2007 Coupe Judging Preparation for the Florida Regional

[Patrick H.]

Re: 2007 Coupe Judging Preparation for the Florida Regional

While the C8 parts as you note like the C6 parts are painted "in position" the C8 parts for a given car are ALL from the same group of parts. Paint colors are no longer batched. This is not important for current judging, but down the road a long way ....

Patrick -- Remember the three 2008 Jetstream Blue cars at your Regional with three different shades of paint? There is more variation in some of those colors than we would like to admit to. Even yours and mine -- that are a month apart in production -- had slightly different shades. Maybe you and I can park next to each other now that more time and miles have passed to see if the difference still holds up.

I'm currently planning on having mine at Iowa and BG if I can figure out the small misfire issue that has plagued me for a couple of years. There's only 1 item left (injector) if it's still there when I start it in the spring.

[Terry M.]

Re: 2007 Coupe Judging Preparation for the Florida Regional

I'm currently planning on having mine at Iowa and BG if I can figure out the small misfire issue that has plagued me for a couple of years. There's only 1 item left (injector) if it's still there when I start it in the spring.

Gee!! I was planning on Sportsman with the C8 in Iowa. let's keep in touch. Pete and company might be interested in our C6s only being a month apart if they don't have too many early C6s to judge.

[Harry S.]

Re: 2007 Coupe Judging Preparation for the Florida Regional

Rich, I finally got the battery disconnect installed today on my 2006. I bought it last October just prior to putting the car is storage. The 20148 was an easy install. Even the factory plastic cover fit.

Thank you.

https://www.wirthco.com/battery-doct...blade-switches

[Richard M.]

Re: 2007 Coupe Judging Preparation for the Florida Regional

Rich, I finally got the battery disconnect installed today on my 2006. I bought it last October just prior to putting the car is storage. The 20148 was an easy install. Even the factory plastic cover fit.

Thank you.

https://www.wirthco.com/battery-doct...blade-switches

That's Great Harry. I figured it'd work out for you. Thanks for the update.

Rich

[Ed H.]

Re: 2007 Coupe Judging Preparation for the Florida Regional

Rich, I applaud you for all the effort you applied on an 80K mile C-6, LT-3. I too went through some of the efforts you applied on my 65K June 06 3-LT vette, at our SoCal chapter meet last Nov. I would like to share with you my PV experience last week in Las Vegas. I too had a FOB problem prior to presenting my car to Pete Bergman. I had #1 and #2 FOB's #1 was inoperative so i purchased a replacement w/o a FOB number that worked and swapped out the internals with the #1 and all was good. Do you have a copy of the PV and Ops manual. It has excellent guides. You know as well as I the word strikes fear in the most stout of us. Pete is very efficient as a Team Leader and believe me he is also very through but kind. Pete, sends out to those who register for a PV, a list of things you need to know and are expected to be prepared for. With the 3-LT package all kind of gremlins pop up. #1, tripping an air bag fault when moving the sport seat (driver side) back and forth. The fix for that is addressed in two or three You Tube posts. #2, make sure that the batteries in your individual Low Tire Pressure units are at full capacity, Discount Tire can check that. With the 3-LT which was the top of the line Chevrolet put into the Vette those years (05-07), there are some functions I did not know I had, it was all listed in my owners manual and the PV manual. Let me know if you are going forward and I will give up all my secrets to a successful PV and the (Wallace Mark of Excellence). Happy C-6ing. It's a whole different world than putting my 57 or my 90 and 93ZR-1 through the NCRS system.

[Richard M.]

Re: 2007 Coupe Judging Preparation for the Florida Regional

Congratulations Rich! And thank you for the write up.


How many of the 103 points were condition, and what were the deductions for? I'm curious because of the mileage.

Mark, Sorry that I never got back to you. Since Harry and Ed rekindled the thread, I'll follow up here now.

Condition Deductions

================================================== =============================

EXTERIOR:

4. - 1 of 4 Fascia End Deflector Panels - "minor road rash"

8. - 1 of 12 Headlamp Covers, Seals & Fitment - "crazing in covers, seals around lenses does not seem typical"
My note expresses to judges during summary- Chevy had problems with these in just about all C6 cars according
to Tom Hill(Lead Corvette Engineer) when I spoke to him at the Old Town Regional Jan, 2013.

9. - 1 of 4 Wiper Arms, Blades & Tubing - "both arms showing corrosion under paint"

19. - 17 of 32 Road Tires- NOM tires but Peter adjusted as explained earlier. They had wear so they got a 55% condition hit

20. - 0 of 20 Overall Cleanliness - "Beautiful Car !" (I needed to add this as I spent much time prepping it to make it look more like a 8k vs a 80k mile car. When I saw that comment from the judges I felt the soreness in my body was worth it and I got some payback.

