June 2009

June 2009
Volume 8 Issue 3
Vette Chatter 1
VETTE CHATTER
The Annual TOGCC Picnic at Lake of the Pines
was a “Super Hot “ success. Members enjoyed
Burgers and the fixins’ underneath the wooded
pavilion on Saturday, June 20, 2009. It was
great visiting and speaking about the new toys
others are getting as well as the trip to the Black
Hills on next month. A few members had new
additions under their hoods that made all curious about what is the next popular addition to
desire for your Corvette..
Even though the temperature continued to rise
everyone kept their cool and enjoyed the lazy rotations of fans all around and the cool drinks
from the cooler. A few members had a chance to
take a spin on Al’s boat and enjoy the peacefulness of the lake. A few faces were missing (Russ,
Chuck, and Doin) But don’t worry we talked
about you anyway. All good of course!!!!!
All agreed that this is the only way to celebrate
the hot Summer’s Eve day. Driving your Vette.
Eating a great burger but best of all….Spending
time with friends.
Let’s celebrate Summer fun all Summer long.
Touch of Glass Corvette Club Proudly Sponsored by :
Vette Chatter 2
“Let's Roll
As the old song goes “summer is here and the living is easy”! I would highly recommend retirement to all of you!
It’s hard to believe that 2009 is half over. Time sure flies when you are a “man of leisure”! Now that the weather is
sunny we should all be enjoying Corvette cruising…like to Lake of the Pines for the annual TOGCC picnic last weekend. For those who attended we had a great time.
We enjoyed corvettes, good food, beverages, and lots of good company. Thanks to
Al’s son, some of us even had the opportunity to go for a boat ride on the lake.
Thanks to Deb and Larry for another well-planned activity and to Paula and Jerry
for picking up the burgers, and to everyone else who contributed to the success of
the picnic by bringing food, music, fans, and appetites.
As we all know the members are who make our club successful!
I truly appreciate everyone who has “stepped up” and volunteered to help
TOGCC’s success. As anyone knows who has been in a leadership role in an organization knows, it is impossible to please everyone. I hope that each of you has
found your little niche where you feel comfortable. Larry and Deb are doing an
excellent job in providing activities that will appeal to the wide interests of our
membership. Hopefully everyone will find something that looks interesting or fun
for them. We know that everyone can’t attend every activity, but as a club that was established for Corvette enthusiasts, just driving our cars and enjoying good friends makes the activity fun! If you have an idea for an activity that
hasn’t been scheduled, notify Larry and Deb and let your idea be known. I know they would welcome suggestions!
On that note, Collette Stec continues to be a true “team player” by so willingly publishing our monthly newsletter
without a single complaint. She too, would appreciate any of you “budding authors” writing an article for the newsletter. You don’t have to be Shakespeare just have the desire to reflect on a particular activity you enjoyed, Corvette
news, or to recognize a member who tirelessly works behind the scenes to keep TOGCC running. So if there is something you would like to read about consider sending Collette your article. (Talk to Dennis Dick…I always enjoy
reading his reflections of Corvette trips!)
Linda Spicer’s dedication as treasurer has been a great asset to our club. She is remarkable with keeping the financial
records in order. Russ with his super ability to make sure the website is running and uploaded with club info and
pictures of the great times we are having. Paula is doing a great job as secretary and we are thankful she gets the
motions and who seconded what correct. Chuck your are the best in updating all about the National Corvette Museum news.
A Big Applaud for Larry Rada for agreeing to lead the meeting in July. Vickie and I will be joining the other “Black
Hills Road Warriors” led by our guides JP and Weezie, on our 12 day trip. We will look forward to sharing our experience with you when we return! Happy Trails…
Vette Chatter 3
Linda said, “I’d sure like to go with you to Marshall Main Street deal.”
I said, “That’s alright baby, I’ll go with Chuck on this one.”
We had a pretty good turn out for our first Marshall Street Show. Our
city host made sure that we were coming and reserved one side of the
street for us with signs to telling all who we were. If I counted right
we had 14 Corvettes, with 23 Corvette enthusiast. From Longview we had Wayne, Susie,
Russ & Dianna, JP & Louise, Chuck, and me.
From Hallsville came Dale & Judy. From Tyler, Larry & Deb, Linda, Robert & Kathrine.
From Marshall, Milton & Evelyn, Doug, and
Pat. From Big Sandy, Frank & Collette.
