Blackwing: Tools

Blackwing:
Tools

Here is a list of useful tools.

Tool

Floor Jack

Differential Filler

Jack Pad

Jack Stands

Lug Guides

Oil Funnel

Portable Air Tank

Push Pin Pliers

Race Ramps

Tool
Floor Jack
Differential Filler
Jack Pad
Jack Stands
Lug Guides
Oil Funnel
Portable Air Tank
Push Pin Pliers
Race Ramps

Floor Jack

I have a good jack from when I had my 2000 SS Camaro, a Lincoln 2-ton (W93642). It has a cup that is pretty low but not low enough for a C6 Corvette so I picked up an AC Hydraulic DK20Q. The DK20Q is really low.

Differential Filler

I made a custom filler assembly for filling differentials that fits quart size gear lube containers by soldering a short section of copper tubing to an old British copper penny. This allows me to get the container higher than the fill hole and squeeze the bottle to force the gear oil out through a plastic tube.

There aren't really enough threads on a quart oil container cap so I found a shampoo cap that had more. I used a thin gasket I found at the hardware store to keep it from leaking.

Jack Pad

The CT5 is a GM Alpha II platform car and is lifted from the pinch welds. I bought a pinch weld jack pad from ZL1 Addons. It wasn't the cheapest but it specifically states it works with the CT5.

Jack Stands

For jack stands I like the ESCO 10498 3 Ton. The jack pads have rubber covers and to not mark up the suspension.

Lug Guides

Steelman sells a useful tool called a threaded lug guide. Usually used in sets of three these are make it really easy to install a wheel without drama. The CT5-V Blackwing version is M14x1.5 (61013) and are 200mm long.

These were originally made by Reverse Logic.

Oil Funnel

Motivx Tools makes a neat oil funnel that locks in place of the oil cap of LS engines. It makes it almost impossible to spill oil when doing changes!

Portable Air Tank

I keep a bottle of industrial nitrogen to fill my tires. To make topping off easier I bought a 3 gallon portable air tank from Jegs (555-81003). I removed the Jegs sticker and applied custom vinyl "NITROGEN" decals from DIY Lettering. I also swapped out the hose for green Parker 801-4-GRN Push-Lok hose and a Legacy Manufacturing green ball foot air chuck (AL3000N-BG-GRA).

After a few years of use I broke the plastic knob on the manifold. I looked around and replaced it with a Performance Tool W10056 air tank manifold.

It's a bit unusual in that the knob is made out of aluminum.

Push Pin Pliers

GearWrench (formerly K-D Tools) 3888D push pin pliers can be helping for removing the plastic body clips.

Race Ramps

Years ago I had two sets of RhinoRamps. I paid about $30/pair at the Walmart and they worked great with the cars I had at the time. But they're were way too steep for my Z06-V so I ended up getting a pair of Race Ramps. These work great with the Blackwing.

There are a lot of models but ultimately I decided on the RR-72-2 which is 72" two-piece design that features a two-stage incline. Reverse Logic used to run sales and had the best deal when I was in the market. When I got them I spent a few minutes positioning them and then used a paint pen to mark the corners for each car. Now when I want to do an oil change I set the ramps and drive up like a pro.