[jeff113]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

After reading this, I checked performance numbers of 2008 Base Vette coupe against the 2008 Z4M coupe. The internet numbers say the Vette is 4.5 to 60 mph and the Z4M is 4.8. On some of the same tracks, the Vette is between .2 to .5 seconds faster. I'd not call that "walloped". For a car as a toy for street use, the deltas are immaterial. And the Z4M Coupe is incredibly rare compared to a Corvette.

After I finally ditched the OEM Goodyear runflats on my C6, the replacement Continental summer tires were a huge improvement. I had way more traction available at low speeds. These were 300TW tires in 2016, so I can only imagine what a C6 would feel like with modern 200TW tires.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by jeff113

After I finally ditched the OEM Goodyear runflats on my C6, the replacement Continental summer tires were a huge improvement. I had way more traction available at low speeds. These were 300TW tires in 2016, so I can only imagine what a C6 would feel like with modern 200TW tires.

Even with the 320TW Hankooks on my GS, I cannot reach the handling limits. The amount of grip they have is INSANE.

The OEM Goodyear's on the C6 were, to be very nice to them, absolute crap tires that should have never gone on any car. The Gen2 Eagles that were on my current GS when I bought it were better, but only when the tires were hot. Not "up to temperature around town", hot like you were 2 laps in on a track.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I'll say it again, as a man who cross-shopped a Mustang PP2 Cab against a 997 cab, I feel the vette and Z4 cabs are very different cars.

I agree, they are very different cars. I'm just saying that for the same money, the Vette offers a lot "more". More power, more potential, more grip, more performance, more reliability.

The downside of that is it also brings more size, more weight, more likelihood of tickets, and more likelihood of some old boomer coming up to you to tell you about the world of white sneakers and gold watches.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

GM might not make the parts, but 100 aftermarket companies do.

I can't relate to rust issues. It's a non issue where I've lived. That said, I wouldn't be surprised that an H3T rists more than a lightweight 2 door car, lol. When it's shitty out and there's snow and salt and what it on the roads, you're probably more likely to drive the Hummer than the low to the ground BMW.

FWIW, I had a Colorado which was effectively the same vehicle underneath, no rust issues while I had it. The old boomers on the Corvette sites always complain about how they can't just roll in to the dealership and them have a random part for their 15 year old car sitting on the shelf waiting for them. I think that's insane. I don't expect the manufacturer to sell these parts, unless nobody else is.

As an aside, rockauto has all the control arms for that truck you could want. Multiple brands and levels too. They also have GM bump stops (but you could buy any number of bump stops aftermarket, I run polyurethane bell techs bump stops on my trailblazer which appears to use the same ones). I suspect the rear diff is just an off the shelf diff, so there's likely a ton of options if it's just a Dana or something. Brake backing plates, I'd be tempted to see if trailblazer parts fit. Most Colorado's had rear drums, and using the H3 rear discs was a semi popular upgrade (as was the floor mounted shifter). But the gmt355 was very similar to the trailblazer gmt360, so those backing plates might fit.

The part litterally does not exist on the planet OE, OEM, or aftermarket. You can go on the Hummer forum and read to your heart's content about how many owners have tried to find this part. As far as Rock Auto, read the last words at the bottom of the screen shot from Rock Auto:

[Efthreeoh]

Here is the similar rear brake backing plate part for a 1976 BMW 320i still available from BMW. Like I said, for a non-daily driver (toy), I'll take a BMW any day of the week over a GM, because BMW supports it's cars.

[BlkGS]

For a part as simple as a brake dust shield I would either skip it entirely or make my own before I paid $400 for one, lol. That's crazy talk paying that much for a thin piece of stamped metal that serves next to no purpose.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

For a part as simple as a brake dust shield I would either skip it entirely or make my own before I paid $400 for one, lol. That's crazy talk paying that much for a thin piece of stamped metal that serves next to no purpose.

Actually it is a backing plate, not a "dust shield", which serves as the mount for parking the brake shoes/hardware for the Hummer's intergral parking brake built into the disk brake rotor. So, if one wants to pass an annual safety inspection, the backing plate is somewhat important. On the 320i, which has rear drum brakes (circa 1976), the backing plate holds the drum brake components.

But you missed the point. Price is not the issue; the GM backing plate is no longer available new from any source/supplier. Used ones are rusted beyond usability.

I could also point to another critical suspension component of the GM Hummer, the front torsion bar spring adjuster. Same issue. NLA. But we're well off topic.

[Brandoch]

I smell another bromance happening.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by Brandoch

I smell another bromance happening.

Not seen any of his videos...

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Actually it is a backing plate, not a "dust shield", which serves as the mount for parking the brake shoes/hardware for the Hummer's intergral parking brake built into the disk brake rotor. So, if one wants to pass an annual safety inspection, the backing plate is somewhat important. On the 320i, which has rear drum brakes (circa 1976), the backing plate holds the drum brake components.

But you missed the point. Price is not the issue; the GM backing plate is no longer available new from any source/supplier. Used ones are rusted beyond usability.

I could also point to another critical suspension component of the GM Hummer, the front torsion bar spring adjuster. Same issue. NLA. But we're well off topic.

Sounds like a great opportunity for a small machine shop to make those, they don't appear to be particularly complicated. With advancements.in 3d scanning, one could probably get a pretty workable CAD model for a CNC with just a cell phone.

The Hummer had torsion bar front suspension? That's wild, my colorado had struts up front with coil springs. I would have assumed they stuck with that for the Hummers too.

Anyways, back on topic... What about something bonkers like a Shelby cobra replica?

[Alfisti]

There's a lovely Interlagos blue Z4M roadster with 55K miles for basically $20K in the USA. That is a LOT of fun for $20K jesus freaking H.

[neilum]

Buy a Cayman and put a deman 4.5 motor swap in it. You'll be over $100K but I think you can get it done with $120 realistically. They can be swapped into a 2016 Gt4 which are coming into realistic territory for you.

The 4.5 easily puts down 475 wheel horsepower with a massive upgrade in torque and is a genuinely badass car. You can customize the gear ratios, exhaust, clutch to your liking/budget.

Or a 991.1 GT3 are coming down into 100ish territory. I know about the finger followers but there are aftermarket options as well as extended warranties. Both would be a lot of car for the money.

[Bumpinjeep]

How about something completely different.
Wrangler 392 on factory 35s or Bronco Raptor on factory 37s. Or blow your money on a Raptor R?