From Greenwood, Robert & Toni.
Now I don’t want to brag, but without our
Corvettes the show would have been a little thin. Actually I don’t mind bragging a little.
Everywhere we go, when we have the Corvettes the event is something special. Corvettes,
friends and good food all seem to go together. The good food was at the OS2 Restaurant
about a block away from the show.
It seems that once again the Mustang folks, always a day late and a dollar short, want to be
noticed. They threw out the challenge that next month they would have more Stangs
there, than our lovely Corvettes. Whatever!
The Cruise Nite was sponsored by the Backroads Bunch of East Texas who made sure all
were entertained with a DJ that played music and took requests. TOGCC took most of the
door prizes that were offered by the event organizer. Prizes include a car buffer, chair, gift
certificates to businesses in Marshall, drinking glasses but the most coveted prize was a
t-shirt...I hope we see it at the annual
Christmas party.
This was a pleasant way to spend a
Saturday evening, good food, beautiful cars, and few hours with our very
special friends.
Dennis
Life is good.
Vette Chatter 4
C6 Exhaust Install - Stinger Treatment
Borla's C6 Corvette exhaust systems increase power and reduce weight.
Any stock C6 can use an exhaust upgrade. Borla offers two different systems for C6 Corvettes, the touring system and the S-type Cat-back system.
The C6 Corvette is a plenty hot car right from the factory. With plenty of horsepower and amazing handing, it
is truly an exotic car with Chevrolet badging. But those same fine folks at Borla that helped C5 Corvette owners
really enjoy a more healthy exhaust note and increased performance have done it again with their Stinger exhaust. Best of all, the system draws about between 12 and 16 more horsepower (Borla's test facility numbers)
while reducing overall exhaust weight by 14 pounds and improving mileage. Plus it looks plenty cool too.
Enough said? Ready to pop one on your Corvette? Here's how.
The S-type system, known as the "stinger" to many, created huge notoriety several years ago in the C5 crowd.
Today Borla has many exhaust combinations for the C6 Corvette including those with and without Borla's
"merge X-pipe and three different tip options. According to marketing records, currently the four round tips
and four oval tips the most popular, but the new rectangular two tip system is gaining in popularity. In terms
of complete systems, Borla offers the "S" Type system with the different tips and the merge X pipe plus a new
Touring system. This touring system was designed by the Borla R&D staff to cater to those that wanted a more
neighbor friendly exhaust yet still had that famous Borla growl and performance without as much S-type bark.
Borla's S-type "Stinger" Exhaust Borla's Touring Exhaust System Borla system includes complete
instructions, a list of compoSystem
nents, decals and related infor-
For our story we selected the Borla S-type exhaust system (PN 140128). This is a full cat-back system that includes the merge X-pipe. It should be noted that Borla recommends use of a lift for this installation, but it can
be done with a floor jack and jack stands. As always, be careful and follow the complete directions included in
every Borla system.
In most cases, more time is required for removal of the old system than installing the new Borla system, especially if you life in areas were rust is a problem. After the vehicle is safely supported, spray all the bolts, nuts,
slip connections and rubber grommets with WD 40 or similar penetrating oil, allow about 10 minutes for this
to do it's magic and then remove the old system.
OE Intermediate pipes (left), Borla
Merge X-Pipe (right)
OE stock mufflers still in place
Install the new Borla Merge XPipe in this manner. Leave bolts
loose upon initial fitment and got
back and tightened them once the
Vette Chatter 5
C6 Exhaust Install - Stinger Treatment
When you install the new Borla system, you should start at the front and work towards the back of the car (i.e.
first the Merge X pipe, then the intermediate pipes, the over axle systems and finally the muffler system and
tips).As with any installation, have patience. Borla exhaust systems are high quality and are CNC mandrel bent
and fixture sized in QC testing. So if it doesn't fit, step back for a moment, take a deep breath and start over. If
you do have an issue Borla has a full time customer service staff available with a toll free number to walk you
through the installation procedure. Just pick up the phone and call 1-877-GO BORLA. Since Borla includes a
million mile warranty on their system, obviously they back up what they sell.
Borla designs enough adjustment in the system so that even systems that were not straight from the factory or
have a mis-adjusted rear fascia can be compensated for. The key here is to carefully adjust the tips until they fit
where you like them. Next, start to tighten to the appropriate torque specifications, the bolts that attach the system. Gradually torque them all snug, checking after each tightening rotation. If all is still aligned, go back and
torque them all to the spec in the instructions.
