GM Track/AutoX/Performance discussion by Strano Performance Parts

11/10/2025

Always happy to hear from happy customers, and this always helps me, because now I know how that BP35 directly compares to a pad I have personally used too!

"Hi Sam - I wanted to thank you for the pad recommendations below as they exceeded my expectations and I can’t wait to get the car back on track next season to keep getting used to the braking confidence.

I had an opportunity to run my ‘00 WS6 at VIR two weeks ago, both the grand and full courses. The EBC RPX and Hawk HD10 pads you recommended performed amazingly well compared to the prior Wilwood BP35 on the front and Hawk HP Street 5.0 on the rear. Significantly more bite which took some getting used to. I was able to brake 1 full brake marker deeper going into Turn 1 and feel like it has a bit more. I had to adjust braking points a bit to avoid rear lockup (happened at “bitch” braking zone while setting the car up for the grand course entry). However, after the adjustment brake feel was solid. The brake vibrations and fade experienced with the BP35s was eliminated. Time will tell how they hold up (I’ve seen a couple articles stating the RPXs crumbling after hard use), but for now nothing but positive feedback. And for completeness, this was on 2 year old 275/35 RE71RS’ with four, single day AX events and fifteen 20-25min sessions between VIR and Summit Point. "

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02/20/2025

Time to get on posting more here.

The season for some is getting ready to start. I just shipped John some Vitour P1 to go with these CF5 Forgestar wheels I did for him previously.

He'll be running them this weekend in Charlotte.

10/31/2023

HEY, you want AP Brakes? Need some Ferodo pads? AP Fluid, maybe some Spiegler brake lines? NOW, ok tomorrow, is the time!!!! Strano Performance Parts carries the entire line. If you don't see it on my website, but you see it elsewhere, I can do it too. Just not enough time to single focus to put all parts for all cars up all the time.
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Instead of a two-week Black Friday sale this year, we're offering the deepest discounts in company history for the entire month of November!

Our AP Racing by Essex Brake Kits and 2-piece J Hook Disc Kits will range from 10-20+% off depending on application, with an average savings of close to $1,000 per kit!
We'll also be offering some deals on AP Racing Brake Fluid, Ferodo Racing Brake Pads, and Spiegler Stainless Steel Brake Lines.
There won't be any coupon codes, discounts will be applied separately, PLEASE PM, email or call for a quote!

No additional coupons, discounts, or promotions can be combined with sale prices.

Discounts of more than 20% off are only valid on in-stock inventory. There will be no backorders available on clearance items.

I really need your help getting the word out about this sale to as many fellow car enthusiasts as possible. Please post about this sale on social media, discussion forums, or wherever you hang out and talk cars!

10/09/2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rafRQRNws34

Ride along with Strano Performance Parts driver/customer Justin Peachey's C6 Z06 on his way to the fastest time at the Optima Ultimate Street Car event at VIR's Patriot course.

Every part under this car we can do for you! The custom spec Penske 8300's, the sway bars, the drop spindles, the control arm bushings, the brakes, all of it! And that's not counting the stuff elsewhere in the car, like the seat, helmet, Head and neck restraint, steering wheel, shifter, etc.

Once again didn’t record my fastest lap at this track, a 47.1 but did get this 47.3

09/18/2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqSgnFKdEjo

This video from 2019 @ NCM is being reposted for two reasons.

The Black C7 in the windshield, that's me. First time there, the PDR video is around of it. On new Cup 2's. 2:12.9, Penske's I build, just as the car ran SSR except for the tires and brakes.

The other reason, is I'm soon to be driving the car this video was taken from. Grassroots Motorsports had it for sale, we did a deal about a year ago but some stuff happened. Life stuff, weather stuff, broken connecting rod stuff, etc.

Looking forward to getting it back on track, and continuing the tweaking, and getting some more seat time this fall.

Hope to have it out at NCM for Time Trial Nationals.

Our 2004 Corvette C5 Z06 project finished out another season at NCM Motorsports Park in Bowling Green, KY—right across the highway from the plant where it wa...

09/10/2023

Been a while, but here's this weeks recap.

Strano Performance Parts cars, dominated Solo Nationals.

Justin Peachey won CAM-S handily and showed the speed CAM-S should vs. other classes. He then left directly for LS Fest East and it only continued there. Strano setup/built Penske coil-overs, just the start of what's under there.

Dan Simms won A-Street in his Z06 with our specification Penske's and the 8472 front sway bar. And those very same shocks won A-street last year too when they belonged to Jake Glover.

Kevin Wenzel won the Pro Finale Super Challenge in his Z06 (which used to be mine) on the same front sway bar AND again on Strano setup Penske's, though different than what Dan has. Currently anyway. And oh yeah, Kevin is on DS2500 pads too.

Bill Damhoff showed the C5 Z06 isn't dead in A-Street either, winning the Finale on last runs. Guess what sway bar is there? Also other things like Ferodo DS2500's.

If you want to win, there is one shop that proves we can help, over and over again. These are just some of the customers who killed it this week. I also one my 10th National Championship, not in a GM car, but it's my page so it's sort of relevant.

07/14/2023

03/16/2023

What does Clyde Caplan do with his SS 1LE on your way to Georgia for the first SCCA National Tour of 2023? Stop by the Tail of the Dragon of course, and make a run with the tire trailer in tow!

03/13/2023

I like when I get the chance to brag a little on my friends and customers. And this is another one of those times.

Tim Saunders, sub 2 minutes at VIR this past Saturday in his C6 Z06
Not a super high mod car, compared to many. Excellent driving combined with a solid setup does wonders.

Most of the things on the car are of course available right here!

-Strano Performance 8472 front sway bar.
-Koni shocks with stock leaf springs. Shocking isn't it? You HAVE to have coil-overs, even more funny when a lot of the coil overs use pretty poor dampers.
-AP Racing 9668 calipers up front w/ my favorite Ferodo DS1.11's
-American Racing Headers
-After Dark Speed camber kit
-Trackspec fender hood and fender vents
-And the Improved Racing Oil cooler kit too.

About the only thing on here I don't carry is the APR rear wing, but did not want to imply the car wasn't running a wing.

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01/20/2023

Just a reminder that certain things make MASSIVE differences. Below is an excerpt of a conversation I just had with a customer who has a C6 Corvette Z51, Bridgestone RE71RS's and a Strano Performance 8472 front sway bar and a dual duty alignment. But it had the OEM GM Shocks. Koni Sports just went on, setup to my base starting point and here was the response to my asking how it felt:
"Welllllll I took it out late last night on a local canyon road.
ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM (after I got used to how quickly the car responds).
Feels like an actual sports car!!"
Shocks are not all created equal, in the case of C5 and C6 Corvettes they came with monotubes from GM, but that doesn't insure anything great, and keep in mind this is a Z51 car to start with too. Same applies for other shocks, monotube or twin tube both, deep down it's still a matter of how they are valved. The shape of the curve, the forces of the damping, those things matter. Buying an off the shelf shock, or a non-adjustable shock that someone claims is revalved but can't or won't show you what changed can leave you wanting.

10/12/2022

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCJ0AnP3I6Y

Take a ride with Justin Peachey around VIR Patriot Course in his C6 Z06 running on Strano Performance Parts tuned Penske 8300's along with Strano Performance Parts Adjustable sway bars.

Among other parts in Justin's car (and we carry ALL of these things too) are are Borg Motorsports Delrin Bushings, various AMT Motorsport pieces, Sparco seat, of course Hawk Brake pads, and Forgestar wheels.