Performance Verification

[Michael M.]

Hi All,

My apologies in advance as I'm cumbersome with the discussion board. I'm bringing my '95 LT1 to the Northern Regional for Performance Verification, and trying to determine if I need to remove everyday driving protection items, etc. Mud flaps, bra, halogen lights...I know I need to put my stock rims and tires back on but the guide isn't clear (I'm sure it's just my dull head) on the rest of this stuff. It does state that no performance enhancing modifications are allowed but these are for protection. Thanks for any advice and your patience with a newbie!

Sincerely
Mike McGue

[Thomas W.]

Re: Performance Verification

Mike - Good luck with your PV and, hopefully, your quest for a Hill Mark of Excellence Award. I found it to be a great experience and the 94-96 Judging Teams are great to work with through the process. As for how to present you Corvette, I believe you should adhere to "The Standard" that the they are being judged for "as delivered" condition, appearance, etc.; so remove the non-factory items. If you are driving your Corvette to the event, just plan for ample time before your scheduled PV appointment to remove your protective items. Also, my best advice for a successful PV is to know your car - know how everything is supposed to work, run through the test yourself multiple times in the weeks before your PV, don't skip over things "you know work", take some spare parts (bulbs, fuses, etc) and tools with you in case you have a part failure and don't forget to breath!

[Terry M.]

Re: Performance Verification

Hi All,

My apologies in advance as I'm cumbersome with the discussion board. I'm bringing my '95 LT1 to the Northern Regional for Performance Verification, and trying to determine if I need to remove everyday driving protection items, etc. Mud flaps, bra, halogen lights...I know I need to put my stock rims and tires back on but the guide isn't clear (I'm sure it's just my dull head) on the rest of this stuff. It does state that no performance enhancing modifications are allowed but these are for protection. Thanks for any advice and your patience with a newbie!

Sincerely
Mike McGue

Mike,
Your best and final answer should come from the National Team Leader who will be examining your car. Do not be afraid of him. It is to your advantage to chat with him about these kinds of questions. You will have to talk to him to make the appointment for the PV anyway, so start now.

[Michael M.]

Re: Performance Verification

Thank you Terry.

[Michael M.]

Re: Performance Verification

Thanks Tom for your advice...probably few tums are in order as well...

[Richard L.]

Re: Performance Verification

Totally agree with Terry. Contact Tom Barr, 90-96 team leader, who usually does the PV test. He is a great guy and is generous with his advice. Go through the test many times, so that you are familiar with your car. Good luck

[Tim E.]

Re: Performance Verification

Mike - Just to add a little to what's already been said. Read the many threads posted here in the archives to get a feel for how thorough and grueling the PV is. You'll also discover the level of scrutiny involved in the judging process.

Items can't simply work, they need to operate like new: no wear, no slop, no noise, no hesitation, no binding, no fluttering, etc. During the 10 mile road trip, the acceleration, shifting (up and down), handling, steering, braking, centering, gauge readings, and chassis movement are all evaluated. Check tire pressures, fluid levels, alignment, and lubricate everything that needs oil & grease. Verify that the A/C blows cold and the heater blows hot through every vent, duct, and speed. Verify that everything that needs to be lit is lighted.

To prepare for the static part of the test, make sure your seat movements are perfect, make sure there is no play in the door hinges (especially the driver side), make sure all window, lock, and other power features operate like new, and make sure all steering column functions perform perfectly.

Both the car and driver need to be street legal and prerequisites need to be met. Make sure your registration, inspection, and insurance are all current. Have copies of your title, registration, insurance, drivers license, and previous flight certificate all in the glove box for the Team Leader to review.

Good luck and congratulations in advance!

Tim

[Michael M.]

Re: Performance Verification

Thanks Tim!

[Michael M.]

Re: Performance Verification

Thank you Terry and Richard! Now I'm very nervous!:-)

[Daniel Y.]

Re: Performance Verification

Michael, I'm not sure if 95' had 1st-2nd lock out. maybe it was just the ZR1's. just double check and make sure its plugged in - many owners had it disconnected. other areas of typical failure is the lumbar supports - the motor may run but make sure they inflate. then there's the radio/cd/tape - make sure all the functions work. make sure there are no "codes" in your system - Tom will check. make sure tire inflation readings are accurate and working. don't forget about the emergency rear glass release (it's just a piece of thin cable that usually is hidden - find it and put a small vice grip on it so you can pull it when asked). it would be a good idea to go through some test runs with someone that has been through PV with 95's. Tom Barr is great to work with and if you are properly prepared, good luck

[Ed N.]