Then install the "over the axle" Alignment of the tips is critical to
pipe which will attach to the new the final look of the exhaust sys- The Borla S-type system is an improvement on even the excellent
muffler system.
tem.
flowing lines of the C6 Corvette.
But the best part of the system is
the new exhaust sound. Terrific.
The dyno numbers are always a nice bonus. Borla uses straight through mufflers and large diameter mandrel bent tubing custom tuned for the particular
engine performance. In the case of the Corvette C6 Borla builds a flow program
capable of engine power modification up to 600 horsepower making them compatible with power chips and superchargers.
The Borla S-type 140128 system compared to the stock C6 Corvette exhaust showed power gains of 12-16 horsepower on Borla's dyno, while some vehicles tested showed even higher numbers. They have also seen increased
mileage with this system. Remember; the more you put in the more you get out. This exact same system outflows the factory unit by over 20 percent. Add more power and the flow will improve as well. According to Borla,
aftermarket tuners utilizing the S-type system have already advised Borla of power gains in the 30+ horsepower
area with modified packages. In addition, the lighter aircraft T-304 stainless reduces the weight of the exhaust
by 14 lbs even with the Borla merge X-pipe.
Www.corvettefever.com/techarticles
Vette Chatter 6
Service with a smile...I recently made a few calls to get estimates for a scheduled
maintenance. I called the local dealers in the area and they each shared with me the cost as well as
what is included in the service package. McKaig once again was on the money and professional with
addressing my Corvette care questions. One dealership, quoted me a price that was outrageously high.
“We can do the fuel injection, transmission flush, rear end service, air filter and replace the fuel filter”, said
the service guy... “Wow, that sounds impressive and this is for a 2004 Corvette ”. I’m so thankful that I have
a wealth of friends to help me with car knowledge. ..Let’s just say I did not take my car to
this dealership. If I had taken my car, I would have paid with Monopoly money!!!
My car does not have a fuel filter...hmmm.. I may not know how much rear wheel
torque I have or where the flywheel is but I can always ask me Corvette Friends.
Collette
NEW CHANGES
On Second Tuesdays the Monthly Club Meeting will
be at the Jalapeno Tree in Longview, Texas.
Restaurant is at the intersection of 259 and Highway
80. Time is 6:30 pm
The changes will take place for July, and August
meetings. Come Join Us.
Weekly E-mail notice: If you are not receiving your weekly
activities list please email :
larryrada@sbcglobal.net and we can update our address.
Interested in advertising your business. Please contact Linda Spicer.
Vette Chatter 7
After vacating the marketplace seven
years ago, the Camaro returns in aggressive form in V-6 and V-8 form. If
you were like me and was heartbroken
in 2006 when the long awaited
Camaro did not debut. You can know
jump for joy. However, for those who
want to pound the streets with this
muscle cars get in line because local
dealers are selling as soon as they hit
the showroom floors.
You've waited long enough, so let's dispense with the pleasantries and get right down
to the hard facts.:
Three models - LS, LT, SS
•
LS and LT come with 3.6L direct-inject V6 (300 hp/273 lb-ft)
•
SS six-speed manual comes with 6.2L LS3 V8 (422 hp/408 lb-ft)
• SS six-speed automatic comes with new 6.2L L99 V8 (400 hp/395 ft-lb) and Active Fuel Management
•
3.6L DI V6 gets 26 mpg highway
•
6.2L V8 with automatic gets 23 mpg highway
RS appearance package available on LT and SS (includes HID headlamps with integrated halo
rings, spoiler, specific taillamps and 20-inch wheels)
•
•
Front and rear independent suspension
•
FE2 suspension for LS and LT, sportier FE3 for SS
•
Four-wheel disc ABS standard, SS gets four-piston Brembo calipers
SS model gets adjustable Competitive/Sport mode for stability control and Launch Control on
manual models
•
•
Available 18-,19- and 20-inch wheels
Vette Chatter 8
Lets Get Ready to Roll.. The Black Hill Trip will soon be approaching and at this time a total of eight
cars will be making the over 3000 miles trip. The group will be taking off at 5 pm on July, 14, 2009 at
the old Peter’s location. John, Weezie, Jim, Vickie, Jerry, Paula, Larry, Neil, Larry and Cindy Speaks,
Vernon, Nelda, John Eaves, Dale and Judy will be traveling through some amazing landscape...Just
