Chithead's 2003 Corvette Z06
- Thread starter chithead
- Start date
chithead
Well-known member
Got to do a few things this weekend. Pulled the battery and located where to pass the power wire through:
Also found where this phone cord wire ends up at. Looks like Mr. Al was right, most likely a radar detector power plug as it is spliced right into the auxiliary plug for a CD Changer if equipped:
Pulled the dash out to run speaker wires and do some other repairs/upgrades:
Much more room to get hands in there:
Also took the opportunity to remove the HUD and fix it. Works, but the display isn't visible on the windshield:
Also found where this phone cord wire ends up at. Looks like Mr. Al was right, most likely a radar detector power plug as it is spliced right into the auxiliary plug for a CD Changer if equipped:
Pulled the dash out to run speaker wires and do some other repairs/upgrades:
Much more room to get hands in there:
Also took the opportunity to remove the HUD and fix it. Works, but the display isn't visible on the windshield:
chithead
Well-known member
Tackled the HUD repair. Seems to be a very common problem, a company in Charlotte here has the repair kit for about $26:
Ewwwww:
Definitely not sitting like it should:
Bushing is broke:
And the toothed pivot is sheared off, both very common issues with this:
The repair kit:
Was super easy to swap both pieces out. The alignment was the trickiest part, but their video made it so much nicer to tackle this job:
Ewwwww:
Definitely not sitting like it should:
Bushing is broke:
And the toothed pivot is sheared off, both very common issues with this:
The repair kit:
Was super easy to swap both pieces out. The alignment was the trickiest part, but their video made it so much nicer to tackle this job:
chithead
Well-known member
All back together. Cleaned up the springs and screws, and lubricated them along with the gears. Noticed this gap though, and wonder if that's how moisture got in there:
Used some of that Hushmat foam tape over the gap to seal it up:
The knee bolster was busted on the driver's side around the trunk release switch. Found a repair kit for this, and the glovebox from Zip Corvette. This was again super easy. Found a video online where someone used t-shirt fabric mixed with epoxy to make a stronger joint, so I did that to glue the two pieces back together. Then used the Zip Corvette repair kit where the trunk release switch mounts:
You may recognize those screws from remote control car servos. Unfortunately, the hardware they supplied was junk. Broke two of the three screws just trying to tighten them:
Happened to have a bunch of these R/C screws though from where my kid is into the trophy trucks. They worked perfectly, and this has hopefully permanently repaired the driver's side knee bolster:
Used some of that Hushmat foam tape over the gap to seal it up:
The knee bolster was busted on the driver's side around the trunk release switch. Found a repair kit for this, and the glovebox from Zip Corvette. This was again super easy. Found a video online where someone used t-shirt fabric mixed with epoxy to make a stronger joint, so I did that to glue the two pieces back together. Then used the Zip Corvette repair kit where the trunk release switch mounts:
You may recognize those screws from remote control car servos. Unfortunately, the hardware they supplied was junk. Broke two of the three screws just trying to tighten them:
Happened to have a bunch of these R/C screws though from where my kid is into the trophy trucks. They worked perfectly, and this has hopefully permanently repaired the driver's side knee bolster:
chithead
Well-known member
A little more progress. Glovebox door surround is repaired. Pretty cool parts from Zip Corvette. Pricey, but cheaper than finding a decent used one, so totally worth it:
Went a bit overkill on some spots I thought might be troublesome in the future:
Also purchased their dead and gas pedal upgrade kit:
Dead pedal just sticks on:
Gas pedal was a little more involved, but not too bad:
And replaced the 12V power socket in the center console with a USB/3.5mm port:
Went a bit overkill on some spots I thought might be troublesome in the future:
Also purchased their dead and gas pedal upgrade kit:
Dead pedal just sticks on:
Gas pedal was a little more involved, but not too bad:
And replaced the 12V power socket in the center console with a USB/3.5mm port:
chithead
Well-known member
Threw in what was left of the Hushmat on some floor panels that had bit of resonance when knocking on them:
So, bought this back when I had the white WRX (if anyone remembers that) - been toting it around ever since, saving it for the next install. And the next one. And the next one. Well, thanks to Kendal and his motivational messages... we're finally using it! It's an MLV/foam combination underlayment:
This stuff is HEAVY. I think the whole roll is like 150 pounds? Ended up using about half of it. Should help with not only the audio, but the next round of upgrades going into the car:
And the real test, does the carpet go back in... yes, it did:
So, bought this back when I had the white WRX (if anyone remembers that) - been toting it around ever since, saving it for the next install. And the next one. And the next one. Well, thanks to Kendal and his motivational messages... we're finally using it! It's an MLV/foam combination underlayment:
This stuff is HEAVY. I think the whole roll is like 150 pounds? Ended up using about half of it. Should help with not only the audio, but the next round of upgrades going into the car:
And the real test, does the carpet go back in... yes, it did:
chithead
Well-known member
Sooo... something happened over the weekend...
