In its first configuration, Dennis' hybrid Vette, which he built himself with Paul's help, was powered by a tweaked '85 L98 with Lingenfelter fuel injection and a Richmond six-speed. Due to its competition purposes, the '60 was also equipped, at that point, with a six-point rollcage, five-point safety harnesses, and a fuel cell. In 1999, however, Paul updated the roadster even further, by replacing the driveline with a '98 Camaro LS1 and T-56 six-speed transmission. Because the '60 was still primarily a track car, Dennis had Fuel Injection Specialties reprogram the LS1's computer and delete the O2 sensors so he could run leaded racing fuel without harming the motor. That LS1, inhaling through a pair of K&N air filters and exhaling through 2 1/4-inch Hooker mufflers, puts out 380 horsepower and 380 ft-lb torque. Thanks to a total dry weight of about 2,800 pounds, well-incorporated C4 suspension components, and the Gen-III LS1 sitting an inch further back from the front crossmember than the earlier small-block, the roadster can vastly out-handle a C4.
After participating in many track events with NASA, Dennis eventually decided that the potent performer ought to be converted for street use. The process included taming it down in a number of ways, including the replacement of the racing fuel cell with an almost artistically crafted stainless-steel fuel tank from Rock Valley, and replacing the six-point cage with a mere four-pointer. Don Oliver in Fort Bragg, California, applied the Millennium Yellow so it would shine everywhere it goes.
About the same time that conversion was completed, the bug bit Dennis to get another Corvette. In September 2002, he and Margo bought an early-production '02 Z06, which has quickly endeared itself in their hearts. Though, overall quite content with the new Vette's 405hp LS6, Dennis still wasted no time adding five-point harnesses, a Vararam air induction, a B&B cat-back exhaust, a fan control override, and a 170-degree thermostat to eek the most out of the Z06. "The Z06 is an awesome car, and [it saw it's first] track time with NASA this [past] summer in their high-performance driving school," Dennis says.
The Z06 has quickly become the primary toy in the Heyden household, since it does most things a little bit better, quicker, and more comfortably than the hybrid roadster. But it can't do everything. After all, there's only so much of the wind-in-your-hair exhilaration available in a fixed-roof hardtop, and it certainly can't compete with the charm of its classic stablemate. Like with all siblings, these "twins" have their own unique characters, but they truly are two of a kind!