Restoration/Transformation of the Z06: Fresh Paint, Targa Conversion, Stereo, etc.
11-27-2007, 11:31 PM
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Restoration/Transformation of the Z06: Fresh Paint, Targa Conversion, Stereo, etc.
So I've had the Z06 for almost 5 years... it's been a journey. I've done countless HPDEs, a few auto-xs, a few trips down the 1/4-mile, and almost 70,000 miles of driving since picking it up in '03 w/ 11k.
The car is/was quite rough from all the HPDE use and due to difficulties matching millenium yellow has 4 different shades of yellow and a black hood.
Since getting the Panoz w/ my father as our track car I no longer have to try and do dual duty with the Z06. Making a car perform well on track and be reliable requires mods and excessive maintenance that is in direct opposition to having a comfortable cruiser.
So this thread will outline my return to my waxer roots and the restoration, if you will, of my 2001 Z06
The main projects are the following:
1. Interior insulation w/ eDead and Ensolite
2. New head unit w/ vrumvrum plate and integrated XM
3. Fresh paint and some custom stuff
4. Targa top conversion w/ oem parts (not caravaggio kit)
5. Finally getting my CCW classics back together w/ fresh centers
6. Removing track mods etc.
Gary (GBVette) has been kind enough to provide some space in his shop (dubbed the 'vette barn') and his know how in sanding a car and doing the body work. We'll be doing all the prep and disassembly and having a local shop do the painting of the panels. The car will be a slightly brighter shade of yellow, most likely Screamin' Yellow which is a Ford mustang color. It's brighter than millenium but not as pale as Velocity Yellow. I'd also like to see if it can be painted as a 2 stage to avoid the matching issues of the 3-stage Mil yellow should I ever have to re-spray.
I took the car out to the shop last Friday evening to begin taking it apart. Gary started sanding and working on my DRM hood and I took things apart. The pics suck as they're cell phone pics and I've been forgetting to take my camera this week.
The first part of the project is insulating the interior. I'm doing this with eDead followed by Ensolite foam. Currently I'm 95% done w/ the eDead (it's tedious to install) and waiting on m Ensolite to come in.
Here's a few pics I have of partial sanding and disassembly:
I'll get my camera out there and take some updated pictures.
Brian
The car is/was quite rough from all the HPDE use and due to difficulties matching millenium yellow has 4 different shades of yellow and a black hood.
Since getting the Panoz w/ my father as our track car I no longer have to try and do dual duty with the Z06. Making a car perform well on track and be reliable requires mods and excessive maintenance that is in direct opposition to having a comfortable cruiser.
So this thread will outline my return to my waxer roots and the restoration, if you will, of my 2001 Z06
The main projects are the following:1. Interior insulation w/ eDead and Ensolite
2. New head unit w/ vrumvrum plate and integrated XM
3. Fresh paint and some custom stuff
4. Targa top conversion w/ oem parts (not caravaggio kit)
5. Finally getting my CCW classics back together w/ fresh centers
6. Removing track mods etc.
Gary (GBVette) has been kind enough to provide some space in his shop (dubbed the 'vette barn') and his know how in sanding a car and doing the body work. We'll be doing all the prep and disassembly and having a local shop do the painting of the panels. The car will be a slightly brighter shade of yellow, most likely Screamin' Yellow which is a Ford mustang color. It's brighter than millenium but not as pale as Velocity Yellow. I'd also like to see if it can be painted as a 2 stage to avoid the matching issues of the 3-stage Mil yellow should I ever have to re-spray.
I took the car out to the shop last Friday evening to begin taking it apart. Gary started sanding and working on my DRM hood and I took things apart. The pics suck as they're cell phone pics and I've been forgetting to take my camera this week.
The first part of the project is insulating the interior. I'm doing this with eDead followed by Ensolite foam. Currently I'm 95% done w/ the eDead (it's tedious to install) and waiting on m Ensolite to come in.
Here's a few pics I have of partial sanding and disassembly:
I'll get my camera out there and take some updated pictures.
Brian
11-27-2007, 11:50 PM
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This ought to be good. Looking forward to seeing the progress you make. 
11-28-2007, 12:04 AM
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Cool project. 