remember to take pictures for those who can’t take a vacation. Everyone have a safe trip and look out
for “Vette Gremlins”, they love disturbing trips.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009…. Longview to Gainesville, Texas……... 195 miles…………….. 3 hours
Quality Inn @ 940-665-8800; 600 Fair Park Blvd Gainesville, Texas 76240
Wednesday, July 15, 2009….Gainesville to Grand Island, Nebraska…...….572 miles……..10.5 hours
Comfort Inn @308-381-7788; 3535 West State Street Grand Island, Nebraska 68803
Thursday, July 16, 2009….Grand Island to Hill City, South Dakota…..452 miles…...8.5 hours
Comfort Inn @ 605-574-2100; 678 Main Street Hill City, South Dakota 57745
Friday, July 17, 2009…..…..Enjoy the day in Hill City, South Dakota……..150 miles…..no time limit
Saturday, July 18, 2009…….Hill City to Sheridan, Wyoming……….....258 miles….....7.5 hours
Comfort Inn @ 307-672-5098; 1450 E. Brundage Lane, Sheridan Wyoming 82801
Sunday, July 19, 2009………....Sheridan to Cody, Wyoming….150 miles…….....3 hours
Comfort Inn @ 307-587-5556; 1604 Sheridan Ave, Cody Wyoming 82414
Monday, July 20, 2009…....Enjoy the day in Cody, Wyoming……..251 miles…….....7 hours
Tuesday, July 21, 2009………..Cody to Jackson, Wyoming…....280 miles….….8.5 hours
Quality Inn@ 307-587-5556; 330 West Pearl Ave. Jackson, Wyoming 83001
Wednesday, July 22, 2009...Jackson, Wyoming to Fort Collins, Colorado….452…..9.5 hours
Comfort Inn @ 970-407-0100.; 601 SW Frontage Road. Fort Collins, Colorado 80524
Thursday, July 23, 2009……...Fort Collins to Amarillo, Texas…..….479 miles…….9 hours
Big Texas Hotel 806-372-6000; 7700 Interstate Drive East Amarillo, Texas 79118
Friday, July 24, 2009…….Lets Roll Back Home... ..483 miles……....9 hours
Vette Chatter 9
I have been asked to write an article concerning how much work is involved in preparing and being able to put
on a successful all Corvette Show and Shine.
So here goes: Here is a little background of my personal experience concerning car and/or Corvette Shows. I
joined my first hot rod car club in 1951 in Dallas, then when I got my first Vette in 1984, Barb & I became
members of CCT(Corvette Club of Texas) in Dallas, then later moved our membership to Tejas Vettes of
Plano, where we continued to be involved until TOGCC was formed here in Longview. Barbara & I are lifetime
members of NCCC (National Council of Corvette Clubs, Inc.) and have always been involved with teching
Vettes for Autocross and Drag Racing, working corners during an autocross and judging the Vettes for the
shows and helping anywhere help was needed.
I have been involved in every car show since TOGCC was formed and just wanted our Club to be the very
best Corvette Club in East Texas. It takes a lot of planning to do this and make the show a success. At least
three or four meetings should be held during the last month before a show is held, and all people involved
should attend these meetings, so each person can pick whatever he or she wants to do on the day of the
show. People that want to help in the shows should know by now that the following list needs a lot of help to
make it work: Goodie bags, door prizes, ads in local papers, dropping by local parts stores to ask for donations, Neal McCoy for donations, order T-shirts, trophies and plaques, someone to do the 50/50 which always
goes on most of the day, talks with sponsor about what they want most out of the show, people to line up and
help Vettes at parking spaces, registering of each with a number for every Vette in the show, decide voting
policy for “best of show”, someone taking pictures for the next newsletter, audio set up and announcer for
awarding of door prizes, trophies and music.
I would like to personally thank those that helped make the all Corvette Show work at McKaig’s last month;
Larry & Deb for keeping us informed by all the great emails; Larry Horn, Gregg Caraway and John Paul for
parking & helping get all 44 Corvettes numbered and registered; Robert & Toni Turk for working hard on the
50/50 fund raiser; Wayne White for the Valve Cover races; Russ Shepard for taking care of all the announcing and Vernon for his electronics; and all the ladies that worked handing out all the door prizes (don’t know
all who worked, I was busy too) and most of all, a huge thank you to McKaig for pitching in and doing all their
work on the judging of all the very nice cars that showed up and for cooking all that food for us hungry Corvette guys and gals and for being our sponsor for another year.