Total Exterior Condition Points - 20

================================================== =============================

INTERIOR:

1. - Seats & Belts

- 5 of 20 - Upholstery - "PS wear(-1), DS creases/wear(-4)"
- 1 of 10 - Seat Structure & Cushions - "DS corner plastic scratched"
- 1 of 10 - Seat/Shoulder Belts - "PS mount scratched"

2. - Front Carpet, Floor Mats, Door Release

- 5 of 10 Floor Mats - "Aftermarket mats" ....actually they're (correct early) GM Service Replacements I got in 2008 from a dealer in another state. They're GM but have the Corvette Logos which were not on factory supplied mats. Harry S taught me this.

12. - Console & Trim Plate....

- 1 of 6 Console Trim Plate - "slight DS scuffing"

16. - Upper Windshield

- 2 of 8 Sunshades, Mirror, Label, Homelink - "Label - faded printing" - This is about those ugly yellow safety labels on the visors. I originally covered them with the aftermarket black self-stick labels with the Corvette logos. When I peeled them off during prep, they took some of the ugly label printing off. Actually, I think they now look better with less yellow. I have new black self-stick labels to go back on.

17. - Parcel Net & Coupe Luggage Shade

- 2 of 15 Luggage Shade "holes in shade"

Total Interior Condition Points - 17

================================================== =============================

CHASSIS:

2. - Engine Comp Labels

- 1 of 8 Engine Comp Labels - "1022----" (I have forgotten what this is. It's likely in the JG)

3. - Brake Components, Clutch, Trans Cooler

- 2 of 6 - Reservoir, labels, cap - "XB missing Label" iirc, this is a label written in French as I was told. Kinda funny now that I think of it. It's likely in the JG too.

4. - Emission Controls, PS Cooler...

- 1 of 3 - Z51 Power Steering Cooler - "Bent Fins"

16. - 2 of 20 Overall Cleanliness -

Total Chassis Condition Points - 6

Note that I spent a enormous amount of time on the chassis prep. Much road grime and rash needed to be cleaned and I restored some items. It paid off.

================================================== =============================

MECHANICAL:

4. - Air Filter

- 2 of 10 - Air Filter Elements - "2945 paper elements dirty" - Silly me, I found my original black/charcoal paper element air filters I stashed away and I installed them for judging. I was so excited I forgot to clean them. There was noticeable 18 year old dirt between the element flaps. It was funny when Mark T. showed me. I laughed and I said I was a dope not to notice that. He laughed too.

9. - Exhaust Manifolds

- 2 of 10 Exhaust Manifolds - "rust"

Total Mechanical Condition Points - 4

I spent a enormous amount of time on the mechanical prep also.

================================================== =============================

Total Condition Points - 47

================================================== =============================

[Richard M.]

Re: 2007 Coupe Judging Preparation for the Florida Regional

Rich, I applaud you for all the effort you applied on an 80K mile C-6, LT-3. I too went through some of the efforts you applied on my 65K June 06 3-LT vette, at our SoCal chapter meet last Nov. I would like to share with you my PV experience last week in Las Vegas. I too had a FOB problem prior to presenting my car to Pete Bergman. I had #1 and #2 FOB's #1 was inoperative so i purchased a replacement w/o a FOB number that worked and swapped out the internals with the #1 and all was good. Do you have a copy of the PV and Ops manual. It has excellent guides. You know as well as I the word strikes fear in the most stout of us. Pete is very efficient as a Team Leader and believe me he is also very through but kind. Pete, sends out to those who register for a PV, a list of things you need to know and are expected to be prepared for. With the 3-LT package all kind of gremlins pop up. #1, tripping an air bag fault when moving the sport seat (driver side) back and forth. The fix for that is addressed in two or three You Tube posts. #2, make sure that the batteries in your individual Low Tire Pressure units are at full capacity, Discount Tire can check that. With the 3-LT which was the top of the line Chevrolet put into the Vette those years (05-07), there are some functions I did not know I had, it was all listed in my owners manual and the PV manual. Let me know if you are going forward and I will give up all my secrets to a successful PV and the (Wallace Mark of Excellence). Happy C-6ing. It's a whole different world than putting my 57 or my 90 and 93ZR-1 through the NCRS system.

Hi Ed,

Thank you, and thanks for the details of your PV experience. I agree that Pete is very thorough, but is very understanding in his role as TL as well. I enjoyed working with him with some minor assistance on the Judging Guide when he took over the reigns on the C6 platform. I had a even better experience as a entrant in the judging arena when I had my '07 judged here at the Florida Regional in January.

I was very comfortable working with him on some concerns I had, and he was very open-minded, addressed my concerns, and this resulted in a overall stellar and rewarding experience for me with him in charge. All of the judges in all 5 categories were excellent as well, and I even enjoyed telling them they "missed" a few things to take note of for their future pencil notations.

Your explanations of the PV "headstart" program that Pete does is news to me. That's great and is certainly a confidence builder if I think I may partake. However, at this time it's the furthest thought in mind. I have too much happening to think about it now. Maybe at a later time. I'm strapped right now and I haven't even driven my '07 since the January event when I took it off the trailer. Handily, when I got back, the battery disconnect got activated so my battery is still at full charge!

You mentioned a few hiccups you fixed before the PV. Thanks.

