How many classes of cars are in SCCA..  more than one would think! Now there is one more! The new Spec Sealed Corvette 5th Generation (SSC5).

So, what does it take to get into this class?  Simple..  a stock (somewhat) 5th Generation Corvette (1997-2004, ZO6’s excluded)  Pretty simple..  The C5 Corvettes, when they came out, were great handling cars. Chevrolet had a C5 racing team. The new LS Gen3 engine was phenomenal, and pretty bulletproof. They are plentiful, and the price is right. The first two cars in this class were purchased for $7500 and $6700. Great used cars are out there!

But, you say, you can’t just race it stock. No..  we have a uniform set up for them, much like the Spec Miata’s. But the cost is reasonable. We have made some deals to get the main components (supplied by LG racing) at a discount. The first build came in at just about $20,000. Not much more than the good old Spec Miata..  but a bit more horsepower and fun.

Here is the “snapshot” of the new car:

The Recipe For A Sealed Spec C5 Corvette (in a Nutshell)

Take one base-model (non-Z06) manual shifter Corvette made between 1997 to 2004 (that’s a C5), then stir gently by:

[1] Gutting the interior more or less as you see fit – front seats, all seat-related wiring, sun visors, seat belts and their attaching hardware and brackets, carpets, carpet padding, center console, floor mats, headliner, sun roof liner and frame, dome lights, grab handles, and their insulating, attaching or operating mechanisms, radio and speakers, any removable covers for the spare tire, tools, bins, etc., and all other interior trim panels — except the dashboard – electric door locks (but then add mechanical door latches as both doors must be able to be opened from inside and outside), door glass and steering wheel lock, sound deadening (melt sheets) and undercoating (on the interior only) and heating and/or air conditioning ducts under the seats — if you want.

Rolling door locks may be deactivated by unplugging the components – if you want – but passive restraints (air bags) must be deleted or removed, and hatchback “privacy covers” and convertible tops must be removed.  Factory T-tops and sunroofs must be securely retained in the closed position, and a glass sunroof must be replaced with a metal or fiberglass panel the same thickness as the roof.

[2] Next, add a cage per Section 9.4.E of the SCCA General Competition Rules (GCR), plus a window net, belts, fire extinguisher or fire system, and towing eyes or towing straps, all per Section 9.3 of the GCR, then add an OEM or aftermarket hardtop attached with positive fasteners (a must for convertibles), plus modify the pedals, and add hood pins to replace the stock hood latch or a more accessible release cable, a removable steering wheel and an electrical master switch (if you want).

[3] Only minor engine modifications are allowed, which include replacing the air intake with an aftermarket unit housing any air filter that fits it, adding an OEM equivalent throttle body with the original method of actuation (fly-by-wire or cable), adding an aftermarket radiator with enclosed overflow tank and any (or no) thermostat and any cooling fan(s), adding an unmodified LS6 intake manifold, using any ignition wires and any brand or heat range spark plug, and replacing the exhaust system with an LG Motorsports SSC5 kit [C5 1 3/4 upper Pro Headers and X-Pipe replacing the catalytic converter (SKU 2139), and (2) FlowMaster Mufflers (Part #s: left 525802-L & right 525802-R)] – if you want.  Balancing and blueprinting is allowed, as is honing the cylinders to OEM standard (3.898 +.002/-.002), but no increase in stock displacement is allowed (the engine may have cast iron sleeves, if needed). Air conditioning may be removed if at least compressor and condenser are removed (unless the compressor is an integral part of the drive system, then the compressor may be retained and disabled or replaced with an idler pulley that serves no other purpose). Compression may be increased slightly from 10.1 to 1, to 10.5 to 1, in order to allow for minor truing of the heads, but a standard 3-angle valve job is all that is allowed. An oil accumulator may be added, any brand/viscosity engine oil is allowed, and any brand or octane of unleaded fuel may be used, plus an auxiliary aftermarket fuel transfer pump may be added (to scavenge the funky saddle tanks).

[4] Then the engine must be dynoed and sealed by Kevin Murray or his technician at MCE Racing (530.934.3237), or by another SFR-approved dyno shop and technician (none chosen so far) at no more than 350 RWHP (+/- 1.5 HP) or 355 RWTQ (+/- 3 ft lbs).

[5] The manual transmission must remain stock with a stock 3.42 final drive coupled to either a C5 limited slip or locked rear end. Any transmission or final drive lubricant is allowed.

[6] The suspension can have any of 3 configurations:

(a) The stock base-model C5 suspension package.

(b) The GM Motorsports T1 package. (Discontinued)

(c) An LG SSC5 Suspension Kit consisting of ride-height adjustable GT2 coil-overs on 12-way adjustable (non-reservoir) shocks and struts (SKU 2176), sold as part of GT1 Sway Bar Package (SKU 2210) comprised of mono ball pivot mounts, a 38mm tubular front sway bar, an LG 27mm solid three-way adjustable rear sway bar, and an optional adjustable end link kit; plus LG Motorsports Bushing Kit (GM Performance SKU 1813), and LG Motorsports Camber Kit (SKU 6699).

[7] Front and rear brake rotors must be OEM rotors or equivalent aftermarket replacements, and front calipers can be either OEM calipers or Wilwood SLC56 calipers, but rear calipers must be OEM. The parking brake and dust shields may be removed, metal-braided brake lines and brake ducts may be added (using up to 14.5 square inch openings in the front fascia, but not the headlight openings), and any brake pad or brake fluid may be used.

[8] For wheels and tires, only C5 Z06 18 x 10.5 wheels with spec Toyo Tires (either 275/35-18 RRs or 275/35-18 R88s) are allowed.

[9] Minimum weight is 3,250 with driver (and cool suit system, if used).

[10] An SSC5 car may also compete in the T1 class, but there is no guarantee of competitiveness.

The end product is a truly competitive car. It handles well. A lot of folks may wonder how the Toyo RR’s perform, they do well.  With a set of #25 Carbotech pads in the front and #12 in the rear, the brakes work great! And best of all we have kept the cost down.

So, who wants to go fast in a Corvette!  Remember, this is a SFR SCCA only regional class.  Get your builds started and lets go racing!

Download the SSC5 Corvette Rules now.