Camaro SS

[CheapJeep]

Bought my Camaro SS back in Feb 2011. Since then it has stayed stock for the last 42,000 miles with the exception of adding 2 10" JL audio subs and amp.

Factory Specs.
-LS3 rated at 426hp and 420 lb-ft
-TR6060 manual 6spd.
-2SS package (console gauges, sunroof, leather)
-RS stripes

Stock Pics

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/Camaro/DSC_0004.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/Camaro/DSC_0010.jpg


I hadn't done any performance modifications to it since I wanted to keep the powertrain warranty from being voided. After it ran out at 36,000 I decided to start ordering parts.


The List
-Texas Speed and Performance (TSP) 1 7/8" primary to 3" collector long tube headers.
-TSP 3" high flow cats.
-TSP 3" exhaust with x-pipe and magnaflow mufflers.
-Comp camshaft. 231/236 .641"/.615" 112 lsa
-PRC .675" dual valve springs, seats, retainers
-TSP chromoly 7.4 pushrods
-3 bolt cam gear and ARP bolts
-TSP 15% underdrive pulley
-160* thermostat
-Hurst stage II short shifter
-RotoFab intake
-Nitrous Express plate system
-Pfadt Engineering stage II suspension
-American Racing Wheels Boulevards 20x8" front and 20x10" rear

About 6 months ago while the Camaro was parked at the office all day, never left, I came out to find a dent in the driver side front fender. No car on that side only a median. Regardless, I had searched junkyards and craigslist for months to no avail. Vendors wanted around $380 including freight shipping then another $400 in paint/labor. Dealership quoted $1000 for parts, paint, and labor.

Luckily, I came across a pair of cyber grey fenders brand new with only 100 miles on them from AAC Lighting Concepts on Camaro5.com. The owner wanted custom z06 vented fenders and AAC had the stock ones sitting for over a year.

For $180, I got both front fenders even though I only needed one, only problem was they didn't want to ship. So I left on a friday after work and drove to New Orleans, had a good night on the town, picked up the fenders the next morning and made it home with 2 new fenders wrapped in blankets in the back seat. Good deal...

[CheapJeep]

Fenders...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/Camaro/IMAG0251.jpg



Cam install pics....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/Camaro/IMAG0259.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/Camaro/IMAG0261.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/Camaro/IMAG0265.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/Camaro/IMAG0271.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/Camaro/IMAG0274.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/Camaro/IMAG0275.jpg

[CheapJeep]

More...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/Camaro/IMAG0276.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/Camaro/IMAG0278.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/Camaro/IMAG0283.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/Camaro/IMAG0284.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/Camaro/IMAG0287.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/Camaro/IMAG0294.jpg

Suspension...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/Camaro/IMAG0296.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/Camaro/IMAG0295.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/Camaro/IMAG0305.jpg

[CheapJeep]

Back up and running...

Added a heritage grill and retro SS emblems.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/Camaro/IMAG0307.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/Camaro/IMAG0308.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/Camaro/IMAG0309.jpg



Finishing the Nitrous Express system tonight. Taking it over to Late Model Racecraft tomorrow for dyno tuning.

Running a Lingenfelter LNC-2000 for timing retard duties, MSD 8969 digital window switch, NX tps, and NX automatic bottle heater. Built my own stand alone fuel system using a Jaz 1 gallon fuel cell and Holley blue fuel pump mounted in the trunk with -8 steel braided lines routed to Holley fp regulator in the front.

[BroncoJo]

How many horsepower did the thermostat add?

[Sharpe]

Needs spinners.

[RCcola55]

Are they going to spray it on a dyno run?

[Sparling]

How many horsepower did the thermostat add?

Probably about as much as your new headlights. Except the T-stat actually does something.

[sam_hodnett]

Awesome, but I like the stock wheels better

[KrazyKarl02]

When are you going to the track? Let me know, I'll go be track bitch.

Not being a dick, but with the cam and shat, did it effect drivavbility? My brother-in-law had a mustang 302 with GT-40 heads (in an explorer...), put a cam in it and it would not start if you had the A/C on or foot on the brakes. Any difference?

[BroncoJo]

My new headlights shine light as my old ones didn't ...

[tigweld]

whats the reasoning behind going back to standard springs from the beehives. the larger retainer and bigger spring have to weight quit a bit more. this seems anti productive.

[CheapJeep]

How many horsepower did the thermostat add?
The factory t-stat doesn't open until 190* or so. The 160* helps keep heat soak/temps down a few degrees.


Are they going to spray it on a dyno run?

Ya, LMR called this morning and changed my tune time to 2pm today.


Awesome, but I like the stock wheels better

I don't... I hated the way the spokes stuck all the way out to the lip of the wheel. I wanted something that had a wide lip and the spokes tucked back near the center giving it the old school muscle car look. It's hard to tell in the pics since they're chrome.

