used to assist in assembly at the factory. The wheels will hold the rotor for you.

Created by LMBTom from the Corvette Forum