The "infamous" Valet switch... - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Paul Workman · 05-29-2010

Oh! For those that didn't make it, something else besides DOHC vs. LSx came out of the round table discussions at the BG gathering, I thought was very interesting. It was the story behind the so-called Valet switch on the dash (aka the Normal-Full Power switch), as told by Dave McClellan.

Dave explained it this way...

California had adopted a "drive by" noise certification test where the car was to accelerate through a length of road where microphones were set up; a "test gate" (if you will) and sound levels were measured against a maximum allowable standard. (Other locals, including Oregon(?) and Chicago followed suit by instituting similar certification tests requirements.)

Corvette engineers feared the unfettered ZR-1 would not qualify. California Highway Patrol personnel were likely to be conducting the tests, and most likely some trooper(s) would be driving the car through the test gate.

So, to my best recollection of Dave M's explanation, Corvette engineering came up with the switch on the dash that would lock out the secondaries. And, they convinced the CHP and the California environmental (committee) that 210 hp was "Normal" and nobody in their right mind would use the "Full Power" position in normal driving situations!

The combination of the secondaries locked out and the (CAGS) 1-4 shift was presented and accepted as "normal" driving etiquette by California officials.

The car passed with flying colors. The switch we now know as the "Valet Switch" had noting to do with concerns over valets, but rather it had everything to do with meeting California standards for noise abatement certification.

As Paul Harvey used to say: "And, now you know...the REST of the story!"

If you missed the BG bash...you missed a hellofa party!

P.

Kevin · 05-30-2010

another reason i hate the peoples republic of comiefornia (sorry to anyone that lives there). I will never understand why one batshit crazy state dictates what the other 49 can have

Polo-1 · 05-30-2010

eighth largest economy in the world

money always talks

Locobob · 05-30-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polo-1

eighth largest economy in the world

money always talks

I think its more like eighth biggest debtor in the world now days

Ltfive · 05-30-2010

Considering that California has draconian gun laws that no other state follows (there are a couple with some of their own) I hardly think that we dictate anything.

Interesting story. They'e talked about drive by tailpipe sniffers, also, but I don't think any are being used.

tpepmeie · 05-30-2010

15 degrees of spark retard will also take some noise out of the passby test. The calibration has a "feature" which retards timing specifically under the conditions under which the test was run. >90% TPS between 28 and 32 mph, and between 2200-3200 rpm.

tomtom72 · 05-30-2010

You have to give credit where it's due to all the people involved in our car's birth. Those engineers are real car guys. The engineering subversiveness of that group has to be admired!

I know they had to do something to make the car legal for sale, it's their job.....but to a non-technical person the lengths that they went to, and the magnitude of the creativity brought to bear on this whole project just astounds me.

to Dave, and Lotus, and MM, and all the rest of that staff.

ZR1Vette · 05-30-2010

Paul... you got it correct, but they also mentioned that several states had the same noise requirements but when they heard CA OK'd the ZR-1 they simply said "if CA is OK then we are OK" so saved on more certifications.

Another thing that I am glad was cleared up... Stillwater folks did NOT renumber returned engines meaning whatever serial number was stamped into the engine upon manufacturing was not over-stamped/ground off and re-stamped etc. after engine corrections were done. Now as to the few who found such on their engines...well the mystery continues.

I really enjoyed the stories about the endurance run...some are pretty funny. Did anyone follow the pool table light discussion??...

Also maybe someone can answer this one... why is it called 'Morrison Racing' if Tommy signs his name Tommy Morris

Paul Workman · 05-30-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZR1Vette

Paul... you got it correct, but they also mentioned that several states had the same noise requirements but when they heard CA OK'd the ZR-1 they simply said "if CA is OK then we are OK" so saved on more certifications.

Another thing that I am glad was cleared up... Stillwater folks did NOT renumber returned engines meaning whatever serial number was stamped into the engine upon manufacturing was not over-stamped/ground off and re-stamped etc. after engine corrections were done. Now as to the few who found such on their engines...well the mystery continues.

I really enjoyed the stories about the endurance run...some are pretty funny. Did anyone follow the pool table light discussion??...

Also maybe someone can answer this one... why is it called 'Morrison Racing' if Tommy signs his name Tommy Morris

Yes, and now that you mention it, it was California (again) that later mandated the power switch "default" to "Normal" on start-up.

Boy...the chit we gotta put up with b/c of the influence of California's draconian rules!!

P.

rhipsher · 05-30-2010

That's one of the many reasons I left San Jose California. I left the perfect all year around weather and beauty to move to ugly hot and humid Texas. But I feel more proud to live here than there. Everybody is packing here. And you can pop a cap in anybody that trespasses on your property and its perfectly legal. If I still lived in Cali I'd have to learn to speak vietnamese. Uh! I don't think so.