[davido]

Nice!

The one I saw in NE had covers like these also, to complete the retro look.

http://gmauthority.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Camaro-Light-Covers.jpg

I would have gotten a photo, but we were too busy "doing work" in and out of traffic. I was in a Jetta. :)

[CheapJeep]

When are you going to the track? Let me know, I'll go be track bitch.

Not being a dick, but with the cam and shat, did it effect drivavbility? My brother-in-law had a mustang 302 with GT-40 heads (in an explorer...), put a cam in it and it would not start if you had the A/C on or foot on the brakes. Any difference?

Thinking about tonight. I'll let ya know for sure.

My department manager has a wrx STI with a bigger turbo and I kept stomping him. Then he put a water meth injection kit in and I lost. Now he just finished putting another new turbo on and is tuning today as well. So....we're planning on settling the grudge match tonight.

As for the drivability...right now with the factory tune in it, I have gone from having 4 catalytic converters and 4 O2 sensors to only 2 high flow cats and 2 o2 sensors (been like that since I did the exhaust a couple months ago). With the cam swap and everything else it's definitely throwing codes. However, it starts right up and maintains idle even after cruising at hwy speeds. The tune will disable the missing o2 sensors, recalibrate a/f ratios, maf, etc. basically it won't throw codes and will run excellent.


whats the reasoning behind going back to standard springs from the beehives. the larger retainer and bigger spring have to weight quit a bit more. this seems anti productive.
I don't think the beehives would last very long with near .650" lift. With dual springs on each valve the chances of breaking a spring are decreased, especially in the upper rpm range. They would wear out faster as well and I wouldn't want to have to change springs every 20k miles.

[Fredo]

Robbie, with that grill and those wheels, I would swear you were a fan of mondays.

[CheapJeep]

Robbie, with that grill and those wheels, I would swear you were a fan of mondays.

Damn, such Hatorade...eh, everyone has their own preference. The wheels do look different in person compared to the pics.

Here's a close up from American Racing Wheels website http://www.americanracing.com/wheels/?siteid=1&groupid=55


Just curious, but what does being a fan of mondays mean? Only thing I could think of was the movie Office Space.

[JB]

Looks good Robbie.

[davido]

"Nitrous is for fags...this has cubic inches."

[Fredo]

Are those wheels chrome or polished? They don't photograph well apparently. I thought they were some slightly dished spoke design with raised edges.

I don't know. Wheels are always a make or break decision on a car. I've always thought any one of these would look tits on a new camaro.

This would be my first choice of wheels for one:
http://www.billetspecialties.com/wheels/vintage-series/vintageseries/heritageg/

Second Choice:
http://www.billetspecialties.com/wheels/vintec-series/vintecseries/sld89/

Third:
http://www.billetspecialties.com/wheels/slc-series/slcseries/turbine/


And sorry about the grill....just not my taste. I actually kind of like the factory grid grill. The horizontal grill would only work for me if there are hideaway headlights on either side of it.

Oh, and "mondays" is like canadians. Nobody likes a monday.

[CheapJeep]

Thanks JB.

Yeah, the wheels don't photograph well due to the chrome. The reflection throws it off.

[CheapJeep]

So I got my tune/dyno session (motor only) done yesterday. They had a ZR1 on the dyno when I got there and it took longer than expected so I'm going back this Wednesday to do my nitrous pulls.

LateModelRacecraft did a great job just as expected. They build some of the fastest LS powered drag and standing mile cars out there. Even though Houston is the mecca for LS focused shops, LMR is the best in my opinion.

They were surprised by how much power my setup made. Specifically, how the torque curve carried across the mid-upper rpms. Even told me their in-house cam packages didn't make as much power. They videoed the last dyno tune and afterward asked me for the cam specs and wrote it down so I imagine they might be incorporating it into their own offerings.

I have to admit, it's a whole different experience (50% nerve racking, 50% excited/proud) watching your ride that you did the work on going all out on the dyno.


Taking into account the ****ty weather conditions with temp's at 100* and humidity at 90+% I know the numbers would be even better in a couple of months when it gets cooler. Then again, it's not a dyno queen anyway.

Results- final hit resulted in 471 hp and 428 tq at 11.5 +/- A/F ratio. Baseline on first pull was 455hp 412 tq at 13+/- A/F ratio.

Going back Wednesday for the nitrous dyno session with it pilled for a 150 shot.

[TdmayfieldIV]

sweet!

are those rear wheel or flywheel numbers?

[Sparling]

they took his motor out to put it on an engine dyno.

[TdmayfieldIV]

Actually, douche, some people calculate flywheel horsepower by measuring parasitic loss on the coast down period of the dyno run.

Again, if you're going to be a douche, douche right.

