'00 Convertible M6 SS #1414

[Atrus]

Yeah, depends on your goals. This is a cruiser for me. It'll never see a track. So, no real interest in weight reduction. I am all about making it comfortable and fun to drive.

[Atrus]

TIRES

I had managed to stretch out the BFG KDW’s that came with the car for 3 years. They had great tread left, but were starting to dry rot and were pretty old – it was a 2005ish manufacture date. As I put the car away in Nov 2014, I noticed a small sheet metal screw right in the corner. I took this as a sign fate was telling me to quit pushing my luck on them…I didn’t need a tire blowing out when I was doing something dumb at triple digits (in Mexico of course).


Consistent with my overall goal with this car, I wanted something relatively performance-related, but I also wanted something that would be quiet and comfortable. I read a ton of reviews, and the Continental ExtremeContact DW’s seemed to fit the bill. Ended up getting a decent deal on them in June with a rebate – just over $600 out the door.

Overall, they seem to be a great tire. Good traction, very low road noise, and they seem to ride comfortably. I think they made a noticeable difference on the car.


Old BFG:



Sheet metal screw:



Here’s the ride with new rubber:



Cool tread pattern:

[Atrus]

I am finally back up to date on the car! Hopefully I can use this thread more as an actual build thread now with some dialogue instead of just documenting stuff I did previously.

Here's a pic from July of this year at my buddy's place out in the Irish Hills. I've made really subtle changes but I think the car is really looking good:

[Atrus]

So, over the past 3 years that I have owned the car, I've taken comfort in the fact that it was more-or-less just as quick as a new SS. I felt I at least was still relevant.

Now with the 6th Gen, I am feeling outdated in the performance department...the alleged stats for a manual are:

2.0L Turbo I4 - 275hp, 5.4s 0-60, 14.0 quarter
3.6L V6 - 335hp, 0-60 in 5.2s, 13.7 quarter
6.2L V8 - 455hp, 0-60 in 4.3s, 12.5 quarter

...and the autos are faster yet. I don't know if I could deal with an automatic V6 keeping pace or pulling on me. I feel like I'd have to turn in my mancard if some 16 year old cheerleader can dust me in the automatic she bought because it was "cute".

So, now I debate headers and a cam...concern over headers is clearance as the car is already pretty darn low. I also kinda like the stock catback, so I'd need to be selective about what I replaced it with...not sure if headers on a stock SS catback makes sense, even just due to the smaller i-pipe.

Cam, I'd just want something that doesn't sound like a sewing machine, and I want something with some longevity. I don't really want to change springs every 20-30k miles.

I like the reliability of my car - no exhaust clearance issues (with the road or with the chassis), no valvetrain issues. I don't want to sacrifice that.

[Darren]

Once you go down this road it doesnt stop. Once you open that engine up its all over. Might as well plan on H/C/I long tube headers into a x-pipe with bullets and dumped under the car. A 9inch and some sticky tires.

[farmington]

Look into the Hooker blackheart exhausts for these cars. True duals out the back will give it a MUCH nicer exhaust sound (than a Y pipe exhaust). The headers are 1 7/8" diameter but mid length so ground clearance should be good too. If I was in the market for an exhaust I would snap one of these up in a minute. Camwise, the little 224r I have in mine is a great all around street cam. great manners and a big jump in power.

[Atrus]

Look into the Hooker blackheart exhausts for these cars. True duals out the back will give it a MUCH nicer exhaust sound (than a Y pipe exhaust). The headers are 1 7/8" diameter but mid length so ground clearance should be good too. If I was in the market for an exhaust I would snap one of these up in a minute. Camwise, the little 224r I have in mine is a great all around street cam. great manners and a big jump in power.

@farmington - Don, so you are on stock manifolds and catback with a 224 cam? Any idea on what kind of power you're putting down?


Damnit, Don...now I am really interested in this system - reading the 20 page thread on tech. My wallet is not pleased.

[farmington]

I put down 375 on a mustang dyno while my A4 was dying. And I told tuner I wanted a conservative tune. It shifts at 6100rpm and would make more power higher. Headers, off road y pipe, LS6 intake and cam. Car has 3.73 gears and a 2800 converter and I drive it on Nitto 555r dragradials. Beat a couple of new ZL1 Camaros on Woodward before the dream cruise. cam is so small you hardly know its there. you could daily this cam easily if you wanted. Granted, at $1600 for the complete exhaust its not cheap but a true dual exhaust sounds so good out the back compared to a y pipe exhaust. I am seriously thinking about buying the exhaust and tying it to my long tubes.

[Atrus]

Yeah, looks like if you buy the "catback" version it should be a very easy job to mate it to a long tube.

I really don't care for the tips, which is a bummer being that they are offset and asymmetrical.

[farmington]

I cut my tips off of my catback and replaced them with turndowns. hidden from view. With no cats in my Y pipe, I had rasp issues. Put a Powerstick muffler in my "I" pipe and that took care of most of it. cutting off the tips and adding the turndowns took care of the rest. Still not a fan of the exhaust sound though. that's why I'm considering the Hooker exhaust.

Still, today is the 3rd day this week driving the vert to work. Probably the last, too

[Atrus]

I drove mine Mon-Wed...didn't drive it today. My plan is to tuck it away for the winter next Fri.

[DanDalessandro]

Isn't the Kooks true duals like 1600? Why not buy that over the blackheart? That's a better choice imo.

[Atrus]

Isn't the Kooks true duals like 1600? Why not buy that over the blackheart? That's a better choice imo.

Kooks true duals is $1600 for the TD portion...plus headers...plus required changes in suspension components to clear it...so you're closer to $2500-$3000 when it's all said and done. And you still will have much less ground clearance than with the Hooker kit. Don't get me wrong, I am sure the Kooks setup is amazing...but I think this setup is closer to suiting my needs.

Hooker:




Unnamed Competitor (looks to be Kooks):




LS1Tech Thread

[Atrus]

Decided to take advantage of the beautiful 65* day...took a cruise up to Romeo, hit up Meijer for 5 qts of Mobil 1 and a Purolator filter on the way back, and got her all cleaned up and changed the oil. I've never tracked mileage, so I'd like to start - put it away at the end of the 2015 season with 74,786 miles on it. So, here she slumbers until 2016:



The bummer of today...as I was backing it into the garage, I was distracted and ended up hitting the passenger corner of the rear bumper on the garage door frame. Left a nice scratch on the bumper that I'll have to address next year. I am really pissed off at myself. It's tough to get a good shot - it's more than noticeable:

[Atrus]

Also realized I never posted the dyno results from MiFbody Dyno Day 2014! (yes, 2014). This is basically bone stock...stock SS catback, deleted EGR and AIR, SLP lid, paper filter. Not too shabby @ 312hp/326tq