Re: Performance Verification

Michael, I just went through and passed my PV with my 1995 LT1 at the Florida Winter Regional. First and foremost, know all features of your car well. And yes, I agree with Terry and Richard, call or e-mail Tom. He is a great guy and will give you all the advice you need. Check your C-68 CC unit well. Make sure that during the heater setting air is mostly blowing from the bottom. A faint amount of air can come through the top defrost vents and this is acceptable during this mode. This is an item that many C4 cars, especially the 1996 model fail. Also, make sure that your spare tire is inflated. Tom will look for that and know how to operate your jack. As far as your CD player, test it by inserting your CD and cassette into the player at the same time (that's how Tom will do it during the test). The player will select one and then Tom will either ask you to work the buttons, but more than likely, he will work the buttons himself very thoroughly. When testing your wipers, spray a lot of water on your windshield, because the wipers will tend to skip or jump around if they detect too much friction. The good news is that Tom give them a chance to adjust as the water continues to be sprayed.

Oh, during the road test, don't put on any thing that was already tested, like the radio, wipers (unless it's raining), because if it passed during the stationary test and you put it on during the road test and it acts up, then it's a fail, if you can't fix it during the allotted time. My best advice is for you to have fun with it and go over all the items at least four times so you know your car very well. The test takes about two hours, so take your time and concentrate on what needs to be accomplished, not what can go wrong. Lastly, Tom is more than fair through the process. He is there to work with you, not against you, but of course, the items must work as expected.

My best to you...

[Bill M.]

Re: Performance Verification

These are from my list of potential PV fail items:

Emergency brake warning light
Rear hatch/hood prop must work as new (I got new cylinders for both)
Windshield wiper pattern must be as new (I had to adjust this)
No fluid leaks (I had to replace my P/S pump)

During the PV, Tom turned the radio volume way up (checking for blown amps?), which I hadn't done.
My automatic A/C started flashing during the drive. Turns out I hadn't re-set the temp above 60 after checking for max. cooling capability.

Good luck!

[Steven B.]

Re: Performance Verification

Mike - Just to add a little to what's already been said. Read the many threads posted here in the archives to get a feel for how thorough and grueling the PV is. You'll also discover the level of scrutiny involved in the judging process.

Items can't simply work, they need to operate like new: no wear, no slop, no noise, no hesitation, no binding, no fluttering, etc. During the 10 mile road trip, the acceleration, shifting (up and down), handling, steering, braking, centering, gauge readings, and chassis movement are all evaluated. Check tire pressures, fluid levels, alignment, and lubricate everything that needs oil & grease. Verify that the A/C blows cold and the heater blows hot through every vent, duct, and speed. Verify that everything that needs to be lit is lighted.

To prepare for the static part of the test, make sure your seat movements are perfect, make sure there is no play in the door hinges (especially the driver side), make sure all window, lock, and other power features operate like new, and make sure all steering column functions perform perfectly.

Both the car and driver need to be street legal and prerequisites need to be met. Make sure your registration, inspection, and insurance are all current. Have copies of your title, registration, insurance, drivers license, and previous flight certificate all in the glove box for the Team Leader to review.

Good luck and congratulations in advance!

Tim

As Tim advised, and be sure to obey speed limits on the driving part, especially in school zones.

[Darrell S.]

Re: Performance Verification

Mike,
Tim is 100% correct. Just make sure everything works. Know your car and how to operate everything on it. Pay attention to the details it's the little things that will bite you. Like a windshield wiper bumping the windshield trim molding. As others have said. Give
Tom Barr a call he will glad to discuss it with you.
Darrell Suber

[Michael M.]

Re: Performance Verification

Thanks to all of you and your good advice. Our LT-1 passed PV on the first try, with over 99,000 miles. Each and every one of you contributed with your replays. I had the opportunity to be an Observational Judge as well during the meet. What a great group of Judges Tom Barr has assembled! What a great hobby and what wonderful friends I am meeting. I hope to met you all in the near future! Unfortunately, my work interferes with the National in KC, but I'll be at the next one!

Thanks again for your advice and support!

Best,

Mike