Fobs: Yes I made sure, with Harry's advice, to get fresh new batteries installed. No problems there. I had gone through the full "relearn" process years ago when I got the car as it only had one FOB. I got the correctly numbered FOB and relearned both for security as well. This just in case the "other original" FOB showed up in a parking lot some day. You never know.

And yes, that darn Airbag connector issue under the seats. I fixed that long ago by cleaning and t w e a k i n g the connector pins. Our 2010 GMC Acadia had a recall for the same under-seat connectors a few years ago. My local dealer fixed it under the recall plan, instructed by GM to simply cut the rogue connectors off and solder the wires together. That turned out interesting when I had to pull both front seats to fix the "Ventilated/Cooled" seat function. Acadia Forum(acadiaforum.net) Thread HERE. The rubbery fabric "ductwork" disintegrates over time. This product is likely from a offshore supplier, using inferior materials(probably soybean, & plastic & rubbery junk) like so many similar products these days.

TPMS batteries. I admit I was sweating that out in OPs. Mine are original and still ok. But watch, next time I drive the car it'll be cursed! I just had one go out a few months ago in our '10 Acadia, so I won't be surprised if the C6 drops one, or more. I just put 4 new TPMS modules in the Acadia when getting new tires last month.

If and when I go further, I'll get the PV manual and touch base with you. Harry too. If so I'll also get back on and start a new thread here with questions.

Thanks for your feedback.

Rich

[Ed H.]

Re: 2007 Coupe Judging Preparation for the Florida Regional

Rich, your photos of the installation of the cut off switch are excellent. One question, did you have to modify the cable to the devise. I ask this question because it appears the cable is press fit on the battery post, but on the cut off there is a bolt and nut to clamp it to the actual battery post. Did you have to remove any of the plastic from the cable or did it press fit on the cut off. I hope this makes sense because When I go for my first 97 in Arizona (Apr 2024) and the Nationals in LV, in the same year, they require a cutoff switch because the vehicle will be in doors on both occasions and I believe it is a fire department requirement. For the PV there was no such requirement, all outdoors. Can't get the stupid PV grin off of my face.

[Richard M.]

Re: 2007 Coupe Judging Preparation for the Florida Regional

Rich, your photos of the installation of the cut off switch are excellent. One question, did you have to modify the cable to the devise. I ask this question because it appears the cable is press fit on the battery post, but on the cut off there is a bolt and nut to clamp it to the actual battery post. Did you have to remove any of the plastic from the cable or did it press fit on the cut off. I hope this makes sense because When I go for my first 97 in Arizona (Apr 2024) and the Nationals in LV, in the same year, they require a cutoff switch because the vehicle will be in doors on both occasions and I believe it is a fire department requirement. For the PV there was no such requirement, all outdoors. Can't get the stupid PV grin off of my face.

Ed, No, I didn't have to make any modifications to the battery cable or clamp or plastic housing. The post on the disconnect is the same spec as the battery negative post. It was plug-and-play simple.
Edit: I just took a few photos with the cover open. See Below.

Rich

[Harry S.]

Re: 2007 Coupe Judging Preparation for the Florida Regional

Ed, in addition to what Rich said, adjust the battery in the holder as far to the driver's side as possible. This will give you more room between the battery and the right fender.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 2007 Coupe Judging Preparation for the Florida Regional

Rich, I finally got the battery disconnect installed today on my 2006. I bought it last October just prior to putting the car is storage. The 20148 was an easy install. Even the factory plastic cover fit.

Thank you.

https://www.wirthco.com/battery-doct...blade-switches

Harry,

Where did you get it? Amazon?

[Chuck G.]

Re: 2007 Coupe Judging Preparation for the Florida Regional

Is there any reason that you chose the cutoff with the threaded hole/wing nut configuration on one post over the "standard" model?

[Richard M.]

Re: 2007 Coupe Judging Preparation for the Florida Regional

Chuck, Only because I found it one day on the discount rack at Northern Tool here in Melbourne.

I got it as a spare for my identical Wirth cutoff on my '59, which needed the threaded hole for it's braided Ground cable.

When I decided to get the C6 judged, I used it for that. I had sold the '59 3 years ago.

You can get the one without the threaded hole. Same exact part & dimensions.

Rich

[Chuck G.]

Re: 2007 Coupe Judging Preparation for the Florida Regional

Thanks, Rich. I didn't know if there was a specific reason that you chose the one with the threaded hole.

I have a standard WirthCo model on the shelf. Thought about installing it before I went to the Florida Regional, but didn't feel like getting involved with it a few days before I left.

[Harry S.]

Re: 2007 Coupe Judging Preparation for the Florida Regional

Harry,

Where did you get it? Amazon?

Patrick, I believe I did.

Yep, just checked ---> Amazon.com: WirthCo Battery Doctor 20148 Battery Disconnect Knife Switch for Top Post Batteries, Low Vertical Operations, 12v Car Battery Kill Switch for Negative Post, Made In USA : Everything Else

I'll add a bolt instead of the wingnut next fall when I add the battery tender.


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