Found a pair of Focal E 25 KX 10" subwoofers locally for a really great price. Debated on swapping to two 10" subwoofers before getting the single 12" Kicker Q, and decided to just try these.
Took them out to inspect and check wiring:
Looked to be minty fresh on the backside, though the fronts weren't in the best shape. They should clean up easy enough and can always touch up some of the basket paint. Was curious if that enclosure would even fit in the car, and it does, in only one spot:
Did a few quick demos and ummm... yeah. Definitely liking these a lot better.
Found a pair of Focal E 25 KX 10" subwoofers locally for a really great price. Debated on swapping to two 10" subwoofers before getting the single 12" Kicker Q, and decided to just try these.
Took them out to inspect and check wiring:
Looked to be minty fresh on the backside, though the fronts weren't in the best shape. They should clean up easy enough and can always touch up some of the basket paint. Was curious if that enclosure would even fit in the car, and it does, in only one spot:
Did a few quick demos and ummm... yeah. Definitely liking these a lot better.
BenevolentDictator
Noob
wwwhhhhaaatttt.......those look excellent.
chithead
Well-known member
Well. Inspired by the recent subwoofer acquisition... made the decision to go for one of the Focal ES component sets. But which one? I didn't realize they had so many offerings in that ES/Power/K2/Elite series. The only thing for sure, is... if we're switching things up, I want a midrange. They offer both a 3" and 4" midrange in that particular lineup, but always been a fan of the larger midranges. Found a decent price on a set of their ES 100 K from Woofers Etc. - have ordered a good amount from them before, and definitely trusted their offerings. Package arrived yesterday, opened it up, took out the box... and it is NOT the ES 100 K I ordered. There is a letter though... saying they upgraded me to the newest ES 100 KE set!!! Wow! Wasn't expecting that at all, very cool of them to do this. Now to figure out where to put these badboys:
They are a good bit larger than I anticipated. Pillar installation is going to be... quite the undertaking. May have to reconsider putting them in the doors along with whichever midbass choice occurs down the road.
They are a good bit larger than I anticipated. Pillar installation is going to be... quite the undertaking. May have to reconsider putting them in the doors along with whichever midbass choice occurs down the road.
chithead
Well-known member
Guess it's time to close yet another build log as unfinished. This was definitely NOT how I wanted it to be. Just after leaving work two weeks ago, there was an accident. It was if the car hit a patch of ice, and just veered/skidded to the left and into the median, which happened to be landscaped since it was near Uptown Charlotte. The first little tree didn't stop the Vette, but the 2nd tree did. Upon arriving, the firemen immediately asked what happened with the rear driver's brake rotor, which was broken on the edge. Both the wrecker driver, and the gentleman at their storage yard also theorize that to be the most probable cause.
Insurance has determined the car unrepairable, and already took possession of the title and such. So... she's officially, gone. Which has definitely made all this time a bit depressing.
Insurance has determined the car unrepairable, and already took possession of the title and such. So... she's officially, gone. Which has definitely made all this time a bit depressing.
Notloudenuf
Active member
I know how excited you were by this build Daniel. I'm sorry this happened. As we always say in these situations "it was only a car and you are safe so that's all that matters"
May not be physically painful but certainly hits you in the feels.
On to the next build
May not be physically painful but certainly hits you in the feels.
On to the next build
James Bang
Noob
Damn, as long as you're physically/mentally okay. Sorry to hear about the car.
Damn it Daniel!! That sucks but glad it was under those conditions and not out on the highway at speed or taking a windy road. I actually came here to read this to see what all you ended up doing to yourZ since I just bought one myself (different year). Glad your alright brother!