[bcolman]

they took his motor out to put it on an engine dyno.

i doubt this, i would assume that his motor only comment related to the fact that he did not get to dyno with a spray of nos thus motor only

[Sparling]

i doubt this, i would assume that his motor only comment related to the fact that he did not get to dyno with a spray of nos thus motor only

I guess the sarcasm towards Tommy just flew right over your head? or did you think I was serious?

[AggieTJ2007]

So how did the nitro dyno session go?

[CheapJeep]

Got tied up with work last week and didn't have time to make it over there. I'll try again this week or next.

Overall, the suspension kit really improved the ride and handling, steering response is much improved, and body roll is gone. Really pleased with the performance from the cam, lth's, intake, etc., from 2200rpm and up it screams. Even though the cam grind is for mid to upper power, it still shreds tires effortlessly down low. At idle it sounds pretty radical, shaking and rocking side to side. I dig it....


I did get the nitrous system finished up......and tested. Pretty impressed with how hard it pulls and pins you to the seat. On street tires it can get pretty stupid... I have the NX TPSS set for wot, MSD 8969 coming on at 3000 and shutting off at 6300, Lingenfelter LNC-2000 pulling 6 degrees (only when system comes on), running NGK BR7EF (2 heat ranges colder), and pills for a 150 shot.

I ended up taking it to HMP (1/8th mile) last friday night. Still working on launch rpm's for a manual car to get a good 60ft and not bog or spin. ET's were mid 8's but with bogging off the line (2.who knows?), missed shifts (remember to remove drinks from cupholders), and skating around on street tires there's definitely room for improvement.

I decided to get a set of rear wheels/tires dedicated for track days/weekends. It's a pita trying to find a smaller diameter wheel in the right backspace and offset to clear the factory Brembo brakes and I didn't want to mess with swapping them out for the smaller v6's. Weld makes their 17" RTS series specifically for these cars but the 4 week wait time and $500 per wheel made me look elsewhere.

After a lot of research and calling around for the best deal, I ordered 2 TSW 18x10" Nurburgring's and 2 Mickey Thompson ET Street Radial 305/35r18. The rims aren't exactly my favorite style but they clear the brakes and they're pretty light weight.

[CheapJeep]

Pics of the nitrous system and stand alone fuel system installed. Tried to keep it as clean and low key as possible. Hated having to cut into the factory wiring harness but solder spliced the NX TPSS signal wire into TPS and MSD 8969 into #1 Coil Pack signal wire.


Initially I had seperate hose clamps for each fuel and nitrous/wire loom line and zip tied them in between. I have since gone back and added larger rubberlined hose clamps to hold them together as one "harness".

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/Camaro/IMAG0330.jpg


I chose/made a different route for my lines, probably need to add rubber grommets. Most people run them along the driveshaft tunnel heat shield but it dead ends at the headers and leaves your lines exposed.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/Camaro/IMAG0329.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/Camaro/IMAG0332.jpg


System arming switch, Stand alone fuel pump/automatic bottle heater switch, purge button

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/Camaro/IMAG0337.jpg

[CheapJeep]

Trunk layout.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/Camaro/IMAG0339.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/Camaro/IMAG0340.jpg


Under Hood

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/Camaro/IMAG0341.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/Camaro/IMAG0344.jpg

Purge line exit

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/Camaro/IMAG0346.jpg

[robertf03]

do you cut a hole in the hood to see the gauge GTO style?

[breckboarder55]

I'm a little late to the party, but nice numbers!

[CheapJeep]

Been running good.

I recently installed an RPS Twin Carbon "street slayer" clutch and DSS 300M axles. The stock clutch held on nitrous for a while but eventually started to slip pretty good when spraying it. I also finished up my home built stand alone fuel system and did some work on the rear suspension to help it hook up better.

Huge difference with those changes.... Definitely putting down in the neighborhood of 650+rwhp on nitrous, another 5th gen camaro built by adm performance making 632rwhp was not victorious on two occassions.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/2012%20Jeep%20and%20Camaro%20Work/IMAG0390.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/2012%20Jeep%20and%20Camaro%20Work/IMAG0393.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/2012%20Jeep%20and%20Camaro%20Work/IMAG0396.jpg

[Sharpe]

Does it have a goofy foot gas pedal?

[FJAggie07]

Robbie, I know I am late to the party but the Camaro looks great!



After a lot of research and calling around for the best deal, I ordered 2 TSW 18x10" Nurburgring's and 2 Mickey Thompson ET Street Radial 305/35r18. The rims aren't exactly my favorite style but they clear the brakes and they're pretty light weight.

In reading through this thread I was wondering if you have any experience with your rear wheel and tire setup? Since I am so new to this hobby I don't have much experience, but I am picking up a set of 18" wheels for my car and was thinking about mounting up a set of those Mickey Thompson's for track use. Thanks!