In closing, it appears that only seven Charter Members are left in our Club and I would like to say; if you have
never worked an all Corvette show, please next year step up and ask what can you do to make the show better.
Doin Tipton
Charter Member of TOGCC
Vette Chatter 10
Linda said, “I’d sure like to go with you to that border place but I have people here.” I said, “That’s
ok baby, I’ll just go by myself.”
I never know just how many will show up. All I knew for sure
was Ed said he was going. Well that didn’t work out, but Larry
and Deb were there,
(Brookshire’ in White Oak on Highway 80).
Then Russ and Dianna showed up,
and me make three. It was hot and maybe we had too many opportunities to go play. We struck out for Lake Tyler.
Never realized there were so many ways to get from one place to another. We used all of them on this day. This would have been neater
with 10, 12, or maybe 15 cars. We visited a watering hole on the side of Lake Tyler.
This was a pleasant stop, cool breeze coming across the lake and a cool drink in one hand. Good
friends in a pleasant setting, Corvettes taking us there and back… . Life is good. It was time to grab
a quick photo opt and press on to On the Border in Tyler. Our good friends, Katherine and Bob
were already there saving our table. The food was good and as always the camaraderie was the best.
Dennis
Life Is Good
Vette Chatter 11
Saturday, June 27, 2009 Breakfast at the Elk’s Lodge in Longview, Texas on Highway 80.
Saturday, June 27, 2009. Dinner Cruise, Meet at 4:45 pm at
Ellis Pottery in Longview, Texas. Leave promptly at 5:00.
Riding towards Daingerfield to eat at “The Outlaw” (BBQ
place).
Happy 4th of July. No Activities are planned for the club. Enjoy the Fireworks and Independence.
July 11th, 2009. Saturday, Marshall Nite Cruise on the Downtown. Saturday afternoon
the club will be cruising to Marshall for the Marshall Main Street Cruise Night Square.
Cruise Nite is from 5-9. Meet at 4:15 pm at the Exxon station at Exit 599 and Interstate
20. Bring chairs. We have been challenged in the group participation by the Mustangs.
Lets represent in big numbers.
July 14, 2009. Tuesday Monthly Club Meeting at Jalapeno Tree located in the intersection of 259 and Highway 80 in Longview, Texas. Come early and eat dinner. Meeting
starts at 6:30 pm.
July 14 through 25th, 2009. Black Hills Trip. Contact John Paul. Meet at the Old Peters in
Longview, Texas at 5:00pm on Tuesday July 14, 2009.
July 18, 2009 Saturday. Savannah Winery and Bistro in Canton, Texas.
July 25, 2009 Saturday. 50/50 Winner’s Choice.
August 11, 2009. Tuesday Monthly Club Meeting at Jalapeno Tree located in the intersection of 259 and Highway 80 in Longview, Texas. Come early and eat dinner. Meeting at
6:30pm
September 11, 2009. River Cities Corvette Revue
October 17, 2009. Crossroads Car Show Lindale, Texas.
Vette Chatter 12
VETTE CHATTER
Monthly Newsletter of the Touch of Glass Corvette Club
Website: www.togcc.org
The deadline for all newsletter articles
will be the 23rd of each month.
Send stories to junkfncs@classicnet.net
2009 Officers/Other Positions of TOGCC
Jim Spearman………..….. President………...........903-663-9136
Collette Stec……………...Vice President……...……...903-738-1842
Paula Schroeder…….……Secretary……….............903-297-0688
Linda Spicer……………..Treasurer…………....……...903-297-0166
Chuck McGregor……NCM Ambassador ……..……....903-297-2707
Collette Stec……….Newsletter Editor……………...…....903-738-1842
Russ Shepard……….Website Administrator…………...903-663-5362
Larry Rada…….…...Activities Dir./Public Relations......903-565-0015
Deb Rada……...….…Courtesy Card Coordinator……….….903-565-0015
Contributing Guest Editors for June: Dennis and Doin
Touch of Glass Corvette Club
P. O. Box 4581
Longview, Texas 75606-4581
Sponsored by:
GLADEWATER, Texas
www.mckaig.net