I thought about continuing the thread in the other location but thought that this might be more appropriate to start a new thread, perhaps even it should have been in Corvette Performance and if that is the case Riley feel free to move it.
Anyway, most of you know the story of my car, 2006 C6 Z06, bought to celebrate my victory over cancer back in oh 2012 was it now, I don't quite remember. I had the car shipped off to Dasilva in Breslau and a bunch of work and much money later the car went from 448 rwhp to 744 rwhp. Heck I even had seat covers made to celebrate the event!
The car though was running a bit odd over the past few years. I've often wondered if the mechanics at the GM dealer here in town reflashed the car's computer when they were replacing the fuel pump when it went south. Don't laugh as for some reason when doing the fuel pump they also were messing around with the Alky Control knob setting.
So fast forward to this year and almost two years into a struggle with cancer again. I mean really, I need this experience again? But as I was going to be going to Calgary for a cool ILI operation I thought it would be an opportunity to take the car to Davenport Motorsports. I was a bit nervous as some places are really funny about working on a project car that another company has done. Poo-pooing what the other guy did and trash talking his build. But nothing ventured, nothing gained as they say.
So I contacted Davenport and Steve replied promptly and I told him that I was looking for a cam for the car to see if we could take it to say 800 rwhp. Steve was not hesitant about working on the car and so in late April I dropped it off. This gave me a chance to meet Steve and to see the facility and wow but both impressed me! Steve is a very down to earth guy, no pretension here. The shop is really fantasic, just so much space and not because there are no cars being worked on. There are cars all over the place but the shopis just so large that there is just room all over the place. It is nice to see a shop that is not crowded or fender to bumper jammed.
It was sort of a plus as well that is was on this trip that I met some of "the boys" Spencer, Mike, Jeff, Jordan etc. who escorted me on my drive. People I'd be proud to have as family.
So then the surprise. Steve was able to quickly put the car on the dyno to see where the car was at this moment and it was not making 744 rwhp. It was, and I nearly fell to the floor, 600 to 640 rwhp. Now as it transpired there is a reason for some of the difference. Breslau where Dasilva is located is at an altitude of 1024 feet above sea level. Calgary is 3420 feet above sea level. Where I live, Fairview is 2744 feet above sea level. So the difference between Calgary and Breslau is 2400 feet. I was surprised what a difference this can make. For every 1000 feet to rise, rwhp drops by around 4%. So in this case, it should be producing 9.6% less. That should take us to 672 rwhp. Now if the car software was back to stock, well who knows what might be going on. But there was some feeling of maybe things are not as out of whack as I was first thinking.
But, as both Steve and Spence asked me, "are you hung up on numbers or have you enjoyed driving the car?". A bit of both perhaps, I mean I have enjoyed the car but also didn't want to have to get new seat covers either!
In the end I asked Steve to do his best, I did want the big block lumpy camshaft experience and so onward ho.
Seeding had to take place and so as Steve was also booked up the car was not worked on until after May 12th I think it was.
Fast forward to June 7th when after some positive news cancer-wise on June 6th and 7th I then went to see what the end result was.
Steve also installed the heavier wiring harness for the Boost-a-Pump (don't need to be spending $2500 I think it was to have the fuel pump replaced again!) and installed a smaller pulley on the supercharger, down to 3.2" from 3.4". Plus he was attentive enough to pick up a whole bunch of other small things, AC needed recharging, some seals needed to be replaced, a front steering component was toast. Steve also warned me that the battery was in need of replacement and that I should flush the clutch fluid as the clutch was sticking. Some things to think about for the future.
And again it was so nice to have Spence, Mike and Jordan to share the moment with me - my Corvette brothers!
Then we went to start the car.
Words would fail me if I even tried to describe how it sounds. Aggressive maybe, or angry (Steve's adjective of choice!). But a different car. A cam'ed car is a totally different beast. More personality. Yeah, it can idle rougher, sometimes it stalls but it is just getting my driving style adjusted. What do I love the most? One thing. The car shakes slightly at an idle while standing still. You know how those top fuel cars do that when they are staging? Well this is like the junior version of that. But I think it is the coolest thing ever!
I babied the car on the way home from Calgary. I was more concerned about getting home really than trying the car out. And I even managed to last two days with the car at home before I took it out to see what the real difference was.
It is, without exaggeration, a brand new car. I mean I can give you the numbers of what they made. 660 rwhp and 627 ft/lb was the pre work. The car now produces 738 rwhp and 701 ft/lb! But the way the power comes on! I used to be able to get tire spin in 2nd gear but not like this! I htink WOT in 2nd gear is a thing of the past. I wonder how the really big rwhp cars do it as the acceleration now is almost frightening. It is not just that is is more but more all along the curve too.
Best money I've spent in some time and well worth marking my 2nd battle with cancer.
I dug out my Chinese knock off GOPRO (yeah it is even yellow!) and took it with me for a drive tonight. I'm not skilled at this sort of thing so I haven't seen the video yet but I am uploading it as I type this. I wanted to give you some idea of what the car sounds like now under hard acceleration. And excuse me as I was so shocked by how hard the car was pulling I was missing my 2nd to 3rd upshift and going 2nd to 5th. I was even scared after the run if it was still attached to the car but I had wisely used the double suction cup attachment!
To Steve, Shannon, Justin and the crew at Davenport what an amazing job you've done with the car. As I continue to go though cancer treatments I know that if I am ever feeling down hitting the start button on the car is going to releave any tension that I am experiencing.
What more can I say? Just a total classy experience. These guys really do know how to work magic to bring out the potential of an engine......................
I'll add the video link it if works and if not I'll go out and make another one.
OK try this:
And the cool thing is, here in Fairview 738 rwhp is actually 2.7% higher, so 758 rwhp. Steve said if I ever wanted to see it run, take it to Vancouver where it is at sea level! Maybe one day, just maybe!
Cheers,
Garry
Much missed from this forum. There is a tribute to Garry in the "In Memoriam" section. He would be pleased to know you followed up on his tread. 