[CheapJeep]

Thanks.

The Mickey's are decent. Going with some M&H drag radials next time.

[CheapJeep]

Update time...

A little back story for those that don't know, but a couple days before Clayton 2012 an unfortunate event occurred. The #2 intake dual valvespring failed and carnage ensued.... (It happened while driving down I-10 in 6th gear at 70mph.)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/LS3%20Build/IMAG0487_zps4eb45148.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/blink05/media/LS3%20Build/IMAG0487_zps4eb45148.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/LS3%20Build/IMAG0491_zps7ba8e343.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/blink05/media/LS3%20Build/IMAG0491_zps7ba8e343.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/LS3%20Build/IMAG0494_zps85616de8.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/blink05/media/LS3%20Build/IMAG0494_zps85616de8.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/LS3%20Build/IMAG0497_zps00008945.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/blink05/media/LS3%20Build/IMAG0497_zps00008945.jpg.html)
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[CheapJeep]

So....

There was no turning back and only plans for more horsepower, so I decided to build a forged stroker LS.

It took 7 months to save/scrounge up the skrilla for all the parts and I built it myself to keep costs down.

Parts came from Callies, Wiseco, PRC, Comp, Lunati, Manley, etc.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/LS3%20Build/13-214_zps8d776b93.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/blink05/media/LS3%20Build/13-214_zps8d776b93.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/LS3%20Build/13-172_zps12e1fe01.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/blink05/media/LS3%20Build/13-172_zps12e1fe01.jpg.html)
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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/LS3%20Build/13-150_zps628b380f.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/blink05/media/LS3%20Build/13-150_zps628b380f.jpg.html)

[CheapJeep]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/LS3%20Build/13-155_zps649d7cdf.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/blink05/media/LS3%20Build/13-155_zps649d7cdf.jpg.html)
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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/LS3%20Build/13-138_zps9e7d37f3.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/blink05/media/LS3%20Build/13-138_zps9e7d37f3.jpg.html)
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[CheapJeep]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/LS3%20Build/13-126_zps1b59e563.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/blink05/media/LS3%20Build/13-126_zps1b59e563.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/LS3%20Build/13-116_zpsba38383c.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/blink05/media/LS3%20Build/13-116_zpsba38383c.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/LS3%20Build/13-113_zps5a7c32a8.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/blink05/media/LS3%20Build/13-113_zps5a7c32a8.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/LS3%20Build/13-99_zps6f1130db.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/blink05/media/LS3%20Build/13-99_zps6f1130db.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/LS3%20Build/13-102_zps8b8266be.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/blink05/media/LS3%20Build/13-102_zps8b8266be.jpg.html)
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[CheapJeep]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/LS3%20Build/13-97_zps9de6e75c.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/blink05/media/LS3%20Build/13-97_zps9de6e75c.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/LS3%20Build/13-95_zps4490899b.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/blink05/media/LS3%20Build/13-95_zps4490899b.jpg.html)


Dyno numbers....

N/A it ran out of air at 5800rpm with the stock intake manifold. With a 150 shot through the plate kit it made 680rwhp.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/blink05/LS3%20Build/13-85_zps2f7b6189.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/blink05/media/LS3%20Build/13-85_zps2f7b6189.jpg.html)

[FJAggie07]

Nice! That 150 shot is pretty stout. Spray bars is pretty.

I am going with a very similar weld setup on my car as well sometime this winter as my drag pack. Only a 75 shot tho, I am not putting in all those fancy rods and **** ;)

What times were you able to put down before the **** went boom. Your new setup should be mid 10's and low 130's right?

[CheapJeep]

I recently returned home after working offshore for 3 weeks (started in South America and ended in the Gulf).

I already swapped the stock intake manifold out for a Fast 102mm LSXR intake. Working on finishing up the direct port fogger nitrous system and progressive controller right now.

We will see where it ends up, should be pretty close to 900rwhp and run high 9 second et's.

[FJAggie07]

Running 9's with a stick. Damn. I am missing that driver mod. :D

[CheapJeep]

Nice! That 150 shot is pretty stout. Spray bars is pretty.

I am going with a very similar weld setup on my car as well sometime this winter as my drag pack. Only a 75 shot tho, I am not putting in all those fancy rods and **** ;)

What times were you able to put down before the **** went boom. Your new setup should be mid 10's and low 130's right?

Thanks man. Put a lot of work into this thing, glad to finally have it back on the road.

Best et on the old setup was 11.48 at 121mph...I didn't have a whole lot of track passes on it before it broke, spent most of the time racing in "Mexico"....(pm me if you want more details/footage).

Once I get it all dialed in, it should be high 9's at low 140's. The fogger is jetted for a 300 shot.