05-29-2010	#1
Paul Workman Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Squires (near Ava MO in the Mark Twain N'tl Forest) - Missouri Posts: 6,493	The "infamous" Valet switch... Oh! For those that didn't make it, something else besides DOHC vs. LSx came out of the round table discussions at the BG gathering, I thought was very interesting. It was the story behind the so-called Valet switch on the dash (aka the Normal-Full Power switch), as told by Dave McClellan. Dave explained it this way... California had adopted a "drive by" noise certification test where the car was to accelerate through a length of road where microphones were set up; a "test gate" (if you will) and sound levels were measured against a maximum allowable standard. (Other locals, including Oregon(?) and Chicago followed suit by instituting similar certification tests requirements.) Corvette engineers feared the unfettered ZR-1 would not qualify. California Highway Patrol personnel were likely to be conducting the tests, and most likely some trooper(s) would be driving the car through the test gate. So, to my best recollection of Dave M's explanation, Corvette engineering came up with the switch on the dash that would lock out the secondaries. And, they convinced the CHP and the California environmental (committee) that 210 hp was "Normal" and nobody in their right mind would use the "Full Power" position in normal driving situations! The combination of the secondaries locked out and the (CAGS) 1-4 shift was presented and accepted as "normal" driving etiquette by California officials. The car passed with flying colors. The switch we now know as the "Valet Switch" had noting to do with concerns over valets, but rather it had everything to do with meeting California standards for noise abatement certification. As Paul Harvey used to say: *"And, now you know...the REST* of the story!"** If you missed the BG bash...you missed a hellofa party! P. __________________ Good carz, good food, good friendz = the best of timez! 90 #1202 "FBI" top end ported & relieved Cam timing by "Pete the Greek" Sans secondaries Chip & dyno tuning by Haibeck Automotive SW headers, X-pipe, MF muffs Former Secretary, ZR-1 Net Registry Last edited by Paul Workman; 05-29-2010 at 11:14 PM.

05-30-2010	#2
Kevin Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: pittsburgh Posts: 4,632	Re: The "infamous" Valet switch... another reason i hate the peoples republic of comiefornia (sorry to anyone that lives there). I will never understand why one batshit crazy state dictates what the other 49 can have __________________ It's not the car, it's the people - Doug Johnson 90 r/r "KEYS ON" nick named "T.L.B"

05-30-2010	#3
Polo-1 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Washington Posts: 955	Re: The "infamous" Valet switch... eighth largest economy in the world money always talks

05-30-2010	#5
Ltfive Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Jose Posts: 43	Re: The "infamous" Valet switch... Considering that California has draconian gun laws that no other state follows (there are a couple with some of their own) I hardly think that we dictate anything. Interesting story. They'e talked about drive by tailpipe sniffers, also, but I don't think any are being used.

05-30-2010	#6
tpepmeie Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Fishers, IN Posts: 815	Re: The "infamous" Valet switch... 15 degrees of spark retard will also take some noise out of the passby test. The calibration has a "feature" which retards timing specifically under the conditions under which the test was run. >90% TPS between 28 and 32 mph, and between 2200-3200 rpm.

05-30-2010	#7
tomtom72 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Jacksonville, FL USA Posts: 4,645	Re: The "infamous" Valet switch... You have to give credit where it's due to all the people involved in our car's birth. Those engineers are real car guys. The engineering subversiveness of that group has to be admired! I know they had to do something to make the car legal for sale, it's their job.....but to a non-technical person the lengths that they went to, and the magnitude of the creativity brought to bear on this whole project just astounds me. to Dave, and Lotus, and MM, and all the rest of that staff. __________________ 1990 ZR-1, Black/grey, #2233, stock. ZR-1 Net Reg Founding Member #316 & NCM member

05-30-2010	#8
ZR1Vette Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Reston, Virginia Posts: 939	Re: The "infamous" Valet switch... Paul... you got it correct, but they also mentioned that several states had the same noise requirements but when they heard CA OK'd the ZR-1 they simply said "if CA is OK then we are OK" so saved on more certifications. Another thing that I am glad was cleared up... Stillwater folks did NOT renumber returned engines meaning whatever serial number was stamped into the engine upon manufacturing was not over-stamped/ground off and re-stamped etc. after engine corrections were done. Now as to the few who found such on their engines...well the mystery continues. I really enjoyed the stories about the endurance run...some are pretty funny. Did anyone follow the pool table light discussion??... Also maybe someone can answer this one... why is it called 'Morrison Racing' if Tommy signs his name Tommy Morris __________________ Michael :cheers: [I][SIZE="2"]1990 RED on RED #566[/SIZE][/I] [I][SIZE="2"]WAZOO MEMBER[/I][/SIZE]

05-30-2010	#10
rhipsher Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Houston 90 Red ZR-1 Posts: 2,320	Re: The "infamous" Valet switch... That's one of the many reasons I left San Jose California. I left the perfect all year around weather and beauty to move to ugly hot and humid Texas. But I feel more proud to live here than there. Everybody is packing here. And you can pop a cap in anybody that trespasses on your property and its perfectly legal. If I still lived in Cali I'd have to learn to speak vietnamese. Uh! I don't think so.