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Sean Buchar of Crystal Lake, Illinois, is wild about his first Corvette. Unfortunately, he wasn't wild about its 14.0 at 98 mph timeslip when he purchased it bone stock. Since then he has added an SLP cold air intake, TPIS long-tube headers, MTI X-pipe (for a C5), and a B&B Tri-Flow exhaust to liven up the '96 Torch Red Vette. With a 100-shot from an NX wet kit, Sean has already gone mid 12s. Meanwhile AFR 195cc heads, 58mm throttle body, 1.6 roller rockers, and a Combination Motorsports cam measuring 227/233 duration, .560/.569-inch lift, and 111LSA are waiting in the wings. Right now this baby rolls on ZR1 17x9.5 and 17x11-inch rims shod with sticky BFG drag radials. However, a Dana 44, 3.73 gear and 3000-stall converter should improve short times dramatically.
Boom Goes The Dynamite
After blowing up the stock motor on his 1999 SLP Firehawk with nitrous, Long Island F-body Association President Mike "Hawkeye" Rebentisch resorted to swapping in a 2,500-mile LS6 from a 2004 Z06. The stock LS6 breathes through a ported stock throttle body with SLP smooth bellows. An ASP underdrive pulley reduces accessory drag as a 160 degree thermostat helps reduce operating temperature. The stock valvesprings were upgraded with COMP Cams 918s to accommodate a Thunder Racing 230/224 duration, .575/.563-inch lift, 111 LSA cam. Long Island shop The Vette Doctors tuned for the healthy cam, Kooks stainless steel long-tube race headers, off-road Y-pipe, and MagnaFlow cat-back as well as an NOS 125hp dry shot. An MSD Window Switch helps keep the new motor healthy at launch and in between gear changes on the stock T56, enhanced by a Cartek clutch with adjustable master cylinder. A Hurst Billet Plus shifter negotiates the six-speed while the rear end is beefed up with an Auburn posi, Motive 3.73 gear, and TA Performance cover. The suspension is firmed up with Eibach lowering springs, airbags, Lakewood lower control arms and Panhard rod, Kenny Brown subframe connectors, and a Hotchkis strut tower brace.