I look forward to your future posts on the progress.
I look forward to your future posts on the progress.
11-28-2007, 09:21 AM
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No... only doing a head unit w/ XM, no speakers or subs............. yet 
If it were up to Gary/Mike I'd be installing all kinds of extra stuff like speakers and subs/amps etc, but I'm trying to focus on the big things like the paint/targa which are most important to me.
I'm no audiophile and honestly the oem setup sounds nice when playing a CD. I figure w/ the XM properly integrated and the sound insulation it'll sound more than good enough for me.
Plus... I plan on having the top out as often as possible... I don't get these people w/ targas who never take the top off. When I had my Mustang Cobra vert the top was down all the time other than in ultra hot weather and when it rained hard. In the winter I had a had/gloves I kept in the car. Worked well w/ the windows up and heater blowing.
11-28-2007, 01:03 PM
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Plus... I plan on having the top out as often as possible... I don't get these people w/ targas who never take the top off. When I had my Mustang Cobra vert the top was down all the time other than in ultra hot weather and when it rained hard. In the winter I had a had/gloves I kept in the car. Worked well w/ the windows up and heater blowing.
It was in the 30's this morning -- top down (check!), heater blowing (check!), scarf wrapped around neck (check!) -- great way to start the day!
11-30-2007, 12:45 AM
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UPDATE: Took the camera with me tonight
Hood exterior is sanded and the body work is done ready for primer then more sanding.
The main eDead install is done... still have to do the doors when I pull the panels, and will be putting some on all the trim panels as they go back in. Since eDead is a mass dampener full coverage/overlapping isn't needed. Think of it as a shock absorber for the panels, it stops them from resonating. I will cover w/ the ensolite foam to block sound.
Decided to pull the crap out of the rear. Took out all the lights, the antenna, and removed my black corvette letters. Lots of dirt, fuel grit, and brake dust built up back there... HPDEs = dirty car. Thanks for the company and help Mike (illmac77).
What's that?
Hood exterior is sanded and the body work is done ready for primer then more sanding.
The main eDead install is done... still have to do the doors when I pull the panels, and will be putting some on all the trim panels as they go back in. Since eDead is a mass dampener full coverage/overlapping isn't needed. Think of it as a shock absorber for the panels, it stops them from resonating. I will cover w/ the ensolite foam to block sound.
Decided to pull the crap out of the rear. Took out all the lights, the antenna, and removed my black corvette letters. Lots of dirt, fuel grit, and brake dust built up back there... HPDEs = dirty car. Thanks for the company and help Mike (illmac77).
What's that?
11-30-2007, 09:15 AM
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Sir yes sir... many captain/cokes will be consumed.
11-30-2007, 09:35 AM
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Very Cool B. I'm with you except the top off stuff. I hate something else that can leak, rattle or have wind noise that was not there before. The rest of it I would like to do as well. The insulation stuff you picked will it help with heat as well? Sorry I'm not closer to you. I would love to help out, and learn. Are you taking all the harness stuff out as well? I'll keep watching your progress. Take care, Don
11-30-2007, 10:09 AM
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Very Cool B. I'm with you except the top off stuff. I hate something else that can leak, rattle or have wind noise that was not there before. The rest of it I would like to do as well. The insulation stuff you picked will it help with heat as well? Sorry I'm not closer to you. I would love to help out, and learn. Are you taking all the harness stuff out as well? I'll keep watching your progress. Take care, Don
Yes the insulation will help w/ heat as well, but after installing an elite engineering thermal barrier on my home made aluminum tunnel plate heat is not an issue.
Yeah the harnes bar is out and sold
11-30-2007, 10:13 AM
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Glad to see your restoration project is moving along.
I think it is going to turn out great. Got any pictures of what the yellow will look like on your car?
I am still in the process of buying parts for my winter mod work on my car. As soon as we get my brother's car off to the body shop we can begin deconstructing and then rebuilding my car. Going to be a long project.
I think it is going to turn out great. Got any pictures of what the yellow will look like on your car?
I am still in the process of buying parts for my winter mod work on my car. As soon as we get my brother's car off to the body shop we can begin deconstructing and then rebuilding my car. Going to be a long project.